Bishop Donald Kettler has hired Brenda Kresky to be the Diocese of St. Cloud’s new director of pastoral planning.
Kresky has served for the last 16-and-a-half years as faith formation consultant for the diocese’s Catholic Education Ministries.
“Brenda’s experience working with pastors and lay leaders at both the parish and diocesan levels is an asset that will help us in developing a successful pastoral plan for the future,” Bishop Kettler said. “I appreciate her collaborative approach, listening ear and commitment to fostering vibrant parish communities.”
The position has been vacant since last fall. Previously, Deacon Mark Barder served as the planning director.
Kresky’s appointment comes as the diocese works toward a new pastoral plan for parishes expected to launch in the summer of 2019. She said she expects to spend much of her time on the road over the next several months.
“Parishes are involved in important conversations right now about the challenges and opportunities they face as they look to their futures. I want to be part of as many of those conversations as possible,” Kresky said.
“We are a Paschal Mystery people. Change is never easy, but there can be new energy and new life that results from change,” she said. “We need to be creative, work together and trust in the Holy Spirit. This is how we’ll maintain a mission-driven Catholic presence throughout our 16-county diocese.”
Kresky is a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids, where her husband, Deacon Joe Kresky, serves as director of youth and young adult ministry. They have four children ranging in age from 17 to 24.
Before coming to CEM in 2001, Kresky served as director of religious education at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls from 1999-2001 and St. Joseph Church in Waite Park from 1994-1999.
She has a bachelor of arts degree in home economics education from St. Catherine University in St. Paul and a master of arts in pastoral ministry from St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville.