Dec. 20, 2017

Bishop Terry R.  LaValley has appointed Catherine Russell as the Assistant Director of Faith Formation for the Western Regional Office and Coordinator of the Formation for Ministry Program.

Her appointment becomes effective Jan. 1.

Ms Russell will continue her work as Diocesan Vocation Coordinator.

An educator for 40 years, Ms. Russell earned a bachelor’s degree from Regents College and a Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from St. Lawrence University.

She has also received permanent NewYork State certification as School Counselor and English teacher.

She taught in diocesan Catholic schools for nine years, was a public school teacher for three years and also workd as  an English teacher for Jefferson Community College in Watertown.  Ms. Russell worked as a school counselor at Crown Point Central School for 20 years and then served as principal in Seton Catholic Middle High School for six years before becoming Diocesan Vocation Coordinator in 2016.

She now lives in Massena where she is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church.

In the Faith Formation and Formation for Ministry positions, she succeeds Deacon Patrick Donahue who has been named director of Catholic Charities.