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Pastorfrjramirezolvcaldwell.orgFaFather Jose was born in Mexico in the state of Guanajuato in a town called Acambaro but lived most of his childhood in small town near the border in the Michoacan state called Iramuco. At age 8, he came to the United States along with his family to Idaho and lived in Nampa for the rest of his childhood going to Central Elementary School and graduating from Nampa High School. He calls Nampa his hometown since he lived there the longest (10 years) before going on to seminary.
At age 18, Fr. José entered a house of formation and discernment offered at the time by the Diocese of Boise. He started from the very beginning studying for the Diocese. His intention was to become a diocesan priest so that he could be close to his family. He comes from a close tight-knit family of five. After high school his intention was to remain with his family but after attending a discernment retreat, he decided to give this vocational stuff a try for at least one month. Eventually the month turned to a semester, the semester to a year, a year to several, until he became sure he wanted to become a priest while doing his pastoral year at the parish of Risen Christ in Boise. He was ordained as a transitional deacon on May 28, 2009, at the parish of St. Paul’s in Nampa along with one other classmate.
Fr. José was ordained for the Diocese of Boise on June 10, 2010, along with four other priests...total of five, of which four are still active. Father José’s first assignment was St. John’s Cathedral as parochial vicar for two years. He then had a small respite by going to the church where he cemented his calling, Risen Christ for one year. After being in Boise for a couple of years, Fr. José was moved to Idaho Falls to the now community of John Paul II where he served for two years as parochial vicar. After serving for 5 years as parochial vicar (he was that good!), Bishop Peter Christensen assigned him as an administrator of the small communities in southern Idaho of Gooding, Wendell, and Shoshone. After spending one year as administrator, he was made pastor of the same communities. He stayed there to finish his term as pastor for a total of 7 years. While he was there with the generous support of the communities, he was able to improve the facilities of the church including upgrading the parking lots, as well as the buildings of the church while at the same time strengthening the community with formation.
Fr. José will soon be 13 years ordained. This has been the longest month of his life yet very fulfilling. Fr. José was assigned as pastor of Our Lady of the Valley on July 1, 2022. He feels right at home for he has a great appreciation and knowledge of the Treasure Valley area. His family members all live close by, and his family’s home is in Caldwell. It is such a great blessing to have some of his family members as parishioners. Fr. José knew some parishioners from Caldwell prior to his coming and would like to meet more along the years as God permits him to stay here.
Fr. José has a great interest in education. He graduated from Mount Angel with four degrees. He received a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and recently a Doctorate in Ministry. He also received a Sacred Theology bachelor’s from Anselmo University in Rome. He plans to pursue his education further for he sees himself as a life-long learner, a disciple who loves formation.
Fr. José has some hobbies he enjoys much in his little free time: playing cards, playing chess, occasionally, he buys a scratch-off lottery ticket, as well as attending live theater and symphonies. One of his bucket list items is to write a book of theology about the person of Jesus with a different perspective. Father enjoys being a priest and spending time in the office to help people as they come in with their needs.
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