Sister Bridget Mary Flynn, Rsm

Sister Bridget Mary Flynn, RSM, died on October 22, 2019, in Auburn, Ca, after a lingering illness. Passionate, energetic, an educator, a woman of the Church.  These are just a few images that describe Sister Bridget Mary Flynn, RSM. Sister Michelle Gorman remembers her insight for life: “To live this moment is everything.”

Born on January 5, 1936, in Mallow, Ireland, Sister Bridget Mary, surrounded by her Mercy Community, went home to God on October 22, 2019, at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Auburn, CA. having lived her religious life for 65 years.

Bridget Mary was born to James Flynn and Bridget Hassett and was one of six children, her brothers, Charlie, Johnny, Jimmy, and Jerry, and her sister Elsie, all who have predeceased Bridget.                At the age of 18, Sr. Bridget Mary set out for Auburn, California, to begin her training.  She received her religious habit on November 11, 1954, taking the name of Sister Mary DeSales.  Three years later, she made her final vows just as Vatican II was beginning, bringing change, challenge, and an evolving vision of contemporary religious life.

 Sister Bridget Mary was dedicated to uplifting young women through education.  She taught at all the Mercy administered high schools in Sacramento: St. Joseph Academy, Bishop Armstrong High School, St. Francis High School,  Bishop Manogue High School, and  Mercy High in Carmichael     

In 1980, a long-desired dream came through for Sister when she was awarded by the French government a Fulbright grant through the Institute of International Education.                  

When she returned from her year in France, she was asked to develop a strategic plan to raise funds for the ongoing works of the Sisters of Mercy in the Sacramento Diocese.   After two years, the needs of education once more beckoned as she was called to serve as Principal of Bishop Manogue High School.  The skills, which she demonstrated, attracted the attention of Bishop Francis Quinn, who invited Bridget Mary to become the first woman chancellor for the Diocese of Sacramento to address the needs of the Church community.

Services for Sister Bridget Mary are as follows: Monday, October 28, 2019, at 3:00 Reception of the Body; Monday, October 28, 2019 at 6:30pm Vigil Service and Tuesday morning at 10:30 the Mass of Christian Burial and Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. All services will be at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, 535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA.