IDS welcome its new aspirants (17 married men and 3 single men) and equally says “welcome back” to its returning Candidates, Years 1 – 3, to the 2018-2019 Formation Year. The Formation year was ushered in with a Welcoming Mass officiated by Very Rev. John Kartje, Rector of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In his homily, Fr. John Kartje, admonished the aspirants and candidates on the experience of exploring the possibility of diaconal ministry at a time when crisis of sexual abuse looms over the Catholic Church. A time like this, Fr. Kartje said, what it meant to be a Christian and to serve the church as a Deacon is to choose the ‘longer version’ of Service to Charity, Word, and Liturgy that leads to heaven. This can only be achieved if both husband and wife offer their whole selves to the Lord in prayer.
