Sister Mary Clare Howard, IHM
Sister Mary Clare Howard, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, September 16, 1932.
She was born on December 12, 1866 in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and given the name Margaret. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Bridget Falten Howard. She entered the IHM Congregation on July 15, 1884, received the religious habit on April 6, 1885, and made profession of her vows on December 21, 1886.
Sister Mary Clare served in child care for resident children at St. Joseph's Shelter in Scranton, PA, where she was also appointed superior in 1920.
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.
"Another phase of social service was undertaken in the same year as the Casa Regina at the request of the Right Reverend Bishop of Scranton. This was the management of Saint Joseph's Shelter and the opening of a day nursery in connection with the institution. Saint Joseph's Shelter opened by the good ladies of Saint Joseph's Society in October, 1915, had filled a long felt want. There were received young women, transients, or seeking work; women discharged as convalescents from hospitals; children whose mothers were ill and unable to care for them, and orphaned children who were cared for at the Shelter until homes were found for them with responsible relations or in institutions. The Shelter was to see a still further development when the kind-hearted ladies of Saint Joseph's Society who had already done so much for God's little ones, resolved to open a day nursery.
The Shelter had been under the care of a matron, the members of the Society giving needed assistance. As the work grew the Society felt the need of placing the Shelter under organized management. Bishop Hoban, to whom no phase of social service ever makes its appeal in vain, asked Mother M. Casimir to take over the direction of Saint Joseph's Shelter and to open the Day Nursery. Mother was glad to co-operate in the good work and to the great delight of the good ladies of Saint Joseph's Society, Saint Joseph's Shelter was given over to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart. Immediately several rooms in the Shelter were fitted up for the reception of the children and Sister M. Clare, Sister M. Melanie, and Sister M. Consolata were sent to conduct the work. Sister M. Clare was appointed superior. The formal opening took place on June 11, 1920. On that day eight children were placed under the care of the Sisters while the poor mothers went to their work rejoicing in the confidence that their little ones would be well cared for. Since its opening the nursery has accommodated on an average of thirty children a day, showing that it is supplying a long felt need in Scranton."
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. 477, 478
