Kiernan Doyle

Hey there! My name is Kiernan Doyle. I’m a writer/director living in New York City.

Now, a lot of people ask me a lot: “What does living in the city do to your faith? Is it challenging? Are you growing spiritually?”

The truth is, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Through my own life, my challenges, and my journey, I’ve come to understand the importance of entering into the places that are hard to crack.

I grew up in a typical Northeastern family. For the early half of my life, faith was more of an obligation than anything else. The one aspect of it that initially spoke to me at a young age was the masterclass in storytelling. I was so intrigued by the legacy of tradition- by the ability to pass down these accounts rich and ripe with conflicts, plot, and motive. But for a while, that was the extent of my faith; nothing more than an admiration for a well-crafted tale and cultural tradition.

It wasn’t until about high school that I was first presented with the reality that my Catholic identity was more than just a vague religious marker. Within it was a deep, personal invitation to intimacy with the Divine. Over the years and through many struggles, God has washed over me, purifying my intentions and smoothing my rough edges.

And along that time, I also grew in my passion for film. This love of storytelling stayed with me throughout the deepening of my faith. I longed to be the next great storyteller- the next Spielberg or Kubrick. For a while, I wrestled with giving myself permission to pursue this. I was nervous. I fell more into a compartmentalization of what I believed to be “God’s Will” and my own- questioning if my motives were pure or self serving.

I had the pleasure of being a missionary with @lifeteen for a little over two years after college. During the time, God encouraged me to embrace the gifts, talents, dreams, and desires He’s placed on my heart and use them to glorify Him. Through going on mission, He granted me the courage to, rather than turn away from places that seem hard or challenging, find Him walking there and moving with power.

My time in NYC has been blessed beyond measure. The church is alive here. There are Catholic Creatives doing big and amazing things here. There’s a movement happening. And for myself, the opportunity to at least try to tell stories that at their core point back to truth, beauty, and goodness is the ultimate blessing, fulfilling my wildest dreams and living with love beyond measure.