Welcome to our "Falcon Spotlight Podcast," where we get to meet some of the inspiring teachers, staff members, coaches and students who make West Catholic High School a special place.

On this episode, we feature Fr. Andrew Ayers, who grew up in Grand Rapids and attended St. Thomas. Even though he is a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, he has loved his last four years as co-chaplain at West Catholic H.S.

Along with presiding over Mass every other Tuesday and hearing confessions on Fridays, he is also the chaplain at three small parishes in West Michigan: St. Catherine's in Ravenna. St. Joseph in Wright and St. Francis Xavier in Conklin.

In this podcast (which was recorded just before the Easter holiday), Father Andrew talks with Josh Kohane, our director of Campus Ministry. They talk about his upbringing, his love for architecture and his favorite coffee houses, in addition to what he loves about West Catholic.

Falcon Spotlight - Fr. Andrew Ayers

Hometown: Chicago (raised in Grand Rapids)
Job Title: Co-chaplain
How many years at WC: 4
Favorite thing about your job, and why: I love hearing confessions…I also appreciate being in a high school, because high school might not have been the easiest time for me. I have no stress here. Just the fun stuff, doing what I love to do. It’s beautiful.
Something you may not know about me: One of my favorite things to do is design buildings. Architecture is a hobby….I keep my house tech free. No TV. It’s quite liberating.

We asked him the following questions:

How did you get to West Catholic? After seminary I received a letter that I was assigned to OLC in Rockford. I handed my mom the letter, and she said, ‘Oh, I see you’re also at West Catholic!’ I guess I didn’t read the whole letter.

Tell us a little bit about your faith journey: I started playing Mass in kindergarten. My family became Catholic when I was 8 years old. By high school I still wanted to be a priest. In seminary I realized everything I do as a priest is so the people of God can be benefited.

Favorite memories at West Catholic? Last year I went to the Kairos retreat for juniors. It was amazing, especially to hear the gift of faith the Lord gives these kids. …I've also enjoyed getting to know the teachers. I think of my role as not just for the students, but for the whole staff. It's been wonderful seeing their faith and seeing them grow in a relationship with the Lord.

West Catholic Live is a production of West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our President/CEO is Jill Annable. Our Principal is Tony Fischer.

Our Mission: To form Disciples of Christ through a dynamic, excellence-driven Catholic Education. Learn more at grwestcatholic.org.