Diaconate Retreats and Formation
Deacon Wally has two excellent options for retreat options which are outlined below. He can give one talk or provide a full retreat to deacons in formation for your diocese or for those considering the diaconate. Let's talk about your program and customize talks to meet your needs.
Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach!
Believe What You Read, Teach What You Believe, Practice What You Teach is a dynamic and prayerful retreat for deacons and their wives that invites participants to return to the foundational words spoken at every diaconal ordination—and to rediscover their lasting meaning. Rooted in the rhythm of Word, witness, and action, this retreat draws couples into deeper reflection on their sacred calling to integrate faith and life in a visible, intentional, and joyful way.
Throughout the retreat, participants will explore how the proclamation of Scripture is not only a liturgical duty but a personal conviction; how teaching the faith is not just for others but a call to ongoing conversion; and how living the Gospel in daily life is the most powerful sermon of all. For wives, this journey affirms their unique and indispensable role in both supporting and sharing their husband's ministry, while also embracing their own personal call to holiness and service.
Blending Scripture, Church tradition, and practical reflection, Believe What You Read, Teach What You Believe, Practice What You Teach offers a renewed sense of purpose and spiritual clarity. It is an invitation to live more fully and faithfully as a couple marked by Word and witness, empowered by grace, and sent forth to serve.
Embodied in Service, Emboldened by Grace
Embodied in Service, Emboldened by Grace is a spiritually enriching retreat designed for deacons and their wives, inspired by the acclaimed new book of the same name. This retreat offers a powerful opportunity to rediscover the beauty, unity, and mission of the diaconate through the lens of Christ the Servant. Over four transformative sessions, participants will reflect on their shared vocation, deepen their spiritual identity, and renew their commitment to living out diakonia in every dimension of life.
Rooted in Scripture, Church teaching, and the lived experience of married deacons, the retreat explores the servant leadership of Christ, the theological unity of the diaconate, and the inseparable call to serve at the altar, in the Word, and in acts of charity. Special emphasis is given to the grace-filled partnership between deacon and wife—how their marriage becomes a witness to the Gospel and a wellspring of strength for ministry.
More than a workshop, Embodied in Service, Emboldened by Grace is a call to interior renewal and practical mission. Deacons and their wives will leave refreshed, emboldened, and more united—ready to embody the love of Christ in their families, parishes, and communities.