Dear Faithful of the Eparchy of Saskatoon,

Since becoming Bishop of the Eparchy in January 2024, some of my most meaningful liturgical experiences have been celebrating the Divine Liturgy and other services alongside a deacon. A bishop and deacon work closely together to lead worship and guide the faithful in prayer. Deacons also provide invaluable support to our priests in both liturgical and pastoral ministries throughout the Eparchy.

I was blessed to grow up in a parish within our Eparchy where a deacon frequently served alongside the priests. This collaboration greatly enriched the beauty of our liturgical celebrations. As Bishop, it is my hope to have more deacons serving in the Eparchy.

Deacons have existed in the Church since the time of the Apostles and are written about in the Acts of the Apostles.  Their original ministry was service to those in need, a ministry that many deacons participate in today along with their liturgical duties of proclaiming the Gospel, preaching (in many cases), and praying for the needs of the world.    The focus of the service of the deacon is on accompanying people in their everyday lives – they often act as a helping bridge between priests and the faithful.

The formation process of the future deacon is demanding. The candidate once selected, will begin a four-year program of formation and discernment. If he is married, it is necessary that his wife and family wholeheartedly support his desire to proceed towards ordination as a deacon. He must have the consent of his wife to be ordained since she will share in the sacrifices of his ministry and help him to carry out his service to the Church.

Deacons are men who share in Holy Orders because the Church ordains their ministry which the community had made necessary. In the person of the deacon, there is a public witness present who, for the universal (Catholic) Church, is involved in the three dimensions of diaconal service: Ministry of Love and Justice, Ministry of the Word of God, and Ministry within the Liturgy. These are so central to our faith that without deacons, priests and bishops, we would fail to be the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

A deacon is no different from any other man, he is simply a person who has been called by God to assist the priests and bishop in making present today the very ministry of Jesus Christ Himself. Ordination to the Diaconate allows a deacon to participate in the ministry of service of the Church as Jesus Christ is proclaimed in the Kingdom of God.

Our Eparchy has restarted a diaconal formation program.  In the trial year of 2024-25, we have two candidates who have begun the program.  Now with a formal launch of the program, men are invited to discern their participation in the program beginning this fall. 

I am grateful to the committee of priests and deacons who has worked diligently to launch the diaconal formation program.  Also, I am indebted to the cooperation of Bishop David Motiuk, the Eparchy of Edmonton, and Newman Theological College for their invaluable assistance in helping the Eparchy of Saskatoon relaunch a diaconal formation program. 

With this letter, I firmly and enthusiastically support and authorize the diaconal formation program for the Eparchy of Saskatoon. 

+Most Rev. Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R.
Eparch of Saskatoon

 

 

The Eparchy of Saskatoon is pleased to launch a NEW Eparchial Diaconate Program in the Fall of 2025!

 

This program is tailored for men discerning a vocation of service, seeking to enrich their understanding of Eastern Christian theology, and aspiring to commit to the Church’s mission through ordained diaconal ministry. It is not a shortcut or pathway towards priesthood, rather a formation journey for men who are sincerely interested in exploring the possibility of ordained service in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. The Diaconate Program is an adapted formation for those who are unable to enter a multi-year full-time traditional seminary formation, especially those who remain in a stable career and have a family with obligations. As such, we will offer online AND in-person formation as part of this program.

 

The Eparchy of Saskatoon will offer an initial time of basic Eastern formation, while beginning a discernment time with each prospective candidate in an online Lay Leaderships Program. This phase allows men to strengthen their service in the Church through education in our Eastern Christian tradition, and aspire to contribute more profoundly in catechesis, faith formation, and pastoral care, and apply it within their parish districts, or an outside ministry. Upon successful mutual discernment and completion of the initial intake process, candidates will have the opportunity to proceed further towards an online Diaconal Formation Program with a more academic stream.

 

The program is not offered exclusively online, requiring an additional 3 formation weekends per year (dates TBD), above and beyond the regular online courses taken through Newman Theological College (NTC). These formation weekends provide additional training with time to be formed liturgically, be given preaching practice, instruction on diaconal service, pastoral skills, fellowship and sharing with other candidates, and time for spiritual direction and retreat.

