I’ll be there once again, and I hope you will be there, too.
The National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education (NDICE) is meeting once again this summer in bucolic Fairview, Illinois.
This is a wonderful opportunity to complete 20 hours of continuing education while engaging in meaningful discussions with fellow Deacons and their wives.
This year’s conference will take place July 20–23 in Fairview Heights, IL, with the theme of Vocations. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers, including:
– Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski (Archdiocese of St. Louis), who will celebrate the Opening Mass and deliver the Keynote Address
– Dr. Ralph Martin (Renewal Ministries)
– Monsignor Eddie Tolentino (Archdiocese of Washington)
– Fr. Shawn Simchock (Diocese of Scranton)
– Deacon Greg Kandra
– Deacon James Keating
– Ms. Rhonda Gruenewald (Founder, Vocation Ministry)
We encourage you to register online for the 2025 Conference using the links below. While online registration is encouraged, there is a printable version that can be mailed in with payment. More details about speakers and schedule coming soon!
The Deacon ran a piece about this wonderful organization earlier this year:
What began in the mid-1970s as a modest three-day gathering in Collegeville, Minnesota, has evolved into a nationally recognized platform for formation and fellowship. NDICE’s early years reflected the growing awareness of the permanent diaconate as a vital ministry within the Church, and its success signaled a need for ongoing opportunities to enrich the lives and vocations of deacons. Over time, the annual event outgrew its initial venue, moving first to the University of Notre Dame and later to Xavier University, reflecting its expanding reach and the increasing demand for its programs.
Even the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic could not diminish NDICE’s mission. After a two-year hiatus, the organization roared back with renewed vigor, embracing its role as a cornerstone for the diaconate’s ongoing development. NDICE’s ability to adapt and thrive in changing times underscores its commitment to supporting deacons and their families in navigating the complexities of modern ministry. Today, NDICE continues to provide deacons with opportunities to reflect on their sacred calling, deepen their faith and build lasting relationships within the diaconal community, ensuring that they are equipped to serve the Church with compassion and competence.
NDICE’s commitment to the ongoing formation of deacons aligns with the vision outlined in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons. The Directory emphasizes the importance of ongoing development across four dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral. NDICE addresses these through conferences, workshops and fellowship opportunities that empower deacons to grow holistically in their vocation. The sessions cover a wide range of topics, including theological developments, growing pastoral skills and innovative approaches to evangelization, ensuring that deacons are well prepared to meet the diverse needs of the Church and society.
Beyond professional and spiritual development, NDICE fosters a sense of fraternity among deacons. The conference is more than an educational event; it is a space for connection and support. For many attendees, it is an opportunity to share experiences, form lasting friendships and find encouragement in their shared mission.
You can learn more about NDICE at their website.
And to register for this summer’s event, visit the conference website.
See you in Fairview!
