Deacon Jim Russell is a lifelong St. Louis resident, "cradle" Catholic, husband, father of eleven, and grandfather of two. Ordained to the Diaconate in 2002, Deacon Russell serves as Director of Liturgy for Immaculate Conception Parish in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, the second-largest parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. 

For several years, Deacon Russell and his classmate Deacon John Beckmann produced a half-hour radio program for Catholic radio titled “Faith Conversations with James and John.” (see www.catholicchristians.com). Deacon Russell also serves as a primary anchor for St. Louis-based Covenant Network Catholic Radio’s twice-a-year on-air pledge drive, helping raise essential funds for the continued work of this radio apostolate. Deacon Russell’s academic/theological interests currently are focused on the work of Blessed Pope John Paul II, particularly his “Catecheses on Human Love” (Theology of the Body). Deacon Russell is also a relatively new contributor to the Catholic blogosphere, blogging at “The Body Guard” (www.thebodyguardtob.wordpress.com ).  

Committed to the Church’s beautiful teaching on marriage and family life, he and his wife Sue have eleven children (eight girls and three boys): Jennifer (married to James Pagano), Michael, Amanda, Kimberly, Richard, Teresa, Veronica, Christina, Lucia, Eleanor, and Isaac; and two granddaughters, Regina and Evie Pagano.