Diaconate Office

Catholic Pastoral Centre
1155 Yonge Street Suite 201
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2
Tel:(416)934-0606 Ext. 304/305; Fax (416) 934-3445

To access the Permanent Diaconate Website , please click the url: www.torontodiaconate.net

General Overview

The mandate of the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Toronto is to work with those pushed to the fringes of society by crime, poverty, age, or sickness.

At ordination, following four years of formation, the deacon is appointed as an assistant to the Vicar for Deacons for a specific ministry of service. He is also assigned a specific parish in which to celebrate this ministry liturgically.

All Christians are called to charity, but the deacon is the one who is officially sent or ordained by the Church to bring Christ to those in need by his actions and deeds.

The deacon also inspires and supports others in charitable work taking care not to minimize or overshadow their efforts.

THE DIACONATE OFFICE

The Diaconate Office was established to act as a resource for the over 100 active deacons serving in the Archdiocese of Toronto. In addition to these active deacons, some work outside the diocese, some are on sabbaticals, and others are on sick leave. This office, therefore, is responsible for a variety of personnel matters including assignment to parishes and ministry locations, coordinating diaconal functions and building community consciousness within the diaconate.

Specifically the office.....

• is responsible for initiating and maintaining ministry and parish Service Agreements;
• produces - information bulletins once per month
• a bi-monthly publication (Contact)
• information and vocation booklets and pamphlets
• provides Continuing Education services and resources to the deacon community to enhance their ministry development and leadership
• provides mentoring and guidance to deacons for effective interpersonal relationships in their ministry and in their liturgical base
• interacts with the Diaconate Formation Program (St. Augustine's Seminary) regarding the candidate's ministry assignment and liturgical base
• organizes social events (dinners) spiritual events (retreats, masses) and educational events for deacons, deacons' wives and widows of deacons
• essentially does what has to be done to organize and communicate with a large and widely spread community

Deacon Bert Cambre - Director of Deacons - (416) 934-0606 ext 304

Anne Mastrovita - Administrative Assistant - (416) 934-0606 ext 305