by Stefani Manowski
September 30, 2013

From serving in a variety of parish, campus and media ministries, Father Eric Andrews, CSP, admits he is a “jack-of-all-trades.” Well, make that a “Paulist-of-all-trades.” And Father Andrews plans to use all of his diverse experiences as the new president-elect of the Paulist Fathers. He will take up his new post during the Paulist General Assembly in Spring 2014.

“I am honored and humbled by the support of the community,” said Father Andrews, 48, who has served as president of Paulist Productions in Los Angeles since 2009. “I thank current Paulist President Father Michael McGarry, Vice President Father Sean Foley and First Consultor Father Larry Rice for their good work on behalf of the community. I hope to build on what they have already accomplished.”

The Paulists have always brought the best of the Catholic faith to the people of North America, Father Andrews explained, and the Paulists under his leadership will continue “to find new ways to communicate the Catholic faith so it may resonate with our culture.”

“We need to continue to open the doors to people searching for a spiritual home, to use the media and technology to bring the best of Gospel values to our culture,” he said. “In addition, Pope Francis’ emphasis on mercy and compassion to all resonates with the charism of the Paulist Fathers.”

And what Father Andrews himself has been doing for many years, as well. After his priestly ordination in 1995, Father Andrews first served at the Paulist mother church, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan from 1995-1999. He then moved to Washington, D.C., to become a part of Paulist Media Works, where he was for a year before moving on to serve as associate pastor at Blessed John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 2000. He became pastor there in 2003, and also served as superior of the Paulists in Knoxville. Hollywood came calling in 2009, when Father Andrews became the head of Paulist Productions, which produces faith-based films and television programs. Father Andrews has also served on the Paulist General Council for seven years under two previous administrations.

The unique opportunity to work in basically all facets of Paulist ministry has imparted to Father Andrews useful amounts versatility and wisdom.

“I have learned how to listen, and how to consult,” he said, “And I know how the ministries work. I have also worked in different parts of the country, so that helps, too, because I have been blessed to have met so many people from so many diverse places.”

But how does one go from considering the diocesan priesthood while in film school to becoming Paulist president? The path is an interesting one.

Father Andrews grew up with his sister, Michele, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where his father owned a small, precision sheet metal company and his mother was a registered nurse. At The New York University Film School, Father Andrews also double-majored in philosophy, “which came in handy as I entered the seminary,” Father Andrews said.

Rev. Raymond Rafferty, then campus minister at NYU, first suggested the Paulists to the future priest, but young Eric first decided to take a job with Jim Henson and the Muppets. Three years later, Father Andrews decided to reconsider the priesthood, and entered the Paulist novitiate after attending the Paulist ordination of 1989. 

Before taking on his presidential duties, Father Andrews will be busy wrapping up several projects at Paulist Productions. Be on the lookout for “Christmas for a Dollar,” a film in which a family learns the true meaning of Christmas due in November 2013; “The Town That Came A-Calling,” a Valentine-theme show featuring Lauren Holly and Valerie Harper due in January 2014; and a one-hour drama series on Father Greg Boyle’s well-known ministry to gang men in Los Angeles. And don’t forget a Christmas special on CBS at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The one-hour special of Bible Lessons and Christmas Carols features the performance of Nativity puppets created by the late Jane Henson and her daughter, Heather, as well as performers from Broadway and Lincoln Center.

“The media is the way we can reach the most people and have the most impact,” Father Andrews said. “I want to leave Paulist Productions in a position where they will not only continue, but thrive.”