Directory of National and Regional Diaconate Organizations in the United States

There are seven national organizations devoted to the diaconate which have developed over the past twenty plus years, each in response to a perceived need. The presidents of the Associations are available to provide counsel to the members of the Bishops' Committee for the Diaconate and provide resources for programs and projects.

The National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD) promotes communication and the exchange of information and resources among deacon directors, vicars for deacons, and others responsible for the formation of candidates and the ongoing development of deacons in the United States. It seeks to develop professional expertise among members though research, dialogue, formation and self-evaluation procedures. NADD proposes ways and means for effective implementation of solutions of national and regional issues relating to the diaconate. The Association was founded in 1976 and is incorporated in the State of Illinois. Its National Office was moved from Rockford to Columbus in 2008 at the invitation of the Institute for the Formation and Ministry of the Permanent Diaconate at the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Contact:

Deacon J. S. (Sam) Anzalone, Ph.D
Chairman
1153 Mayland Lane
Birmingham, AL 35216-2227
205-823-4317 (H)
E-mail: chair@nadd.org

Deacon Thomas R. Dubois, MPS
Executive Director
7625 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43235
641-985-2276
E-mail: exec@nadd.org


National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education (NDICE) began in 1974 to provide a national center for continuing education and spiritual formation of deacons and wives of deacons. The Institute is located on the campus of Notre Dame University (Indiana), within the University's Center for Continuing Education. It convenes annually, usually at the end of July and/or the first week of August. The Institute is incorporated under the laws of Illinois.

Contact:

Deacon Leo McBlain
President
305 S. Cleveland Avenue
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-1522
856-756-7900 x6230
E-mail: lmcblain@camdendiocese.org

Deacon Clif Perryman
President-elect
212 Riveredge Court Thiensville, WI 53092
Tel: 262-512-1460
E-mail: cperryman@wi.rr.com


The National Association of Deacon Organizations (NADO) was founded in 1990. The organization was inspired by the pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II to Detroit in 1987. The stated purpose of the organization is to foster a sense of community on a national level and to develop effective means for deacons to minister to one another. Members of the Association meet in convention annually.

Contact:

Deacon Michael Hickey
President
11 Lincoln Avenue
West Yarmouth, MA 02673-2424
508-224-3636 (W)
508-862-6365 (H)
FAX: 508-224-5889
E-mail: mmhickey1@msn.com

Deacon Don Hamilton
President-elect
1154 Eldridge Avenue
Roseville, MN 55113
Tel: 651-489-0653
E-mail: fitzhamilton@yahoo.com


The National Association of Hispanic Deacons (NAHD) was organized on May 5, 1984, at the Mexican-American Cultural Center, San Antonio, Texas. Its initial purpose was to promote the initiation of Spanish-language deacon formation programs in dioceses with a significant Hispanic presence and to be an advocate in the Bishops' National Committee for the Diaconate for deacons'/Hispanic community concerns, to encourage those Hispanic deacons who do not have any local resources to take part in our yearly conference where we offer opportunities for continuing education, spiritual formation and support to each other. This Association is seeking incorporation in the State of Florida.

Contact:

Deacon Jorge Benavente
President
818 North East Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-542-2589 x210
Email: info@DiaconosHispanos.com


The Native American Deacons Association (NADA) was founded in 1988 in Great Falls, Montana. They meet annually during the Tekakwitha Conference (a national gathering of Native American Catholics). The purpose of the Association is to serve as a resource to offer advice on the ministerial life of and professional opportunities for Native American deacons, to dialogue with other groups within a diocese in which there is a significant Native American Catholic population and to assist men who wish to become Native American deacons. The Association is not incorporated.

Contact:

Deacon Merlin Williams
President
1470 Main Street, N.W.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Tel: (763) 757-2381
Fax: (763) 241-3421


The National Association of African American Catholic Deacons (NAAACD) was founded on July 25, 1993, and was incorporated under the laws of Illinois. The purposes of the Association are: to promote unity among African American deacons, further the professional spiritual growth of its members; to be proactive in promoting the future of African American families, and to develop relationships with the National Catholic Black Congress, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the Bishops' Committee on the Diaconate in matters that affect African American deacons and their families.

Contact:

Deacon Marvin Threatt
President
10125 Fabled Water Ct.
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Tel: (619) 670-8339
E-mail: threatts@cox.net


National Association of Asian Pacific American Deacons (NAAPAD)

Contact:

Deacon John Nguyen
President
12933 Abbotsford Circle
Germantown, MD 20876
301-972-2838
E-mail: ptjohnnguyen@hotmail.com

Deacon Joseph Chang Lee
President-elect
7031 Kenmare Dr
Bloomington, MN 55438
952-942-6288 (H)
FAX: 952-942-6290
E-mail: eec3000@att.com




Regional Diaconate Organizations

Southwest Institute for Diaconal Studies
P.O. Box 151432
Austin, TX 78715-1432

Founded in 1991, the Austin-based Institute fosters continuing education and support for deacons in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The Institute sponsors an annual continuing education weekend in August with nationally known speakers on a variety of subjects. Contact SWID for more information.

Deacon Larry Hansen
Deacon W. J. Ham
Deacon Larry Terrell

(512) 345-7007
(512) 892-4846
(412) 444-3179


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