Father Andrew K. Nelson, S.T.L.
Fr. Andrew joined St. Ignatius and St. Mary Parishes as Pastor in 2017. Prior to that, he was stationed in Berlin, NH and at the Cathedral in Manchester. For many years, Fr. Andrew was a Catholic school teacher before discerning a call to priesthood. He is also a writer for Parable Magazine and his column has won many prizes, including #1 Column! Originally from Vermont, he enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling adventures, and warm mugs of black tea.
Contact Information:
anelson@rcbm.org
603-692-2172 (office)
603-841-3944 (emergencies)
Deacon David Divins
Originally from Colorado, Deacon Dave was ordained in the Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.) in 2010. He has a PhD in Oceanography and is the Associate Director of the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space. Deacon Dave teaches our Baptism classes and works with the RCIA team to educate our incoming adult candidates. He and his wife, Ebbe, have three adult children and live in Barrington.
Contact Information:
603-692-2172
Janet Jacobson
Director of
Religious Education & RCIA
Janet grew up in Somersworth and is a lifelong parishioner of St. Martin. She has worked for our parish for over 20 years and continues to give it her all. As Director of Religious Education, Janet oversaw the transition to Restored Order, envisioning and implementing a brand new religious education program for our parish youth. Janet heads our RCIA program & works with adults interested in joining the Catholic Faith, as well as leading our “Walking with Purpose” women’s Bible study. She also runs the summer adventure knows at Vacation Bible School! She lives in Somersworth, and is mother of 3 and grandmother of 5.
Contact Information:
janetjacobson@comcast.net
603-692-4367
Denise Gauthier
Office Manager & Funeral Coordinator
Denise is the office manager and Father Andrew’s right-hand woman. She is a lifelong Holy Trinity parishioner and joined the Parish Staff after 42 years of government service. In addition to coordinating Fr. Andrew’s schedule, she manages both parish budgets, organizes all funeral and cemetery arrangements, along with a multitude of other things to keep the office and churches organized and running smoothly. Denise has 2 adult children and 6 grandchildren and she enjoys spending time with her family.
Contact Information:
r.stmartin@comcast.net
603-692-2172
Ben Messier
Cemetery & Facilities Manager
Ben is a life-long parish worker. He is following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father who also held this position. He knows our parish cemeteries like the back of his hand! Along with his crew - Terry, Derek, and Marty - Ben keeps our grounds beautiful in the fall/spring/summer and safe in the winter. Ben also maintains our 6 church buildings - from touch-up painting to complete remodels, Ben and his crew do it all. Ben and his team are crucial to the set-up of all of our parish events. He lives in Maine with his wife, Cindy, and family.
Contact Information:
603-692-0524
Ileana Hoeing
Director of Evangelization & Middle School Youth Minister
Ileana provides coordination, formation, implementation and direction to evangelization efforts in our parish community. God is at the center of who she is: a baptized Catholic, wife, mother and educator. She grew up in Puerto Rico and enjoyed a close-knit family life. She met her husband of 31 years while a student at Providence College. She is blessed with four children. Ileana’s favorite place is the beach or her reading chair with a good book in hand. She is attempting to pick up the game of golf, but is feeling like pickleball might be a better fit for her athletic skills!
Contact Information:
ileanahoeing@gmail.com
603-692-2172
Chris Sands
Director of Music
Chris grew up in Rollinsford and is a lifelong St. Mary parishioner. With encouragement from his family, he began his ministry at the age of six, singing with the St. Mary Christmas Choir. As the Director of Music, Chris focuses on developing a program that not only provides prayerful music for Mass, but also provides seasonal concerts & programs to enrich the spiritual life of St. Mary and St. Ignatius Parishes. Chris encourages all to sing and pray to God, as Saint Augustine said: “the one who sings, prays twice.” Outside of music ministry, Chris volunteers annually at the St. Mary Christmas Fair & works as a Senior Financial Analyst at UNH.
Contact Information:
csand1986@gmail.com
603-692-2172
Terry Gower
Maintenance and Facilities Worker
Terry has been working for the parish for the past 12 years and is the self-proclaimed chief of weed-whacking! He has four grown children and three grandchildren. We can all thank Terry (and the rest of the crew) for the pristine cemeteries, for the garbage being taken out, and for the Churches being unlocked. Terry always shows up with a warm smile and willingness to serve our parish. In addition to digging graves and shoveling snow here, Terry also has worked for the state for the past 22 years and is a Tollbooth supervisor. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, specifically baseball, which he coached in Dover for 28 years.
Derek Messier
Maintenance and Facilities Worker
Derek is a proud dad, brilliant painter, and combat veteran. He can be most often found mowing cemeteries, painting anything and everything in the parish and helping out in a thousand different ways. We are so grateful for all Derek does to serve this parish!
Marty Messier
Maintenance and Facilities Worker
Marty often helps out in the parish, especially during spring, to help get the cemeteries ready for Memorial Day and in the winter during all of the crazy New Hampshire snow storms! We are so grateful for all of his hardwork and his service to the parish!
Bandit
Parish Dog & Professional Napper
Bandit is a rescue dog from Houston, TX who joined our parish on Easter Monday in 2017. He quickly became a beloved member of our parish family and acts as our parish mascot, office greeter, and even magician for our parish events!
Bandit’s hobbies include: sleeping, napping, laying on his office couch, stretching, and receiving belly and ear scratches. He is on a special diet for his kidney condition, so no matter what he tells you, he can’t eat people food. Bandit frequently goes to Fr. Andrew for confession because he can’t resist cookie crumbs.
Be sure to follow Bandit on Instagram to see what he’s up to every day at the parish office!
Contact Information:
@holybandini on Instagram