Sister M. Fidelis Houlihan, IHM
Sister M. Fidelis Houlihan, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, March 27, 1947.
She was born on September 12, 1860 in Great Bend, Pennsylvania, and given the name Nora. She was the daughter of the late Jeremiah and Margaret McKinney Houlihan. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1887, received the religious habit on August 2, 1887, and made profession of her vows on August 2, 1889.
Sister Fidelis served in child care for resident children at St. Joseph's Shelter in Scranton, PA.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel.
She is survived by a brother, James, an Army Chaplain, and a sister, Margaret.
Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
"The next call for the Sisters came from Saint Joseph's Shelter. So many children were being neglected on account of the illness of their mothers that
the Right Reverend Bishop decided to open the Shelter to these forlorn little ones. Sister M. Athanasius and Sister M. Aileen were sent to attend to the needs of God's little guests. These two Sisters, after several weeks of hard and patient toil, were relieved by Sister M. Petronilla, Sister M. Fidelis, Sister M. Rosina, and Sister M. Eugenia. These four Sisters cared for these little ones until November 9th, when the last child was restored to its parents."
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, pg. 443
"The Scranton Diocese had furnished its full quota of army chaplains, all of whom distinguished themselves, some of them at the cost of shattered health. Chief among them was Chaplain James Houlihan, the brother of Sister M. Fidelis, and an alumnus of Laurel Hill Academy. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have special reason to rejoice over Father Houlihan's splendid record. He had been an army chaplain before the war broke out and had seen good service in the Philippines. His merit was recognized, and he was rapidly promoted, until now he ranks sec-directing the American chaplains during the war. On end in command. Father Houlihan had charge of November 19th, Chaplain Houlihan honored Marywood with a visit. He consented to address the Sisters and students, and was introduced by Right Reverend Bishop Hoban, who was justly proud of the record which the Scranton chaplains had made in the war. Chaplain Houlihan's story was intensely interesting, but in the relation of the many thrilling experiences through which he had passed, he modestly kept himself in the background. He emphasized the fact that it was American ideals that had contributed in large measure to the success of the war. He lauded the chivalry of the French soldiers, the steadfast perseverance of the British, but the splendid morale of the American Army, inspired as it was by these high ideals, gave to the allied army a whole-hearted abandon that carried everything before it.
Major Houlihan paid a splendid tribute to the Catholic chaplains, making special mention of Father Sherman, whose name, he said, was held in reverence by the soldiers for his heroism. Father Sherman had received the highest honors for distinguished service. Father Houlihan asked the prayers of the Sisters and students. He attributed his own safety to the prayers offered for him by his old teachers, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. "
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, pg. 438, 439
