Diocese of Oakland

1. Diocese of Oakland Diaconate Discernment & Inquiry Program

2. Today’s Schedule 9:00- 9:15Welcome and opening prayer 9:15-9:45 Discernment 9:45-10:15 Prayer Focus: Using Scripture / Lectio Devina 10:15-10:30 Application Process: Chronological Autobiography Break 10:45-11:15 Dimensions of Diaconate: Deacon as Icon of Jesus the Servant 11:15-11:45 Integration of our faith life (Small Group) 11:45-12:00 Check in

3. Discernment

4. Discernment • From last time… • Who is the God we are listening to… • Attitudes for discernment • Listening, listening listening • Discipline or habit of prayer • Being open

5. How do I discern • Head • Heart

6. Authentic calling brings together 3 things: • Joy: what enjoy doing most • Talent: What we are good at • Service: What others need most

7. Joy v. Happiness/pleasure • Joy: • deep and reliable indicator of spiritual righteousness • coming from within, internal • gift of the Spirit • can feel joy in bad situations • Happiness/pleasure • more transient feeling, temporary • superficial and dependent on external factors

8. “This above all: to thine own self be true” • Self awareness and reflection to distinguish between joy, happiness/pleasure • Contemplation / silence

9. Talent: What am I good at? • Talent v. skill • Skill: training, discipline, practice • Talent: potential, spontaneous • Interests, fits with temperament and personality • Success v. failure, both teachers • Listening to our experience • Listening to feedback from others

10. Service: what’s if for? • Does it have greater meaning beyond myself • Will it benefit the greater good? • Pieces of a bigger picture • Role of community in affirming gifts

11. SEE / JUDGE / ACT • Vatican II: read the sign of the times in light of the Gospel • Called to do it as Church, also implications for personal discernment

12. SEE: Where am I in the broader community? • Becoming aware of your social, economic, political context • Becoming aware of social, economic, political context of others • What are the concerns, issues, needs • Need for community input

13. JUDGE: • In light of the Gospel, what am I called to do? • What’s my place? • What’s my purpose? • What am I called to do? • Matching Joy and Talents to Needs • Need for community input

14. ACT: What should I do? How do I it? • Deciding and committing • Collaborating

15. Gandhi’s Talisman • I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

16. Exercise • Go over your calendar for the last month • How did you spend your time? • What brought true joy • When did you use your talents • Was it for you or for others • Go over your checkbook for the last month • How did you spend your money? • What expenditures brought true joy • How much was related to using or developing your talents • Was it spent for you or for others

17. Prayer

18. Lectio Devina

19. IN THE “BIBLE STUDY" METHOD, YOU . . . IN THE "MEDITATION" METHOD, YOU . . • dissect the text • ask questions about the text, look at context • read and compare facts and new ways of applying facts • savor the text and enter into it • let the text ask questions of you • read to let God speak to you Lectio Devina

20. Pope Benedict XVI "I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime."

21. Practice • 12th century • Time • Place • Scripture passage

22. Lectio rhythm • Pray for openness, prepare to listen • Read text first time: engage text in silence, let it penetrate your soul • Read text second time: ask for a word or phrase, chew on that word • Read text third time: ask God what he wants from you now. • Thank God.

23. Homework • Chronological Autography

24. Goals • help you in your self-awareness • see your life’s journey from a broader perspective • discern God’s presence in your life, and • let us know you better

25. Content • Major events • Significant people

26. Format Example 1: (Timeline) 1960 I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first child. Cradle Catholic. 1962 My brother was born…we moved to Fond du Lac. 1964 Another brother was born…I remember going to Church at St. Mary’s and that my dog ran away. 1965 My sister was born. I started kindergarten in public school. I spent a lot of time riding my bike. 1966-7 My brother was born. I went to Catholic School in 1st grade. I made my first communion. My grandparents house burned down. We moved back to the Milwaukee area… Example 2: (Narrative) College Years: I went to college at Moorhead State University and it was the first time I lived away from my parents. I did well in my classes and lived in a house with five other guys. We were known on campus for our parties. I was involved in the Newman Center where I first learned about peace and justice issues. The biggest influences on me were the priest at the Newman Center and on of my poli-sci professors. I had a couple girlfriends, but didn’t feel serious about any of the relationships. During college I worked part time at the jail, which opened my eyes to a whole other reality…

27. Reflection Questions a.At this point, why do you think you want to be a deacon/deacon’s wife? b.Why do you think that God might be calling you to the diaconate? c.What is most appealing to you about the diaconate? d.What is least attractive? e.What is a concern you have about being a deacon / deacon’s wife?

28. Dimensions of Diaconate

29. Icon of Jesus the Servant

30. Icon / Sacrament: doorway to the sacred

31. St. Stephen & company

32. Integration

33. Application Process

34. Application Process • Last time: Checklist • Chronological Autobiography

36. Psalm 139 O LORD, you have probed me, you know me: You know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My travels and my rest you mark; with all my ways you are familiar. Even before a word is on my tongue, LORD, you know it all. Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.

37. Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach. Where can I hide from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too. If I fly with the wings of dawn and alight beyond the sea, Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast.

38. If I say, "Surely darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light" -- Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one. You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth.

39. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them! Were I to count, they would outnumber the sands; to finish, I would need eternity.

40. ALL: Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my concerns. Amen.