My name is Fr. Jorge Iván Ramírez Velásquez, but all my family and friends have called me George since I was four years old. So, it is fine if you call me Fr. George.

I am from Medellín, Colombia. I grew up in a very Catholic country, and I always studied in Catholic schools. My home parish is Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of the Mount Carmel), and since I was a boy, I have been very active in the Church. I joined El Seminario Conciliar de Medellín (The Council Seminary of Medellin), where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy. Later I received a Licentiate Degree in Philosophy with a specialization in Docencia Universitaria y Gerencia Educativa (University Teaching and Educational Management).

I came to the United States in 2009 to study to become a priest for the Diocese of Rochester. First, I studied English at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, NY, and then Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, MD. I was ordained by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano on June 4, 2016, and served as a parochial vicar at Holy Cross Church in Charlotte. There I enjoyed serving the community, working on programs such as Bible study groups, altar servers, RCIA, celebration of different liturgies and teaching in Holy Cross School Spanish and religious education. In addition, I was working with the Hispanic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese. This was a great experience for me because I share my ministry with my fellows Hispanics as well.

Later, in 2018, I started my pastoral ministry at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Community in Penn Yan, NY as a Parochial Vicar. God called me to serve this beautiful community in which I continued to experience the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I served the Lord and the Church under the leadership of Fr. Leo Reinhardt. I learned wonderful things from him, such as always to show the face of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd to each person in my pastoral ministry.

In 2021, Bishop Matano sent me to serve as the Parochial Administrator of three wonderful communities: All Saints, Holy Cross, and St. Anthony at N.E.T. Catholic (North East Tompkins Roman Catholic Parishes).

As a part of my formation to become a priest, I served as a seminarian in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Rochester. One of these parishes was Holy Trinity Church in Webster, NY in 2011 and 2012. I am not sure if you remember me when I was around as a seminarian, but I have wonderful memories of Holy Trinity when I was here helping Fr. Horan and the staff. One of these memories is that I learned to drive during my stay at Holy Trinity. I am back not as a seminarian anymore, but as the Pastor. I hope to share with all of you my vocation, ministry, and love for God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Roman Catholic Church. I also hope to learn from all of you, and to share in your beautiful faith and love for God, our Blessed Mother, and the Church. I am praying for all of you, and I hope you are praying not only for me, but for all priests, deacons, bishops, the Pope, and all religious (men and women) vocations.

I want to say to God, thank you for entrusting to me this wonderful and big responsibility of being the Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish. I know that with your support, faith, and love we can work together for the Kingdom of God.

God bless all of you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always.

Fr. George

(please enjoy this previously published article by Father Tim)

Faith, of course, is the principle means through which we come to know God and enter into a relationship with Him. And this faith bases itself on the Word of God given to us in sacred scripture. This word is spoken by God “who can neither deceive nor be deceived.”

So Jesus (the Word made Flesh) says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, or, “I am the Resurrection and the life”, or, “I am the Good Shepherd leading my sheep into eternal life.” And in response Peter said, “Oh Lord, you alone have the words of eternal life.” So Faith opens the door to heaven.

But there is something else that can happen. Sometimes before faith happens, one can have an experience that leads them to believe in God. OR, sometimes this experience can follow faith and help it to grow.

What is this experience? Wonder. Children have it all the time. Hopefully, you’ve had it too. It starts with a simple observation of life around us and leads to a “moment” where we experience the sheer beauty or power or mystery contained in what we are observing.

For example:

• The ocean, the waves, the horizon
• Seagulls riding a lake breeze
• The folds and color of a rose
• A baby’s smell
• The eyes of a child
• The full moon on new snow
• A lover’s first “I love you” and then hearing “I love you” back.
• A base hit in little league
• The day you could finally ride a bike
• Sitting on your dad’s lap, playing with his giant fingers
• Really hearing a great piece of music
• Tears upon finishing some effort that took everything you had in you
• Winning a game in triple overtime
• Losing a game in triple overtime
• Reading a book that moves you with its description of the human character
• Counting the stars at night
• (What would you add as your moments . . . . ?)

None of these moments happen in church, but each of them can open a window through which we catch a glimpse of a world filled with a beauty and mystery that far surpasses our ability to fully understand it. Yet it will not let us leave that place without touching our hearts with that experience we call “wonder.”

Read Psalm 139 for a beautiful moment of wonder. It all leads to a surrender to faith . . . “Oh Lord, How great you are. Thank you for letting me live and have my being. Thank you for letting me see/feel this moment”.

I hope you take time this summer to experience the beauty of this world and of our lives as human beings. Don’t try too hard though.

Just let the moment be what it wants to be in you. Remember, God loves you and made this world for us. Summer blessings.

Fr. Tim

(please enjoy this previously published article by Father Tim)

Like Mother’s Day this tribute to fathers ran last year at this time. Why again? Well. . . it’s like dad’s brown shoes  he wore them day after day.

It’s hard explaining Fathers. Each is different. Each father brings different skills with which they make their contribution. Some are handymen, fixing everything in the house. Some are sportsmen, sharing the love of outdoors, fishing, and hunting. Some make work their special skill.

But here’s some things that all fathers share, or at least, I think they should.

Today is your day. We’re not too keen on these things, are we. Somehow it goes against what we see as our role as the “watch over person”. We’ve all seen holy cards of the Holy Family. There they are, Mary and the baby, front and center. Joseph is usually off to the side watching or standing over his wife and the child as protector. We like the background role.

In fact, we can sometimes “hide” in the back when things get sticky or uncomfortable. When tears or disappointment come to the children, it’s time for mom! She’s the expert in handling emotions or significant events . . . birthdays, inlaws, holidays, vacation plans, etc.

So what DO you do, dad?

Can I tell you what I’ve seen you do? First off, you love your wife. She has the key to your heart. She is the one person who pulled you out of yourself when you were this whiney, selfish 20/30 something. She helped you discover that “to love” meant to “lay your life down”. You didn’t know that until you met her. Now your job is to make her life a joy.

The second thing is the children she gave you to hold. What profound stirrings you felt when each of your children looked up at you.

Somewhere came that particular “Father feeling” that said, “No one will ever hurt this child so long as I am here. You are safe with me dear one . . . do you hear that world?!!”

What else do you do, Dad?

You create a “place” that is warm, safe, and fun. Yes, it’s a place to live, but it’s more than that. Your strength and love and watchfulness brings about a place in which your wife and children can blossom and grow. They don’t have to worry, “are we okay here”?. They’re free from fear because you are there. You are like the house beams!  always there, quiet, holding things in place. The world is dependable . . . because you are dependable. You beat back the chaos.

Last on my list of things to thank you for is the fact that you didn’t give into me when you knew I was headed in the wrong direction. I could bully mom into going along with some silly scheme I thought was really cool. “Well honey, if it will make you happy.” You wouldn’t budge.

“Rethink that”, you would say. “That’s not what we taught you.” You had several other sayings that went right to the heart of the matter. Things like . . . don’t give up. . . you disappoint me (ouch!) . . . do it the right way, not the easy way . . . I’m proud of you . . . don’t worry, I’ll be there. . . and (yes, dad you actually said this) . . . “I’m not your friend, I’m your father.” Dad, you saved us from our worst impulses.

Lastly, you show us something of God the Father. Strong, present, watching, protecting, our rock. You gave us a “place” of safety to discover who we are; you were strong enough to listen when mom knew us better. You gave up your crazy ways to be our dad. We are really glad you did.

Happy Fathers Day, dad.

We love you.

Fr. Tim

In the quiet moments of his days, Fr. Tim wants us to know that he is thinking of us and would like to share some of his thoughts.