Denis was ordained a Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of Sault St. Marie on June 20, 1987 and has been active in Ministry at St. Patrick’s Parish since his family joined the parish in 1978.  Susan and Denis have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Rev. Mr. O’Donnell has been the Bishop’s representative on the St. Joseph’s Health Care Center Board of Directors since 2009. Denis greatly enjoys celebrating the mixed marriages in the parish and Baptisms outside Mass. He is a member of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), the Liturgy Committee, the Bereavement Team and Knights of Columbus.

Denis was involved with his children as a soccer coach, a cub and beaver leader and enjoyed beekeeping with his daughter for 17 years until the black bears won out.

Rev. Mr. O’Donnell is a Professional Geoscientist and is still called upon to consult as a Senior Rock Mechanics Specialist. He has been active in geological and rock mechanics professions for 44 years always placing the strongest emphasis on safety for all.

Denis completed his university education during evenings through Laurentian University’s Extension Division while working. In 1978 he received a BSc in Geology and in 1999 he was awarded an MSc in Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics. Denis is active in the Canadian Mining and Rock Mechanics community on a national level, having chaired the Canadian Institute of Mining Rock Engineering Society 2005-2007 and CARMA the Canadian Rock Mechanics Association in 2006. He was on the executive of both societies for 10 years. Denis is also a member of the International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM) and was a member of the Quebec society of Explosive Energy (SEEQ).

He now wonders why he can’t seem to find as much time as he should; for carpentry, skiing, fishing, canoeing and hiking.