About Dr Andrea LaFountain

 

My Faith Journey

I was raised in an Irish Catholic home in rural Ireland. I attended the local Catholic primary school and a Loreto convent for high school. My faith wasn't a dominant force in my life in those early years, it was something that ran along side me. Ever present, but quietly in the background.  At university I had what people called a "conversion." I have to admit, I didn't like the term at all, but the experience was a clear calling back to an active faith. Making a decision to follow Jesus, even more, to surrender boldly to His will for me. For reasons I still don't understand, I was told back then, that with this "conversion" I now needed to attend a Protestant church. I joined a non-denominational church and received some great Bible teachings and soon after, a husband. The priest back home refused to marry us, and instead, commanded that my heathen husband and I would be doomed to hell for all eternity. We married shortly after in a Methodist church.

​

In my fifties, I attended seminary to study for a Master's in theology. After studying theology for two years, the case was clear for me. Catholics had the clear advantage. They had depth, reverence, history, unity, and universality that was missing in Protestant theology. The Lord was using my academic pursuits to enlighten me to the truth of His Word, who He is, and who I am. The call was clear. I needed to get back to my Catholic roots and bring my husband and children with me.

​

My husband, in his usual gentle and gracious demeanor, obliged and we investigated the Catholic church. Instantly he fell in love with the Eucharistic liturgy, the Eucharist, the crucifix, the holiness, the reverence, the hymns and the people. We were hooked. Just a few months later, he and my two children received six sacraments at Pentecost. We were at peace, filled, and loved. We were home!

​

My early life

I was baptized and received my First Holy Communion in Manchester, England. At age 8, our family moved to my mum's hometown in Donegal, Ireland. I went to a Gaeltacht (all Irish speaking) elementary school and was confirmed at the age of eleven. I attended a convent high school. We were a hard working family, like most of the people in the small rural seaside village around us. For college, I attended Ulster University in war-torn Belfast. I received a Bachelor's of Science degree, and Masters of Science degree, both in Applied Psychology, at the University of Ulster. I then moved to England to study for a Doctorate in Cognitive Neuroscience at The University of Liverpool. During this time in England I had the good fortune of meeting a wonderful man of God from Philadelphia. Of course we fell in love! We got married in Ireland, then I emigrated to the USA in 2000.

​

My work

I've been teaching for over 30 years, beginning in the poverty-stricken housing estates in politically volatile Belfast, then academia, then business lectures, before settling into faith-based teaching. My ministry teaching revolves around loving God with heart and soul and mind to enable Christians to deepen their sacrificial life and love of God. By the grace of God, I have authored a couple of books on this.

​

Prior to my ministry work, my academic teaching was undergraduate and postgraduate courses in psychology, statistics and cognitive science. My professional business teachings have included large international conferences (e.g. Healthcare World Summit), universities (e.g Wharton), hospitals (e.g. The Cleveland Clinic), small private venues (e.g. The Union League) and government.

​

My home life

I live in Wallingford, PA, with my husband Andy, and two of our five children; Simon aged 17 and Molly aged 13. Our other three sons, Matthew, Adam, and James are off at college. Our eldest Matthew, is married to beautiful Gabrielle. We have two cats, Cooper and Oliver. It's generally hard work, but with the grace of God, we all manage to get along and get done what we need to get done.