Hello Parishioners and Families of The Lord’s Vineyard Family of Parishes! My name is Kiera Krestic, and I’m honored to introduce myself as your new Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister.
I’m very excited to get to know everyone in this vibrant Catholic community. To share a bit about myself: I grew up in Alden, New York, and have since lived in Hamburg and now Springville. My journey in ministry began about seven years ago, shortly after graduating from Chesterton Academy of Buffalo.
One of my greatest passions is singing! I started serving in music ministry, cantoring at Masses for my former parish. One Sunday, after singing at Mass, the Youth Minister asked if anyone felt called to teach faith formation. That moment opened the door to four years of mentoring and preparing 9th and 10th graders for Confirmation. Since then, I’ve been blessed to serve the Church in a variety of ways such as leading praise and worship for Masses and prayer services, helping run Vacation Bible School, and assisting in planning and running middle and high school retreats. Most recently, I co-founded a young adult women’s group called Magdalene, which has brought together over 70 women from various areas throughout the Buffalo region together to join in a blossoming, faith-filled community.
I’m grateful for all the ways God has invited me to serve His Church, and I feel deeply called and prepared for this next chapter – walking with you and your families in faith and formation.
If you have any questions for me about the future of faith formation and youth ministry at The Lord’s Vineyard Parish Family, please feel free to reach out! You can contact me at kkrestic@thelordsvineyard3.com. I look forward to getting to know this faith community as we learn to walk with Christ together!