By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Even though there has been a recent resurgence of diaconate, “it goes back to Scripture,” Deacon Tom Evans, director of the permanent diaconate program, said.
From 2005-2022, the Diocese of Evansville has ordained 68 men to the permanent diaconate. The 2005 ordination, which was the first permanent diaconate ordination in the diocese in over a decade, ordained 26 deacons in the diocese. The expectation is for 16 men to be ordained in August to the permanent diaconate which would be the most ordained in a single year since 2005. They also held four permanent diaconate ordinations from 2009-2022.
Deacon Tom Evans has been a deacon in the diocese for the past 17 years, all at St. Matthew Parish in Mount Vernon. He has been serving as director of the permanent diaconate program since 2018. In this role, Deacon Evans said, he has a general responsibility for all the deacons, in addition to helping recruit members for upcoming classes.
“The majority of my responsibility is in ensuring that we have fresh new faces in the program,” Deacon Evans said. “So a big chunk of what I do is, with others, help recruit the classes and then ensure that the program, which is a pretty rigorous program, is followed and we’re meeting all the requirements …”
There are several requirements for candidacy into a permanent diaconate class: being at least 35 years old and not older than 65 years old at ordination; being a practicing Catholic residing in the diocese and registered in a diocesan parish; free of any ecclesiastical irregularities and impediments; a record of ministerial service as a layman; the wife’s approval if married or if widowed or single, an awareness of permanent celibacy; the pastor’s approval and ability to complete the required formation program.
The formation program requires about 13 hours of academics every month spanning one weekend each month. Program hours are 7-9 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to noon Sundays. In all, the program includes 24 courses of formation.
“It is a very, very serious commitment on their part as well as on the part of the families,” Deacon Evans said. “They make some big sacrifices to become deacons, which I think isn’t entirely appreciated. It’s a huge commitment and it has a family impact as well.”
When Deacon Evans and Deacon John McMullen, assistant director of the permanent diaconate, were ordained in 2009, the program encompassed four years. For the upcoming 2030 candidate class, the program spans five years. The five-year program is broken down into two aspirant years. The first aspirant year is the diocesan run program and the second aspirant year, which will begin in September, is for academic formation. In addition to the continued academic and spiritual formation, the following three years are candidate years, consisting of Rite of Candidacy, Institution of Lectors and Institution of Acolyte.
Deacon Evans said for the Class of 2030, they started with 26 men in the program and now have 18 men still in the program.
“So that meant the discernment process was actually working,” Deacon Evans said.
Deacon Evans stressed for the permanent diaconate, “it goes back to Scripture.”
“It goes back to the Acts of the Apostles,” he said. “So while Jesus didn’t formally start the deacon program, the apostles did. And so it goes back that far…”
Deacon McMullen, currently assigned to Sts. Mary and John Parish in Evansville, added that as deacons, they are sometimes the bridge between the bishop and the church.
“We have one foot in the world and one foot in the sanctuary,” Deacon McMullen said. “Not that other people don’t but we’re in holy orders. We’re called to bring help, to bring order pastorally, lovingly, order to the church.”
Deacon Evans said the deacons in the diocese have different balances of roles depending on the parish’s needs. Among Deacon Evans’ roles include marriage preparation, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) formation and Confirmation preparation.
Sacramental responsibilities for deacons can include Baptisms and marriages outside of the Mass. Their other roles can include assisting during the Mass, bringing the Eucharist to the sick and suffering, burying the dead and presiding at Benedictions.
Deacons are ordained into the Ministry of Service in the areas of word, sacrament and charity.
Looking back on his past 17 years as a deacon, Deacon Evans said he did not expect there would be so much growth.
“It’s a dumb thing to say, but I came out of it thinking I knew everything there was to know,” Deacon Evans said. “And it’s a very different experience year after year to be in a parish in the role of deacon. That’s a big part of it. I don’t think I could have known that.”
Deacon McMullen, who was recently assigned to Sts. Mary and John after spending the past 13 years at Annunciation Parish in Evansville, said his past 17 years as a deacon has reaffirmed the importance of prayer.
“If you take your eyes off of your first love, Christ, and well look at all I could do. I’ve got all this to do. You will find yourself in quicksand,” Deacon McMullen said.
Ordination for 16 men in the Class of 2026 to the permanent diaconate is scheduled for 10 a.m. CDT Aug. 8 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.