Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has announced an approaching transition in leadership within the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate.

Msgr. Charles Beebe, who has guided the diaconate program for 19 years as formation director and episcopal vicar, will leave those posts following the ordination of the diocese’s ninth class of permanent deacons on May 19, 2012.

He will be succeeded as formation director and episcopal vicar of the permanent diaconate on June 1, 2012, by Father Tim Nolan, pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Pekin.

In a June 22 letter to the deacons of the diocese, Bishop Jenky expressed gratitude to Msgr. Beebe, 67 — who also serves as pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Roanoke, and St. John’s, Benson — for “his tireless dedication and love for deacon formation” which has “allowed our diocese to enjoy an outstanding ministerial program.”

After the transition, Father Nolan “will have responsibility for the selection and training of new candidates as well as the ongoing formation and supervision of all permanent deacons in the Diocese of Peoria,” wrote Bishop Jenky.

The bishop asked for continued prayers for the program, for the class of 29 candidates now in their final year of preparation, and for Father Nolan.