Father Harrison Ayre
Fr. Harrison Ayre was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. He moved to Victoria to attend UVic, converted profoundly, and began practicing his Catholic faith. After finishing his undergrad, he worked in the St Andrew’s Cathedral office. In 2008, he entered St Joseph’s seminary to begin formation for the priesthood. During this time, he spent one year in service with Mother Teresa’s order, the Missionaries of Charity, serving Christ in the poorest of the poor in both Gallup, NM and San Francisco, CA. He was ordained a Deacon in 2013 by Bishop Richard Gagnon and then ordained to the priesthood on February 7th, 2015, by Bishop Gary Gordon. His assignments include being an assistant at St Patrick’s and St Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria, Pastor of Holy Family/Notre Dame in Port Alberni, and his current assignment as Pastor of St Peter’s in Nanaimo and chaplain to the students at VIU.
In addition to his BA and MDiv, he has also completed a Master of Theology (MTh) from Newman Theological College in 2018 in Systematic Theology and is currently in the last 1.5 years of dissertation writing for his PhD from the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, UK. His focus of research is the theology of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and is attempting to find a key central theme to his work to help further understand Ratzinger’s theological contributions to the Church.
He has also written two books: Finding Christ in the Crisis: What the Pandemic Can Teach Us (co-authored with Michael Heinlein) and Mysterion: The Revelatory Power of the Sacramental Worldview. He is also co-host of the Clerically Speaking podcast and has written for numerous Catholic outlets, such as Word on Fire and Our Sunday Visitor.
In addition to his BA and MDiv, he has also completed a Master of Theology (MTh) from Newman Theological College in 2018 in Systematic Theology and is currently in the last 1.5 years of dissertation writing for his PhD from the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, UK. His focus of research is the theology of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and is attempting to find a key central theme to his work to help further understand Ratzinger’s theological contributions to the Church.
He has also written two books: Finding Christ in the Crisis: What the Pandemic Can Teach Us (co-authored with Michael Heinlein) and Mysterion: The Revelatory Power of the Sacramental Worldview. He is also co-host of the Clerically Speaking podcast and has written for numerous Catholic outlets, such as Word on Fire and Our Sunday Visitor.
Parish Coordinator: Maria Clemotte
As a lifelong parishioner at St Peter’s, Maria joined the staff as Parish Coordinator in October of 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, and has nearly five years of professional experience in event management.
Having directed and overseen many university events throughout her undergraduate degree, Maria is passionate about public speaking, communications, leadership, and teamwork. You can find her designing and implementing projects around the Parish, whether coordinating Parish retreats or events for the greater community, overseeing the information and sales for the on-grounds columbarium, or developing policies and procedures to streamline processes at the Parish.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, travelling (she has been to four continents and wants to explore all seven), and spending time with friends.
Having directed and overseen many university events throughout her undergraduate degree, Maria is passionate about public speaking, communications, leadership, and teamwork. You can find her designing and implementing projects around the Parish, whether coordinating Parish retreats or events for the greater community, overseeing the information and sales for the on-grounds columbarium, or developing policies and procedures to streamline processes at the Parish.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, travelling (she has been to four continents and wants to explore all seven), and spending time with friends.
Parish Property Manager: Darren Anderson
Darren has been on staff at St Peter’s Parish as the Property Manager since August 2023. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart Natalie, and they have a lovely daughter named Mckayla. Darren enjoys quality moments with his family and creating beautiful sacred art in his free time.
His role involves overseeing various projects related to our parish buildings and property maintenance and improvement. From developing maintenance plans to handling renovations and insurance matters, Darren is dedicated to enhancing our parish for the future.
Additionally, he serves as a part-time sacristan, a member of the Cemetery Committee, and leads ministries like the Usher/Greeter Ministry.
His role involves overseeing various projects related to our parish buildings and property maintenance and improvement. From developing maintenance plans to handling renovations and insurance matters, Darren is dedicated to enhancing our parish for the future.
Additionally, he serves as a part-time sacristan, a member of the Cemetery Committee, and leads ministries like the Usher/Greeter Ministry.
Parish Secretary: Jinky Ross Dagcuta
Jinky joined the staff as St Peter's Parish Secretary in October 2023, overseeing the church office's smooth operation. Her responsibilities include supporting the Pastor, staff, and various ministries through various administrative tasks.
She is a working mother and devoted wife hailing from the Philippines. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration focusing on management and has over a decade of professional experience in administrative and customer service roles, having acquired knowledge in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, Javier and their daughter, Javi. She has a deep love for traveling and exploring new destinations with her family and friends. As a positive person about every aspect of life, Jinky is happy and blessed to be part of the Parish Office and the welcoming community of St Peter’s.
She is a working mother and devoted wife hailing from the Philippines. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration focusing on management and has over a decade of professional experience in administrative and customer service roles, having acquired knowledge in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, Javier and their daughter, Javi. She has a deep love for traveling and exploring new destinations with her family and friends. As a positive person about every aspect of life, Jinky is happy and blessed to be part of the Parish Office and the welcoming community of St Peter’s.
Music Ministry Director: Andrea L’Heureux
Singing sacred music since the age of 4, Andrea is a singer/songwriter and choral conductor who balances her time as Musical Director at St. Peter’s, as an occupational therapist at NRGH and as a mother of two children.
Andrea’s musical achievements include Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 9 in Voice, and Grade 6 in piano, and the release of her debut CD, “Hymns for Her”. She enjoys making music in a home studio with her recording engineer husband, Anthony Maki. Andrea is grateful for the honor of being the musical director at St. Peter's since October 2018 and enjoys supporting a growing and thriving SATB choir of 25+ singers.
Andrea’s musical achievements include Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 9 in Voice, and Grade 6 in piano, and the release of her debut CD, “Hymns for Her”. She enjoys making music in a home studio with her recording engineer husband, Anthony Maki. Andrea is grateful for the honor of being the musical director at St. Peter's since October 2018 and enjoys supporting a growing and thriving SATB choir of 25+ singers.
Children’s Religious Education Coordinator: Natasha Ossa
Natasha became the Children’s Religious Education Coordinator in October 2023, having already spent years in St Peter’s ministry as a catechism and Sunday school teacher and an active choir member.
Holding a university degree in musical teaching and children’s choral instruction, she has spent years as a teacher, starting in the Eastern hemisphere and later transitioning her work to the Western hemisphere. Natasha was born into an atheistic society, and her grandmother secretly baptized her at the age of 16. During her university years, she had to read the Bible for an assignment, and at this time, she discovered the Hail Mary prayer and memorized it.
Beyond her professional endeavours, she maintains a profound appreciation for the Latin language and Gregorian chants and loves the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Holding a university degree in musical teaching and children’s choral instruction, she has spent years as a teacher, starting in the Eastern hemisphere and later transitioning her work to the Western hemisphere. Natasha was born into an atheistic society, and her grandmother secretly baptized her at the age of 16. During her university years, she had to read the Bible for an assignment, and at this time, she discovered the Hail Mary prayer and memorized it.
Beyond her professional endeavours, she maintains a profound appreciation for the Latin language and Gregorian chants and loves the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.