Fr. Andy McAlpin, OP

Fr. Andy McAlpin's path to the priesthood has been anything but ordinary — he’s been an Arabian horse trainer, rock band drummer, Navy sailor, and tech professional. A native of Eagan, Minnesota, he grew up on a horse farm and later served four years in the Navy before working in tech and completing his degree at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

He first encountered the Dominicans while studying abroad in Rome. Encouraged later by a deacon friend, he realized religious life “just seemed to make sense.” He entered the Order of Preachers in 2003, professed final vows in 2008, and was ordained in 2009.

Fr. Andy has served as a teacher, chaplain, parochial vicar, vocations director, and pastor in various places throughout the United States. Under holy obedience, he began his chapter at St. Thomas Aquinas in 2024 and moves forward into the holy adventure Jesus has called him to.