Dan Pierson began his ministry at the age of five when he served as an usher with his dad at the 6:00 am Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, MI.   His love and commitment to the Church was nurtured by his family and the parishes/schools of St. Andrew and St. Francis Xavier.

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After graduating from St. Augustine Preparatory Seminary, Dan entered St. Monica Novitiate and then proceeded to the Augustinian College Seminary in Chicago, IL.  As a college freshman, Dan volunteered as a catechist, igniting his passion for catechetical ministry.

 

Upon leaving the seminary, he served as a Catholic school teacher, parish catechist, parish director of religious education and director of religious education for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.  More recently, Dan has been a consultant for religious publishers in product development, marketing, and sales.  He is the founder and editor of eCatechist.com and Faith Alive Books Publishing.​

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Dan is co-author with Susan Stark of What Do I Do Now? A Guide for the Reluctant Catechist, Pflaum Publishing and Reflections from Pope Francis:  An Invitations to Journaling, Prayer and Action (Tarcher/Penguin).

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In November 2021, Dan received The Spirit of Hecker Award from the Paulist Fathers for his lifelong connection and commitment of presence and service to the Catholic Information Center, Grand Rapids, MI. Today, he is recognized as a “thought leader” providing vision, networking and resources in areas of ministry, spiritual formation and catechesis. 

 

Dan graduated from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology and received a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University Chicago.