Diaconate inquirers and their wives gather at the St. Vincent Center in Davenport Dec. 13 for a deacon discernment day.
By Deacon Ryan Burchett
For The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — During Advent, the Church prays with a special kind of readiness, watching and waiting for what God is about to do. On Dec. 13, that same spirit filled the Diocese of Davenport Chancery as men and their wives gathered for a Diaconate Discernment Day — a morning designed to help participants listen for a possible call to the permanent diaconate.
Set within the season of Advent, the day invited participants to reflect on discernment as a process rooted in expectation, preparation and openness to God’s call. In that spirit, the gathering emphasized that discernment is not about rushing toward an outcome, but about listening attentively to how God may be inviting individuals and families to serve.
The morning began with prayer and reflection, grounding the day in Scripture and the themes of Advent. From there, participants engaged in guided conversations about discernment, heard personal stories from ordained deacons and their wives, and spent time with members of the current diaconate formation class. An overview of the formation process helped clarify what preparation for the diaconate involves, both spiritually and practically.
A total of 12 inquirers and 10 wives attended, a turnout that organizers described as strong and encouraging. The presence of spouses was an intentional and essential part of the day, reflecting the Church’s understanding that discernment for the diaconate is a shared journey that involves the entire family.
“The discernment day was the perfect environment to meet the incredible community of deacons and their families that support our diocese and hear their experiences,” said Aaron Young of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Davenport. He noted that seeing the support surrounding the diaconate helped him better understand the depth of commitment involved and the importance of community throughout the process.
For many attendees, hearing directly from deacons and their wives provided a realistic and reassuring picture of diaconal life. Joe Steinke of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf shared that the day offered clarity and encouragement. “The prayers, presentations and discussions helped me better understand the role of a deacon,” he said. “And being able to share this journey with my wife Sandy is a true blessing.”
Organizers described the day’s purpose as creating a welcoming, prayerful space where questions could be asked honestly and without pressure. Rather than focusing on applications or timelines, the emphasis was on helping participants listen for God’s voice and understand the nature of diaconal service within the Church.
The day concluded with lunch with the current deacon formation class and informal conversation. Many participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with others who are asking similar questions and walking a similar path of discernment.
Looking ahead, the diocese hopes to offer additional discernment opportunities in 2026 before applications for the next formation class open. Application inquiries are expected to open at a future date. For those who move forward through the discernment and application process, the next deacon formation class is planned to begin in July 2027.
Those interested in more information can contact Deacon Jeff Schuetzle at schuetzle@davenportdiocese.org
