Fr. Andy McAlpin, OP

Arabian horse trainer, rock band drummer, navy sailor, and tech industry professional. Always trusting (open to) God’s prompting, Fr. Andy eventually left these ventures, entered the seminary in St. Paul, MN., and later pursued his vocation as a Dominican priest. 

A native of Eagan, MN, Fr. Andy moved with his family to a horse farm at age eight and helped care for and train Arabians. Following high school, he joined the U.S. Navy for four years, worked in the tech industry for several years, and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.

Initially introduced to the Dominican order while doing study abroad in Rome through the University of St. Thomas and staying at the International House of Studies, he was later encouraged by a deacon friend to take a closer look at the Dominicans during his discernment.  He did. And he explains that his decision to join “just seemed to make sense.” “You can’t explain the movements of your heart on the deepest level,” Fr. Andy said. “You just know that you are supposed to do something that will matter in the world.”

He entered the Order of Preachers in August 2003, received his Master of Divinity in 2008 from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, professed final vows in June 2008, and was ordained on May 10, 2009, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis, MO. “When I first looked into joining a religious order, I was intrigued by the many ways the different orders did the same thing: proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls,” said Fr. Andy “You will find words like this in the literature of most religious communities because no matter the congregation's ministerial focus, they all end up in the same place: to preach Jesus Christ to all of creation. These words and the work of St. Dominic inspired me to join this faith-filled band of brothers and obediently follow the command of the Lord in continuing the Apostles' work.”

Fr. Andy most recently served eight years as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, WI. His other assignments included theology teacher at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, university chaplain at Dominican University, parochial vicar at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, and vocations director for the Province of St. Albert the Great.

He is honored to have the opportunity to serve St. Tom’s. “Under holy obedience, the Order of Preachers has asked me to accept this mission at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center,” he said. “Without hesitation, I said yes! Here, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Good News of Jesus Christ will continue to be proclaimed, and more souls will be saved through the unrelenting efforts of the Friar Preachers and all those who serve at St. Thomas Aquinas. Onward with the holy adventure that Jesus has called us to!"