Sister James Michael Kesterson

Sister James Michael Kesterson was born on November 21, 1928, in Indianapolis.

She entered the Congregation on February 2, 1948, professing first and final vows on August 15, 1950 and 1955, respectively.

Sister James Michael’s ministries have all been in education. She has taught grades one through eight for a total of 18 years. In addition, she was principal for 42 years, serving for 10 at Our Lady of the Greenwood in Greenwood, Indiana, and for 32 years at St. Jude Catholic School in Indianapolis.

Currently, Sister James Michael ministers in Archdiocesan Archives for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and in outreach.

“I have lived by the words of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, ‘Love the children first, then teach them,’” Sister James Michael said.

She is a fan of Notre Dame football and her favorite music is the Notre Dame Victory March.

“It always brings on a smile and a cheer,” she said.

Sister James Michael added her favorite food is pasta.

Sister James Michael said she is left-handed because when she played football with her older brothers, she injured her right arm.

“We always had a great time sharing many things while growing up,” Sister James Michael said. “Unfortunately, I seemed to have been the one who was ‘accident prone.’”