Archive for the 'News' Category

New Appointment for OCADL President

Published on September 12, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

Deacon John Vallely

Our OCADL President, Deacon John Vallely has recently been appointed by Bishop Ronald Fabbro as Director of Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of London for a 5 year term. As well, Deacon John will continue as Director of the Permanent Deacon Formation and Study Program.

In addition, Deacon Vallely will collaborate with both the Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary and the Executive Director of St. Peter’s Institute for Catholic Formation, with whom he has developed a “bridging program” between the permanent diaconate and the certificate program in lay pastoral formation.

Deacon Vallely was ordained Permanent Deacon Deacon for the Diocese of London in November, 2005. Prior to commencing his formation for the Permanent Diaconate, he received an MDiv from St Peter’s Seminary in 2001. He is assigned to Holy Family Parish for his ministry of Word and ministry of Sacrament. He is Chair of the Board of the London Affordable Housing Foundation.

Born in Hamilton, Deacon John earned an Honours BA in Psychology from Western, then graduated from Medicine in 1972 and did post-graduate training in Urology. He retired in 2008 as staff Urologist at St. Joseph’s Health Care, London and Associate Professor of Surgery (Urology) in UWO’s Faculty of Medicine. Deacon John has been married to Susan since 1970 and they have two adult sons, Paul and Alan.

Please pray for our brother John and for his ministries – London is a fortunate Diocese!

Region 2 Diaconate Convocation 2009 in Rochester

Published on July 10, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

In North America, deacons associate under the umbrella of the National Association of Deacon Directors (NADD), which is divided into 14 regions. This enables deacons from groups of dioceses to meet, to study, to pray, and have fun being together without having to travel thousands of miles.
Regions consist of several dioceses, and each one makes an effort to facilitate fellowship, learning and faithfulness to the diaconal calling among the deacons in that region.
Every two years our group of northern New York and southern Ontario dioceses (Region 2) holds the convocation, usually at the end of July. It moves from diocese to diocese.

The Convocation this summer will be held at the Rochester Institute of Technology Campus. Convocation Fees (including meals) are $175.00. Please register asap. With a credit card, you can register on-line by clicking here.

You may also download the pdf registration information by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Deacon Dan Hurley, Chair, at 1-585-319-8205 or dhurley@dor.org.

As Deacon Bert says, “Let’s make this the best convocation yet!”

New President-Elect Chosen at OCADL 2009

Published on July 10, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

At the Annual Convocation of the Ontario Catholic Association of Diaconal Leaders, May 29-31, 2009, hosted by Bishop Mulhall and the Diocese of Pembroke, Deacon Bill Gervais was elected unanimously President-Elect of OCADL. This position commences a three year sequence of executive positions for Deacon Bill, namely president-elect, president, and past-president over the period 2009-2012. We all recognize the commitment he has made to OCADL and are very appreciative!

Deacon Gervais stands at the left hand of Archbishop O'Brien

Deacon Gervais stands at the left hand of Archbishop O'Brien

Deacon Bill Gervais is married, and with his wife Ellen they enjoy two daughters and four grandchildren. Bill was ordained in 1995 and served at St. Gregory’s Parish as a Pastoral Minister until 2008. He is presently assigned to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston and Director of Pastoral Care at Hotel Dieu Hospital. In addition to these pastoral duties Bill is the Director for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in Kingston.

Deacon Gervais holds a BA in Political Science from University of Windsor, Masters of Divinity from Queen’s Theological College in Kingston and Doctor of Ministry from the Toronto School of Theology. His doctoral thesis explored the sacramental identity of the diaconate.

Padre Regales OCADL Convocation Attendees

Published on June 12, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

One of the highlights of the OCADL 2009 Annual Convocation was the dinner speech by the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Chaplain General of Canada, Deacon Padre Lawrence D. MacIsaac. Most of us had little or no understanding of the way the permanent deacons serve in the Canadian Forces, and were captivated by the generous and dedicated service these men provide to our women and men serving Canada throughout the world in conditions of extreme danger. Colonel MacIsaac is Principal Chaplain and director of priest-chaplains and deacon-chaplains from every faith, as well as two imams and four rabbis. In 2007, he was awarded an honourary Doctor of Divinity by the Atlantic School of Theology for the leadership he provided in transforming the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy into one of the most ecumenical and interfaith chaplaincies in the world. Yet as every other deacon does, he strives “not to be served, but to serve”.

Padre MacIsaac illustrated his stories with touching pictures of the chaplains, soldiers and people of the area. This was the first time that a representative of the military ordinariate attended OCADL, and we all benefitted from his presence and contributions.

Padre Colonel Deacon MacIsaac describes a tour of duty in Afghanistan

Padre Colonel Deacon MacIsaac describes a tour of duty in Afghanistan at OCADL 2009

OCADL 2009 in Pembroke – Sharing the Spirit!

