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 7^th 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

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

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

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.

According to the Coordinator of Permanent Diaconate Ministries in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, there are a number of diocesan programs and services which are currently under review. The Permanent Diaconate Formation Program is one of them. It is understandable that a program of this significance be reviewed periodicaly. The Formation Program will be under review for a 12 month period from June 2008 through to June 2009. The decision has been made by Archbishop Prendergast that during the review period, there will be no new applicants admitted to the Program. Those candidates already in formation will continue as usual until their formation is completed. Once the review is completed a communication will be sent out to advise all concerned when the program will be accepting new applicants.

From Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8, twenty-two deacons and wives from seven dioceses and archdioceses across Ontario gathered at beautiful Villa Loyola in Sudbury to participate in three days of personal development and sharing in diaconal community. Our host Bishop, Most Reverend Jean-Louis Plouffe, Bishop of Sault Ste-Marie, gave a stirring vision of the Church, and the need for diaconal service to all those who have been neglected by both Church and society. His Excellency encourages his deacons (and indirectly, us) to reach out with compassion and acceptance to the 85% (in his Diocese) of those who are Catholic, but have felt alienated or moved away from the Church for some reason. He believes that much more mercy and courage to risk with compassion are needed in our lives. He calls us to be more human, with the humanity of Christ integrated into our lives of service.