New Interim Executive Director for IPF
From left to right: Fr. Richard Gabuzda (former Executive Director), Fr. Jim Rafferty (upcoming Interim Executive Director), and Fr. Brian Welter (current Executive Director).
Friends of IPF,
Greetings from Omaha! We have an important update regarding the full-time staff of the Institute for Priestly Formation. My five-year term as Executive Director of IPF will end in June 2025, and I will be returning to the Archdiocese of Chicago to be a pastor. These past five years have been personally transformative for my priesthood, as I have been immersed in the spiritual teachings of our programs. I have also had the great privilege to talk with, and learn from, many good lay people, who are on our advisory councils, boards and committees, or have attended our events.
The IPF Board of Directors, under the direction of Board President Bishop Andrew Cozzens, has been searching for a new executive director for more than a year. Given the needs of dioceses to staff parishes and ministries at home, it has not yet been possible to secure the release of a qualified priest before my return to Chicago. The IPF Board will continue to seek a priest who is a gifted spiritual director and a wise shepherd to steer the Institute forward in the coming years.
Therefore, an interim executive director from within IPF’s current full-time staff will serve until a new executive director can be released to IPF. The interim position with a current staff member brings continuity and stability to the ongoing work of IPF while the search for a long-term executive director continues. To that end, I am glad to announce that IPF staff member, Fr. Jim Rafferty, will serve as interim director until a new executive director is named. Ordained in 1994, Fr. Rafferty became involved with the IPF summer program for seminarians in 2003 and has served full-time with IPF since 2013. Fr. Rafferty is a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha and also a professed member of the IPF Priests of Saint Joseph, an association of diocesan priests dedicated to the spiritual care of brother priests. Currently at IPF, he is the Director of Spiritual Formation and engages in spiritual direction and teaching across IPF’s programs. IPF serves seminarians, priests, and bishops in multiple programs and retreats each year as IPF provides for the spiritual formation of priests and future priests.
Please join us in praying for the work of IPF and for the Lord’s guidance as we continue to move forward with this vital ministry.
Thank you for your friendship and for serving in the IPF mission,
Fr. Brian Welter
Executive Director of IPF