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Msgr. Harry Jerome dies April 30 in Belleville

Msgr. Harry Jerome, 74, died April 30 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. He had been a resident at the Hincke-Sense Home since his retirement in January of 2009.

The Rite of Christian Burial began with the Reception of the Body 4 p.m., May 4 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin by the Very Rev. Robert Flannery, VF. Visitation followed until 8 p.m. and at 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., May 5.
A Mass of Christian a Burial was celebrated 11 a.m., May 5 at Sacred Heart Church
in Du Quoin, with Bishop Stanley Schlarman as the principal celebrant and Father
John Myler as the homilist.

“Msgr. Jerome was a man who completely embraced the church,” Father Myler said. “As a hospital chaplain, as the head of the Marriage Tribunal, as a Pastor, as one who visited the hospitals and the nursing homes, as a counselor and a confessor, as one who offered the Latin Mas requested by a group of laity, as one who was active in the community Clergy Ecumenical group, as a man of prayer, of devotion, of the daily holy hour, he totally embraced the Church.”

Msgr. Jerome was born in Dowell Aug. 10, 1935 to Frank and Pauline Krus Jerome, who preceded him in death. He attended Sacred Heart School in Du Quoin, Elkville Community High School and St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, completing his studies for the priesthood at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.

After his ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste, he served
in his early assignments as an associate at St. Mary Parish in Carlyle, St. Joseph Parish in East St. Louis and Holy Family Parish in Carlyle.
In 1965 he attended Catholic University of America for graduate studies in Canon Law.

In 1967 Msgr. Jerome’s long-term affiliation with the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal began with his appointment as tribunal secretary. He later was assigned the chaplaincy at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville.

Msgr. Jerome became the Officialis (Director) of the Tribunal in June of 1971, and in November pastor of St. Pancratius Parish in Fayetteville, resigning in March of 1974 to devote full time to his Tribunal duties.

He was named a monsignor in 1976 and served as the temporary administrator of St. Michael Parish in Paderborn in 1979.
Msgr. Jerome was assigned as administrator and later as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Belleville. The following year he was named a judge at the Tribunal, continuing as pastor of St. Mary’s.

After a leave of absence in 1987 he was assigned the administrator and then the pastor of St. Paul Parish in Johnston City.

He returned to the Tribunal in 1992, where he continued to serve until December of 1999. For several years he assisted with the sacramental ministry at St. Clare and St. Nicholas parishes, both in O’Fallon. He later lived at the Hincke Home while continuing his work at the Tribunal.

In 2000 he was named the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Du Quoin, retiring in January of 2009. In diocesan appointments he served on the College of Consultors and the Presbyteral Council. On a national level Msgr. Jerome served at the secretary of the Canon Law Society of America.

Msgr. Jerome is survived by a sister, Marcella Jerome of Fairview Heights, a brother and sister-in-law, Norbert (Mary) Jerome of Littleton, Colo., a sister-in-law, Joan Jerome and nieces and nephews. A brother, Gerhart Jerome, preceded him in death.

Interment, following the Funeral Mass, was in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Du Quoin.