Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School is deepening its mission of faith and service with an expanded Ministry team this year, welcoming Father Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A., as chaplain, and Andrew “Andy” Lundquist as assistant director of ministry.
McCarthy began his new role at the start of the 2025-26 school year. He said the opportunity to formally join the McAuley community has felt like a homecoming.
“I am truly excited to be a part of the McAuley community,” McCarthy said. “For many years, I have admired the incredible work Mother McAuley does to educate and empower young women. To now have the privilege of celebrating Mass here and being formally connected with the school is both a blessing and a gift.”
“What I enjoy most are the people,” he added. “Through my role at St. Rita, I already know so many students and families, especially the brothers whose sisters are here at McAuley. That connection makes this feel very much like coming home. I’ve also really enjoyed meeting new students I didn’t previously know and starting to build those relationships.”
Lundquist brings more than 15 years of experience in Catholic education, much of it spent in all-girls schools. His work will focus on service-learning, outreach programs, retreats and helping students encounter faith in practical, meaningful ways.
John Kyler, director of Mission and Ministry, said both leaders will make an immediate impact.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew ‘Andy’ Lundquist as our new assistant director of ministry,” Kyler said. “Andy brings both spiritual depth and innovative vision, which makes him a natural fit for our mission. What makes Andy and Father Tom so impactful is the way they embody and connect our Mercy identity to the real lives of young people. Father Tom brings a deep knowledge of our community and a keen understanding of high school students, honed through his ministry at St. Rita and local parishes. Andy and Father Tom, in addition to the rest of our team, will strengthen our students’ faith formation while modeling what it means to be compassionate leaders of service.”
The decision to expand ministry, Kyler explained, is rooted in McAuley’s Catholic Mercy identity.
“At Mother McAuley, our Catholic Mercy identity is the very foundation of who we are,” he said. “Expanding our ministry isn’t an addition—it’s an affirmation of our core mission. We would not exist without the charism of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, and it is our responsibility to carry that vision forward.”
Kyler said strengthening the program ensures that every student, faculty and staff member has opportunities to grow in their understanding of the Gospel and to live out Catherine McAuley’s vision in today’s world.
“This means weaving mission and ministry into every aspect of school life—whether through prayer, service or leadership development,” Kyler said. “Strengthening this work reinforces our commitment to forming young women of faith, compassion and courage.”
With McCarthy and Lundquist joining the team, McAuley leaders said they see a renewed energy and a bright future for ministry at the school.
“In today’s world, faith is more important than ever,” McCarthy said. “I believe we have a wonderful opportunity to build upon the strong foundation already present at McAuley and make it even better for the future.”