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
