Sister James Messer

Sister James Messer, 84, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life in a Bismarck care center Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery. Visitation begins Thursday at 3 p.m. at the monastery and continues until the time of the funeral. A wake service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday in the monastery chapel. Mary Ann, a daughter of Jacob and Celestine Loran Messer, was born May 6, 1928, on a farm near Antelope, N.D. She was the 14th of 15 children. After graduating from high school, Mary Ann took teacher exams and taught two years in a rural school. Here she discovered her passion for teaching. This is what she did most of her life – taught people of all ages about a variety of subjects, but especially about the love of God for them. In her autobiography she wrote about those brief years in the country school. "It was a great life to find children who wanted to learn and they taught me to look for something greater in life." In 1949 this desire for something greater led her to Annunciation Monastery where she made her monastic profession July 11, 1951. She was given the name, Sister James. She lived 61 years as a Benedictine sister always growing in a relationship with Jesus and serving wherever she was called. She taught children in Catholic schools in Mandan, Mott, Dickinson, and was principal of Cathedral Grade School, Bismarck, for six years. She was religious education coordinator at St. Mary's Parish, Richardton and St. Mary's Parish, Bismarck, and also served as pastoral minister at St. Charles Parish, Bowman, and at Queen of Peace Parish in Dickinson. She was vocation director of Annunciation Monastery and pastoral care minister at St. Benedict's Health Center, Dickinson. Sister James loved people of all ages. From her life's experiences, she understood suffering and showed compassion, understanding and sympathy to those she taught and those to whom she ministered in the parish and at the health center. Her humor brought smiles to many. She also knew the importance of listening with her heart. "So much healing can be done with listening," she said while being interviewed for an article for St. Benedict's Health Center. Sister James had a certain determination about her, held strong beliefs and was highly organized. She often went out of her way to help people wherever she could. She loved her large family and looked forward to family gatherings where she could enjoy their company and visit and laugh with them. Sister James had a deep faith in Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. She found strength in receiving Jesus in communion. She sought to live her life as a witness to the love of Christ and encouraged others to do the same. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.

Sister James Messer

May 6, 1928 - September 25, 2012