Father James B. Flynn was born in Arlington on Sept. 17, 1938, the son of Robert J. and Helen (Buckley) Flynn.

He attended Elm Bank, the Stigmatine Fathers’ Seminary in Wellesley, and Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C.

He was ordained on June 4, 1964, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington as a Stigmatine Father.

After his service as a lecturer in religious studies at Catholic University, he was appointed dean of students for the Stigmatine Fathers while directing the guidance department of the former Elizabeth Seton High School in Wellesley and lecturing on the philosophy of education at Boston College.

He holds a master’s degree in education and a doctorate degree in history and the philosophy of education from Boston College.

From 1976 to 1980 he was president of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers in the United States, supervising 160 community members in both academic and pastoral work. He also was a lecturer at Boston College and at Catholic University and a professor at Leboure Junior College in Dorchester. He was a lecturer in religious studies and director of campus ministry at Regis College in Weston. In 1982 and 1983 he was pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Waltham.

He was appointed headmaster of Notre Dame Preparatory School in Fitchburg in 1983. He served there until July 11, 1986 when he was named principal of St. Bernard Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg. He is an adjunct professor of education at Framingham State College.

On June 25, 1993, he was appointed pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Southborough. He received an Excellence in Counseling/Teaching Award from Anna Maria College in November 2001. You may email him at jflynn@stmatthewsb.org