Ordination 2022

Fr. Aaron A.C. Bohr, SJ

Born: November 4, 1977

Entered Society: August 25, 2012

As a Jesuit: Father Bohr traveled to Peru and Northeast India, studied philosophy in New York, taught at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Twin Cities, and lived in an international community during theology studies.

Assignment Following Ordination: Father Bohr will teach Chinese language and world history at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.

I wish to express gratitude to the Lord, who has invited me to share this amazing Jesuit adventure with God and with God’s people. I would also like to thank my family, especially my parents, Gail and Richard Bohr, and sister, Jessica, for their love and support, accompanying me on my life’s journey. I would also like to thank my friends, who walked with me from my initial discernment to join the Jesuits and have continued to share the journey with me as a Jesuit. I would also like to thank the many professors, mentors, and Jesuit formators who have helped to form me as a Jesuit. I am also grateful for the many Jesuit brothers who have helped me to learn and grow as a Jesuit. I would also like to express my thanks to the Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Catholic Community at the University of California, Berkeley. My ministry there as a deacon has been very rich. I have learned so much ministering to such a diverse community. Finally, I would like to thank the Blessed Mother, who has always been a loving mother to me, inviting me to journey with her Son and to be his disciple.

Fr. Matthew E. Donovan, SJ

Born: August 28, 1982

Entered Society: August 27, 2011

As a Jesuit: Father Donovan made a four-week pilgrimage during novitiate including stops in Manhattan, staying in a homeless shelter, and sleeping on the streets of Miami; worked at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland; and taught RCIA at Saint Columbkille Parish in Boston.

Assignment Following Ordination: Father Donovan will minister at the Church of the Gesu in University Heights, Ohio, this summer and then teach theology and serve as campus priest at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland.

My vocation to the priesthood begins with my parents, whose steadfast love, faith, and support mirror in profound ways God’s own love and faithfulness in my life. Thank you, Mom and Dad. You have made it all possible. I also would like to thank my brother David, who inspires me in his commitment to God and our family, and my sisters, Meghan, who will always be my hero, and Mary Elizabeth, my best friend. To my wonderful brothers-in-law, Terry and Eddy: Thank you for your humor, your support, and your love. To Beau, Cameron, Teddy, Gigi, and Caroline: Your Uncle Matt loves you very, very much. To my godfather, Bob Parke, and my spiritual sister, Prachi Shah, whose love, support and friendship so clearly reflects God’s love. When I am with you, I feel seen and known, and when I leave you, my soul burns with the echo of the words of the disciples on the road to Emmaus: Was not my heart burning within me? Thank you. For everything.

I once heard a Jesuit say that God’s greatest act of mercy was his vocation to the Society of Jesus. I find this to be a great truth in my own life, and I am ever grateful that in God’s loving kindness he has called me to be a companion of his Son. As a Jesuit, I am surrounded by a family of brothers who inspire me by their lives of dedicated service to God’s people, teach me to be better and to do better, and fill me with laughter and joy. Thank you for showing me the way in this beautiful shared life.

To my friends, who may as well be family: my Chicago family, including my Evanston Vineyard clan and the pastor Steve Nicholson, my Houston friends, my St. Louis friends, and my Cleveland friends, particularly my dear friend Cindy Hruby and the incredible Nikki Henderson, along with the history department at Saint Ignatius High School.

All of you–family, Jesuits, and friends–have taught me in some way about the joyful, sacrificial, and merciful love of Jesus Christ. I offer my life back to you as your priest. And it is my great joy.

Fr. Eric T. Immel, SJ

Born: July 17, 1982

Entered Society: August 27, 2011

As a Jesuit: Father Immel lived and worked on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota; worked at Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago during its earliest years of existence; and served as a deacon at St. Katharine Drexel Church in Boston and the Church of St. Ignatius in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Assignment Following Ordination: Father Immel will serve as a vocations promoter for the Midwest Jesuits and continue working toward his master of theology in Black Catholic studies from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans.

I recall seeing a video about the Society of Jesus many years ago entitled “A Long Haul.” The video was about formation and the stages many Jesuits navigate on their way toward the priesthood. My own Jesuit journey has been a long haul in many ways, but at the very same time, this moment of priestly ordination comes upon me like a lightning bolt.

