Dan brings to us much experience and a unique connection to our parish:
I began working in Religious Education in 1986 at St. John Bosco in Hammond, Ind., when I was a freshman at Bishop Noll Institute. I started as an office assistant, crossing guard, and classroom assistant, and within a few years I was teaching my own classes. I remained there as a catechist and substitute schoolteacher until 1997, having graduated from Purdue University Calumet (now Northwest) in 1994 with a BA in Elementary Education.
My full-time teaching career began in 1998 at Sacred Heart School in Whiting, Ind., but the school closed the next year and I then began teaching with the Michigan City Area Schools at St. Mary School as a computer teacher for all students in K-8th grades. At the same time, I began working with the Faith Formation program in Whiting, which served all of the Catholic Churches in the Whiting-Robertsdale area, as a member of the advisory council and later as a catechist. During my last few years there, I also worked in the office and assisted the Director of Religious Education.
In 2001 I moved to the Archdiocese of Chicago, where I taught 5th grade at St. Michael School on the west side of Chicago and then at St. Dorothy on the south side. I left teaching full-time in 2005 to manage the School Stuff (later United Art & Education) store in Calumet City, IL & Schererville, IN until it closed in 2020.
I completed the Diocese of Gary’s Lay Ecclesial Ministry program in 2017, and the next year I became the Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart Church in Whiting, Ind., when they first started their program. I will continue as the Director there, part-time as I take on the role here.
Now for that connection:
My grandparents were long-time members of St. Ann Parish. My grandfather Richard “Dick” Mauch was one of the first Deacons here and served as such throughout the late 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. My grandmother, Eleanor, was a catechist for many years, as well as serving in other ministries. The oldest of five children, I am a resident of Lansing, living in the same house my father, William, grew up in, just a block away from the church.
I am an avid Cubs fan. I have a background in theater and music.
I look forward to continuing the work my grandparents began here many years ago!
We are super excited to see what Mr. Mauch has in store for the All Souls Religious Education program! Dan is happy to answer any questions you may have and can be reached at [email protected] or 708.895.6700 x114.
