On Thursday, April 10, Bellarmine hosted over a thousand people at Fr. Jerry Chapdelaine S.J.’s funeral in the Booster Gym and on Chapdelaine Court. In the days leading up to Fr. Jerry’s final resting, there were evenings dedicated to shared memories of this beloved priest. Many stories were told. Here is just one of the many reflections written by Bellarmine Board member, parent, and alumna, Adrienne Corpuz Joyce.
As we mourn Fr. Jerry, I recount my memories of him, beginning 35 years ago when I was a freshman. Yet my memories of him are not unique; I suspect they are shared by many.
As a B ‘94 graduate, Fr. Jerry was my freshman student council advisor. In addition to being a coach, at the time one of his official roles was a counselor. I recall knocking on his office door (located where the admissions offices now are) and peeking in to check in on a student government matter or to convene for a meeting. He would always be in the midst of counseling, comforting, or simply just socializing with a student or several students. Sometimes they’d be in tears, seeking his counsel. At other times students would be in his office just for the good company.
This scene repeated itself for decades. When my oldest, Mary Anna (B ‘23) was a new freshman, I told her to be sure to say hi to Fr. Jerry. When she finally wandered into his office, she noted that it was full of students on their lunch breaks. His office was always welcoming and full of love.
As far back as my high school days, Fr. Jerry’s his office was also filled with student photos. As a freshman, I made mental note to give him one of my senior photos when the time came. As it turns out, over the years, I gave Fr. Jerry many pictures, primarily Christmas card pictures and birth announcements of my girls, all of whom are Bellarmine alumna or current students. Fr. Jerry always wrote back when I sent him cards. Without fail, he concluded his notes, “You are loved.”
Growing up, there was just one son amongst us Corpuz kids, so my brother, Brian Corpuz B ‘98, was the lucky one to have actually been coached by Fr. Jerry. My brother later became a teacher and coach himself. He and his wife have always intentionally worked at schools with underserved, high-needs populations. I think it’s the grounding and mentorship provided by Fr. Jerry and the Bellarmine community that inspired my brother’s career. I have no doubt that Fr. Jerry inspired many during his long career at Bellarmine.
When we Corpuz kids became a handful, there were times that even my parents sought counsel from Fr. Jerry. As a priest, counselor, and seasoned advocate for students, he was able to provide clear insight and support. I suspect Fr. Jerry offered similar support to Bellarmine parents many times over.
Like so many grads, I asked Fr. Jerry to preside at my wedding in 2002. Even back then he had already developed a practiced routine for celebrating the wedding Masses of Bellarmine grads. Katy Milasich Brown, one of my classmates, recently remarked that he was the best priest to work with when she was the wedding coordinator at St. Charles. I once asked Fr. Jerry if he knew how many Bellarmine weddings and baptisms he had celebrated. “Too many to count,” he replied and laughed.
He probably celebrated hundreds of Bellarmine weddings and baptisms.
One of the many reasons why we will miss Fr. Jerry is because he so beautifully personifies Bellarmine. He loved us all fully and without judgement. He selflessly served the Bellarmine community for decades. As a priest he was a trustee of our school’s Jesuit mission. He has taught us well by his example.
I was out of town when Fr. Jerry went into hospice, and by the time I made it to see him, he could no longer talk. “There’s no need to say anything, Fr. Jerry,” I assured him. “You’ve already said it all.”
Undeniably, he has. He never wasted a moment to remind us that we are loved. He counseled and coached us, comforted us on difficult days, and celebrated Mass and sacraments for us at school and on our most joyous occasions. Counselor, coach, mentor, friend, Jesuit, priest.
Thank you, Fr. Jerry. We will miss you deeply, and you are loved.
