Sister Pat Russell, SDS
"We are trying to impact the world for the better."

Sister Pat is the business manager and a pastoral team member at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Cookeville Tennessee. Sister Pat is a Corning, New York, native and has family members throughout the area.

She recalled that her first visit to the Salvatorian Sisters in Milwaukee was in 1979 during a terrible snowstorm. She had responded to an ad in a magazine. “I felt immediately comfortable with the Salvatorians because they were hospitable and focused on the gifts I brought to the community rather than what ministry I could do,” she explained.

Sister Pat’s previously ministered as a secretary, business manager at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Birmingham, Alabama; Salvatorian Sponsorship Coordinator, Provincial Treasurer and Director of Finance. She was a member of the Sisters’ International Finance Commission and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Business Black and Gold Commission.

At St. Thomas Aquinas, she is part of the parish pastoral team with responsibilities to assist the pastor in areas of finance, administration, personnel and building and grounds. She likes camping, swimming, movies and travel.

“I enjoy working with the wonderful people of this parish. They are great. In addition, even though I am the only Salvatorian Sister in Tennessee, there is a strong Salvatorian presence of religious men and lay men and women,” she said.

Friends have described Sister Pat as joyful, a good project manager and easy to be with.

“I enjoy religious life and am grateful and proud to be part of this Congregation. The Sisters want to help change the world and make a difference. We are trying to impact the world for the better,” she pointed out.