Deacon Larry Lawinger, director of the diaconate for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Deacon Dan Gannon, director of the Institute for Ongoing Clergy Formation, were two of the many archdiocesan deacons who attended the Diaconal Assembly.
Deacon Gannon told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley the assembly has retreat elements but is not considered a retreat.
“There’s a lot of prayer together, but it’s also a lot of time for fraternity and especially time for the deacons to be with the archbishop,” Gannon said. “(R)eally what kind of brought this on was the desire for the deacons to have some time with Archbishop (Bernard) Hebda and be able to share their experiences and receive the vision from Archbishop Hebda regarding the diaconate and how we can be of more service.”
The Diaconal Assembly, which started as a one-night event in 2022 and is now two nights, is held at St. Mary’s University in Winona.
“The time in the diaconate has been so transformative,” Deacon Gannon said. “What really sticks in my mind is how God can-do good things through broken instruments.”
Deacon Lawinger said it was Deacon Gannon’s idea to put the assembly together. At the time, Deacon Lawinger had just completed a review with all the deacons in the archdiocese to get a handle on where the deacons were in their positions.
“(O)ne of the biggest issues was that they wanted more time with the archbishop,” Deacon Lawinger said, “and more time seeing everyone in the archdiocese. We’re so spread out.”
Additionally, Deacon Lawinger said this diaconal assembly matches up well with the priests’ assembly, alternating in years with the priests’ assembly.
This year, deacons’ wives are invited to participate in the assembly.
“The deacon’s wife is often involved in ministry, but if not, they are a key support and we’re a man of two vocations most of the time,” Deacon Gannon said. “There (are) some deacons that are living a celibate and single life, but a lot of us have wives, and it’s a fitting time to be able to have the deacons and their wives together for this kind of event.”
To hear Deacons Gannon and Lawinger talk more about the fruits of the Diaconal Assembly, tune into the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. June 28 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 29 and 2 p.m. June 30.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes a discussion with Archbishop Hebda on the significance of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. Also, St. Agnes parishioner Nell O’Leary talks summertime tips for families.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
