Msgr. Gerald Calovini was born the son of Bruno A. and Emma L. Bucco Calovini in Lafferty, Ohio. It was there that Monsignor Jerry attended public and parochial schools.  He furthered his studies at the now closed St. John Vianney Seminary, Bloomingdale, Ohio, at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, and then at the College of Steubenville.

Monsignor Jerry was ordained to the priesthood in 1973 at his home parish of St. Mary, Lafferty by the late Bishop John King Mussio. Monsignor Jerry was named a “Prelate of Honor” in 1990.

Over the years,  Monsignor Jerry has served as Assistant Chancellor of the Diocese of Steubenville, part and full-time instructor at Catholic Central High School, Steubenville, and from 1999 to 2007 as pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Lourdes Parishes, Wintersville.  Since 2007, Monsignor Jerry has served as Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Steubenville, Ohio

Monsignor Jerry has been the Director of Ecumenism for the diocese, and Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He has been a member of the diocesan cemetary board.  He has acted as Director of Communications for the diocese, and is Dean of Coronation Deanery, a member of the College of Consultors, The Presbyteral Council, Diocesean Building Commission, Catholic Community Center Board, and is Pastoral Administrator of Catholic Central High School.

In 1987, Monsignor Jerry was appointed Director of Catholic Charities.

During his appointment, Catholic Charities provided an information referral service which directs people to agencies where they might find food, clothing, and shelter.  Anyone in any of the 13 counties of the diocese can reach the service through its 800 number.

Each year at Christmas, hundreds of food baskets were distributed under Monsignor Jerry’s direction and guidance, to the elderly on fixed incomes, the working poor, and the poorest of the poor.

At the same time, Monsignor Jerry directed the effort for the unborn as he led post-card crusades,  and numerous other activities to defeat the Freedom of Choice Act.

Monsignor Jerry, is a 4^th Degree Sir Knight  of the Fr. Bigelow Assembly 803, and member of Council 472,  Monsignor Jerry has served the Knights of Columbus as Father Prior for Columbian Squires Circle 4361, Mingo Junction, and as Chaplain for Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 472, and Faithful Friar of Assembly 803, Steubenville, Ohio.

In recognition of all that he has done for the less fortunate, for his community, for his parish, and for his Brother Knights, and his true dedication to the members and the principles of our honored Order, Monsignor Jerry was honored as the Ohio State Council “Religious of the Year” in 2008.

The Hennepin Province is proud to have Msgr. Gerald Calovini as its Provincial Friar.