Published on May 4, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

At OCADL’s 2009 Convocation, May 29-31 in Pembroke, Diaconate Leaders from the far corners of Ontario (and the centre, too) will share insights gained from over 30 years of

  • identifying diaconal vocations
  • forming candidates and
  • assisting deacons to develop in their ministry and vocation

For more information, view the preliminary-schedule-2009. To register, print and send the completed registration form as soon as possible.

Join us in the city that lumber built – beautiful, quaint Pembroke.

We look forward to sharing the Spirit!

NADD Convention & New Directors’ Institute

Published on April 15, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

April 22, 2009 marks the start of the NADD Convention for 2009 and also the first day of a year-long educational institute program for deacon directors, including four days of immersion at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. The dates are selected to allow directors to combine participation in the National Convention and participation in the Institute.

Specifically, the dates are:
April 22, 2009 (NADD Convention 2009, Chicago, Illinois)
June 14-19, 2009 (Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio)
April 14, 2010 (NADD Convention 2010, Spokane, Washington)

For more, visit the NADD website.

Register Now for OCADL 2009 in Pembroke

Published on February 19, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

The Registration form below is now printable.  Please click on it, print it out, fill it out and mail to our Secretary/Treasurer Deacon Rick McLellan at the address at the top of the form. Please include your cheque for the registration fee as well.

OCADL 2009 Registration Form

This form will be also available soon in pdf format with open fields, allowing you to enter your registration information onto the form direcctly, and then email it to Deacon McLellan at the email listed at the top of the form.  You can accomplish the same effect by filling the form manually, then scanning it into a jpg file, and then emailing it to Deacon Rick.

God bless you – we look forward to seeing you in Pembroke at OCADL 2009!

Report to OCCB on OCADL 2008 in Sudbury

Published on February 6, 2009 in News. 0 Comments

ONTARIO CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION OF DIACONATE LEADERS

ANNUAL CONVOCATION, JUNE 6-8, 2008, SUDBURY, ONTARIO

  SUMMARY OF MEETING

On June 6-8, 2008, OCADL gathered in picturesque Villa Loyola, just a 5 minute drive on the outskirts of Sudbury, Ontario for our 7th Annual Convocation of Diaconate Leaders and their wives.  Our theme for the convocation was

“The Spiritual Charisms for Diaconate Leaders”

Additional information about OCADL and the Convocation appears in the webpage “ABOUT OCADL”, and in various “News” items listed below.

Friday Sessions

On Friday evening, after registration, OCADL president, Dcn. Bob Probert (Pembroke) led us in an opening gathering prayer, which included Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 14 to 16, and communal evening prayer. Then, Dcn. Bob introduced the rest of the OCADL Executive, consisting of Executive Director Dan Murphy (Toronto), Past President Charlie Johnston (Thunder Bay), and President-Elect George Newman (St. Catharines).  Secretary/Treasurer Rick Mclellan (Ottawa) could not attend as his Diocese was ordaining permanent deacons on this weekend.

Dcns. Murphy, Johnston, Probert, Newman - OCADL Executive 2007-08

Dcns. Murphy, Johnston, Probert, Newman - OCADL Executive 2007-08

Finally, Dcn. Bob introduced our workshop director, Deacon Armand Danis from Thunder Bay Diocese.  Dcn. Armand has an extensive background in the area of spiritual gifts, and is involved in related work at the national and international levels.  

Deacon Danis instructing on Charisms of the Spirit at OCADL 2008

Deacon Danis instructing on Charisms of the Spirit at OCADL 2008

Continue reading ‘Report to OCCB on OCADL 2008 in Sudbury’

Book Now for OCADL 2009 – May 29-31, Pembroke!

Published on January 21, 2009 in News and Upcoming Events. 0 Comments

At OCADL 2008 in Sudbury, we identified personal charisms given by the Spirit to enable us to better serve the Lord in our Diocesan ministry of diaconate leadership. In 2009, we will be gathering in Pembroke Diocese at the Pembroke Best Western Motel and Conference Centre. Book your reservation now to join us on Pentecost weekend May 29-31, 2009, as we explore what it means to be a diaconate leader according to the theme: “Called, Formed and Strengthened by The Spirit” i.e., how do we recognize those who are called, how do we form those who are recognized, and how do we help those who are formed (have completed their formation and are now ordained) and their wives? How do we use the charisms we have been given as leaders in coordinating the admission of aspirants to formation, formation of candidates for the Permanent Diaconate, and ongoing formation of permanent deacons?

As Jesus said, “Come and see!”

Please watch this site for more OCADL 2009 information and registration details appearing soon.

Reserve accomodation now for OCADL 2009 in Pembroke

Published on December 22, 2008 in News. 0 Comments

Our 2009 OCADL convocation will be held in the comfortable Pembroke Best Western Inn and Conference Centre. For information about accomodation and facilities and to book your room, click on the link Reserving your accomodation for OCADL 2009. A limited number of rooms have been blocked for us at a special rate – please mention that this is for the OCADL 2009 Convocation, May 29-31, 2009. For the benefit of us who do not manage stairs as well as we used to, the hotel provides elevator access to all levels.

Book your rooms now, and avoid disappointment later! We are hoping for an excellent turnout.