Sister M. Gregory Murphy, IHM

Sister M. Gregory Murphy, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, August 6, 1905, at St. Patrick’s Convent in Olyphant, PA.

She was born on August 3, 1856 in Pittston, PA, and was given the name Katherine. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary Mulchahey Murphy. She entered the IHM Congregation on May 15, 1874, received the religious habit on August 14, 1874, and made profession of her vows on February 13, 1877.

Sister Gregory served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA; St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA; St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA; St. Paul School in Scranton, PA, and St. Patrick School in Olyphant, PA. She also served as superior of the following convents: St. Joseph’s Convent in Williamsport, PA; St. Patrick’s Convent in Scranton, PA; St. Paul’s Convent in Scranton, PA; and St. Patrick’s Convent in Olyphant, PA.

Sister Gregory served as principal at St. Rose Academy in Carbondale, PA.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Michael J. Jr.

She is survived by a brother, James of Laflin, PA; four sisters, Sister Mary Dositheus Murphy, IHM, of West Chester, PA, Mary Jane McAndrews of Youngstown, OH, and Lizzie and Ellen Murphy, both of Pittston, PA; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, August 8, at 9:00 a.m. at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Scranton, PA, where a solemn high mass of requiem will be celebrated by Bishop M.J. Hoban. Interment will follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton.

---

“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. The following postulants were received into the novitiate: Miss Catherine Murphy of Pittston with the name of Sister M. Gregory; Miss Anna Hawley of St. Joseph’s, Sister M. Leo; and Miss Brigid Glynn of County Clare, Ireland, Sister M. Laurentia. 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.”

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

“… Sister M. Gregory had rounded out thirty years of consecrated service and had filled the position of superior in different convents for many years. She was a peculiarly gentle soul, modest, quiet and retiring, and quietly and uncomplainingly she prepared herself for the great end. She died on the sixth of August at Saint Patrick’s Convent, Olyphant, and was brought to Mount Saint Mary’s for burial.”

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. 350