Staff Directory

Sally Cunningham, Associate Director of Faith Formation  graduated from St. John’s seminary in Boston MA with a Masters in Ministry.

Sally enjoys working with our teens and their families as they enter the two-year Confirmation process, and as the teens perform their Liturgical Ministry, serving with them at the 5:30 pm Mass. She also has a lot of fun with our teens as they expand on what they want to see in their Youth Ministry.

She loves serving with our families in our CrossWalk Middle School Ministry, which comprises Grades 6 through 8, involving not just the child but also their families.

Holy Family Parish has been my home since my husband Henry and I moved to South Pasadena in 1970.  We stumbled upon this community by chance, and we are so glad that we were able to raise our three boys surrounded by good neighbors, great schools, and a welcoming church.

Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as in English, I started my career in the newspaper industry, working as an accountant for the Pasadena Star-news and advancing to the position of Controller/Finance Director in later years.  At the end of 23 years and after multiple ownership changes in the newspaper group, I decided to slow down and “smell the roses”.    I found that rose garden at Holy Family Church in 2001, when I applied for the bookkeeper position advertised in the church bulletin.  I enjoyed the stress-free pace for eight years, until the need arose for a Business Manager when Karl Holtsnider retired.  Once again, I stepped up to the challenges of leadership, and have enjoyed the past 13 years working as Holy Family’s Business Manager.  I look forward to serving the parish and the community under Holy Family’s new pastoral leadership.

Holy Family is my home parish.  I was raised in the community, a graduate of the school, enriched by the sacraments and still hold the memory of how the Sacrament of Confirmation deepened my faith and enlivened the call to be an active leader for the Church.

In 1977, I joined our youth ministry team as a peer mentor.  I graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in 1980, and continued to serve on the youth team, and was certified as a Catechist as I pursued a degree at Pasadena City College.

In 1985 I was invited to interview as the Religious Education Congress Secretary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  For five years I worked among an unforgettable team, who left an indelible mark that our work for God’s people should be fueled by love.  I was formed by the preaching, teaching, thoughts, wisdom and works of renowned theologians and lay ministers who surrounded me with joy and laughter.

After a time of discernment, I accepted a position with the Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus as their Assistant Development Director.  My role included planning and evaluating fundraising campaigns and activities, with a great deal of interaction with donors and prospective donors.  I was not a parish setting but education and faith development was the core of our work.

In August of 2000, Monsignor Connolly invited me to return home and serve as the Director of Religious Education.  This August marks my 21-year anniversary serving our community as a faith formation leader.

Over the years I remained open to the Spirit and felt the call to serve the Office of the Chaplaincy, for the United States Army.  I trained to serve as a Family Readiness Leader.  In 2008 I received the Commander's Award, a top recognition for Civilian Service.

In 2007, with the permission of Monsignor Connolly, I was accepted into the Parish Business Manager Course at Loyola Marymount University.  My goal was to obtain a greater understanding of how each parish faces the challenge of administering its resources effectively and fairly, while honoring and remaining in compliance with both civil and canon law.

Among my blessings are my amazing faith models: pastors, directors, ministers, and parishioners that feed and pointed my internal compass towards a life of service, compassion, and generosity towards others. Giving back to the parish community that raised me showed me the power of investing in the lives of others and how vital it is to trust in the ever-present nourishment of God’s grace.  My journey has been unique, and I am thank for the time that I served under these great bosses:

Msgr. John Barry

Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson

Msgr. Clement Connolly

Colette means, "people of victory."  That definition in not always easy to live up to or to believe, especially in this time where we work to claim victory over the coronavirus pandemic, but even with these grave obstacles, I am empowered through the Easter Story that makes one thing clear:  the passion of Jesus is a celebration of Victory and Hope, and we, God’s people, are beneficiaries of the victory.

My continuing Faith Development includes:

Damascus Youth Ministry Leadership – Class of 1984

LMU Parish Business Administration Course - Class of 2008)

Archdiocese Elementary, Confirmation and Youth Ministry Certification

Master Catechist Course (Class of 2013)

My home is home to my grandchildren.  Harpar, Rome and Rocco.   Love and support come to us in all forms, and I am forever grateful to my colleagues and catechist team who embrace us.

Our Faith Formation Ministers want to offer a place for all to grow in the love of God, to extend the hospitality of our community that strives to share God's love with others, as we encounter Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit's transforming presence.  Join us!