National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

Basic Standards for Readiness161APPRECIATION/KNOWLEDGE OF2. Relationship• The various ministries, roles,and responsibilities of a deacon,especially in his relation to thepastor, parish staff, director ofreligious education, etc., as theyrelate to and serve the community• The role and mission of thedeacon in the universal, diocesan,and parochial communities• Psycho-social dynamics andhow cultural and ethnic differencesaffect ministerial practice• The diversity of cultures andethnic backgrounds within familiesand family systems; the roleof culture in one’s formationand self-awareness• The dynamics of human growthand development• Church structures at thearch/diocesan, regional, nationaland universal levels• The role of the bishop, priests,and the pastor and theirauthority within the life of thediocese and parishDEMONSTRATED ABILITY/SKILL• To initiate, create, and sustain apositive, collaborative relationshipwith all colleagues in ministry;to discern, set, and maintainhealthy and responsibleboundaries in all pastoral relationships;to solicit input fromthose who will be affected byactivities or policies• To discern and evaluate everchangingpastoral needs; torecruit, train, coordinate, andsupport parish volunteers in theirministerial and spiritual development;to find and use personaland professional support systems• To recognize and work to dispelprejudices and cliques within hisown life and that of the community;to network with others inchallenging injustice• To create and support viablestructures and strategies for theinclusion of all families so theymay participate actively in theplanning and implementation ofparish programs, including familiesof diverse cultural and ethnicbackgrounds• To create a hospitable environmentwhere people are valuedfor who they are and who theymight become; to conduct honestself-assessments and to helpothers to do the same• To function appropriately atdifferent levels of the diocesanChurch while linking the parishstructures and needs to largerchurch structures and resources• To demonstrate appropriaterespect, responsibility, andaccountability to the bishop,pastor, or their delegates; tocooperate in the implementationof diocesan and parish policiesand programs