The Diocese of Camden’s Permanent Diaconate Formation Program has found a new home at the Saint Joseph Center on 3rd Street in Hammonton.
For nearly 10 years, the program had been housed at the former Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, which belongs to Christ the Good Shepherd Parish. However, earlier this year, those in the program learned they would need to move locations, as the City of Vineland would be purchasing the property.
Program organizers found temporary classroom space at Bishop Schad Regional School in Vineland, where deacons were able to finish the semester. Then, Deacon Charles Schiapelli, assistant director of diaconate formation for the Diocese, received word that space was available at the Saint Joseph Center, formally Saint Joseph Regional School. With the help of others, Deacon Schiapelli loaded up a truck graciously provided by Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden, and chairs, tables, art, podiums and whiteboards were moved in.
Father Nicholas Dudo, vicar for clergy, said the Diocese is grateful to Father David Rivera, pastor of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Hammonton, and parishioners for providing a new home for the Diaconate Formation Program.
“This partnership between the Diocese and the Parish of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel has fostered a symbiotic atmosphere, where both the parish and Diocese benefit,” Father Dudo said. “But more importantly, where the diaconate community and the people of the parish support each other and receive a blessing from the good work each entity carries out in love and service to the Lord and His Church.”
Since closing in June 2020, the former Saint Joseph Regional School has been used mainly for the parish’s religious education classes, Little Cubs Preschool, Carmel Children’s House Montessori School and office needs. The Diaconate Center now uses classrooms on the second floor, a small break room and the school’s chapel.
Father Dudo said that the Hammonton location is accessible from all parts of the Diocese, without too much travel time.
“Having a Diaconate Center where men can gather to undergo a process of discernment, education and at the same time, evaluation, is critical for preparing well-formed deacons, whose ministry is one of service and charity,” he said.
Currently, the Diocese has 16 candidates for the permanent diaconate and 10 aspirants, or those just beginning the program.
According to a recently released survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, there had been a decrease in the number of permanent deacons ordained nationally with a median number of 66 deacons in active ministry per diocese. In the Diocese of Camden, there are currently 55 permanent deacons in active ministry.
The survey also showed that most active deacons, 42%, are between 60-69 years old, and 36% are 70 and older. The current group of men in the Camden Diocese Diaconate Formation Program have an average age of 48, with the youngest at 37.
“More has to be done to encourage and challenge men between the ages of 30 to 55 to seriously consider if God is calling them to serve as a permanent deacon,” Father Dudo said.
The Office of the Diaconate regularly hosts information nights for men who are discerning a calling to the permanent diaconate. At these gatherings – to which wives are invited – men can meet deacons from the Diocese and hear about their journeys to ordination.
“Having the Diaconate Center to welcome these men and their wives is a true asset and a blessing,” Father Dudo said.
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