Meet Fr. Jerry Blake, St. John’s new priest

After more than two decades of farming with his dad and siblings, Fr. Jerry Blake, at the age of 38, decided if he wanted to enter the seminary, this was the time to do it.

Now, looking back more than 20 years later, Blake is happy he took the leap of faith and to be in Wright County. He arrived here the first part of June and is pastor at St. John Parish in Clarion, Sacred Heart in Eagle Grove and St. Francis Xavier in Belmond. He resides in Clarion. “The people here are very welcoming,” he commented about his experiences here so far.

Blake was born in Allamakee County and grew up with 12 brothers and sisters on a farm there. Instead of hitting the road for college to pursue a degree in higher education after graduation, he remained at home and began farming with his father. Throughout the next 21 years, thoughts of the priesthood entered Blake’s mind every now and then.

Read more about Fr. Blake and his journey to the priesthood and Wright County in the July 24 issue of the Monitor!