A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Sister Kathleen Flanagan (formerly Sister Christopher Mary), a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, on Monday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Chapel in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township. She died on Jan. 6 at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove. She was 82. Sister Flanagan was a Sister of Charity for 64 years.
Sister Flanagan’s wake will be held before the Mass on Jan. 13, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery in Convent Station will immediately follow the Mass, which will be livestreamed.
Sister Flanagan was born to Andrew and Irene (Finley) Flanagan in Newark. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1960. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of St. Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University) in Convent Station, a master’s degree in historical theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and a master of philosophy in theology and a Ph.D. in theology specializing in Church history from Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Her dissertation focused on the spirituality of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, foundress of the Sisters of Charity in the United States.
During a sabbatical, Sister Flanagan studied at the American College of Louvain in Belgium and Weston School of Theology in Boston. She taught at St. Augustine School in Union City and St. Cecilia High School in Englewood.
Then, Sister Flanagan started a long ministry in higher education, mainly at St. Elizabeth University and Barry University in Miami. She served for almost 30 years at St. Elizabeth’s in various posts, including religious studies instructor, theology professor, Philosophy/Religious Studies Department chairperson, director of the Master’s in Theology Program, and Ministry Program director.
Sister Flanagan and Dr. Harriet Sepinwall, a professor of education, history, and interdisciplinary studies, founded and were co-directors of the Holocaust Education Resource Center at St. Elizabeth’s. Sister Flanagan also taught in the Permanent Diaconate programs in the Paterson Diocese and Metuchen Diocese.
At Barry University, Sister Flanagan was a religious studies assistant professor and an adjunct professor at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Sister Flanagan participated in the Sisters of Charity Federation. She served on the Seton Writings Committee and was a sought-after presenter about the life and spirituality of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and other topics related to theology and spirituality. She volunteered with the Blessed Miriam Teresa League in Convent Station. Sister Flanagan educated people about the life and spirituality of Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a Sister of Charity.
Sister Flanagan is survived by her Sisters of Charity community, her sister Maureen Flanagan, and many devoted friends, former colleagues, and students.
Please make memorial contributions in Sister Flanagan’s memory to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, N.J., 07961-0476.
