A native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Sister Mary Jacqueline Tarrant, R.S.M., was born in Biloxi and grew up just a block south of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She attended Sacred Heart Academy/High School and upon graduation entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate on September 8, 1959.  Sr. Jackie professed her vows in 1962 and 1967.
 
Sr. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration.  She attained her Certification of Spiritual Direction from Springhill College in Mobile, Alabama.  Putting her vocation, knowledge, and love of God in service to others, Sr. Jackie taught for five years at Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Alphonsus, all located in New Orleans, Louisiana.  From there she spent time teaching at St. Joseph Junior/Senior High in Greenville, Mississippi before returning to Biloxi to teach at her alma mater, Sacred Heart Girls High School.  After a four-year stint in Biloxi, Sr. Jackie spent the next 10 years as an administrator at St. Patrick in Meridian, Mississippi.  She then moved to St. Francis Xavier in Vicksburg, John Carroll in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Immaculate Conception in Laurel before returning to the Coast in 2001. 

Upon her return, Sr. Jackie worked as Campus Minister/Pastoral Associate at St. Paul School/St. Vincent/Holy Family Parish.  She is the Director of the Mercy Associate Program for Mercy Community, and spent many years teaching parish CCD programs and Vacation Bible Schools.  Sr. Jackie has been involved in Faculty Staff retreats, children retreats and adult retreats for the Mercy Associate Program, Mercy Community, and RCIA. 
 
Sr. Jackie came home to Nativity B.V.M. in November 2015 and serves our cathedral parish in a number of capacities.  In a wonderful short story written to the parishioners upon her arrival, Sr. Jackie shared her mission:  “Together we can inspire each other, strengthen our faith, share our values, and bring hope into the lives of those we waken, worship with, and welcome.  This is what Christ impels all of us toward.”