Deacon Leo McBlain, far left, director of the permanent diaconate, stands with men in the diaconate program and Sister Arlene Primus, MSC and Ann O’Shea at the St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., where the men completed their Clincal Pastoral Formation Program.
In a ceremony at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., on April 11, men in the diaconate formation program of the Diocese of Camden were awarded Certificates of Completion in the Clinical Pastoral Formation Program
The program, which began last September. combines presentations on medical illnesses, treatments and hospital procedures along with actual clinical experiences at local hospitals. It forms the basis of the pastoral dimension of diaconate formation.
While conducted in a hospital environment, it is intended to develop good pastoral skills for a wide variety of ministry situations such as home visits, nursing homes and prisons.
The men in this group are in their second year of the five-year Candidacy formation program.
They attend classes on Saturdays at the Diaconate Center in Paulsboro. In addition to their academic studies, they participate each year in various practicums.
In their first year of study, they focused on the human dimension of ministry and the stages of psychological development. Future practicum programs will include preparing couples for marriage, developing preaching skills and internships in various diocesan ministries.
The nine men are Frank J. Campisi, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Williamstown; Peter R. Davidson, St. Brendan the Navigator, Avalon; Frank. W. Dunleavy, Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights; Thomas W. Fargnoli, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; Kevin P. Hannon, Holy Angels Parish, Woodbury; Kenneth H. Henry, Catholic Community of Christ our Light, Cherry Hill; Robert M. Iuliucci, Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco; Robert F. Scarpa, St. Thomas More Parish, Cherry Hill; and Edward C. Yucis, Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
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