Jerry is a native of Decatur County, Indiana. He is a 1971 graduate of Marian College in Indianapolis with a degree in secondary education and social studies. He has a M. A. Degree in Adult Catholic Community Development from Regis University, Denver, Colorado. His work experience includes 4 years teaching religious studies at Scecina High School in Indianapolis, pastoral associate and youth minister at St. Charles Borromeo in Bloomington, Indiana. From 1994-1998 he served as campus minister at St. Michael's Indian School on the Navajo Reservation at Window Rock, Arizona. In 1998 he returned to Indiana as pastoral associate and youth minister at St. Margaret Mary in Terre Haute. In 2004 he was appointed full time pastoral associate of St. Margaret Mary.