Susan Taylor,
Administrator of Religious Education
at St. Peter Parish
in Hancock
by Judy Williams

Susan Taylor, is the newly hired Administrator of Religious Education, St. Peter parish in Hancock, MD.   Although she started end of August as a paid staff member, she has been teaching second and third grade religious education classes in the parish for ten years, as well as assisting with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

After the departure of the previous Religious Education Administrator, Terri Staley, earlier this year, Susan came forward to offer Fr. Lesnick help in getting the fall classes ready.  Fr. Lesnick hired her shortly afterward.  Now she does this job 20 hours a week, working evenings, in addition to her regular, fulltime job at Citicorp.

Serving 195 families from St. Peter’s and its mission, St. Patrick in Little Orleans, Susan oversees religion education for grades 1-8, as well as the high school youth ministry program.  Her job also entails preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.  Though she oversees these programs, Susan is quick to point out how grateful she is for the efforts of Youth Group coordinator. Suzanne Mellott and High School catechist Laura Gough.  Also, the support of Pastor John Lesnick has been invaluable to her.

She currently has an Advanced Catechist certificate, and plans to begin working toward her Professional certification.  A native of Baltimore city, Susan now lives in Hancock, just four blocks from the parish office.  She is also Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the parish, and, in what little spare time finds, she enjoys reading, quilting and crafts. 

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good – His mercy endures forever” – these words of the psalmist were spoken to Susan at the end of confession, as a young girl.  “Sometimes we forget these words,” she commented.  And so now, when preparing her students for their First Reconciliation, Susan always repeats those words to them.

Susan says her job feels less like work, due to the family atmosphere in the parish office.  The parish staff is small, with three members, Susan, Fr. Lesnick and Business Manager, Anna Thompson.  The staff is rounded out by a fourth member, Jake, Susan’s companion, part-labrador/part-newfoundland companion who can frequently be found napping or engaging the pastor in a game of fetch.

We extend our welcome to Susan as she begins her ministry in Central Maryland!

The Catholic Education Ministries Center of Central Maryland provides ongoing support to the Catechetical Ministries of Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. This includes training programs for leaders and volunteers in parishes and schools, plus consultation in all areas of catechesis.

Catholic Education Ministries - Mount Saint Mary's, Emmitsburg, 21727
(301) 447-3707   FAX: (301) 447-5399    [More about the Center]