Under the collar: In the footsteps of the carpenter

Father Daniele Russo is the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Sydney, making him a genuine “fisher of men.” He is also a quite accomplished carpenter.

I was born in Bankstown Hospital and grew up in Greenacre in Sydney’s Southwest. Dad came from a family of fishermen back in Sicily, but worked as a bricklayer here in Australia, while Mum worked at home and in a few secretarial jobs. I have an older sister.

We were brought up in the Catholic faith, but the family weren’t what you’d call practicing Catholics.

I liked sport as a child, particularly soccer, and most of my friendship groups were predicated around that common interest. I went to Saint John Vianney Catholic Primary, and did high school at Trinity Catholic College, Auburn.

I was a fairly good student. From the age of 13, I had a stable ambition to go on and become an engineer and property developer. I’ve always had an interest in building, from a theoretical point of view—how do things stand up? I was very much interested in those engineering projects in Dubai. But also interested, from a business perspective.

When I left high school I did engineering and commerce at Sydney Uni. I started a double degree. I completed my first year but left to join the seminary.

There were several spiritual encounters that helped to provide expression to what was happening in a more subtle way in my prayer life. A friend of mine expressed his decision to apply for the seminary, and as he told me why he was thinking this way, he articulated the desire in my heart, and I experienced a fleeting feeling of a higher purpose. It became very obvious that that was my calling too.

Although my parents were fundamentally supportive of me doing something that would make me happy, it was difficult for them at first. It was a journey for them as much as for me, accepting a life that requires such an overt sacrifice. Not having grandchildren was the elephant in the room, but they were respectful enough not to drop the guilt trip on me.

I’m pleased to report back that over the years they became more explicitly supportive having seen the positive impact it has had on my life.

I’m tactile and love to use my hands. I like carpentry work, and I do that as a hobby. I did woodwork in Year nine and 10 at high school. That’s where I honed my craft. Even after I finished school, I’ve always tried to keep a workshop.

During the pandemic I built a tiny house at my parent’s place and then we transported it to the family farm. It’s a two-story home with a bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

I simply enjoy the process and appreciate the utility of what I make. As a priest I’m happy to be building things that will be used in the service of God.

A few years ago, I grabbed a pen and paper and designed a prototype for a portable confessional. Then I built a prototype. Now there are about 30-40 of them around the archdiocese. I made 20 of them myself and gave my design to a friend who now has full-time job making liturgical furniture, including my confessionals.

I even did some carpentry over in Rome, where I was sent to do my formation studies for five years at the American College. I built an English-pub style bar in the common student area. The college has a workshop that was pretty neglected, but it was enough to do the work. I found a timber supplier in the city and we became quite close friends. I worked on the project in my spare time over a couple of months.

I was ordained in 2016 at St Mary’s. I was in one of the first cohorts ordained by the current archbishop, as he was recovering from his illness—Guillain-Barré. It was a very special occasion.

My first posting was the Holy Family Parish in Menai for four years. After that I was appointed to the parish of St Joachim’s Lidcombe. That’s where I still live, and have a little woodwork shed, but now I’m the Vocational Director for the Sydney Archdiocese.

I no longer have an ongoing engagement with a single parish community, but I still say Mass every day, helping out in various parishes.

My job is to recruit young men to the priesthood. In every age it’s difficult to sell a life that is objectively difficult, however, I see my role as alerting men to the possibility that Christ calling from the shores of Galilee. The vocation director is like John the Baptist, pointing out the Lamb of God, the fishermen of fishermen. God is doing the recruiting; I’m just helping them to respond.

My Dad’s father was a fisherman in Sicily and since I was a kid I’ve been on the water and fishing as well. I love to fish in Botany Bay.

Jesus was a carpenter and called fishermen. I do both.