Nov. 18, 2015

Ogdensburg – St. Joseph Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, diocesan director of the Office of Faith Formation, has announced that Kelly Donnelly, a teacher at Seton Catholic School in Plattsburgh, has been hired as the diocesan director of youth ministry.

She succeeds Deacon Brian Dwyer who resigned in September after five years in the position.

“Kelly comes to the position with a strong background in education, faith formation and experience with the youth of our diocese,” Sister Ellen Rose said. “She will assist with the diocesan youth ministry program on a part time basis, namely preparing for Guggenheim and the implementation of the diocesan vision for youth ministry, until she assumes the position full time on July 1, 2016. This arrangement allows Kelly to complete her teaching responsibilities at Seton Catholic for the current school year.”

Ms. Donnelly grew up in Tupper Lake and completed her undergraduate work at Siena College with a major in English and Education and minor in Franciscan Service and Advocacy.  After graduation, she spent a year serving in Wilmington, Delaware with Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, where she taught in the education department of a women’s prison, tutored adult ESL (English as second language) students, and worked with parish youth.
She then returned to the North Country to teach at Seton Catholic and complete her Master’s Degree of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through SUNY Potsdam. 

Ms. Donnelly is currently in her sixth year teaching English and Religion at Seton Catholic.  She also serves on Seton’s Campus Ministry team, which sponsors events such as Seton’s 40 Days of Hope initiative, retreat days, lock-in, and hikes. She is a parishioner of St. Peter’s Church.

For the past two summers, Ms. Donnelly has directed Camp Guggenheim and is involved with local and diocesan youth ministry events.  She was a member of the Diocesan Youth Ministry Smart Goal Committee and is currently a member of the Living Stones Planning Committee.

She enjoys reading, traveling (especially going on pilgrimages), kayaking, cross-country skiing, and volunteering. 

“I am extremely passionate about youth ministry and feel incredibly blessed to begin working as the diocesan youth director,” she told the North Country Catholic. “I look forward to working with youth ministers and youth to help bring teens closer to Christ.”