Rev. Eric Andrews, C.S.P.

President

With a solid background in television production, Eric Andrews, CSP was the natural choice to take over the leadership of Paulist Productions in September 2009. Father Eric came to Los Angeles from Tennessee where he was Pastor/Campus Minister at John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville. A savvy businessman and talented producer, Fr. Eric is also a highly regarded speaker both in the church and on the air. The third president in the 50 year history of the television and film production company, Fr. Eric has stepped in and continued the tradition of "the Hollywood Priest," a role initiated by the company's founder, Fr. Ellwood "Bud" Kieser.

Originally focused on a career in communications, Fr. Eric also had long held an interest in the Priesthood, but first chose to earn his BFA from New York University Film School in 1987, from which he graduated with honors. While there, he consulted with the school's campus priest and learned of the Paulist Fathers, whose focus is on communications as a means of teaching. "I was very happy to learn I could combine a career in the Church with my interest in the media," says Fr. Andrews.

While attending NYU, however, Fr. Eric landed an internship and then staff position at The Jim Henson Company. He felt he could not pass up this opportunity and it was there he earned a variety of credits. Among the shows he worked on were the Jim Henson Hour (NBC), Down at Fraggle Rock: Behind the Scenes, The Ghost of Faffner Hall (HBO), Free to Be…A Family (an ABC Special) and the Jim Henson Play Along Video Series. He had a hand in many things at Jim Henson's company, including the puppets! Fr. Eric is pleased to be, once again, collaborating with many Henson alumni in his new post.

Eager to pursue his religious calling, Eric left the Henson organization, joined the Paulist Fathers, and enrolled in seminary training at Catholic University of America in September 1989. In May of 1994, he received his Masters of Divinity and began an internship at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City. Fr. Eric was ordained to the Priesthood in May 1995.

From May 1995 to July 1999, Fr. Eric served as Associate Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church, NYC. Recognizing the need to keep his congregants engaged, he would punctuate his sermon with jazz standards made famous by Frank Sinatra and others. It is a strategy he still employs Sundays at St. Paul's in Westwood. During this period, he had the opportunity to appear on the programs of several media outlets that invited his commentary. FOX News asked him to appear on the O'Reilly Factor and Shepherd Smith Show to give a Catholic/religious point of view on the untimely death of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and MTV wanted him to weigh in on birth of singer Madonna's first child, Lourdes, and the significance of the child's name.

Fr. Eric went to Washington, D.C. to serve as Executive Producer of Paulist Media Works from September 1999 through July 2000. A production company similar to Paulist Productions, it was there Fr. Eric executive produced a weekly Bible Study Program titled, Sunday to Sunday. During this time he was also executive producer on Jim Henson: Creator of Dreams, a documentary for PBS. He again was asked to appear on television, CNN this time, to comment on the controversial film, Dogma.

In 2000 Fr. Eric served as Associate Pastor/Campus Minister at John XXIII University Parish, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Immediately, he was enamored by the unique culture, warmth and spirit of the people of East Tennessee. He was often spotted on campus with an orange Roman collar to support the Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteer athletics. Three years later he became the Pastor/Campus Minister the Parish.

While in Knoxville, Fr. Eric was frequently asked to appear on the local network affiliates responding to different church issues and local and national events. He also found time to co-create and co-host of The Priest, the Princess, and the War for the Perfect Wedding," a web series on BustedHalo.com, which he continues now from Los Angeles.

Fr. Eric was honored to be a member of the University of Tennessee Chancellor's Associates, as well as a member of the Interfaith Campus Minister's council, serving as its chair from 2003 to 2005. He was on the Advisory Board for Catholic Charities of East Tennessee and was actively involved in outreach work to the poor in Haiti, Jamaica and Southern Appalachia. He also was active in peace and justice efforts, with a special focus on environmental issues. In May 2009 Fr. Eric received a Chancellor's Citation for Extraordinary Community Service to the University of Tennessee.

Despite his love for his ministry at the University and the people to whom he ministered there, Fr. Eric is eager to meet the challenges presented by his position helming Paulist Productions in Los Angeles.