Reverend James Michael Ernster was born on September 12, 1925, on the Ernster farm on County D in the Town of Belgium, near Lake Church. His great-grandfather, John Ernster, of Trintange, Luxembourg, had settled on that farm in 1847. Jim was one of nine children born to Jacob and Lucy (Klas) Ernster. Jim attended St. Mary’s School in Lake Church. During his time there, St. Mary’s pastor, Fr. Joseph Keller, would often tell Jim that he was praying each day for him to become a priest. Jim graduated from St. Mary’s School in 1939, and he attended Port Washington High School graduating in 1943. Following high school, on his 18th birthday, Jim enlisted in the US Army to serve his country in World War II. He received a temporary deferment until February 1944, because his mother had died, and his father was alone on their farm in the Town of Belgium. His tearful father saw Jim off at the Port Washington train depot. His father said to him, “Be a good soldier, Jimmy.” That was the last time Jim saw his father, as his father died three months later in May. At that time, Jim was in basic training and allowed to go home for his father’s funeral. Following the funeral, Jim was assigned to another infantry group because he had not finished his basic training. Sadly, the first infantry group he had been a part of had shipped out and all members of that first infantry group lost their lives in battle. Because of this, Fr. Jim felt that his father really had saved his life. When he shipped out from New York in November 1944, Jim brought along a small prayer book with a metal cover which he had at home. That prayer book would become a very special part of his life and his vocation. Jim became a Private First Class in Company L, 253rd Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Army Infantry. That winter, his infantry found itself in the throes of active combat at the time of the Battle of the Bulge. During an attack, young Jim Ernster was in a foxhole in France surrounded by German troops. As shooting commenced, Jim felt a sharp slap on his chest and asked the soldier next to him why he had hit him. The soldier said he hadn’t. Jim touched his chest, and the little prayer book with a metal cover felt hot. The two soldiers then discovered a piece of shrapnel from a shell shot from an American 155mm Howitzer. The shrapnel had flown into the foxhole when the shell exploded nearby. Jim’s little prayer book had deflected the shrapnel and saved his life. It was at that time that Jim made a vow to God, saying that if he survived the war, he would serve Him as a priest when he got home. Jim did survive the war through the grace of God. Fr. Jim stated that after the war, he reneged a bit on his promise by attending Marquette University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree, he entered St. Francis Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin, to begin studies for the priesthood to serve in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He kept his vow to God. Jim was ordained a priest by Archbishop Albert Meyer on May 14, 1955, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. His First Mass was celebrated at his home parish, St. Mary’s in Lake Church, on May 15, 1955. Fr. Jim’s first assignment was as assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served there from 1955 to 1965. He then served at the following parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: St. Casimir Parish, Milwaukee; St. Mary’s Parish, Fond du Lac; Christ the King Parish, Wauwatosa; St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Milwaukee; and St. James Parish, Menomonee Falls. In 1972, Fr. Jim became the pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Kansasville, Wisconsin. He served St. Mary’s for 23 years until his retirement in 1995. One year earlier, in 1994, Fr. Jim built a new home on some of the original 1847 Ernster farmland on the outskirts of Lake Church. Despite being officially retired, Fr. Jim continued to help at local parishes with weekday and weekend Masses, weddings and funerals, and anointing of the sick for more than two decades. With the priest shortage impacting parishes everywhere, Fr. Ernster helped to keep sacraments and ministry alive and vibrant for the people in Northern Ozaukee County. In his free time, he enjoyed daily walks in nearby Harrington Beach State Park, visiting with family and friends, invitations to meals with local residents and being a part of the Northern Ozaukee County community. In 2005, Fr. Jim celebrated the 50th jubilee of his priestly ordination. On May 14, 2005, exactly 50 years after his ordination day, Fr. Jim celebrated a jubilee Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Church where he had celebrated his First Mass 50 years earlier. He used the same chalice that he used at his First Mass. The chalice was a gift from his cousin, the late Adolph Ansay. Following the Mass more than 350 people joined Fr. Jim for a dinner and celebration at the Belgium Community Center. Fr. Jim continued to serve area parishes until just a few years ago, as the signs of age began to show. He remained very sharp mentally and continued to be engaged with local people and events. In 2019, Fr. Jim became a founding board member of Bells of St. Mary’s, Inc. which was organized to preserve the bells of the former St. Mary’s Church in Lake Church, which he loved so much. Fr. Jim had been baptized, made his First Communion and Confirmation, and celebrated his First Mass in St. Mary’s Church. He proudly participated as the oldest attendee at the kick-off event for the Bells of St. Mary’s Capital Campaign in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Church in May 2021. In June 2021, Luxembourg’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Gaston Stronck, visited Ozaukee County. During that time, the Ambassador awarded Fr. Jim a Citation of Merit from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in recognition of his service in World War II which helped lead to the final liberation of Luxembourg by US forces. Because of decreased mobility and ailing health, Fr. Jim moved to Rocky Knoll Care Center near Plymouth, Wisconsin in the summer of 2021. After a short stay there, he relocated to Lincoln Village Assisted Living in Port Washington. Fr. Jim died there peacefully on Sunday, March 6, 2022. He will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Church along with his parents and Ernster grandparents and great-grandparents. Fr. Jim’s legacy of generosity of spirit, priestly service, and inspirational, faithful friendship to all, will be his enduring legacy. May he rest in the loving embrace of the God he served as a priest for 67 years! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Fr. Jim on Tuesday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Divine Savior-Holy Cross Parish, 5330 County Highway B, Belgium. The Most Reverend Jeffrey Haines will preside. Very Reverend James Lobacz and Father Gideon Buya will concelebrate. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45AM. There will be an additional reception following the Mass to allow guests a chance to express their condolences. The family has requested memorials to Bells of St. Mary’s, Inc., PO Box 135, Belgium, WI, 53004. Funds will be used to refurbish and electrify the three historic bells of St. Mary’s Church, to build the new bell memorial, as well as repaving and landscaping St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Church. The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com . “Glory be to God for all things.” *Obituary written by Kevin Wester ** Photo credit to Ozaukee Press/ photo of Fr. Ernster holding the prayerbook that saved his life