November 27, 2009
People of Faith
New deacon wants ‘to expand my horizons’
This is the tenth in a series on the new deacons of the diocese. They were ordained August 15 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
Deacon Dennis Russell, a member of St. Mary Church in downtown Evansville, is doing his diaconal service there.
Deacon Russell, 62, is a retired Henderson County music teacher. He also was a former band director at Memorial and Rex Mundi high school.
He and his wife, Mary Ann, are the parents of two grown children.
A native of Evansville, Deacon Russell has a master’s degree in music education from Indiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Evansville.
What prompted you to pursue this ministry? Stems from his work as a teacher and the backgrounds he encountered there. Always had a curiosity about the diaconate program but “never had the time to do it. Now I have the time.”
Tell us a few things about yourself: Lifelong musician, doing more singing lately. Played in the Evansville Symphonic Band; did some work in real estate and also as a tax preparation office manager. Is a lector at church and also a member of the music ministry there. Also getting more exercise and has taken up golf.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? My wife and parents. “My wife brought me out of my shell.”
What are your goals as a deacon? “Grow in my basic knowledge of Scripture. Expand my horizons. Explore, grow and serve.”
Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to others? Thomas Merton’s autobiography “The Seven Storey Mountain.” Merton may be the most influential American Catholic author of the 20th Century; Dr. Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People;” “Catherine of Genoa: Purgation and Purgatory, The Spiritual Dialogue.” He said his favorite book is usually the one he is reading at the time.
Do you have any routines in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? Daily prayer and Scripture study. “Over five years ago, I didn’t always pray daily. I did always have a prayer life. It just wasn’t always daily. I would sometimes drift in and out of a daily prayer routine, using my ‘busy schedule’ as an excuse. Having been sick about 12 years ago did prompt me to start a much more sincere daily prayer routine.”
Email steve@themessageonline.org