Faith Formation July Updates!
Upcoming Events and Meet the new staff!
Greetings Faith Formation Families!
As you know we have our second Faith and Family Fun Night this evening, Saturday, July 23rd at Our Lady of Lourdes at 6:30pm! We will continue to learn from the stories Jesus taught and discover ways that we can incorporate those lessons into our daily lives!
I also want to direct your attention to the HighSchool listening sessions that are taking place with our NEW Pastoral Associate and Youth Minister, Nora Bradbury-Haehl. The next listening session is this Sunday, July 24th at Our Lady Queen of Peace after the 9:00 mass in Slattery Hall. Read the postings below for all of the information about those events!
Finally, I have included Faith Formation biographies for you to get a snap shot of who each of us is and what ways we can best assist you in the exciting years ahead!
We look forward to seeing you all and meeting you all, real soon!
Many Blessings,
Jennifer Abdalla
Director of Faith Formation
Brighton Catholic Youth Ministry
Our Lady of Lourdes – St. Anne’s – St. Thomas More – Our Lady Queen of Peace
Listening Sessions for Parents of High School Teens
How are you doing? How are the kids? What do they (and you) need from your parish? These informal sessions are a chance for the parents of teens starting 9th -12th grade in the fall (public, private/Catholic, or homeschool) to share ideas and concerns, ask questions, and get to know Nora, our new Pastoral Associate and Youth Minister. We hope you can join us at one of the following sessions:
- Sunday July 17th at St Thomas More after the 11:00 mass in the gathering space
- Sunday July 24th at OLQP after the 9:00 mass in Slattery Hall
- Monday August 1st at OLQP at 7pm in Slattery Hall
High School Hangout & Campfire Wednesday August 3rd 7-9pm at OLQP. Join us for an evening of games & icebreakers, s’mores, and getting to know each other. We’ll play, pray, eat, and spend a little time talking and brainstorming about the year ahead. Bring your ideas and a folding chair. Friends are welcome!
Global Citizenship Immersion: Building Skills & Knowledge for a Diverse World
High school students and rising 8th graders: Join our new youth minister Nora August 8-12 from 1-7pm each day at Nazareth College to learn more about different faiths and gain skills for conflict resolution, dialogue, and tolerance. You can find the registration form on the Nazareth College Hickey Center Website (look for “programs and events”) and see a video with more information about the program on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cm429crfNjM
Off to College Night
Are you starting or returning to college this fall? Whether you’re a local college student or attending far away, join us for an evening of food, fun, and conversation, Wednesday, July 27th from 8-10pm at STM. We’ll talk about the good and the bad of college life with a special focus on new freshmen as well as how faith connects to where you’re at right now. It’s a chance to meet and reconnect with other college students before the new school year starts for you.
You can call Nora at her office at OLQP at 585-244-3010 x106 or email nora.bradbury@dor.org
Getting to know the Faith Formation Staff!
Jennifer Abdalla
Director of Faith Formation &
Pastoral Minister
I am still the Director of Faith Formation and will oversee the programs faith formation, sacramental preparation curriculum and community events as I have in years past. My newest title, Pastoral Minister means I now oversee the pastoral and communion visits to Nursing Home and home bound elders in our faith community.
I have worked for both the Dioceses of Syracuse and Rochester in Faith Formation, Nursing Home Ministry and Mission Outreach for over 20 years. My undergraduate work is in Human Development and Psychology. My graduate degree is in Pastoral Studies obtained at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. But, the most qualifying role of all, comes from the child who calls me "Mom." My 14 year old son teaches me the art of unconditional love daily!
Phone: 585244-3010, ext. 109
Email: Jennifer.Abdalla@dor.org
Phone:585-244-3010 x106
Email: nora.bradbury@dor.org
Nora Bradbury-Haehl
Pastoral Associate &
Youth Minister
For more than twenty-five years Nora has worked in youth, young adult, campus, and diocesan ministry in the Diocese of Rochester. She is the author of The Twentysomething Handbook and The Freshman Survival Guide. She’s also written several ministry books and resources with Saint Mary’s Press and Liturgy Training Publications. Nora has been a contributing editor for BustedHalo.com and a columnist for Angelus.com. She’s been active in interfaith work at the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue for many years. She and her husband Greg have been married for 33 years and have four grown children and one grandchild.
Dawn Savacool
Administrative Assistant
Faith Formation
Dawn Savacool is our new Administrative Assistant for Faith Formation. She comes to us from the corporate world working in a variety of jobs including customer service, office administration and project management. She has also worked in the Catholic church as a Wedding Coordinator for the last 16 years. As a life-long Catholic, she is excited to become a part of our Faith Formation family and share her love of Christ with our youth. In her free time, Dawn loves to bake, knit and spend time with her friends.
Phone: 585-244-3010 ext. 103
Email: Dawn.Savacool@dor.org