This afternoon I received the current issue of Deacon Digest (November 2014), the only national magazine dedicated to the ministry of deacons. Every November issue is provided to every deacon and deacon candidate in the United States. This year, Silas Henderson, the Managing Editor of the Digest, writes that this national distribution is not only a chance to connect with the diaconate and formation communities in the country; “it also gives us an opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ for the important ministry you are doing for and with the Church.”
Silas Henderson
This November’s issue is a double issue, with columns and articles by an impressive list of contributors, lay and clergy, on the theme of “Reflecting the Love of Christ the Servant.” Included are: Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Bishop Richard B. Higgins, Fr. James Martin, SJ, Deacon Bill Ditewig, Sr. Honora Werner, OP, Mr. Jeff Cavins, Deacon Joseph Ferrari, Deacon Steve Swope, Deacon Kevin Bagley, Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez, Deacon Louis Malfara, Bishop Robert Morneau, Patti Normile, Johanna Gurr with Marcia Romanansky, Cynthia Geisen, Elizabeth Boo, and Deacon Ralph Torrelli.
Deacon Sam Taub
The history behind this remarkable journal goes back decades. Shortly after the diaconate was renewed in the United States, the Secretariat for the Diaconate at the national episcopal conference began publishing a quarterly journal. Critical to that effort was Deacon Sam Taub who eventually headed the Secretariat for many years. (Sam is a true pioneer of the diaconate in this country, and all of us serving today owe him an immeasurable debt. I hope to write much more about him in future entries.) In 1984, as the diaconate continued to grow rapidly, Sam asked Mr. Jim Alt, a respected journalist and editor, if he would take over responsibility for a national journal, Jim agreed, and Deacon Digest was born.
Jim and Audrey Alt
Jim and his wife Audrey, joined by their daughters, edited and published the magazine until a couple of years ago when they “retired.” Although the Digest is now published by Abbey Press at St. Meinrad, Jim remains a very active editorial consultant to the magazine.
I can’t imagine there are many Catholic deacons out there who are not already subscribers to Deacon Digest, but if you want to find out more, please visit their website here. You can also sample a lot of past articles at their online archive here.
Check it out!
Deacons Today: Servants in a Servant Church 
Reblogged this on Deaconjohn1987's Blog and commented:
I guess I’m not on their mailing list because I haven’t heard from “Deacon’ Digest” in years. Maybe I move too much 🙂
Looks good, Bill….Silas left the religious community about a year ago; he announced it in the September, 2013 issue…..he is doing a good job as editor ! Jim
Ah, didn’t realize that, Jim. I’ll correct it. If you e-mail me a better picture of you and Audrey, I’d be glad to update that as well! Bill
I’ve never received the annually distributed November issuse as candidate or as deacon. ..neither have any others I asked out this way…maybe it doesn’t reach the West Coast 🙂
Well, I’m on the West Coast and received mine, so the problem is more localized. Every diocesan office of diaconate is contacted for distribution info and permissions. So it seems much more likely that you should talk to your diocesan director!
Thanks. Will shoot him off an email now.
Hi Dr. Deacon Bill, Has Bro. Silas rejoined the Benedictines? …just curious… Shalom, Deacon Bob Lanter. Diocese of Belleville
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No, Bob, he hasn’t. That’s why I corrected the piece.
Please pray for Deacon Taub he’s very ill.
Sadly, Deacon Taub passed away today.
I am so sorry to hear this! May he rest in peace; he is joined again with his beloved Phyllis.
*** The painfully slow process of uncovering the child abuse that happened within the Catholic Church continues. The members of the church continue to try and protect the wrong people, at the expense of victims, their families and the American people. ***
The Archdiocese of Chicago has voluntarily released documents related to 36 Archdiocesan priests who have at least one substantiated allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. These documents are in addition to those released in January on 30 other priests. This release, together with the January release, covers priests who have substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct with minors identified on the Archdiocese’s website as of November 2014. Documents pertaining to two priests, former Rev. Daniel J. McCormack and Rev. Edward J. Maloney, are not included, due to ongoing processes that do not permit release.
Inquiries may be directed to the Office of the Protection of Children and Youth, Archdiocese of Chicago, PO Box 1979, Chicago, IL 60690.