Parish Staff
PASTOR
Rev. Rich Andre, C. S. P.
he/him/his
I'm absolutely thrilled to be the pastor of Old St. Mary's Catholic Parish, which includes our largest ministry, Old St. Mary's School! I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. I earned two degrees from the University of Rochester, NY, and then I worked for 7 years as an optical engineer. My first job was using ultraviolet lasers to write computer chips, and my second was working on some of the world's largest telescopes.
I was singing at an ordination Mass back in Pittsburgh in 2001 when I experienced a sudden call from God to consider the priesthood. It took me a while to discern how exactly the Holy Spirit was calling me to serve, but I eventually found the Paulist Fathers, the first religious community of Catholic priests founded in the United States. The Paulists reach out to people who have never heard the gospel proclaimed to them in relevant ways, people who feel hurt by or alienated from the Church, and people who belong to other Christian denominations or other faith traditions. I was ordained in 2012, and since then, I've served as a priest in Knoxville, TN; Austin, TX; and Boston, MA.
I bring my gifts of wonder and galvanizing to Old St. Mary's School, as well as my enthusiasm for Mass & preaching and my love of music. I look forward to growing with you in the years to come!
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
he/him/his
Hello! My name is Fr. Dan, and I am excited to be the new associate pastor here at Old St. Mary’s. I am a member of the Paulist Fathers, the religious community of priests that has served Old St. Mary’s since 1903. I am a recently ordained priest, having been ordained this past May 2024. This is my first assignment as a priest, and I am excited to be with you all!
I am originally from the Philippines, and moved to the United States in 2004 for college. Before studying for priesthood, I was a scientist, and finished a doctorate in Cancer Biology. I love conversations at the intersection of faith and science, and hope to learn and grow with all of you this school year. Some interests of mine include playing the piano, singing, and video games.
DIRECTOR OF LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION
he/him/his
Oblate James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB (he/él) is a Third Order Member of the Order of St. Benedict with St. Scholastica Monastery in Rogers Park. James made his final commitment to the Order in 2018 after study. James lives in Evanston with his puppy, Biscocho.
James is educated in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, DEI, and Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University and DePaul University. James is a certified diversity practitioner.
James has professional background in both the secular nonprofit and religious worlds. James has worked for organizations like the YMCA in youth development, Evanston/Skokie School District 65 as a district-wide fluency program manager, and Kids Playing Camp as an operations and DEI director. James has also worked for religious institutions like St. Athanasius School as a middle school religion teacher and campus minister, Pope John XXIII School as an associate principal for DEI and Catholic Identity, and for the Evanston parishes as regional director of youth, young adult ministry, and campus ministry.
Currently, James works as an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University in the College of Education, as a retreat chaplain for the Junior Class at St. Ignatius College Prep, Executive Director of United Catholic Youth Ministries, and joins us as the Director of Lifelong Faith Formation at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School.
In both his personal and professional life, James spends a lot of time advocating for marginalized people in both secular and religious environments. “The world should be a place that truly fosters equitable opportunity for all, whether that be in social structures with things like jobs, housing, and food or in religious contexts with things like answering our vocational call, serving in leadership no matter your age or identity, or knowing you belong and are loved simply because you were made in the likeness and image of God or your religion’s higher power.”
Outside of advocacy work, James enjoys talking about Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Lord of the Rings lore, playing soccer and volleyball, and enjoying spending time with loved ones.