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| On Sunday, July 20, at Corpus Christi Parish, Boscobel, Lawrence Henry Schmitt was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Robert C. Morlino. The last permanent deacon ordination for the Diocese of Madison was July 23, 2004. (Contributed photo) |
BOSCOBEL — On Sunday, July 20, Bishop Robert C. Morlino presided at the diaconal ordination Mass of Larry Schmitt.
Deacon Schmitt’s ordination to the permanent diaconate is the first to take place in the Diocese of Madison since 2004. As Deacon Schmitt marks the beginning of his diaconal ministry, fellow permanent deacons in the diocese celebrated 10 years of service to their parish communities and ministries.
In his homily, Bishop Morlino encouraged Deacon Schmitt to serve with the utmost of charity — teaching and preaching so as to awaken in the faithful a deeper, more personal call to live a life of holiness rooted in the gospel.
Deacon Schmitt will serve under the direction of Fr. Peter Auer in the parish of Corpus Christi, with campuses in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde.
Deacon Schmitt and his wife Peggy live in Blue River and are members of Corpus Christi Parish. They have been married for 45 years and have five children: Karl, Daniel, Michael, Karen, and Kathleen. Deacon Schmitt completed his formation and studies through the diaconal formation program in the Diocese of La Crosse.
Fr. Michael Radowicz, director of the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Madison, said, “It was a truly joyous occasion to celebrate with Larry, his family, classmates, and fellow parishioners. One of the most powerful parts of every ordination Mass is the invocation of the holy saints to intercede for those to be ordained. You could feel the Spirit moving us in prayer. Larry has a beautiful heart and will bring many blessings to Father Peter and the people of Corpus Christi.”
Father Radowicz assumed his new role as director in early July. He will serve as the liaison for those in the permanent diaconate and coordinate with those in active formation.