Introduction

Welcome, My name is Father Jose Ramirez. I am a Roman Catholic priest ordained for the Diocese of Boise in June 10, 2010. Idaho is home to me having lived here for most of my life, and I had the opportunity to do all my seminary trainning for the Diocese, which I now serve. I still can be considered newly ordained, with the short amount of years serving, but want to provide a website to share the joys, and the struggles and everything in- between with my other pastors since I have the firm conviction that everybody can learn from each others’ experience to better serve the people God has entrusted to us. Below you will find more in detail the nature of this site, but feel free to skip right to the areas of your interest. Sincerely, Father Jose Ramirez

Rationale for Website

1)Share personal articles that highlight pastoral experiences

During the past 3 years, I have contributed regularly to the diocesan newspapers, with articles for the spanish section. For those pastors that speak spanish, this will be of benefit, and soon a translation will be made in English. 2) Share internet articles that deal with pastoral experiences The intent is to share articles from the internet that deal with situations that pastors have in a regular basis. It is also meant to provide the lastest in the documents provided by the Church.

3) Share thoughts and ideas

This is an important area in this website. The intent is to compile from different pastors (not only my own experiences) their experiences. I believe that we can learn from each others’ experiences. It is about being open, generous, straighforward in recalling the challenges and success of ministry. Those who have the credentials of being pastors can post in the page: anecdotes, stories, advices, best practices, that could be of benefit for the other pastors.

4) Ecumenical dimension

This site is created with a catholic perspective. The webdesigner being catholic shares his experiences as a catholic priest and invites other catholic priests to share also their experiences as parochial vicars, administrators and pastors in the life of the Church. However, the word pastor was intentionally used to also encompass those who are not priests, but pastors from a different denominations. They are welcome to also their experiences as pastors in their particular denomination. There are also challenges, and opportunities that can be found in their communities.

Disclaimer:

The website provides a space where those who are truly pastors may express their experiences. In order to avoid comments that could be detrimental to the website, we ask for any pastoral experience first be submitted for prior approval. Know that not all stories will make it through the editing process. Know also that the website reserves the right to use the pastoral experience in other avenues. Know also that the website anytime without prior notice may remove the information shared. Once a story is submitted for sharing, and the approval has been given, the person agrees to give all the rights to the written material to the author of the website that can be use at discretion.