Personal Resources
March 2021
Deacon James Keating reveals the diaconate’s state of affairs and offers innovative and practical formation advice.
The article comes from the March/April 2021 issue of The Deacon and features an interview with Deacon James Keating. In the article, Deacon Keating offers some observations and insights regarding diaconal formation.
March 2021
Committee Goals: to grow the spirituality of the Presbyterate both individually and collectively, to encourage priests to speak about their spiritual life, and to encourage priests to gather and offer mutual support for one another.
August 2020
At the request of the Committee for the Continuing Education, Formation and Support of Clergy, Deacon Dan Romanello, a committee member compiled a list of books for the active and retired deacons of the diocese that offered important messages of hope, enrichment, truth, and inspiration during these challenging days of the pandemics of COVID-19 and racial discord.
The list of books were recommended and submitted to Deacon Dan by many of our deacons.
We are grateful to Deacon Dan and his wife, Patti, for taking the time to categorize the books and compile a reading list for ongoing education and formation of our deacons.
December 2019
More than a century ago, waves of Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Poland and Quebec settled in Chicopee and other western Massachusetts mill towns, helping build churches, rectories and schools to accommodate their faith. Today the priests leading those churches are under siege due to stresses, challenges and sex abuse scandals complicating their lives and those of their fellow priests across the United States.
June 2019
Recovery Spirituality Retreat to be held July 29 – August 2, 2019 at Genesis Spiritual Life Center in Westfield.
The Recovery Spirituality Retreat is designed specifically for Priests, Sisters, Brothers, and Pastors who are in recovery from any form of addiction. Anonymity is assured, and the retreat is closed to non-ordained persons. Deacons are also welcome.
Retreat leaders are Sr. Madeleine Joy, SP, BSN and Fr. Mark Stelzer. Please see the attachment for details.
September 2018
Now, maybe more than ever, we need priests who demonstrate leadership through confidence, competence and compassion, and who are role models for one another and their parishioners.
August 2018
The current situations in the church can be disheartening, disturbing and distressful. This article may be helpful. It is offered to provide our deacons and priests with the resources needed to remain healthy (whole and holy).
June 2018
Please find attached a list of recommended reading for personal vitality, fiction and non-fiction, and as an aid to ministry and ongoing education/formation. If you would like to recommend a book or resource please use the Contact Tool at the bottom of the page and your suggestions will be included in the From Our Brothers section of this website.
February 2018
Nothing, says this scholar of women’s ordination in the early church.
By Phyllis Zagano – a senior research associate-in-residence and adjunct professor of religion at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. She is the author of Women Deacons: Past, Present, Future (Paulist, 2011).
Source URL: http://www.uscatholic.org/womendeacons
March 2018
It is alw
ays a source of sadness when a young priest leaves the priesthood. After years of discernment and formation, the exit of a young priest can be a surprising and distressing event.
While there are many reasons one may leave the priesthood, the saddest is complications arising from a lack of support. In this article, I will set out seven important steps in nurturing the vocations of the newly ordained. In addition, these steps surely will help all those in priestly ministry to live happier and holier lives.
December 2017
Clericalism is crippling the pastoral mission of the church.
By Father Donald Cozzens
Finally there appears an issue that our divided church can agree on. Catholics of all stripes – conservatives and liberals and in-betweens – are declaring a pox on clericalism. From Pope Francis to the back pew widow, from seminary rectors to lay ecclesial ministers, we agree that clericalism is crippling the pastoral mission of the church.
The Dec. 26, 2017 edition of US Catholic magazine posted an essay by Father Donald Cozzens titled “Don’t put priests on a pedestal.” In the article he contends that clericalism is a “cancer crippling the Catholic world—from local communities to Vatican offices—is so deeply embedded in our past and present church fabric that we need a careful presurgery examination. So pull on your surgical gloves and join me in the pre-op room.”
Father Donald Cozzens is a writer in residence at John Carroll University, where he teaches in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies.
October 2017
We often turn to social media to connect with friends and share news. What happens when enjoyment is replaced with stress? Nearly 40 percent of adults recently reported feeling stressed by social media posts about the election and cultural hot-button issues (American Psychological Association, October 2016). “Social media is often used as a coping strategy,” says Taryn Millar, Psy.D., chief operating officer for Saint Luke Institute. “People turn to social media to escape stress. Now, rather than the relief they expect, social media is bringing more stress.” Dr. Millar recommends simple coping strategies to decrease stress levels.
Tips from the article include:
- Limit your time on social media. Turn off notification alerts on your phone and email. Find a replacement activity that you enjoy: another kind of safe technology, a walk, deep breathing, mindfulness or a fun activity.
- You cannot control what others write, but you can practice good self care so you are less stressed and don’t post something impulsively you will regret. Finally, if you need to be online for work or ministry, restrict this activity to normal work hours. Don’t post at night when you are tired. Also, plan a short break immediately after being online to give yourself time to decompress if needed.
January 2017
The article provides a theological reflection on the permanent diaconate and sheds some light on diaconal identity, spirituality and practice. Suggested Use: Ongoing Personal Enrichment, Discussion at Deanery Meetings, Diaconal Gatherings, and Diaconate Formation Classes.