Father Dan was ordained to the priesthood in 1989 and has served as pastor of St. Ann’s Parish since 2004. He is a native of Kitchener, but Hamilton-Wentworth has been his home throughout his priesthood. Father Dan formerly served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and as associate at the Cathedral of Christ the King and St. Francis Xavier, Stoney Creek. In addition to his seminary studies, he completed a degree in canon law in 1996. Father acknowledges the contribution of parishioners and staff members alike in making St. Ann’s an active parish where the faith is deeply held. He looks forward to more years as pastor!
Associate Pastor
Father Mark was born in Hamilton. His home parish is St. Margaret Mary in the East Mountain. He attended St. Anthony Daniel Elementary School and St. Jean de Brebeuf Secondary School before studying engineering at the University of Toronto and philosophy at St. Michael’s College. While a member of the Society of Jesus he completed a master’s degree in social philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and taught at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg. After leaving the Jesuits, he taught at the University of Waterloo where he was a faculty member of Systems Design Engineering and a lecturer at the Centre for Society, Technology and Values. He left his teaching career to study theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London and was ordained a priest on May 1, 2010. When asked to comment on his first parish assignment he said, “It’s great to be back at St. Ann’s!”
David Dayler, writer, director, educator, taught in the Hamilton school system for over 30 years, 25 of them at Westdale Secondary prior to his retirement in 2003. A graduate of McMaster University in English and Religion and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Education with a Specialist in Dramatic Arts, David returned to St. Michael’s University, U. of T. to complete a Masters of Theological Studies. Upon completion of his Master’s program David was accepted into the Doctoral Studies program at the Toronto School of Theology where he is currently working towards his Doctorate with a focus on the implications of pop culture on the faith development of young people.
Having worked his entire adult life with young people in the arts, in the school system, the parish and the community, David looks forward to this new chapter in his life journey here at St. Ann’s Parish. There is no greater joy than sharing the faith journey with young people as they grow and develop in their faith.