Deacon Penton named first
formation coordinator for diaconate

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Deacon David Penton of Divine Mercy Parish in Algona has been named coordinator of formation for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, a newly-created position for the Diocese of Sioux City. He will begin the new position Sept. 16, housed in the Storm Lake St. Mary Parish administrative offices to be onsite with Father Brent Lingle, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
 
“I am pleased to welcome Deacon Penton as the coordinator of formation and look forward to working with him to rebuild our formation program,” Father Lingle said of the new hire. “The gifts and talents he brings to this new role will be a great addition to our deacon formation program.”
 
The new coordinator will be charged with “rebuilding our deacon formation program and overseeing our permanent deacons,” the priest wrote in a memo to diocesan clergy, announcing Deacon Penton was hired for the position.
 
The reorganization of the program and creation of the coordinator position is in response to the 2022 release of the National Directory for the Formation – Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
 
Right timing
The timing was right to move from his current position as a paramedic for the Clear Lake Fire Department to the coordinator job with the diocese, the deacon noted.
 
“I’ve been working in public safety on and off my whole adult life. I’ve been in fire/EMS for 25 years and I’m not getting any younger,” he said. My body’s not going to keep doing this forever.”
 
Deacon Penton explained he had already begun his “exit plan for public safety” by enrolling in classes through the Franciscan University of Steubenville with a major in psychology and theology with the intent of finding a new vocation once he earned the degree. He anticipates graduating in three years.
 Deacon PentonCompiling donations for the bishop’s recent hygiene product collection for the border, the deacon was talking to Deacon Mark Prosser, bishop’s chief of staff, when the topic of the new coordinator position arose. He was encouraged to contact Father Lingle about the position. 

“One thing I was worried about was moving away from Algona and pulling the kids out of school. Mark and Father Lingle said they thought we could make it work with some commuting and some remote working,” the coordinator said, noting he and his family will continue to live in Algona. “Through a month of prayer, discerning and communication with my wife, everything fell into place.”

 No stranger to a work commute, the deacon currently drives 48 minutes one way to Clear Lake from Algona three days a week to work 24-hour shifts. Although the drive to Storm Lake would be an hour longer, the new position would be more family-friendly.

“My family is excited for me to go to their sporting events, to sleep at home every night. They are excited that maybe they can see me almost every day,” Deacon Penton said, noting he has four children at home.
 
Love of ministry
His love of his ministry as a deacon led the new coordinator to apply for the position. He said he looks forward to serving current deacons and aspiring deacons throughA permanent deacon's ministry often includes hospital visits. out the 24 counties of the diocese and increasing the visibility of deacons.
 
Building upon his own formation experience, Deacon Penton wants to ensure that discerning a vocation to the permanent diaconate is attractive and welcoming to the men in the diocese.
 
“We may have younger men out there thinking I don’t know if I could be a deacon … It’s the same scenario I was in. I only knew deacons that were lawyers,” he said, noting Deacon Bill Black reminded him that he had worked as a laborer when he began his formation. “I think that’s so important that people can meet deacons and families across the whole spectrum.”
 
For example, the deacon pointed out that when he began his formation, he and wife Amy, had four young children – an infant, 3-year-old, 9-year-old and 12-year-old child. However, some men wait until their children graduate from high school before pursuing a vocation to the permanent diaconate.
 
“It’s important for men and families to find someone to relate to and ask questions,” he said, stressing that deacons can be visible at parish events, can be a resource and be available.
 
Deacon Penton’s vocation has helped him to grow in his faith and that of his family. He wants to share that potential with men and families in the diocese.
 
He said he wants to “help bring this opportunity to other families. I would like to be a part of that,” in the new position.
 Headed to Steubenville with Father Solyntjes“We’re rebuilding the program from the ground up and seeing what the program is going to look like from the application, handbook and curriculum - still working with the Josephinum Institute,” the coordinator said. 

Deacon candidates will continue to meet in Storm Lake monthly for on-site practicums in addition to the online coursework with the Josephinum Institute.