I stand in awe of what has happened to me these years—the ups and downs, moments of light and darkness, pain and loneliness— but also the healing grace of God offered through many, many people along the way. To my family, friends, co-workers, students, partners in ministry, classmates, benefactors, brothers and sisters in religious and diocesan life, and my fellow Jesuits, I can only quote the words of a simple Gospel song: “Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord! I just want to thank you, Lord!” I have been blessed abundantly and hope that I am worthy of those blessings.

It may be a legend, caught up in Jesuit lore, but I have heard of a beautiful moment between Ignatius and Xavier that long lingers in my mind and heart during times of transition. Facing the reality of Xavier’s departure toward a missionary life and the fact that it meant Ignatius and Xavier would likely never see each other again, the two best friends shared words of comfort, and then Xavier said: “We have nothing left to do but embark.”

I carry many with me in mind and heart as I move toward ordination, and I am certain that I do not carry on alone. I walk with many, and we together walk with the Lord. God is good.

Fr. Joseph M. Kraemer, SJ

Born: August 23, 1967

Entered Society: August 25, 2013

As a Jesuit: Father Kraemer traveled with a classmate from Los Angeles to Boston and back for the 30-day poverty pilgrimage as a novice; worked as assistant in the Jesuits West advancement office; served as chaplain at Windmill Lodge Care Home in London; and served as a deacon at Corpus Christi Parish in Piedmont, California.

Assignment Following Ordination: Father Kraemer will serve in prison chaplaincy with Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative Northwest in Seattle.

In the days leading up to my ordination, I prayed with six words from Scripture: “Love is patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). I am so grateful for all the love that has been expressed to me with patience and kindness throughout my life. This love starts with my parents, Mike and Melanie, who have always supported and encouraged me in my faith journey. In their company are many beloved family members, loyal friends, generous Jesuit brothers, and a wide circle of benefactors who never lose faith that the Society of Jesus will continue to do its part to help build the kingdom of God in a broken world that needs all hands helping more than ever.

As I prepare for priesthood, my thanksgiving for their love brings to mind another line from Scripture–“to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48)–that inspires me as I look ahead to my first assignment as a priest: accompanying prisoners in Washington State. I hope I can share with them the consolation of Pope Francis when he said: “Wherever we go, we are called as Christians to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness for sins committed is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, that he freely loves us at all times and that we were made for communion and eternal life.” I pray for the grace to carry this Gospel message forward with the same patience and kindness that I have been shown throughout my life. I will also keep in my prayer all of you who support and walk with us in our Jesuit journey to become joyful heralds of the good news of Christ. Thank you!

Fr. Stephen J. Molvarec, SJ

Born: May 3, 1980

Entered Society: August 25, 2012

As a Jesuit: Father Molvarec worked with the homeless in Detroit, Chicago, and Milwaukee; taught history students at Marquette University in Milwaukee; served as a deacon at Boston University’s Catholic Center; and served as house coordinator at Walter Ciszek House in Boston.

Assignment Following Ordination: Father Molvarec will minister at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee this summer before serving as visiting assistant professor at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry for the 2022–2023 academic year.

No Jesuit could ever make it through formation alone, without the support of brother Jesuits, friends, mentors, and family. God’s grace is fundamental, too, and I’m grateful for the example of Jesuit friends who have taught me to seek God in all things. There are some men in the Society of Jesus who are spiritual fathers, close brothers, and best friends for me; they’ve walked with me in joy and in despair. I hope to someday repay and give forward all that they have given to me.

I’m grateful for the people who first taught me about the faith: my maternal grandparents, Alex and Mary; my mom, Susan, and my aunt, Pam; and many others–family, teachers, scoutmasters, etc. The Society’s benefactors–often unknown to me, but I pray for them daily–have made a life possible in which I am able to give freely to God’s people as a teacher, as a scholar, as a spiritual director, as a pastoral minister and ask for nothing in return.

Life and ordained ministry as a Jesuit is truly an adventure, one that is filled with joy and grace even when it is arduous. I’ve been blessed to live in so many different places and work in so many different ministerial settings.