Meet the New Conference Coordinator for North America
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April 17, 2024Fr. Jerome Chavarria is the new Coordinator for the North American Conference of Redemptorists. He assumed the role on January 1 of this year.
Fr. Jerome grew up in North Carolina and entered the Redemptorist formation program at age 14, making him a "lifer." Throughout his inter-provincial formation program, he learned a lot about confreres from other cultures. As a result, after he was ordianed, he went to the Dominican Republic where he learned Spanish while living in community with Redemptorists there.
Returning to the United States, he began ministry in Fabens, Texas with Redemptorist Fr. Jose Chavez. They preached missions together and began a ministry to migrant workers in the camps in North Carolina.
Fr. Jerome sees this all as a means of preparation for his work in the North American Conference of Redemptorists. The Conference includes the Units of Baltimore, Canada, Denver, Extra-Patriam and Mexico. So across the Conference, there are members of different cultures who speak different languages.
A former Provincial of the Vice-Province of Richmond, Fr. Jerome has also served in Redemptorist parishes in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Hampton, Virginia, Fabens, Texas, Opa Locka, Florida, Griffin and Hapeville, Georgia, and Concord, North Carolina.
As the new Conference Coordinator, it's Fr. Jerome's hope to be able to animate and encourage Redemptorists across North America toward the merging of the current five Units into one Unit. A goal of completing the merger has been set for 2027.
