Facebook Instagram Youtube

Diaconate

The Office of the Permanent Diaconate prepares the candidate during his process toward ordination and helps coordinate ongoing formation and assignments after ordination.

The ordained deacon is essential to the liturgical and social life of the Diocesan Church.

Office of the Permanent Diaconate

609 Park Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15902
(814) 361-2000

Deacon Michael Russo

Deacon Michael Russo

Director of the Permanent Diaconate
(814) 288-3036
(814) 241-0576 (Cell)
mrusso@dioceseaj.org

Jessica Gramling

Jessica Gramling

Administrative Assistant
jgramling@dioceseaj.org

The Call to the Diaconate

Diaconate Logo

Who do you know who is hearing the call to serve the Lord in the Church as a Permanent Deacon? Maybe you?

God continues to call men between the ages of 32 and 59 to participate in service ministry to God’s people in the Diaconate.

Diaconate Formation Process

Answering the Call

Exploring the Permanent Diaconate

Diakonia Newsletter

July 2026 Edition
Lent 2026 Edition
Advent 2025 Edition

Ecclesiology Course Registration

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

This class will be offered at St. Rose of Lima, Altoona

 Facilitator: Fr. Brian Saylor

Wednesdays: 6:30-9:00 PM

August 12, 19, 26; September 2, 16, 23 and (30)

Highlighted date detonates extra date if needed

Registration Fee: $40

No Books are required for this class

16 Hours Continuing Education Hours

For any questions please contact the Office of Lay Ministry at (814) 361-2000

**LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS MONDAY, JULY 13-NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is intended to provide an overview of the Church’s teaching about herself in the context of scriptural and historical evidence. We will consider the relationship between the organizational and social structure of the Church. We will also consider evidence in the New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers for the continuity between the framework of ecclesial organization and authority present in the Catholic Church today with that of the early Church, even during New Testament times. We will examine the effects of the major Councils (Trent, Vatican I, & Vatican II) on the Church and her understanding of herself.  We will also examine the modern models proposed for the Church, especially their strengths and weaknesses.

Sacred Scripture Course Registration

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

Zoom Class (10 weeks)

Facilitator: Deacon Michael Russo 6:00-8:30 PM

Tuesdays: August 11, 18, 25; September 1, 8, 15, Wed-23;

October 13, 20

Registration Fee: $40

Required book for class

(Gospel Parallels can be purchased on Amazon)

16 Hours Continuing Education Hours

For any questions please contact the Office of Lay Ministry at (814) 361-2000

**LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS MONDAY, JULY 13-NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course studies Biblical Revelation and considers Covenant in the Hebrew and Christian Biblical writings, exploring their origin, development, and interpretation. There will be a discussion of the tools of historical research, literary analysis, and the sciences that have contributed to the investigation of the Sacred Scriptures. In this course, primary attention will be given to introducing and familiarizing the student with the Bible and Biblical tools necessary to prepare the candidate to profit more fully from future, in depth Sacred Scripture courses, workshops, and programs.

Back To Top