2019 Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry Leadership Certifications

As the staff of the Office of Lay Ministry and Parish Faith Formation, it is our great privilege and pleasure to support the pastors, parish life coordinators, and the ­catechetical and youth ministry leaders of our Diocese as they strive to fulfill the ultimate goal of all catechesis — “To put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ” (General Directory for Catechesis, no. 80).

As we prepare to celebrate Catechetical Sunday with its theme, Stay With Us, we wish to acknowledge the following catechetical and youth ministry leaders who have either renewed their leadership certification, or have achieved a level of certification for the first time this year. These leaders have given significant time to their human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation to better serve the children, youth, and adults of their parishes.

They exemplify what St. John Paul II once said: “To set high standards means both to provide a thorough basic training and to keep it constantly updated. This is a ­fundamental duty, in order to ensure qualified personnel for the Church’s mission” (Guide for Catechists, no. 19).

Please join us in thanking God for these leaders, and for all the catechetical and youth ministry leaders throughout our Diocese. Together may we truly be witnesses for ­Jesus Christ! 

David Amico, director. Mary Fay, associate director. Joyce Solimini, associate director.

Coordinator of Religious Education

Michaela Anderson (Provisional/new St. Patrick, Catskill/St. Patrick, Athens

Ruth Ellen Berninger (Provisional) St. John the Baptist, Valatie 

Diane Madej (Provisional)

Amsterdam Area Faith Formation

 Lisa McGarvey-Davis, Sacred Heart, Castleton 

Ken Stuff (Provisional/new),St. Cecilia, Fonda

Director of Religious Education

 Julie Leonelli, St. Joseph, Fort Edward

Sena Monaco (new), Our Lady of Fatima, Delanson

Michelle Schulmerich (Provisional/new), St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Schenectady

Kristy White (Provisional/new), St. Paul the Apostle, Hancock

Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Lauren Numrich (Provisional), St. Pius X, Loudonville 

Director of Youth Ministry, Christine Goss, Immaculate Conception, Glenville

* Three levels of certification – Administrator, Coordinator, Director – are based upon an individual leader’s academic background, differing ministerial responsibilities, and participation in diocesan and other formation opportunities. On all three levels, an individual can achieve certification for leading programs in Religious Education (Grades K – 5/6) or Youth Ministry (Grades 6/7 – 12) or both.  In addition, some Directors of Religious Education specifically focus on programs for adults of all ages.