Sister M. Celestine Moran, IHM
Sister M. Celestine Moran, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, December 25, 1919 at St. Joseph's Infant Asylum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on April 24, 1848 in New Castle West, County Limerick, Ireland, and given the name Margaret. She was the daughter of the late Edmund and Johanna O'Harn Moran. She entered the IHM Congregation on November 1, 1878, received the religious habit on May 13, 1879, and made profession of her vows on April 19, 1881.
Sister Celestine served as a teacher at St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA, and St. Patrick Elementary School in White Haven, PA.
Sister served in child care for resident children at St. Patrick's Orphanage in Scranton, PA; and was the superior at St. Joseph's Infant Asylum and Foundling Home in Scranton, PA, from 1890 until the time of her death.
Interment is at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, 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.
"Christmas, 1919, was saddened by the death of Sister M. Celestine of Saint Joseph's Infant Asylum. Sister Celestine's death was not unexpected, yet as was her wont in other years, she planned the Christmas festivities for the little ones whose happy rejoicing therein at the close of the Christmas Day penetrated to the silent chamber where their dear Mother lay lifeless. Christmas is especially the children's festival and it seemed fitting that the Lover of children should call to Himself on the blessed Christmas Day the faithful spouse who had served Him in the persons of His little ones for nearly forty years.
Sister M. Celestine Moran was born in Ireland in 1848. Soon after her arrival in this country she entered the novitiate of the Immaculate Heart and after the customary probation was professed in 1881. The early years of her religious life were passed in Saint Cecilia's Academy; Saint Patrick's School, White Haven and Saint Patrick's Orphanage, West Scranton. In 1890, Sister M. Celestine was given charge of Saint Joseph's Infant Asylum over which she presided for more than thirty years. Saint Joseph's Infant Asylum is Sister Celestine's memorial. Her careful supervision and prudent management have built up an ideal home in which poor, unfortunate children are tenderly nurtured. Only the silent Lord knows how many innocent children have been saved, body and soul, because of the prayers and labors of this devoted Sister and only He, too, knows the number of unfortunate ones who have trod perseveringly the weary road of repentance because of her motherly kindness and encouragement.
At her funeral the Right Reverend Bishop said: "I speak in the name of the Diocese of Scranton when I say that we owe a debt of gratitude to Sister M. Celestine. She was a real mother, tender-hearted, kind, and gentle. While we praise Sister Celestine, let us not forget the late Father Finnen of Pittston, whose generosity made it possible for her to carry out successfully her work of charity. Nor can we forget the good women of Saint Joseph's Society who were the first to recognize the need of finding a refuge for homeless babes. It was they who suggested to Bishop O'Hara the idea of founding an asylum for infants. Father Finnen was from the beginning interested in the work and felt that if a permanent foundation were made, the people of the diocese would gladly assist. It was his generosity that made it possible for me to begin the present home, to found the institution of today."
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, pgs. 484,485
