Fr. Seraphin J. Conley, T.O.R.

The Very Reverend Seraphin Joseph Conley, TOR, 88, died on 19 October 2022 at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg, PA. Born 18 July 1934 in Boston, MA, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Milliken) Conley, Father Seraphin was given the name Joseph at Baptism. He entered the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Immaculate Conception, USA in September 1949 and professed Solemn Vows on 16 July 1956. After completing his studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, he was ordained a priest on 3 June 1961.

In the course of his 69 years of Franciscan vowed life, Father Seraphin served the Church and the Franciscan community in many capacities, including high school instructor and chaplain on the campus of the Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN, on multiple occasions as a missionary and Commissary Provincial in Paraguay, SA, as Novice Master, as a hospital chaplain at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH, on the Pastoral Staff at San Pedro Retreat Center, Winter Park, FL, as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Altoona, PA, and, in retirement, offering sacramental assistance at Our Lady Star of the Sea, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Father Seraphin was also of service to the Order, serving as General Councilor and Local Minister at The Basilica of SS. Cosmas and Damian, the Motherhouse of the Franciscans in Rome and, for three months, served as a chaplain on the U.S.S. Hope. Father Seraphin was a prayerful and quiet man who enjoyed reading, researching the history of the Franciscan movement, and regaling people with stories. He regularly prayed for vocations and, on the lighter side, had an insatiable sweet tooth and never met a cookie he didn’t like!

He is predeceased by his parents and a sister, Elizabeth McCullum. He is survived by his sister Carol Pelletier and cousins Gail Connolly, Mary Maffeo, and James Conley, and his Franciscan Community.

Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, 25 October at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, where a Vigil Prayer Service will be held at 5:45 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be concelebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, 26 October at the church with the Very Reverend Frank Scornaienchi, TOR, Minister Provincial, as main celebrant, along with the members of the Third Order Regular Franciscan Community. Committal will follow at the Franciscan Friars’ Community Cemetery, St. Bernardine Monastery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the Franciscan Friars, TOR, 768 Monastery Road, Hollidaysburg, Pa. 16648. (thefranciscanfriars.org). Arrangements by Santella Funeral Home. (www.santellafuneralhome.com)

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