Deacon Mark Burdt, MD, and member of the Deacon Advisory Board for the Diocese of Des Moines, explains the ongoing formation and continuing education required of permanent deacons—and why it matters as much as spiritual growth. He shares insights from his own transition from urban to rural ministry, serving three parishes across southwest Iowa, and discusses how deacons are equipped to minister effectively in an evolving Church and culture. This episode illuminates the diaconate vocation and the intentional community that sustains it.
What Is the Permanent Diaconate? Many Catholics see deacons at Mass but don't fully understand the vocation. Deacon Mark Burdt helps clarify: permanent deacons are ordained ministers (married men are eligible) who undergo significant formation, then continue to be formed throughout their ministry. Unlike a one-time ordination and move on, diaconate requires ongoing education, spiritual growth, and community support.
The Diocese of Des Moines Diaconate The Diocese currently has 60+ active deacons serving across parishes with different strengths, experiences, and ministry focuses. The Deacon Advisory Board, led by Jim Houston (Head of Permanent Diaconate), ensures these men are continuously equipped for effective ministry.
Deacon Mark Burdt's Role on the Advisory Board As a physician, Deacon Burdt brings professional perspective to diaconate formation. His specific responsibilities include:
Why Continuing Education Matters Just as physicians must maintain medical certifications and continuing education, ordained deacons require ongoing formation. This isn't bureaucracy—it's professional ministerial integrity. As culture and society evolve, deacons must grow in:
The Fraternity Factor: Why Community Matters Here's what many don't realize: during diaconate formation, candidates and their wives spend significant time together in community. Then ordination happens, lives get busy, and that fraternal bond can dissolve. The Advisory Board intentionally rebuilds and sustains that community through:
Deacon Burdt emphasizes: "It's very hard with busy lives, with many of us still having careers with families to take care of, and then ministry to attend to." Fraternity isn't luxury—it's essential for sustainable, joyful diaconate ministry.
Deacon Mark Burdt's Ministry Transition: Urban to Rural Deacon Burdt and his wife Julie recently moved from All Saints Parish (urban North Des Moines) to serve three rural parishes in southwest Iowa:
The Challenges and Gifts of Rural Ministry:
Working with Three Different Pastors Over his diaconate ministry, Deacon Burdt has served under three different priests—a gift he didn't initially recognize. Each pastor brought different strengths, talents, and approaches to ministry, which:
Moving to a new pastor can bring anxiety (for both parishioners and deacons), but Deacon Burdt testifies to the spiritual and professional growth it enables.
The Role of Spouses Deacon Burdt's wife, Julie, is an essential partner in his ministry. Formation programs include spouses because diaconate is a family vocation, not an individual one. Julie's support, willingness to transition parishes, and engagement with ministry directly shape Deacon Burdt's effectiveness and joy in service.
For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters Whether you're curious about the diaconate, discerning a vocation, supporting a deacon in your parish, or simply wanting to understand Church structure better, this conversation illuminates how the Church invests in forming its ordained ministers. The diaconate is growing in many dioceses—understanding it helps the whole parish community benefit from their ministry.
Contact Information: Diocese of Des Moines Deacon Advisory Board / Permanent Diaconate For inquiries about diaconate vocation or formation: Contact Jim Houston, Head of Permanent Diaconate, through the Diocese of Des Moines
Listen Live: The Catholic Morning Show airs weekdays at 7 AM Central on Iowa Catholic Radio (IowaCatholicRadio.com or the Iowa Catholic Radio app).