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Archives Kelly Donnelly transitioning from Seton teacher to diocesan youth director
‘I love being around teenagers’

Jan. 20, 2016

By Shawn Ryan
Staff writer

Plattsburgh - Seton Catholic Central’s English and Religion teacher Kelly Donnelly has been chosen for the position of diocesan youth director. She has already started to transition to her new role, which she will assume full-time at the end of the school year.

Donnelly has hit the ground running, working part time at the position since the beginning of December.
When the diocesan position was advertised this past summer, Donnelly, who directs Youth Ministry and the Faith Ambassadors at Seton, didn’t think much about it.

Over time though, several of her friends and colleagues came to her and insisted that she think about applying for the job.

“I took it to prayer, and I felt that I was called to apply,” she said. “I love being around teenagers and seeing them being passionate about learning new things and growing closer to Christ.”

Donnelly has always been passionate about learning, and teaching. The Tupper Lake native knew very early that she loved literature and writing, and teaching seemed like an obvious career choice.

Between earning her undergraduate degree at Siena College and her master’s degree at SUNY Potsdam, she spent a year volunteering with the Franciscan Youth Ministry in Wilmington, Delaware. Along with teaching in a predominantly Hispanic high school there, she helped with adult English as a Second Language students, and adult basic education and writing in a women’s prison.

She has taught at Seton for the past six years, where she is considered to be the backbone of the Youth Ministry program.

“Every time I have a youth retreat or event, I feel a tangible energy,” she said. “To directly work with teenagers to help them to strengthen their relationship with Christ…strength to be committed to the faith…is really exciting.”

Paradoxically, she says that being in a position to have that kind of impact on a young person’s live can be very intimidating at the same time. She wants to be sure, she says, that she can live up to everything the position deserves.

But the diocese’s gain, will come at a huge cost to Seton Catholic.

“It’s a huge loss for us,” said Seton Principal Cathy Russell. Russell says that it will be easier to find a great English teacher, than a great English teacher who also does all the things that Donnelly does with youth ministry and Faith Ambassadors.

“I feel happy for her, Russell said. “Other people are realizing her talents. She’ll be a huge loss.”

When Donnelly transitions to the position full time July 1, she will have already laid the groundwork for the summer season at Camp Guggenheim, prepared for the upcoming diocesan youth rally and worked with the diocesan Youth Vision Document.

She said that she looks forward to working with parish youth ministers, and helping them to work to their best potential for the youth.

“I want to make sure that youth ministers have the best opportunities to work with the youth,” she said, “and help them along their faith journeys, and to help ignite or re-kindle their passion in the faith.” 

Kelly Donnelly

Photo by Shawn Ryan
Kelly Donnelly is Shown as she teaches one of her classes at Seton Catholic Central in Plattsburgh. Newly hired as the diocesan youth director, she will complete the current school year while working part time as youth director until July 1 when she will become the full-time director.

 

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