Sister M. Seraphine Flack, IHM

Sister M. Seraphine Flack, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Tuesday, April 10, 1917, at Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

She was born on May 13, 1851 in County Cavan, Ireland, and given the name Margaret. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Bell Flack. In 1866, the family immigrated to America, and settled in Philadelphia, PA. Margaret was part of the first band to be received at the new St. Cecilia Novitiate, which was located in Scranton, PA. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 5, 1872, received the religious habit on August 15, 1872, and made profession of her vows on February 9, 1875.

Sister Seraphine served as a teacher at St. Cecilia Academy in Scranton, PA, from 1872 to 1882.

From 1882 until the time of her death, Sister served as a teacher at St. Patrick Elementary School in White Haven, PA; and as superior of St. Patrick’s Convent, White Haven.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Hugh, and a sister, Mary Anne.

She is survived by a brother, John of Battle Ground, IN; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Saturday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, PA. Interment will follow at the Marywood College Cemetery, also on the grounds of Marywood College.

“The first reception at Saint Cecilia’s took place August 15, 1872. The Right Reverend Bishop presided at the ceremonies, giving the white veil to the following: Miss Bridget Joyce of Pittston, who received the name in religion of Sister M. Theresa; Miss Frances Rose Hogan of Susquehanna, Sister M. Bernardine; Miss Margaret Flack of Philadelphia, Sister M. Seraphine; Miss Margaret Leonard, of Ireland, Sister M. Ludwina; Miss Mary Donnelly of Susquehanna, Sister Mary Conception; and Miss Bridget Maria Kelly of New York, Sister M. Rosalia.”

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 Mary Seraphine spent thirty-five years in the school at White Haven where she succeeded Sister M. Boniface as superior. Before her entrance into religion, she was Miss Margaret Flack. She was born in Ireland of Protestant parents who were not bigoted, and she was allowed to associate freely with the children of the Faith. Their influence told on her later life for, shortly after she came to Philadelphia at the age of thirteen, she became a Catholic. Five years later she entered the convent. She always chose the hardest work for herself and was cheerful in accomplishing it. She was accustomed to rise very early during the winters at Saint Patrick’s, where there was no janitor, in order that the convent might be warm and comfortable when the Sisters arose at five o’clock. During her long, laborious life, she never lost the charm of her girlish innocence.”

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. 171, 172