Church Staff

Rev. Dr. Peter B. Coughlin, Pastor

Education
Bachelor of Sacred Theology, St Augustine's Seminary, Scarborough, ON; Master Christian Spirituality, Creighton University, Omaha, NE; Doctor of Ministry, Graduate Theological Foundation, Donaldson, IN

Professional Experience
Associate & Pastor of parishes in Hamilton, Brantford, Oakville and Burlington in the Diocese of Hamilton. Pastor St Andrew Parish, Oakville, ON since 2001

Professional Acivities
Past Director of Service for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services of Ontario (CCRSO); Past Ontario Bishop's Liaison to CCRSO; Executive Director of the Bread of Life Renewal Centre; Editor, Bread of Life Magazine; Tour Director for Pilgrimages to Rome, Assis, Medjugorje, and Holy Land; Teacher, Conference Speaker and Author of "Understanding the Charismatic Gifts", "The Fire in My Heart", "He's Alive!", Personal Stories of Faith, Conversion and Renewal Vol 1&2, "Explosion of Fire: Holy Spirit Ministry" and "The Healing Ministry"

Rev. Peter A. Watters, In residence

Education
Attended St. Mary's School in Oakville, Pop John XXIII in Boston, MA, Ordained to priesthood May 8, 1982

Professional Experience
Fr. Watters is in residence at St. Andrew Parish in Oakville, assisting Rev. Fr. Peter Coughlin who is the pastor there. While pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Rockwood, Ontario he was also Chaplain at Camp Brebeuf, at which time he was on call day or night.  He assisted people of all faiths through marital, drug and alcohol addiction problems. He has been instrumental in changing and sometimes saving the lives of many people on the brink of despair due to addictions. 

Professional Acivities
Chaplain, Knights of Columbus, Marian Council
Internationally recognized and involved in “Alcoholic Anonymous”
Received Caring Canada Award from the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada on November 14, 2002. Councillor, Town of Oakville for 6 years. First Chairman of Halton Catholic District School Board.

Msgr. Harvey Roach, In residence

Rev. Richard Tan, Deacon

Richard Tan was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the eldest of six children. Richard and his wife Marie moved to Canada in 1988. Here, in Oakville, he and his wife raised their daughter, Melissa, and the family became active in St. Andrew Church. Aside from working full-time, he taught in the Religious Education Program, the Prayer group and became involved with the various ministries at St. Andrew Church.

Richard and family enjoy distributing Tim Horton’s gift certificates to the homeless in the downtown core of Toronto. While walking the streets of Toronto one day, it struck him that how much more they, the homeless, must ache in body and soul, cold and hungry, looking for a home, food and health. They all feel so unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone. He knew then his call: to embrace Jesus' Love, to be that love for his people, the sick, and the homeless.

After many prayers and reflection, and with the blessing of his wife Marie, his formation journey began in September 2004. It takes a big commitment to become a deacon, involving four years of formation. There were the classes, studying, reading and papers. Richard said it took him some work to get into the groove as it had been a few years since he had been in school. Fortunately he has had a lot of support. His wife was there for him along the way and even set up an office in their spare room so that he could study, read, and pray. His daughter would listen to Richard brainstorm his ideas and help proof-read his papers. His pastor, the resident priests and many friends have supported his calling from the very beginning, and have been there for him along the way and gently guiding him.

Despite all of this he feels that his four years of formation have been a "most wonderful experience". He found the courses he has had taken to be outstanding and wishes more people could take them. And the new friendships he has made with his fellow deacon candidates have been particularly rewarding.

Richard was ordained as a Permanent Deacon on June 14th, 2008 by Bishop G. Bergie at Christ our King Cathedral, Diocese of Hamilton, and subsequently appointed to serve at St. Andrew Parish in Oakville. In addition to his Diaconal Ministry in St. Andrew, he performs Hospital Ministry at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and the Trillium Health Centre in Mississuaga.

Charles Demuynck

Director Senior & Contemporary Choirs

Charles has an upcoming concert called Exuberat, with the Oakville Chamber Orchestra, March 7 & 8, 2009 and Rutter's Mass of the Children, Masterworks of Oakville - April 24 & 25 at Knox Presbyterian.

Click here to download the Masterworkds of Oakville poster

Click here to download the Oakville Chamber Orchestra poster

Contact Charles at 905-842-3566

charles@masterworksofoakville.ca

Diana Isherwood

Director Children's Choir

Contact Diana at 905-845-5943