Sister M. Columba Enright, IHM
Sister M. Columba Enright, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Monday, February 14, 2005 at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born May 8, 1914 in Ballylongford, Ireland, and was the daugther of the late Thomas and Ellen Mahoney Enright. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 193, made temporary profession of her vows on May 7, 1940, and final profession of her vows on August 1, 1943.
Sister Columba served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary John Elementary School in Cresson, PA, from 1940 to 1949; St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Bellefonte, PA, from 1949 to 1956; St. Joseph Elementary School in Renovo, PA, from 1956 to 1957; St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, from 1970 to 1971; Epiphany Elementary School in Sayre, PA, from 1971 to 1975; St. Patrick Elementary School in Oneida, NY, and St. Paul School in Cranston, RI. She also served at schools located in La Plata and Baltimore, MD, and Brooklyn, NY.
From 1978 until the time of her death, Sister Columba served as prayer minister at the Marian Convent.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Marywood College.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and John, and three sisters, Helen Enright, Mary Kissock and Hannah Fitzgerald.
She is survived by a sister, Margaret Mahoney of Ballylongford of Ireland, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Thursday, February 17 at 9:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the Marian Convent followed by interment at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call on Wednesday afternoon or evening at the Marian Convent.
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.
Prayer from Sister M. Columba Enright's funeral mass on February 17, 2005:
We gather, Loving God, to celebrate the life of our dear Sister Columba Enright whose life journey, begun in Ballylongford, Ireland in 1914 brought her in 1937 to our IHM Congregation through Most Holy Rosary Parish in Syracuse. We give you thanks for her loving response to your invitation, God, and for her faithful devotion to you, to the Congregation, and to all your people. In faith, quiet simplicity, and peace she has lived. Now she lovingly surrenders herself to your faithful love as she returns to her home in you, God.
Our Sister Columba served you for 38 years as a teacher of your little ones in schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York. When she began her prayer ministry 27 years ago, she brought her faith-filled, lovely and peaceful presence to the Marian Convent, her final home on earth.
We pray today for the many who are saddened by her death. We ask you, O compassionate God, to bless and console her sister, Margaret of Ballylongford and her nieces and nephews. We especially remember all here at the Marian Convent who shared life with her these many years and who cared for her with such warmth and tenderness. Knowing that you welcome our Sister home, O God, we rejoice that she is reunited with her parents, Ellen and Thomas, her sisters, Helen, Mary and Hannah and her brothers, Thomas and John. Certainly today in heaven, there is a grand Irish reunion of her family and friends from Ireland and from America.
May each of us be strengthened by the witness of her goodness and unremitting trust in you. Eternal rest grant unto our Sister Columba, O God, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary benefited from the efforts to bring young women from Ireland to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Over the years a total of sixty-five young women became professed IHM religious. Their services were received as far west at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the IHM Academy and at St. Edward School, Twin Falls, Idaho. The southern missions witnessed their dedication in Washington, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was remarked that black children in some southern schools were speaking with an Irish brogue! The Sisters from Ireland also served in many locations in Pennsylvania, such as Dushore, Lock Haven, Exeter, Altoona, Pittsburgh, St. Michael's School in Hoban Heights, Cresson, Pittston, Scranton, and Williamsport. New York and Rhode Island missions also received their services.
Excerpted from The Story of the Native Irish Sisters Who Entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Scranton Pennsylvania by Sister M. Michel Keenan, IHM, 2006, p.18
