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Vocations

- Sacraments

Priesthood

Priestly Vocations Website

Our new diocesan website dedicated to fostering priestly vocations, www.dolpriest.ca, was launched on Priesthood Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. The hope of this site is that it will lead young men who are discerning the priesthood to discover the gift of their vocation, and offer them resources that are relevant to their experience. The site is regularly updated by Fr. Danny Santos, Director of Vocations and Seminarians. Please share the address of the website, in particular if you know of someone who might be interested in the priesthood.
Permanent Deaconate

Restored after 1,500 years by Second Vatican Council, the Permanent Diaconate is rooted in the New Testament Church. The apostles chose deacons to help them respond to the pressing needs of the infant Church and to maintain fidelity to its mission of service. Deacons are called to embody the ideal of every follower of Christ, to be "one who serves." (Luke 22:27) Pope St. Paul VI implemented the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council in 1967. Since then, the diaconate has flourished in many countries around the world, including Canada. There are currently 81 permanent deacons serving in the Diocese of London.

Permanent Deacons are:
Ministers of Service: Though all are servants by Baptism, the permanent deacon is ordained as a sacramental sign of the Christ the Servant. Deacons offer direct service to those in need, and also help church members to discover their participation in the ministry of Christ. Service is the calling of the deacon.

Ministers of the Church: Permanent deacons are ordained for the service of the diocese and are recognized as collaborative associates of the Bishop and priests, lay ministers and professionals. The ministry of permanent deacons in parishes and in special outreach ministries calls for a team approach that complements the ministries of others.

Ordained Ministers: Permanent deacons share in the Sacrament of Orders with the Bishop and priests. By ordination the permanent deacon is brought into a new relationship in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Graced for ministry, the permanent deacon is publicly acknowledged by the Church as one called by God to serve the community of believers and the evangelizing mission of the church.

What They Do: A permanent deacon's ministry evolves in response to specific needs and his God-given talents. There are three dimensions of diaconal service: Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and Ministry within the Liturgy. Permanent deacons prepare the faithful to receive the sacraments and to carry out their vocations as baptized Christians. They are able to preach, teach, counsel and give spiritual guidance. They baptize, witness marriages and preside at wake services. In all that they do, permanent deacons act as servants of the church.

If you are interested in discerning further a vocation to the permanent diaconate, please contact Deacon Dennis Rivest at [email protected].
Discernment for Women

A woman who enters consecrated life chooses to deepen her baptismal commitment by taking vows which emphasize the values of prayer, loving service, and simple living in community with others. Consecrated women serve the Church and community in many ways, including: youth ministry, homeless and hungry, battered women, education, healthcare, family life and parish pastoral ministry. Some Sisters are totally dedicated to the contemplative life. The resources here are to help a discerning woman discover the next steps in her journey. May God bless you as you search for His holy will.

If you are not certain of your interest in a particular community or form of consecrated life, yet believe you may have a vocation to the consecrated life, the diocesan Director of Vocations may help you discern. They can suggest reading materials, arrange for visitations, answer questions and provide the spiritual guidance candidates need. Please contact the Director of Vocations and Seminarians, Fr. Danny Santos at [email protected] for more information.

South Kent Catholic Family of Parishes

Blenheim - Ridgetown - Thamesville

Vocations

Priesthood

Priestly Vocations Website

Permanent Deaconate

Discernment for Women