Sister Mary William Kearney, IHM
Sister Mary William Kearney, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Thursday, November 5, 1874, at St. Cecilia Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She was born on November 29, 1852 in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and given the name Jane (Jennie). She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary McGuyra Kearney. She entered the IHM Congregation at St. Cecilia Novitiate in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on November 8, 1871, recieved the religious habit on February 2, 1872, and made profession of her vows on August 14, 1874.
Interment is at Cathedral Cemetery 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.
"The Novitiate was opened on the feast of our Lady's Nativity, September 8, 1871. The Sisters felt that our Lady smiled auspiciously on the undertaking, when on the feast itself six applicants entered the novitiate and began their term of postulancy. The names of these six postulants, the first to be recorded in the new foundation, were Elizabeth Jackson, Toronto, Canada; Mary Ann Philbin, Pittston; Ella Hickey, Pittston; Jane McGovern, Pleasant Mount; Rose Dougherty, Philadelphia; and Jennie Kearney, Pittston"
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, p.142
"In August, 1874, was held the first profession of novices, the Right Reverend Bishop receiving the vows of the following: Sister M. Magdalen, Sister M. Lucy, Sister M. Pius, Sister M. Boniface, Sister M. Austin, and Sister M. William." "On that memorable occasion Reverend M. E. Dunn, Reverend P. C. Hurst, and Reverend Father Cicatori, the first Italian priest in the diocese, were present."
"Sister Mary William's oblation by her holy vows was soon to be completed. God called this chosen soul to Himself on the fifth of November, a little over two months after her solemn profession. Her illness was of brief duration, and the certainty of its fatal termination was a great grief to every one except the devoted Sister herself. She rejoiced in the thought that she was going to God in the first fervor of her holy espousals. She was as radiant on her deathbed as she had been on the day of her profession. Her death made a profound impression and her loss was keenly felt, for she had endeared herself to all by her generosity of soul. Sister Mary William, known in the world as Jennie Kearney, was one of the first three to enter from Pittston where the Sisters had been established since 1864. Since then many young girls from that city, emulating her example, have followed her to the convent."
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, p. 150, 151
