Fr. Ryan Erlenbush teaches a class on Ecclesiology to the Deacon Candidates at the Permanent Deacon formation session in Miles City, December 1-4, 2016.
Deacon Candidates spend an hour before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament during the Permanent Deacon formation session in Miles City, December 1-4, 2016.
By Father Garrett Nelson
Sacred Heart Parish in Miles City graciously hosted a formation session for the Permanent Deacon Candidates of the Diocese December 1st-4th, 2016. The weekend, which took the theme of Ecclesiology and Catholic Worship in the Scriptures, featured a day-long course on Ecclesiology entitled, The Church as the Universal Sacrament of Salvation presented by Father Ryan Erlenbush. The Candidates were able to engage the tough questions about the Catholic Church and Her role as the only means of Salvation for the Human Race. They learned about the nuances of that assertion, and how it is possible for one who is not in visible unity with the Catholic Church to achieve salvation through Her, nonetheless. It is certainly a topic that hits close to home for many of us today, and as future sharers in pastoral ministry it is of utmost importance for the Deacon Candidates to be able to know the Church well, proclaim her teachings very clearly, and convey them with great love.
The weekend also included presentations by scripture scholars Dr. Brandt Pitre and Dr. John Bergsma. These addressed the Jewish roots of Catholic Worship, giving more perspective on why we do the things we do in the Liturgy. The Candidates and their wives were also were able to spend time in prayer and reflection while in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Formation is God’s work, and what better way to be formed than in the light of the Monstrance?
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