EPISODE · Aug 11, 2026 · 10 MIN
Answering the Call: Diocese of Des Moines Runs Two Deacon Formation Cohorts for the First Time – Deacon Jim Houston – 08/11/2026
from The Catholic Morning Show · host Bo Bonner, Deacon Mark Campbell, Deacon Jim Houston
Deacon Jim Houston sits down with Bo Bonner and Deacon Mark Campbell — himself a graduate of diaconate formation — to talk about the vocation of the permanent deacon and what's changing in the Diocese of Des Moines. What Deacon Jim covers: The three-fold ministry of the deacon — Word, Liturgy, and Charity — and how it differs from the priesthood Why the diocese is running two concurrent formation cohorts for the first time, driven by a wave of upcoming retirements among its longest-serving deacons (the diocese's first cohort was ordained in 1972) The five-year formation process: two years of discernment ("expectancy"), followed by three years of candidacy and practical training in homiletics, funerals, and weddings Why discernment and formation never guarantee ordination — and why that's the point Thinking about the diaconate? Reach out to the Diocese of Des Moines Vocations Office at [email protected], or learn more about the Permanent Diaconate at dmdiocese.org. #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #PermanentDiaconate #CatholicDeacon #DioceseOfDesMoines #CatholicVocations #CatholicPodcast Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
Deacon Jim Houston, Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins The Catholic Morning Show to explain what it takes to become a Catholic deacon and why the diocese is now running two formation cohorts side by side for the first time in its history. He walks through the five-year discernment and candidacy process, the role a wife plays throughout formation, and the growing need for deacons across the diocese's parishes. Whether you're personally discerning a call to the diaconate or simply curious what deacons actually do, this conversation offers a clear, practical look inside the process.
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Answering the Call: Diocese of Des Moines Runs Two Deacon Formation Cohorts for the First Time – Deacon Jim Houston – 08/11/2026
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