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

NDPD 293

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

iii. The role of pastoral assignments in the academic curriculum and assessment c. Equitable compensation/stipend based on travel to and from the formation site, course preparation and grading, and participation in evaluation sessions and meetings, student conferences, and in-service programming—the basic criteria in determining a just stipend are the level of a professor’s academic credentials and experience, together with the time commitment in preparing, teaching, and counseling participants d. An educational environment that includes proper equipment, classroom space, and materials e. Evaluative comments from the administrators and students regard ing the professor’s presentations and response f. A formal service agreement between the director of formation and the individual professor that incorporates the above expectations and that makes as explicit as possible mutual services and obligations Mentors 293 The director of formation, with the approval and appointment of the diocesan bishop, should designate mentors from among deacons or priests who are knowledgeable and competent to assist him in assessing the potential and qualifications of those in formation. The mentor is equivalent to the “tutor” described in the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons , paragraph 22. The mentor is charged with follow ing the formation of those committed to his care, offering support and encouragement. Depending upon the size of the formation community, a mentor will be responsible for one aspirant or candidate, or he may be invited to minister to a small group of aspirants or candidates. Men tors receive their orientation and supervision from the director of for mation. They also help the director for pastoral formation to facilitate theological reflection among those aspirants or candidates assigned to them. Mentors are members of the formation team and are invited “to collaborate with the director of formation in the programming of the

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