Russell hired associate director
of parish social ministry By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — Ben Russell always wanted to work for Catholic Charities. So when a job offer became available in a field Russell was interested in, he applied and got it.
“This job gives me a chance to do something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Russell, 25. “Social advocacy is very close to me. I enjoy talking to people and helping them to understand what’s going on. I’m very excited about it.”
Russell’s excitement impressed his new boss, Michael Ann Oropeza, Catholic Charities parish social ministry program director, who brought him on board last month as associate director of parish social ministry.
“Ben is very personable and outgoing. He is very passionate about Catholic social teachings and social advocacy issues,” said Oropeza.
Russell attends Bruce St. Luke the Evangelist Church and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mississippi College in Clinton.
He is pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral studies through the Loyola Institute for Ministries Exchange (LIMEX) program.
Upon his college graduation, Russell worked a year and a half as a mental health specialist for Communicare Mental Health Center, Region II of Mississippi, which encompasses seven counties from Calhoun to Desota.
But, Russell said, working in the area of mental health was not what he wanted to continue doing.
Russell will commute the 15 minutes from his home in Big Creek to the Northeast Catholic Charities office in Vardaman. When not traveling for his job, he will be in the office from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m Monday through Friday.
With the new state Legislature having convened Tuesday, Jan. 8, Russell said he will be in Jackson twice a week for the next month and after that as needed. Once the session is over, he will be able to give more attention to parish outreach.
In his role as associate director of parish social ministry, Russell will concentrate on two areas of social advocacy:
1) Legislative work during this session of the state Legislature, with an emphasis on the stance of the church in the Diocese of Jackson in light of Catholic social teaching, responses from parishes to the recent survey designed by the diocesan Poverty Task Force about current social issues of concern, and any collaborative efforts with religious entities such as Congregations for Children;
2) Parish involvement in Catholic social teaching through parish groups to discuss issues and connect with parish legislative email groups.
Russell said he also wants to make sure north Mississippi parishes/missions, as well as the Jackson area and other parts of the diocese, are involved in those connections.
“For the next three months we will be looking over legislative issues for what’s good and what’s bad with an eye on the bishop’s stance,” Russell said.
“I definitely want to let people know this is not about what I think, or what they think as individuals. They can remain true to their stance, our individual voices are considered in the entire context of our faith, staying within the global context of our faith,” he said.
Russell has noticed a lack of awareness among many Mississippians, Catholics included, of a number of issues affecting them.
“We should always be looking at the kingdom of God, looking for change, for ways of making life better for other people as well as ourselves. The church can help us on that journey. For me it is all part of a growing process,” he said. “When movement stops, when we get too content, we stop growing.”