As part of ordained ministry formation, those preparing for diaconate are required to be formed within the 4 Pillars of Formation:

 

1. Intellectual Formation
2. Spiritual Formation
3. Human Formation
4. Pastoral Formation

 

The Intellectual Formation will be offered through NTC in 2 Phases: in the Lay Leadership Formation Program and the Diaconal Formation Program.

 

1. Phase 1 – Lay Leadership Program (6 courses per year = 2yrs minimum online)
               

                a. Certificate in Eastern Christian Traditions
                b. Certificate in either Pastoral Care, Catechesis, or Social Justice

 

2. Phase 2 – Diaconal Formation Program (2yrs minimum online)
               

                a. Certificate of Theology Program – Diaconate in Eastern Christian Churches

 

The Spiritual Formation will take place within one’s parish and over one of the 3 annual weekends spent in retreat (dates TBD), small groups and spiritual direction (on the weekends and throughout the year). Spiritual formation of a candidate starts with the fundamental call to discipleship and continual conversion to live in intimate union with the Holy Trinity (PDV 45). This comes together through a profound devotion to the Eucharist and the liturgical life of the Church, regular Confession, spiritual direction, a love of Sacred Scripture, a spirit of meditation and devotion, love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a life of simplicity and holy obedience. Each candidate will become accustomed to our traditional Eastern spirituality in prayer, teachings, and practices.

 

The Human Formation will take place within one’s parish will be offered throughout the weekends. Each candidate will come with a certain amount of life experience (some more than others). Nonetheless, each will require ongoing maturity and growth in virtue, and as such, will be taught and offered practical experiences to learn conflict resolution, self-knowledge, and more about one’s strengths/personality. As one is stretched in social settings, one learns more about themself. Candidate must be genuinely free, of good moral character, prudent, be a man of discernment, empathy and both an active listener and good communicator.

 

The Pastoral Formation will begin in their second year and will be offered on weekends which will include the practice of listening skills within numerous settings and being mentored within many pastoral settings accompanying their parish priest (or delegate). Pastoral formation aims to round the individual into an effective public minister, drawing together the previous three pillars in pastoral application. This is typically achieved through regular pastoral placements covering a wide range of pastoral situations. Candidates may be offered a mini-CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) or be encouraged to take CPE as an official unit of their formation. Diaconal candidates may be provided with experience aiding them to minister to people dealing with grief, mental health, conflict, organizing and leading meetings, chaplaincy, and facilitating the needs of people towards a spiritual plan.

 

In addition to the 4 Pillars of Formation above, each Diaconal Candidate will require Liturgical Training, especially in their final year of formation. Liturgically, each candidate will need to be familiar with serving at the altar alongside a priest during the Hours, Holy Mysteries (Divine Liturgy, Baptism, Chrismation, Crowning) and at Funerals. Special attention will need to be given to Holy Week services and to chanting/singing the deacon’s parts. Training and time will need to be given to preaching practice in various settings: Sundays, weekdays, funerals, baptisms, weddings, reflections shared with organizations and meetings.

 

Applications Process and Steps:

1. Completion and Submission of the Diaconate Program Application Form
2. Interview with representatives of the Diaconal Vocations Committee
3. Home Interview
4. Diaconal Committee Review and Approval
5. Acceptance into Lay Leadership (Phase 1)
6. Mid-term Discernment and Assessment
7. Psychological Evaluation
8. Review and Approval of Bishop (and Consultors)
9. Acceptance into the Diaconal Program (Phase 2)

 

Financial Cost:

Initially, the cost for the first phase of 2 years online Lay Leadership program will be split between the candidates and their parish district. Currently, NTC charges $540/yr. Funding for the second phase of the Diaconal Formation Program, which is currently around $5,500/yr, is anticipated to be secured through grants and Eparchial funds.

The Formation Weekend locations, and costs associated with it, are still TBD. Instructor honorariums, mileage, and any reimbursable expenses will need to be assessed.

Application Form

Protomartyr & Archdeacon Stephen, pray for us!