Little Rock diocese hosting inquiry meetings for the next diaconate class

A new class for permanent diaconate formation will begin in the fall of 2027.

Men and their wives interested in learning more are invited to attend an inquiry meeting, which will be held in seven different locations around the state in June. Meetings will be held in English at 6 p.m. and in Spanish at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are not required.

The five-year program will equip the men spiritually, academically and pastorally to serve the Church as deacons.

A candidate must be a man in good standing with the Church. He should be at least 35 years old by the ordination date in June 2033. The support of wives is essential, as they will walk alongside their husbands in the formation process.

Inquiry meetings will be held:

June 12, St. Raphael, Springdale
June 13, St. Augustine, Dardanelle
June 14, Christ the King, Fort Smith
June 19, Blessed Sacrament, Jonesboro
June 20, St. Edward, Little Rock
June 25, Holy Spirit, Hamburg
June 26, Our Lady of Good Hope, Hope

Discernment applications will be handed out at the inquiry meetings, with discernment groups forming in the fall of 2026. Following a discernment process, the men can apply for the program.

For the first time, the Diocese of Little Rock will have overlapping diaconate formation programs. The current class will end in May 2028. They are scheduled to be ordained in June 2028.

For more information or if you cannot attend a meeting, contact a diaconate formation staff member: Father Ruben Quinteros, director, rquinteros@dolr.org; Deacon Marcelino Luna, assistant director, mluna@dolr.org; Deacon Mark Verkamp, assistant director, mverkamp@dolr.org; or Jasmine Hogan, administrative assistant, jmoore@dolr.org.