Father James B. Flynn, pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Southborough, was born in Arlington on Sep 17, 1938, the son of Robert J. and Helen (Buckley) Flynn. He attended Elm Bank, the Stigmatine Fathers’ seminary in Wellesley, and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., from which he was awarded a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL).
He was ordained at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on June 6, 1964. After his service as a lecturer in religious studies at the 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.
He received a doctorate in the history and philosophy of education with distinction in 1980 from Boston College. From 1976 to 1980 he was Provincial of the Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers in the United States. He was a lecturer at Boston College and a professor at Labouré Junior College in Dorchester.
Later he was a lecturer in religious studies and Director of Campus Ministry at Regis College in Weston, MA. In 1982 and 1983 he was pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Waltham, MA. He was appointed Headmaster of Notre Dame Prep School in Fitchburg in 1983 and served there until July 11, 1986. He then was named Headmaster of St. Bernard Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Worcester in 1989 before being appointed to the faculty of Holy Name Central Catholic High School in Worcester in 1990 and was the senior guidance counselor until 2020. Currently, he is an adjunct professor of Philosophy of Education at Framingham State University. On June 25, 1993, he was appointed pastor of St. Matthew’s, where he continues to serve.