Greetings, my name is Michael Jerger, and I am excited to serve as your new pastoral minister!  I am very much looking forward to getting to know you and the St. Gabriel the Archangel community; it’s only fitting, therefore, that I share with you a little bit about myself.  I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago (don’t worry, I’m a Packers fan).  My background is in Catholic education, as I worked as both a teacher and school counselor in Catholic schools.  When I met my wife (who is from Oshkosh), I made the move to the Fox Valley and continued my career here.  My wife Emily and I married in June of 2020, and not long after, we began to feel the Holy Spirit leading us in some unexpected directions.

To make a long story short, God directed us onto a path that led to my applying to the permanent diaconate program in our diocese (which had long been on my heart).  Today, I am a candidate for the diaconate, and am joined by ten brother candidates who, like me, are continuing to discern and follow this call.  Please pray for us.  God also surprised us with another change; while hearing a deacon talk about his job in pastoral ministry, I felt the Holy Spirit place a fire in my heart to serve others in the same capacity.  Not long after, God gave me the opportunity to serve in ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc, and I happily served there for two years.  Then came the best change – the birth and adoption of our son Francis.  Upon his birth last year, we made the decision to move back to the Fox Valley.  I took a position as a hospice chaplain, but my heart longed to return to working in a parish.  I am so glad and thankful that God led me here to St. Gabriel, and to all of you!  God is good!

As I mentioned, I look forward to getting to know you and the parish community.  Feel free to say hello if you see me in Church or in the parish office.  I love meeting new people and getting to know their stories, and how God has been at work in their lives.

May God Bless You,