There was a strong spirit of camaraderie at the 2025 National Deacons Conference, held at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre in Hahndorf, South Australia, writes Deacon Tim Grauel. Source: The Southern Cross.
Keynote speakers Deacon Dr Bill Ditewig and Rev Dr Michael Trainor offered insightful, affirming and sometimes challenging presentations to about 80 attendees at the conference held from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2.
Deacon Ditewig from the Diocese of Washington DC shared his perspective on deacons as “pilgrims of hope” in light of the ordination ritual, sacred promises and the 2025 Jubilee Year.
He spoke of his participation in the last Jubilee in 2000 when he joined 700 deacons and wives on a pilgrimage to Italy and how the sudden death of one of the participants outside a church in Florence “changed everything” for the group.
“It was a transforming moment,” the former US Navy officer said. “When Pope Francis began writing about pilgrimage, he wrote about the patience of God, about the journey itself and being led by the Spirit.
“Along the way we have to confront our fears and our uncertainties.”
Adelaide priest Fr Michael Trainor, a New Testament scholar from the Australian Catholic University, shed fresh light on the contextual reality of the diaconal ministry of Jesus and of Jesus’ earliest followers.
Other speakers included Parramatta Deacon Tony Hoban, who reflected upon his recent pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Deacons. He was the only Australian deacon present at the Jubilee event and was elected deputy chair of the International Diaconate Centre.
Many attendees commented on the strong spirit of camaraderie evidence throughout the four-day conference. Warm reconnections and new encounters occurred between deacons, aspirants and wives.
It was also a chance to welcome Lismore Deacon Shane Hyland, who had been ordained for less than a week, while other attendees have been ordained for more than 35 years.
The next National Deacons Conference will be held in Queensland in 2027.
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Spirit of camaraderie at National Deacons Conference (By Deacon Tim Grauel, The Southern Cross)
