Belgium WI native celebrates 55 years in the priesthood

When Father James Ernster retired to Lake Church in 1995 at age 70 after serving as pastor of a Kansasville parish for 23 years, there were more priests than parishes that needed them.

“There were 17 priests looking for parishes and only five openings,” said Ernster, who gladly left his contentious parish to another priest.  [...contentious?  I wonder what the story is there...]

Ernster said he particularly enjoys celebrating Mass at St. Mary’s in Lake Church, where he celebrated his first Mass on May 15, 1955, the day after his ordination.  The church overflowed with his family and friends.

The priesthood was not a vocation he planned, he said, but one that God thrust upon him during World War II.

Ernster was in a foxhole in France surrounded by German troops during the Battle of the Bulge when he felt a sharp slap on his chest.  He turned to his buddy and asked why he hit him, but his friend said he didn’t.  Ernster then felt his chest, where he carried his vest-pocket prayer book with a metal cover. The metal cover was hot.  When he realized he had been shot near his heart and was unharmed because of the prayer book, Ernster promised God he would become a priest if he survived.

Ernster kept his promise to God and eventually became a priest, but first he obtained a business administration degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee.  He then entered the seminary and was ordained at age 29.  Now 85 Fr. Ernster who walks four miles every day and can fit into his Army uniform, still uses the prayer book with the metal cover that saved his life.

Ernster, along with a half dozen concelebrants, will offer a Mass of celebration and thanksgiving at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake Church.

Read the whole article at Ozaukee Press