Faith Formation Staff
Blessed Family 7 Faith Formation Staff Directory
To contact a staff member via telephone, please email/call the appropriate number below.
Denise York,
Director of Faith Formation/Blessed Family 7
Denise joined our staff in May 2024.
She has over thirty years of catechetical and youth ministry experience as a youth minister, retreat director, and coordinator of religious education. Her service includes seven years as the Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Buffalo. She holds two degrees in Education and a Masters Degree in Theology from Christ the King Seminary. Prior to joining the staff at St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, she served at Immaculate Conception Parish in East Aurora for fifteen years. As a mother of two adult children, she credits them for her knowledge of being the parent of teenagers. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and giving tours with Explore Buffalo. She is a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Lancaster and lives in Alden.
Email: dyork@stgabeschurch.com Phone:
716-668-2070
Douglas George,
Director of Family Ministry
Doug joined the Parish Staff in August 2022. He holds a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry and has ministered as a DRE for High School and Youth Ministry in the two parishes in the City of Ogdensburg; was a volunteer missionary at San Martin de Porras Parish in Mollendo, Peru, SA for the diocese of Ogdensburg; was a Co-Director of programs at Regina Maria Spiritual Life Center, Plattsburgh; Director of Lay Formation at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, and currently a part-time Pastoral Minister/Chaplain at Mercy Hospital, South Buffalo and Fr. Baker Manor, OP. Doug is the fourth of seven children, raised in Bliss, N.Y. He and his wife Deb live in East Aurora and are members of Immaculate Conception Parish. Doug enjoys family, neighbors, genealogy, gardening and restoring/refinishing older treasures.
Email: doug@qofhchurch.org Phone: 716-675-3714 x 133
Donna Emminger, Administrative Assistant
Donna Emminger is a native of West Seneca and began her position as Administrative Assistant for the Youth and Family Ministry Department in June 2023. In her spare time, Donna enjoys gardening, reading, spending time with her three sisters, as well as bicycling, roller skating and traveling with her husband Cliff. Donna and Cliff are members of Ss. Columba Brigid Parish.
Email: donna@qofhchurch.org Phone: 716-675-3714 x 132
Sandra Schneider, Administrative Assistant
Sandy Schneider began her position as Administrative Assistant for the St. Gabriel's Faith Formation in June 2025. From 1993-2015 Sandy was the Receptionist for the Buffalo Bills. She is the mother of 3 sons and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and traveling. She was a parishioner of St. George in West Falls for many years, and joined St. Gabriel's Parish when St. George's closed.
Email: sschneider@stgabeschurch.com Phone: 716-668-2070
