Advanced Ministry Formation
for Deacon Candidates and Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Diocese of Las Vegas – Group A (2008–2011)

Reading and Writing Assignments – Fall 2010 & Spring 2011

Here is a summary of the learning objectives and reading assignments for Year 5, along with questions to be answered in the written reflections after each month’s session.

All readings should be done before coming to each month’s session. Reading selections will be taken from online sources or books available for purchase from online bookstores (or through the Diocese of Las Vegas or local bookstores).

Monthly written reflections should be done within two weeks after each session, and emailed to Fr. Felix Just, S.J. at fjust2000--at--yahoo.com (Deacon Candidates) or Dr. Marc Gonzalez at dr.gonzalez--at--dioceseoflasvegas.org (Lay Ministers). Please write one full page in response to each question listed below, making two pages total. Remember that this is not a Ph.D. program (so don’t make your paper merely academic), but it is more advanced than the LEMP (so spend more time reflecting deeply and personally on the questions). All papers should be typed, single-spaced, have 1-inch margins, and include a brief heading (your name, the month and topic). You may use any word-processing program, but please send your completed paper as a file attachment, rather than in the text of your email.

NOTE: If you are absent from any session, then in addition to the monthly reflection papers mentioned above, you must also write a short paper (1-2 pages) on the readings assigned for that month: summarize their contents and what your learned from these readings.

Sept. 18-19, 2010 – Social Ministries (with Msgr. Pat Leary)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To gain a deeper understanding of Catholic Social Teaching: its history, principles, and practical applications.
  2. To become familiar with the extent and complexities of Catholic social ministries in the Diocese of Las Vegas.
  3. To develop a personal commitment to a particular form of service to the poor, and justice on their behalf.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: What are the biblical and theological bases of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching? Be specific in connecting scriptural passages, theological teachings, and the Eucharistic celebration to the Church’s teachings about the poor and the vulnerable.
  2. Pastoral: When I reflect upon the situation in my own parish or civic community in light of Catholic Social Teachings, what one thing calls out to me most importantly for change? How do I feel called, personally, to respond to this need? How can I join with and support others in my parish to work for the social change we need?

Oct. 16-17, 2010 – Ministerial Ethics (with Fr. Richard Gula, S.S.)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To deepen my understanding of the vocational and professional dimensions of ministry in the Church.
  2. To become aware of the power of my role as minister, and how to use that power humbly, carefully, and ethically.
  3. To develop my commitment to virtuous ministry through self-development, clear boundaries, and ethical practices.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: What are the most important theological bases for understanding ecclesial ministry as a profession as well as a vocation?
  2. Pastoral: What area of ministerial ethics do I struggle with the most? Why? What steps can and will I take to grow in maturity and professionalism in this area?

Nov. 6-7, 2010 – Pastoral Policies & Practices (with Fr. Bob Stoeckig)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To develop a clear understanding of the basic structures of a parish, the centers of authority and influence within the parish community, issues of resources, and the relationship of a parish to the diocese.
  2. To understand more clearly how parish staff function best ethically and professionally, and how parish staff relate to each other, to key volunteer leaders in the community, and to the parish as a whole.
  3. To understand the nature and purpose of a parish mission statement, the processes necessary to develop one, and the ways of implementing it in the life of the parish.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: Drawing upon the Documents of Vatican II, other theological texts, and diocesan guidelines, discuss your own vision of what a parish symbolizes, and what a healthy, life-giving Catholic parish looks like.
  2. Pastoral: Assess your own parish in terms of its current model of decision-making, participation, collegiality and conflict. What are its strengths and weaknesses? What, practically and realistically, might you do to help it improve?

Dec. 11-12, 2010 – Youth and Young Adult Ministries (with Fr. Bill Kenny & Team)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To develop an awareness of the emotional and social stages of development that affect the faith lives of adolescents and young adults.
  2. To grow in my understanding of the world-views and experiences of young people, which profoundly affect the current and future life of the Church.
  3. To imagine ways in which my parish might successfully engage youth and young adults to nourishing and active participation in the faith community.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological:  What spiritual gifts do teenagers and young adults bring to the Church? From the perspective of a young person, what can the rest of the Church community offer as gifts to them?
  2. Pastoral:  How does your parish respond to young people who have just graduated from high school or college? What could your community do to celebrate the gifts of these teens and young adults and to welcome them into more active participation and ministry leadership?

