The new pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion told parishioners in the July 5 weekly bulletin that he looks forward to working with them “for the continued life of this community.”

The Rev. Jim Kean, 54, was a pastor for 11 years at St. Damien of Molokai in Pontiac before becoming coming to St. Joseph Parish. He has been ordained for 23 years and grew up in Emmett, according to the bulletin.

“To have the life of a priest means to follow the ways of St. Paul,” Kean wrote in The Voice. “We are meant to be flexible and thus available to the ones that we are with. St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion is my home now. I look forward to seeing this chapter unfold.

“When a priest takes up his place with a new family, it becomes automatically an opportunity for him personally to grow as well,” Kean continued. “So, in my greeting to you, I also invite you to join me in the years ahead to grow and build a time that is beautiful for the Lord.”