Just a few years ago, Jeffrey Lindholm thought he had a plan for his life. After graduating from Saint Ignatius High School, he would attend Boston College with an eye on becoming a doctor, marrying and someday having a family.
But a nudge toward the priesthood changed things. After graduating from college, he “tried” the seminary for a year. But he said he couldn’t ignore the call to a priestly vocation.
Fast forward to May 17, 2025, the day he became Father Jeffrey Lindholm. He now serves as parochial vicar at St. Barnabas Parish in Northfield and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Macedonia.
Father Lindholm reflected on his first seven months of priesthood during a presentation to the First Friday Club of Greater Akron on Jan. 9.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said candidly. Despite five years of preparation at Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, he admitted there’s still a lot to learn. But he’s keeping things in perspective and relying on the Lord to guide him – with help from others.
“My ministry is guided by the Holy Spirit,” he said.
People come to him with all types of problems, seeking his help. “I have to be inspired by Christ,” he said. “Am I feeding the Lord’s flock properly?” he asked. “I have to rely on him because I can’t do it alone.”
He also credits a strong group of priest friends and mentors for their support and guidance. “I’m better in community,” he said, noting he often shares the day’s experiences with his co-workers in the vineyard – fellow priests.
His primary role is to help Father James Kulway, pastor at the two parishes where he serves, to shepherd the flock better.
“I love preaching and teaching,” Father Lindholm said. He noted he enjoys spending time in the classroom at St. Barnabas School teaching middle school students.
“I pray I don’t lose the passion, energy and zeal to preach God’s word in a world that doesn’t have the answers, he said.
Father Lindholm peppered his presentation with anecdotes and stories, including sharing how he accidentally burned the carpet at St. Barnabas while incensing the altar when some hot embers fell from the thurible. And when explaining why the priest wears a rose-colored (not pink) vestment on the third Sunday of Advent, he told the middle schoolers that “Jesus didn’t ‘pink’ from the dead … He rose from the dead” – something that stuck with them.
“I have a front-row seat to God’s grace at work in our schools,” he added.
One of the most humbling things he does as a priest is hearing confessions, Father Lindholm said, explaining he is persona Christi. “You don’t encounter Father Jeffrey in confession. You encounter Christ … Am I an agent of Christ’s mercy? I continually pray for that. Through his grace, Jesus takes a wrecking ball to the wall of sin and allows his mercy to flow.
He recalled how emotional it was to celebrate his first Christmas Mass as a priest, calling it a moment of grace.
Father Lindholm said he was privileged to celebrate Mass recently in the hospital room of a 19-year-old parishioner/college student who was very active with the parish youth group. She contracted a virus that turned into cancer and died in December. “The last words I heard her say were ‘I want Jesus,’” he said. “That’s my prayer, too … the joys and heartbreaks of all God’s people are also mine.”
Brian Polian, vice president for athletics and national engagement at John Carroll University, will speak about “Generation Z: Honor the Relationships,” at the Feb. 6 FFCGA lunch meeting. Click here for more information and a link to RSVP.