Our Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

“Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). My name is Fr. James Peterson and I have the great privilege of serving as the pastor of Immaculate Conception.

My life’s journey to Immaculate Conception could be summed up briefly as the following: Moves, Español, and a whole lotta Grace. In regards to moves, my four siblings (two brothers and two sisters, one of whom is my twin sister), parents, and I have lived in Nebraska, West Virginia, Iowa, and the Land of 10,000 Frozen Lakes that is Minnesnowta.

I spent most of my youth in the western metro of the Twin Cities, graduating from Holy Family Catholic High School before attending St. John’s University in Collegeville. It was there that I majored in Theology and minored in Spanish or Español. Those subjects were immensely helpful as I went through formation at the St. Paul Seminary from 2008 until my priestly ordination in May of 2013. I had the opportunity to put those skills into practice as I served as an Associate Pastor at St. Odilia’s in Shoreview for the first two years of my priestly life and as chaplain for one year at Totino-Grace High School.

After that I was sent to serve for nearly three years in our Archdiocesean Mission Parish of Jesucristo Resucitado in San Felix, Venezuela. The Español that I had studied years before came in handy as I ministered to our spiritual siblings there in Latin America. It is now with great joy that I  serve you, the grade school, and the larger faith community of Immaculate Conception. Throughout my entire life’s journey it has been the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that has empowered me, healed me, strengthened me, and guided me. As St. Paul said so beautifully, “by the grace of God I am who I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). I look forward to getting to know you and serving you in the years to come, God willing. Please know of my prayers for you and please be sure to pray for me as we experience the transformative Grace of Christ together.

May the Lord bless you abundantly,

Fr. James