Holy Family, Middletown, welcomes new Director of Faith Formation, Teresa Warnick
Holy Family Catholic Community in Middletown welcomes Teresa Warnick as Director of Faith Formation, effective July 1, 2004. Teresa will replace Sr. Rita Tschudi, MHSH, who is retiring, but will remain a member of Holy Family.
Since 1998 Teresa has held various church ministry positions, including Pastoral Associate at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Gaithersburg, Parish Coordinator for Greater Washington Catholic Charities and, most recently, Regional Coordinator for the Gabriel Project of West Virginia.
Teresa’s church work goes back much earlier than 1998, however. For 20 years prior she served in the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey as well as parishes in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Florida. Her volunteer ministries have included youth ministry, Eucharistic ministry, lecturing, and serving as catechist and pastoral council member.
Growing up with a father who was a Federal Government employee, moving frequently was part of her childhood. But the majority of her childhood was spent in Long Island, New York where she and her family were members of Christ the King parish.
While raising her family, Teresa earned her undergraduate degree in Theology from Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas. She later went back for her Masters in Religious Studies, which she completed in 1997 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.
Besides a new Director of Faith Formation, the community of Holy Family will be experiencing some other changes this summer. Rev. Kevin Farmer will replace Rev. John Moore, who is retiring; and a replacement will be found for Youth Minster, Sarabeth Bowe, who is leaving the area. Teresa reflected on what kinds of challenges are present in joining the staff of a parish undergoing so much change. “The situation is more difficult for the congregation than it is for me because they are experiencing multiples losses. It is important to honor the feelings of the parish during this transition phase; to listen to the parish and do my best.”
Concerning her goals for the Adult Faith Formation program at Holy Family, Teresa intends to continue with the strong program which Sr. Rita has in place. Teresa has identified her strengths as being in the area of catechetical formation. To this end, she will begin to look at new ways to assist adults in developing their own faith.
As Director of Faith Formation, Teresa will coordinate religious education for some 280 children, grades K-9. She will also oversee sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, as well as assisting with Confirmation.
Teresa and her husband, Edward, attend Holy Family and have two children – Matthew, 26 and Megan, 24. When she is devoting time to herself, Teresa enjoys gardening and reading.
When asked for a scripture passage that inspires her, Teresa recalls the words the words Jesus spoke in Mathew's gospel,
Matthew 25:44-45
We extend a special welcome to Teresa Warnick as she begins her ministry in Central Maryland!