I left my job with the New York State Department of Transportation in 2000.\u00a0 I then spent two years in Rochester completing my pre-theology studies.\u00a0 Then I went to Washington, DC at Theological College for two years.\u00a0 Next, I was in Rochester for a pastoral year before completing my final two years in seminary in Washington, DC.\u00a0 After my ordination to the priesthood in 2007 I was assigned to St. Mary’s in Elmira for three years (with a pastor change in the middle).\u00a0 I am just now completing two years at Our Lady of the Lakes (with another pastor change in the middle).<\/p>\n
So, the last twelve years have had a lot of change.\u00a0 You might think change<\/em> has almost become the norm for me.\u00a0 In just a few days I will be changing parishes again but this time feels very different.\u00a0 As I began in both St. Mary’s Elmira and Our Lady of the Lakes, I was going as the Parochial Vicar with an established pastor in place.\u00a0 With an established pastor in place, I didn’t attend any meetings or have much discussion before I actually began the assignment.\u00a0 That was the luxury of having an established pastor there who could help me come up to speed while on the job.<\/p>\n Now, as I prepare to go to Immaculate Conception, I will be going as the pastor and only priest.\u00a0 So, I went over in April for a tour.\u00a0 I have been there interviewing candidates for a new “Director of Finance and Administration.”\u00a0 I have been there for a joint meeting of the Parish Council, Finance Council, and Building and Grounds Committee.\u00a0 I have met some great people at those meetings.\u00a0 I have also had some good conversations with some of the staff.\u00a0 I\u00a0continue to look forward to my arrival on June 26th.<\/p>\n Going to these meetings before I officially begin has been different but what is really making this change different is the simple fact that I will be the pastor.\u00a0 I’ve been spending time in prayer thinking about what being a pastor means to me and how God is calling me to serve at Immaculate Conception.\u00a0 In the end, I am not <\/em>trying to come up with a plan of my own.\u00a0 The only plan I have is to listen to God and take the time to learn about the church to know what God’s plan is.\u00a0 I have a lot to learn about Immaculate Conception.\u00a0 God already knows all there is to know so I place my trust in him.<\/p>\n Peace,<\/p>\n Fr. Jeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I left my job with the New York State Department of Transportation in 2000.\u00a0 I then spent two years in Rochester completing my pre-theology studies.\u00a0 Then I went to Washington, DC at Theological College for two years.\u00a0 Next, I was in Rochester for a pastoral year before completing my final two years in seminary in …<\/p>\n