Wesley College Bristol


	*Promoting Excellence in Theological Education*

Home General Information Welcome Message About the College Academic Staff Studying at Wesley Programmes & Courses Foundation Undergraduate Postgraduate Special Interest Courses Short Courses Wesley on The Road EDEV Bible Studies Course Church Leadership Pastoral Carers Course Pastoral Liturgy Cert. Catholic Deacons Course Korean Certificate Tasters Workshops Application Forms & Fees Application Forms Fees for 2009/10 The Ronald Spivey Bequest Bursary Prospectus & Student Info Prospectus & Student Induction Information Dates & Timetables College Dates Programme Timetables Resources College Library Wesley Archives Bookshop Contact Us Directions to College By Car ByTrain Local Information Partners Federation Methodist Church International Links Organisational Links Student Accommodation Conference Facilities Heritage Online Catalogue		Programmes of Study > Catholic Deacons Course (link opens in a new window) Wesley College is delighted to announce that from September 2006 it will be collaborating with the Diocese of Clifton in the formation of Catholic Deacons. Part of their training now takes place on Saturdays at the College in the Headingley Building, where the Deacons have the use of the Chapel as well as lecture rooms. They will for the first time be able to make full use of Wesley's extensive Library and also, if they choose, be eligible for a University qualification (Certificate or Diploma) as well as the Diocesan one. They will join students taking the Diocese's Pastoral Liturgy Certificate Programme who already study here. The first students who have completed the Liturgy course will receive their awards from Bishop Declan and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol at the College on December 7th of this year. The following is an excerpt from the Diocese's Deacons' handbook about the role of the Deacon: " The first two Deacons were ordained for the Diocese in 1973 and by 1979 their numbers had grown to eight. By 1990 there were nineteen and by the end of 2002 there were thirty nine. Some Deacons have held jobs in the Diocese working in the Education & Finance Departments, but the majority of the Deacons are parish based and as such the range of work they undertake is as varied as are the parishes in the Diocese. However it is not just parish work that distinguishes a Deacon, he is also expected to exercise his ministry in the work place and in the home. The majority of Deacons find that a large proportion of their work for the Bishop via their Parish Priest takes place in the parish context. First class preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism & Marriage and the celebration of these Sacraments, along with RCIA (Journey in faith) and other catechetical work is often the hall mark of the Deacon's duties. Work at hospital, school and prison chaplain also figure highly, as does the general visiting of the sick (often taking them Holy Communion). No matter what his own skills may be it is the Lord who calls his people to use and stretch their talents in the building up of the Kingdom. Deacons are ordained in Clifton Cathedral for work in the Deanery." Methodists also have permanent Deacons, some of whom are trained at Wesley College. There has been fruitful dialogue and study in the past about how Methodists and Catholics see the role and so we look forward to many years of co-operation in what we believe is an ecumenical 'first' in the country. "The deacon is to be the man who answers the call of the Lord and is seen by others that 'by his life and character he will give witness to his brothers and sisters in faith that God must be loved above all else, and that is the God whom he serves in others' (Rite of Ordination)"
*Equipping the Ministry of the Whole People of God*
The Methodist Church, Registered Charity no. 1132208
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