What Is the Permanent Diaconate? Many Catholics see deacons at Mass but don't fully understand the vocation. Deacon Mark Burdt helps clarify: permanent deacons are ordained ministers (married men are eligible) who undergo significant formation, then continue to be formed throughout their ministry. Unlike a one-time ordination and move on, diaconate requires ongoing education, spiritual growth, and community support.
The Diocese of Des Moines Diaconate The Diocese currently has 60+ active deacons serving across parishes with different strengths, experiences, and ministry focuses. The Deacon Advisory Board, led by Jim Houston (Head of Permanent Diaconate), ensures these men are continuously equipped for effective ministry.
Deacon Mark Burdt's Role on the Advisory Board As a physician, Deacon Burdt brings professional perspective to diaconate formation. His specific responsibilities include:
Arranging continuing education credits (required annually to maintain currency)
Organizing retreats and online training opportunities
Planning quarterly community gatherings with speakers and formation
Helping deacons discern parish assignments and ministry transitionsWhy Continuing Education Matters Just as physicians must maintain medical certifications and continuing education, ordained deacons require ongoing formation. This isn't bureaucracy—it's professional ministerial integrity. As culture and society evolve, deacons must grow in:
Theological knowledge
Pastoral skills
Understanding contemporary issues
Spiritual deepening
Ministry-specific competencies (homily preparation, sacramental understanding, parish dynamics)The Fraternity Factor: Why Community Matters Here's what many don't realize: during diaconate formation, candidates and their wives spend significant time together in community. Then ordination happens, lives get busy, and that fraternal bond can dissolve. The Advisory Board intentionally rebuilds and sustains that community through:
Quarterly meetings with speakers and fellowship
Annual retreats (3-day immersions where deacons reconnect and deepen relationships)
Peer support networks for navigating ministry challenges
Shared learning experiencesDeacon Burdt emphasizes: "It's very hard with busy lives, with many of us still having careers with families to take care of, and then ministry to attend to." Fraternity isn't luxury—it's essential for sustainable, joyful diaconate ministry.
Deacon Mark Burdt's Ministry Transition: Urban to Rural Deacon Burdt and his wife Julie recently moved from All Saints Parish (urban North Des Moines) to serve three rural parishes in southwest Iowa:
Saint Bernards (Osceola) — primary assignment
Grand River Parish
Mount Air ParishThe Challenges and Gifts of Rural Ministry:
Travel: Significant distance between parishes requires careful time management
Cultural shifts: Saint Bernards has a large Hispanic community; Deacon Burdt and his wife are learning Spanish (a work in progress!)
New to the role: Rural communities often have limited experience with deacons; education about the diaconate itself is necessary
Fewer resources: Unlike urban parishes with multiple staff, rural parishes require deacons to do more with less
Relational depth: The close-knit nature of rural communities offers unique pastoral opportunitiesWorking with Three Different Pastors Over his diaconate ministry, Deacon Burdt has served under three different priests—a gift he didn't initially recognize. Each pastor brought different strengths, talents, and approaches to ministry, which:
Deepened his understanding of Church and liturgy
Exposed him to diverse spiritual leadership styles
Helped him grow personally and ministerially
Modeled how to work collaboratively across differencesMoving to a new pastor can bring anxiety (for both parishioners and deacons), but Deacon Burdt testifies to the spiritual and professional growth it enables.
The Role of Spouses Deacon Burdt's wife, Julie, is an essential partner in his ministry. Formation programs include spouses because diaconate is a family vocation, not an individual one. Julie's support, willingness to transition parishes, and engagement with ministry directly shape Deacon Burdt's effectiveness and joy in service.
For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters Whether you're curious about the diaconate, discerning a vocation, supporting a deacon in your parish, or simply wanting to understand Church structure better, this conversation illuminates how the Church invests in forming its ordained ministers. The diaconate is growing in many dioceses—understanding it helps the whole parish community benefit from their ministry.
Contact Information: Diocese of Des Moines Deacon Advisory Board / Permanent Diaconate For inquiries about diaconate vocation or formation: Contact Jim Houston, Head of Permanent Diaconate, through the Diocese of Des Moines
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