Sister M. St. Henry Haiss, IHM

Sister M. St. Henry Haiss, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

Born on March 1, 1934, in New York, NY, and given the name Catherine Helen, Sister St. Henry was the daughter of the late Henry A. and Marie Schloemer Haiss. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1952, made her temporary profession of vows on August 3, 1955, and her final profession of vows on August 3, 1958.  Sister St. Henry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Marywood College.

Sister St. Henry served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Mary Elementary School in Patton, PA, from 1955 to 1966; St. Agnes Elementary School in Baltimore, MD, from 1966 to 1967; St. Thomas Elementary School in Providence, RI, from 1967 to 1973; Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School in Forty Fort, PA, from 1973 to 1977; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Elementary School in Forest Hills, NY, from 1977 to 1980; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, NY, from 1980 to 1983; St. Clare Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1987; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Rocky Mount, NC, from 1987 to 1994. She served as a tutor and school office assistant at Little Flower Elementary School in Bethesda, MD, from 2005 to 2014.   

Sister also served as assistant administrator at the Marian Convent in Scranton, PA, from 1994 to 2005. She was a pastoral minister to the homebound and also a receptionist at Little Flower Parish in Bethesda, MD, from 2010 to 2021.

From 2021 until the time of her death, Sister St. Henry was a prayer minister at Little Flower Convent in Bethesda, MD, and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.         

Sister St. Henry was preceded in death by five brothers, George, Henry, John, William, and Reverend Maurice, S.T.; and two sisters, Agnes Leonard, and Marie Hyde.  She is survived by a sister, Veronica “Ronnie” Boylan of Florida, NY; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and cousins, including Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM, of Scranton, PA. She is also survived by the members of the IHM Congregation. 

The funeral will be Monday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 1510 University Avenue in Dunmore, PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Monday, March 25 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow Mass on Monday at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Prayer of Remembrance and Funeral Mass

Reflection

Given by Sister Suzie Armbruster, IHM Leadership Team Member

On March 1, 1934, Marie and Henry Haiss welcome their ninth child, Catherine. She was born and raised in the Bronx – a member of St. Jerome’s parish and school, receiving all of her sacraments at St. Jerome’s. She was proud of her baptismal date, March 18. It was like a second birthday. She recalled it each year.  How many of us remember our Baptismal date? Growing up in the Bronx, her family lived in what she would call a tenement. The children played kickball and stickball on the street. With nine children, they had enough players for their own team! Her big family had lots of fun. Her dad was a hard worker and she treasured the memory of his coming home after work to tuck them in bed and bless them each with holy water. Such a simple gesture of love meant the world to them.

Through her high school days, she loved to sing and loved to dance. One of her favorite memories was marching in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade. She was always in for a good time.  That fun spirit never left her!

When she decided to enter the convent, she was a bit nervous, but her friend and partner in crime, Catherine Rynn, was also on this journey. They supported each other throughout life. When it was time to receive their names in religion, Catherine wanted to honor her dad. She asked to be St. Henry and so… Sister St. Henry she became.

St. Henry was an excellent primary teacher.  A particular student, John, kept in touch with her. She asked that we contact John to let him know she was living in Scranton. We know John is watching on livestream today.  John, you definitely have an angel in heaven today.

Family… when Henry spoke of you, you were her world. She was so proud of you all! She loved visiting and watching your families grow.  Ronnie, the love you and Henry shared was amazing.  For her 90^th birthday, her Little Flower community arrived for a surprise party. It was quite a weekend-going out to dinner and celebrating with a toast!! She loved her toasts!

Henry was asked to serve as an administrator at our Marian Convent. When asked how she could make the switch from children to elders, she said there really wasn’t much difference between young and old. Treat them with love and keep them smiling. And that she did! Later, when she came to OLP, she picked up where she left off. The staff absolutely loved her.

When her cancer returned, Henry decided she was not going to go through any more treatments: she just wanted to live her days happily. She said, “After all Suzie, God has blessed me with 90 good years! I just want to make sure Ronnie will be OK.”

Henry, it has been a privilege to be mentored by you in Syracuse and in Rocky Mt., but most especially a privilege to walk this final journey with you as you prepared to go home to God. Now, you are home in the loving arms of your God, St. Henry. I am sure you will enjoy heaven the way you enjoyed life. Here’s to you Henry, cheers!