Deacon Formation Opening Second, Concurrent Class

June 25, 2025

By Jennifer Willems

Deacon Jim Houston is convinced there are many potential permanent deacons in church pews around southwest Iowa, but they may not know it yet.

Now is the perfect time to give these men a “nudge,” he said.

To meet a growing need for permanent deacons, the Diocese of Des Moines will issue a call to inquiry for a second formation class of these servant leaders in the fall, according to Deacon Houston, director of the diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office. It will run concurrently with the current class of 19 men who are already studying to be deacons.

Those who would like more information about diaconal ministry are invited to a St. Lawrence Dinner on Sunday, June 29, at Corpus Christi-Queen of Apostles in Council Bluffs. The gathering will start at 4 p.m. and include an informal meal, a short presentation, and time for questions.

Priests, deacons and parishioners are asked to encourage the men they think would make good deacons to attend the dinner.

“We all know who is in our parish that we think would be a good leader,” said Deacon Houston, adding that this encouragement might be what they need to take the next step.

Half of Parishes Have Deacons

While other dioceses have more than one group in formation at the same time – the Archdiocese of Dubuque starts a new class every two years, for example – this is a first for the Diocese of Des Moines. The new approach is designed to grow the program.

There are 51 permanent deacons serving in 39 of the Diocese’s 80 parishes, said Deacon Houston. Twenty of those deacons will be eligible to retire by the time the current class is ordained in September 2028.

“If we have 19 men ordained and 19 or 20 men retire, we still have 50 deacons. That’s just not growth,” he said.

“I’ve probably got half a dozen parishes today that would like a deacon and another bunch that don’t know they need a deacon, but I don’t have anybody to move around,” Deacon Houston said.

In addition to 51 active deacons, the Diocese of Des Moines has 49 retired deacons.

 

Rooted in the Early Church

The permanent diaconate has its roots the early church, when the Apostles determined they needed help to serve the community so they could devote themselves to “prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:1-6) In time, it fell into disuse but was restored during the Second Vatican Council.

The Diocese of Des Moines ordained its first permanent deacons in 1972.

Deacons are ministers of the Word, sacrament and charity -- preaching and teaching in the name of the church; baptizing, witnessing marriages, and conducting wake and funeral services; and identifying the needs of others and providing help. Permanent deacons do not go on to priestly ordination, as transitional deacons do.

Called to Serve

“We’re looking for men who are called to serve. The word ‘deacon’ is a derivative of diakonos, which is Greek for ‘servant’ or ‘servant-leader,” Deacon Houston said. Their prime example of service is Christ washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.

He said the move to virtual learning is an attempt to draw men from the rural and Spanish-speaking communities of the Diocese of Des Moines. It also makes the formation more convenient to men with young families, allowing them to spend time with their wives and children while continuing to learn.

For more information, contact the Vocations Office by email at vocations@dmdiocese.org or by phone at 515-237-5034.

How Do I Become a Deacon?

Diaconate formation runs for five years and includes two years of aspirancy and three years of candidacy.

During aspirancy, the men are asked to step back from what they’re doing in their parishes to focus on their discernment of their call, and on their intellectual formation, which is accomplished virtually using the Josephinum Diaconate Institute. In addition to the classes – available in English and Spanish – and assignments, the men have access to the professor once a week and have a Zoom meeting with Deacon Matt Halbach, director of diocesan Diaconate Formation. They come together one Saturday a month at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Atlantic.

The current class of potential deacons has just finished the aspirancy phase and is now involved in assessments and interviews. When that is done, the formation team makes a recommendation to Bishop William Joensen, who will invite them to the next phase, which is candidacy.

While candidacy also includes intellectual formation, the men are encouraged to get involved in their parishes again and explore the practical aspects of diaconal ministry. At the end of this phase, there are more assessments and interviews, another recommendation is made, and a final meeting held with the bishop.

If all goes well, there will be a call to ordination.