SET INFORMATION NIGHTS

FOR PROSPECTIVE DEACONS

            The diocesan Permanent Diaconate Office has announced a schedule of five information nights in December and January for men interested in seeking admission into a diaconate formation class set to begin in the Fall of 2004.

            Three sessions will be held in Brooklyn and two in Queens, said Msgr. Frank J. Caggiano, director of the Diaconate Office.

            The first will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Flatlands, Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. The others, also at 7:30, will be at:

            St. Sebastian’s Church, Woodside, Tuesday, Dec. 9; St. Rita’s Church, East New York, Thursday, Jan. 8; Our Lady of Angels Church, Bay Ridge, Tuesday, Jan. 13, and Blessed Sacrament Church, Jackson Heights, Wednesday, Jan. 21.

            Because of a revised diocesan policy, a new group of men will start their aspirancy formation in September, 2004, joining the existing class of 72 men that began their formation in September, 2002. Those who are accepted in September and complete their studies will be ordained in May, 2009.

            After next Fall, classes will be formed every two years instead of the current five-year waiting period, said Msgr. Caggiano.

            The change reflects a change in diocesan policy announced by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in a letter to pastors in which he stated that it was needed because of “the growing ministerial needs of our Diocese.”

            Msgr. Caggiano said the Diocese has 153 ordained deacons.