Diaconate directors convene in Fort Worth
Permanent deacons and directors of diaconate formation pray during the opening Mass of the National Association of Diaconate Directors' 2026 Annual Convention in Fort Worth on April 28, 2026. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Having more than 100 deacons participating together in morning prayer, Mass, and evening prayer would have been enough to make the National Association of Diaconate Directors annual convention a success, said Deacon Rodney Asebedo, director of diaconal formation for the Diocese of Fort Worth. But the convention was so much more than that.
Bishop Michael Olson opened the conference with Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral on April 28, and he also gave the keynote address on April 29. About 10 other speakers gave presentations before the convention ended April 30 with the commissioning of a new board of directors.
In addition to the scheduled presentations, Dcn. Asebedo appreciated the opportunities to exchange ideas and discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities with other diaconate directors from across the country.
Because the NADD convention was held in Fort Worth for the first time since 1996, eight permanent deacons from the Diocese of Fort Worth were able to attend. Dcn. Asebedo said most years, when travel is required, the diocese is only able to send two or three deacons whose direct responsibilities include the selection and formation of deacon candidates or the continued support and education of permanent deacons following ordination.
Servants of Christ
Bishop Olson, in his keynote address, expounded on the convention’s theme, “Servant of the Mysteries of Christ, Servant of our Brothers and Sisters.”
The two components are inextricably linked in the deacon’s ministry, said the bishop. “We cannot serve Christ without serving also our brothers and sisters.”
It is Christ, especially in the Holy Eucharist, that binds those two elements.
The bishop referenced an address that St. John Paul II gave to permanent deacons in the U.S. to explain the deacon’s roles as minister of the Word, minister of the altar, and minister of charity.
Bishop Olson said, “These three ministries are inseparably joined together as one in the service of God's redemptive plan. This is so because the word of God inevitably leads to the Eucharistic worship of God at the altar. In turn, this worship leads us to a new way of living, which expresses itself in acts of charity, and this charity is both love of God and love of neighbor.
“The ministry of the altar, especially the table of the altar, has to extend to those who cannot be there physically, but are there present in our prayers,” he continued.
Deacons serve as “a very important bridge” to those on the margins of the society, he emphasized, especially the sick and infirm.
Trending topics
As the Catholic Church is growing likewise grows the need for permanent deacons.
Deacon Scott France, formerly of Holy Redeemer Parish in Aledo, just completed his three-year term on the board of directors of NADD. He said a common subject among dioceses across the country is how to focus on attracting younger deacons, which may require modifying formation to better suit families with younger children.
Dcn. Asebedo concurred, stating ideally, deacon candidates should reflect the parish, and not exclusively those who are retired.
In addition to younger deacons, another topic discussed was how parish ministries can best reach millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. “What is attractive to those folks, how to get them more involved in their faith, and what really sparks their interest,” said Dcn. France.
Workers in the field
The Diocese of Fort Worth has 16 men in formation for the permanent diaconate as well as 30 men discerning the diaconate.
“It’s important that the men in formation understand the altar is not where we should be seen,” said Dcn. Asebedo. “We are working the peripheries, those that are outside the walls, to welcome them back in. Or, bringing the Church to them if they’re in the hospital or hospice centers or even prisons. Serving in the world is where we should be seen.
“We have a great need for good, holy men to be deacons, men that are willing to sacrifice and give everything,” he continued. “We have to be able to assist the Church as those workers in the field.”
Currently, the diocese has 110 active permanent deacons and 30 retired deacons.