Rev. Armand John Kreft, Rector
Father Armand has substantial experience in invigorating and growing declining churches. He has served as vicar of Holy Innocents San Francisco, elected dean of Trinity Cathedral, San Jose, California and associate rector of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs and Priest in Charge of Epiphany Parish, Seattle. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 1990, he had a career in marketing for Levi Strauss & Co. and also managed a large law firm in San Francisco. Along with his regular Sunday services, Fr. Kreft has been involved with the Emerging Church Movement, a contemporary worship experience for teenagers through young adults. He also helped Liberation Ministries, an inclusive, predominately African-American non-denominational congregation, get started at Epiphany Church in Seattle, Washington. He has served in four diocese on Commission for Evangelism and Church Growth as well as diocesan council for Olympia. He has been guest preahcer at St. Peter's Eaton Square and Grosvenor Chapel, both in London, England.
Mark DiGiampaolo, Music Director
Mark W. DiGiampaolo, a native of Bound Brook, NJ, received his Bachelors of Arts in Piano Chamber Music from Montclair State University, Upper Montclair NJ, and his Masters of Liturgical Music from Catholic University of America, Washington DC.
His professional ministry in music spans over 30 years, including significant work in the New York/Washington DC metropolitan areas. In 1991 he moved to Buffalo to assume duties at St. Joseph’s RC Cathedral. During his 16 year tenure he completely overhauled the choral program, initiated and oversaw a 1 million dollar nationally-acclaimed renovation of the Cathedral's historic pipe organ, and established the site as a venue for high-quality musical events.
Mark has presented numerous workshops and master classes in the USA and Canada, and is known for his improvisatory abilities. He is much in demand throughout the Western New York area as an accompanist and vocal coach.
In addition to his work as a musician, he has also pursued education in two other passions: theology and real estate. Mark earned 36 graduate hours in theology from Christ the King Seminary and most recently received his New York State real estate license joining the team at Holcberg. He began his service at Ascension on Easter Sunday 2007.
