Diaconate inquiry meetings begin this fall

Published: April 28, 2021

En Español

The Diocese of Little Rock is starting to prepare for its next permanent diaconate class, which will graduate in 2028. Inquiry meetings will be held at seven locations this fall. Catholic men in good standing with the Church who will be at least 35 years old by 2028 are invited to attend. 

The five-year diaconate formation program, which is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2023, will be explained. The meetings will be presented in English and Spanish at the same location and time, but in separate rooms. Those discerning a vocation to the permanent diaconate should attend one of the following meetings:

• Sunday, Sept. 12 — 4 p.m., St. John Catholic Center, Little Rock
• Monday, Sept. 13 — 6 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, Fort Smith
• Monday, Sept. 20 — 6 p.m., St. Joseph Church, Pine Bluff
• Monday, Sept. 27 — 6 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Church, Jonesboro
• Monday, Oct. 4 — 6 p.m., St. Joseph Church, Fayetteville
• Monday, Oct. 11 — 6 p.m., St. Edward Church, Texarkana
• Monday, Oct. 18 — 6 p.m., St. John the Baptist Church, Brinkley

For more information about these meetings in English, email Deacon Mark Verkamp, associate director of permanent diaconate formation, or call him at (479) 965-6255. For information in Spanish, email Deacon Marcelino Luna, associate director of faith formation, or call him at (501) 664-0340, ext. 392 or (501) 413-8810. This program is a ministry of the Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Little Rock.

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor installed 48 men as acolytes at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. These men are part of the diaconate formation class of 2022 and are scheduled to be ordained deacons in June 2022. To learn more about the candidates, visit our Deacon Candidate Directory.