A Day in the Life of a Permanent Deacon: Deacon Steve McLaughlin
Deacon Steve McLaughlin: Wounded Healer
Deacon Steve McLaughlin has been ordained a deacon for only two years, but has served a lifetime among his Native people. Most of those years of service have been on both sides of the SD/ND border on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Growing up Deacon Steve says, “I was not anything”, but upon marrying Marlene he attended mass regularly with her. His faith in Jesus Christ began to grow and grew even faster after several “Lord, let me survive this!” incidents as a law enforcement officer. “Little by little” says Steve, “my faith grew.”
He became a Commissioned Lay Minister through a program in the Diocese of Rapid City.
Then he joined the deacon program for the
Diocese of Sioux Falls. It was a
challenge requiring “perseverance” says Steve.
The challenge came mostly from the travel and cost, most always coming
down from North Dakota clear to
“I am especially grateful to Fr. Tony Grossenburg, who did not know me, but he was willing to help me and show me how to do things.” When asked about his ministry on the reservation, Deacon Steve said, “My most important ministry is in the prisons and visiting the prisoners. My biggest fear is whether or not I can do this and I have. The acceptance of the people has meant a great deal. I generally go where the parish needs me, and I’ve noted a real change in my life, I really enjoy the things I do.”
“Prayer is a big part of my life. I pray the Holy Office often with the sisters here and that prayer means a lot. I am very thankful to God.” Deacon Steve lost a young adult son in an accident and at times, such as a wake service for a family, it may all come back to him, but he knows that this may be part of his healing as well. He is, as are many, a “wounded healer” in such circumstances. “I think one has to really think and pray before becoming a deacon. It brings about a change in how you live your life and it needs to be a permanent change.” Deacon Steve McLaughlin looks forward each day to serving God through the people he meets.