The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and the Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Ascension)

NDPD

Organization, Structure, and Personnel

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and others responsible for formation, he arranges for the pastoral place ment of each participant, including an orientation and training of those who assist him in the assignment. Supervisory skills cannot be presumed; teaching them is a high priority. Good supervision guarantees that the pastoral assignment remains systematically educative and formational. The coordinator of pastoral formation also provides a written assessment of the participant’s pastoral assignment. The coordinator of pastoral for mation has faculty status, thereby ensuring that all pastoral assignments are carefully coordinated with the other dimensions of formation. 289 It is important that the coordinator of pastoral formation have parish experience, be familiar with pastoral formation, be knowledgeable in theology and supervisory techniques, and be familiar with the value and practice of theological reflection—its goals, objectives, and methods. He should possess formal training in supervision and counseling. Because the pastoral service of the diocesan Church extends to all individuals and groups, including all social classes, with special concern for the poor and those alienated from society, the coordinator of pastoral formation also should have knowledge of the needs and resources within the diocesan Church. He should be familiar with deacon placements within the dio cese and their effectiveness in the local Church as well as with ethnic or national or language populations within the diocese. 290 Professors are nominated by the director of formation and are approved and appointed by the diocesan bishop in the freestanding structure, college/university-related model, and diocesan or religious seminary model. In the collaborative model, responsibility belongs to those who hold ecclesiastical jurisdiction; other diocesan bishops who participate should be accorded a voice in the governance of the formation program. The professors contribute in a significant way to the formation of future Professors Selection

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