On January 21, 2017 we met at Saint Anne Church and Shrine in Santa Monica where Deacon Brian & Sherry Clements spoke to us on Addiction & Recovery, Developing and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries in Ministry and Suggestions for Developing a Balanced Self-Care Program. (Please click here to read all of our experiences of the bi-monthly Deacon formation classes)
Regarding addictions & recovery, Deacon Brian and Sherry discussed the importance of being aware of the different types of addictions that people can might, available Austin chronic relapse facilities and the various 12 step programs that exist to help those who suffer with addictions as well as those who live, work, and active in the lives of those who are addicted. We also learned about Al-Anon. It is a program that has been set up for family members and friends of addicts. If you know someone who has an addiction and are not sure what to do, Al-Anon is a good place to start. Most 12 step programs have a “no charge” policy, sobriety is the goal.
The next area that Deacon Brian and Sherry talked about were the various ways of maintaining healthy boundaries in ministry. This is especially true not only in the areas of safeguarding the children and vulnerable adults, but in all interactions with members of the parish.
Lastly, they discussed a balanced self-care program. They discussed the need to continue ongoing relationship with each couple. There is the need for not only to pray and grow spiritually together, but also to take time away together. There is a need for vacations. To take time away and recharge, being present for one another, support one another.
We completed our final interview this week along with five other classmates. Interviews will continue through the end of the month. We appreciated all your prayers and encouragement. We were asked not to discuss the content of the interview with our classmates, the formation team want to see the genuine couple with no outside influences or pre-conceived ideas of the interview.
And our Diaconate Journey continues…
If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:
Diaconate Formation Office Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241 213-637-7383
Upcoming Diaconate Information Days:
Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Parish School, 42 Chestnut St. Pasadena, 91103
Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Savio Parish, 13400 Bellflower Blvd. Bellflower, 90706
Candy & Jay Krueger, Diaconate Formation, Year V,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA