Fr. Elmer was ordained on May 24, 2003 by Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago. After his ordination, he was appointed as the Associate Pastor of St. Matthias and Transfiguration Parish in Chicago. On July 1st, 2006 he was appointed as the Pastor of St. Mark Parish in Chicago where he joyfully completed his term of six years.

On July 1st, 2012, Cardinal Francis George appointed Fr. Elmer as the Associate Dean of Formation at Mundelein Seminary where he assisted with the responsibility of forming future priests for our Church. He was appointed Pastor of St. Cletus by Cardinal Blase Cupich effective July 1st, 2021.