01.24.16: The new guy

Bulletin column for St. Mary's Parish in Griffith, Ind.

Hello, I’m Jeff Burton, a seminarian studying for the Diocese of Gary, and during the next four months, I’ll be with you at St. Mary and St. Ann during my pastoral internship. I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you and working with you to build up the Kingdom of God right here.

I’m originally from Portage, and graduated from Valparaiso University, where I studied New Media-Journalism and Political Science. I then moved to Elkhart for a year while I began my journalism career. After that, I moved to Valparaiso and for the next five years was a news reporter in the Region.

My home parish is Assumption in New Chicago. I’m of Polish decent and can sing a few Polish hymns from my years in the choir. I also like to cook and bake, something that I learned from my late grandmother.

I attend the University of St. Mary of the Lake–Mundelein Seminary, where I am currently in my second year of Theology. At Mundelein, I’m a cantor and part of the Schola, and the Polish, Spanish and African choirs. I also serve on the Liturgy Committee. Here in the diocese, I’ve been a cantor and member of the Diocesan Choir for a number of years.

‪ So, what draws me to the priesthood? Well, right now in our world, I think the greatest role of the priest is to bring hope to God’s people, and there’s such great joy in that.

I can think of no better way than to spend the rest of this life in service to God and his people, there through the joys and sorrows of this life, always making known His presence and His light, in good times and bad.

While I’m here, I hope to share some ponderings with you in the bulletin and on my website: comeliveinthelight.com.

May you know of my prayers for you as we begin our journey together. If I could ask one favor, please pray for me, my brother seminarians and for an increase in priestly vocations in our great diocese. We need good priests for the future, and your prayers make a difference.

I am your brother,

Jeff