Jan. 15-16, 2011 – Cultural Diversity & the Church's Mission: Pastoral Challenges and Opportunities (with Fr. Allan Deck, S.J.)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To grow in appreciation of the Church’s wisdom from its long history of relationship with many distinct cultures.
  2. To develop an awareness of the cultural dimensions of many aspects of our own practices and traditions, and how they are experienced by people of other cultures.
  3. To examine the ways in which our parishes might draw upon the gifts of the varieties of cultures within their own communities, and may provide support to the spiritual development of people of many traditions.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: From the beginning, the Church has been made up of people of many cultures. What passages in the Acts of the Apostles do you find to be most compelling in our contemporary situation of cultural diversity, and why?
  2. Pastoral: What cultural groups are part of your parish and your neighborhood? (Look closely: there are probably more than you think!) Which cultural groups are dominant, and which are the most marginalized? What might your parish do to welcome the marginalized to the center? What might you do, as a parishioner and as a minister?

Feb. 19-20, 2011 – Introduction to Canon Law (with Bishop Joseph Pepe, J.C.L., D.D.)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To develop an understanding of the nature of Canon Law, its history, and its distinction from the Anglo-Saxon tradition of American law.
  2. To grow in acumen about how Canon Law develops and changes (or doesn’t), how it is interpreted, and how it is institutionally structured.
  3. To learn of the rights and responsibilities of various entities of the Catholic Church, including (a) deacons, (b) all ecclesial ministers, and (c) the laity.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: How does the development of Canon Law reflect the development of theology? Give an example.
  2. Pastoral: What aspects of Canon Law do you believe it would be helpful for every Catholic to know? Why?

March 12-13, 2011 – Canon Law of Marriage (with Msgr. Francis Vivona)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To deepen my awareness of the purpose and countours of the Canon Law of marriage within the Catholic Church.
  2. To learn how Canon Law on marriage is structured, understood, interpreted, and applied in the Diocese of Las Vegas.
  3. To reflect upon how Canon Law on marriage might be used in ways that are pastorally sensitive and supportive of the spiritual growth of the parties involved.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections:

  1. Theological: Canon Law developed as a practical way to give guidance based on gospel values to Christians in complex situations. What are some of the gospel values at stake in marriage cases? (Name at least three, and be specific with biblical references). How do we hold all of those gospel values in balance as we interpret and implement law?
  2. Pastoral: Suppose that a person to whom you are ministering is going through a divorce. How could you introduce her to the appropriate next steps to take in a way that would help her to develop in her faith, spirituality, and trust in the Church? What would be your own areas of uncertainty or concern as you guided her?

April 5-10, 2011 – Pre-Ordination Canonical Retreat (with Fr. Felix Just, Fr. Bill Kenny, and L.I.S. Associates)

Retreat Objectives:

  1. To strengthen my own relationship with God, continuing to grow in my personal prayer, spiritual life, and liturgical participation.
  2. To reflect more deeply on the forms of ministry (ordained or lay) to which I believe God is calling me at this time in my life.
  3. To deepen my sense of humble gratitude for my Christian life and vocation, so that I may be a faithful servant of God's people.

Reading Assignments (please bring to the retreat, but read beforehand, if possible):

Written Reflections:

  1. Deacon Candidates: Write your formal letter to the Bishop of Las Vegas (address to Bishop Pepe; submit to Fr. Bill) requesting ordination as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church.
  2. Lay Ministry Candidates: Write a personal letter to the Bishop of Las Vegas (address to Bishop Pepe; submit to Dr. Marc) indicating how you wish to continue or expand your ministries within your own parish and/or the whole Diocese of Las Vegas.

May 14-15, 2011 – Recap: Diaconal Ecclesial Ministry (with Frs. Felix Just & Bill Kenny)

Learning Objectives:

  1. To review and synthesize the most important aspects of what I have learned and experienced over the past five years.
  2. To develop a keen sense of my own need for continuing education, ongoing formation, deepening spirituality, and mutual support.
  3. To prepare (mentally, spiritually, and practically) for the upcoming Rite of Ordination and for my transition to more public service in the Church and in the world.

Reading Assignments:

Written Reflections (suggested, not to be turned in):

  1. Write a personal letter to God expressing how you feel about yourself, your faith, your life of service, and your spiritual life at this moment in time.
  2. Write down your concrete plans for the next three years: What will you do for your own continuing education, ongoing formation, deepening spirituality, and mutual support?

Related pages on this website:

For more information, please contact:

Fr. Bill Kenny
Holy Spirit Parish
5959 S. Hualapai Way
Las Vegas, NV 89148

Phone: 702-459-7778;  Fax: 702-437-9548
Email: wjmkenny--at--embarqmail.com
Website: http://www.ctklv.org

Fr. Felix Just, S.J.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality
480 S. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92868-3907

Phone: 714-997-9587 x28;  Fax: 714-997-9588
Email: fjust2000--at--yahoo.com
Website: http://www.catholic-resources.org

This page was last updated on May 11, 2011
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