October 7, 1925 – January 8, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Christine Massman, who passed away on January 8, 2025, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 99 years of age.
Sister Christine Massman was born on October 7, 1925, in Meta, Missouri, to parents John Henry and Anna M. (Wiedinger) Massman. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1945 and was received into the novitiate in 1946 as Sister Mary Joanna. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fontbonne College (now University) in 1961, a master’s degree as a reading specialist from Cardinal Stritch College (now University) in 1968 and a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University Chicago in 1986.
Sister Christine’s ministry began in education, teaching at various schools for nearly 30 years. Her first assignment was in 1948 at St. Margaret of Scotland Grade School in St. Louis, followed by All Saints Grade School in St. Louis in the 1950s, and St. Cecilia Grade School in Peoria, Illinois, in the early 1960s. Sister Christine’s next assignment brought her to St. Bede the Venerable Grade School in Chicago, where she taught for 14 years until 1977.
Sister Christine transitioned into religious education. Returning to St. Louis, she briefly served as the religious education coordinator at St. Gregory Grade School in St. Ann. For the next 13 years, she was the religious education director at St. John Bosco Parish.
In 1991, Sister Christine began 20 years of ministry in various roles. She served as secretary for the development office of the Salvation Army (1993-2000) and receptionist at St. Catherine Laboure Parish (2000-2005). She also offered spiritual direction until her retirement in 2012.
Sister Christine resided at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence until her passing.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. CT at the Nazareth Living Center Chapel at 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129. Watch via livestream at https://video.ibm.com/channel/csjsl-general
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.