Jean Cerisier is a fixture at Ascension parish and school, as well as the broader community in north Minneapolis.

A lifelong parishioner, she attended kindergarten through eighth grade at the school, where she would later return as a gym teacher, athletic director and coach of volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball.

Cerisier’s 43 years at the school also included the titles of dean of students and assistant principal. Affectionately, she is known by many as “Ms. Jean.” Her dedication to the parish, school and students was impacted by her own experience growing up at Ascension, as well as the influence of her late mother, Patricia Cerisier, who also served at the school as athletic director and coach, Cerisier said.

“My mom was such a good example,” Cerisier said, crediting her mother for instilling in her the passion and drive to serve the school and the community.

Seeing her mother coach and impact students’ lives is something Cerisier later experienced herself, she said. A party in the Ascension gym celebrating her retirement from the school June 3 brought some of that to mind, she said.

“I couldn’t tell you about all of the families that came back to say thank you at my retirement party,” Cerisier said. “It feels good to be a positive part of their lives.”

Cerisier’s community service continues. Among other efforts, she helped start the parish’s practice of delivering home-cooked meals to families for Thanksgiving.

When it comes to the parish, she said, “I feel like it’s home. There’s no judgment and it is a welcoming parish. I also like the fact that the people at the parish knew my mom and remember her.”

The principal of Ascension, Benito Matias, noted Cerisier’s impact at the school and beyond.

“If you look up Ascension Catholic School in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of Ms. Jean,” Matias said. “Ascension is part of The Catholic Academy, where we come together with other Catholic schools to leverage resources and personnel. We started about seven years ago with St. John Paul II in Minneapolis. It is almost like a small school district.” The consortium also includes St. Peter Claver Catholic and St. Pascal Regional Catholic schools in St. Paul.

Through the academy, Cerisier also has been able to reach a broader community, Matias said.

“Both personally and professionally, she’s been a great mentor for me,” he said. “I really think she was the highest moral authority within our organization. This isn’t due to just her history, but just her overall welcoming personality and generous work ethic.”

The pastor of Ascension, Father Dale Korogi, said the Cerisier family name is almost synonymous with Ascension. He was there as Cerisier soaked in love and affection at her retirement party.

“She’s just a natural when it comes to connecting with young people,” Father Korogi said. “They instinctively know that she loves and cares for them, even though she can be really firm and direct with them. It is a marvel to watch her in action. It’s not something you can teach. It’s the grace of God, a gift. She’s a leader in the north Minneapolis neighborhood. You know that she has your back and I am happy to call her my friend. She’s got a heart as big as north Minneapolis.”

CERISIER MEMORIES

Coaching, including soccer and basketball: “I made sure that all my kids played. Then to see that they have people who care about them and are going to go watch them. It’s just amazing to see them change.”

Children’s Masses, especially excitement and joy of kindergartners: “It’s nice because some of the parishioners come to the children’s Mass and I think it’s so good for them to see it.”

Spending time at the school, which her family gave her a hard time about: She doesn’t deny it. “I will especially miss the people I’ve worked with,” she said. “They’re such good friends.”