October 30, 2009
People of Faith
Deacon’s goal is ‘simply to serve’
BY STEVE HALBIG
This is the seventh in a series on the new deacons of the diocese. They were ordained August 15 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
Deacon Mark McDonald, a member of St. Philip Church in Posey County, will do his diaconal service at St. Wendel Church, St. Wendel, and St. Francis Xavier Church, Poseyville.
Deacon McDonald, 58, was a school principal for 20 years at St. Benedict, Holy Redeemer and Holy Rosary schools in Evansville and at St. Philip School in Posey County.
He and his wife, Ann, are the parents of two grown daughters.
A native of Evansville, McDonald has a master’s degree in elementary education and a school administrator certificate from Indiana State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana.
What prompted you to pursue this ministry? Deacon McDonald said it was his relationship with Deacon Richard Preske. He has a great admiration for him.
Tell us a few things about yourself: Deacon Mark and his wife are incessant hikers, canoeists, bicyclers. He gets great enjoyment in helping children and his work with RCIA is “very close to my heart.”
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Other than his wife, Deacon McDonald credits two women, both deceased: his mother, Dorothy, and his mother-in-law, Eileen Ruminer. He credits his mother for the job she did after his dad died when he was 4. And Eileen Ruminer because she “prompted the great love he has for the Catholic faith.”
What are your goals as a deacon? “Simply to serve,” he said.
Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to others? His favorite is the “Book of Ruth.”
Do you have any routines in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? Praying the “Liturgy of the Hours.” It’s a daily routine of prayer he would recommend for everybody.
Email steve@themessageonline.org