Sister Patricia M. Murphy, RSM
Known as a formidable advocate for immigrants, Sister of Mercy Patricia M. Murphy died Monday, July 21st, in the company of her Mercy sisters, family members, and colleagues who shared her passion for justice and human dignity. She was 96, and even in her illness offered her deep and heartfelt listening to all who crossed her path. It was her special gift – a ministry of presence, a stance of accompaniment that endeared her to many.
Born in Chicago in 1929, Sister Pat was one of five children of Frank J. and Thelma (Lacourciere) Murphy. After graduating from high school in 1947, she joined the Sisters of Mercy and became a teacher. She served at several Catholic schools in Chicago and in Wisconsin before volunteering for mission work in Peru. Arriving in Sicuani, Peru as a teacher still struggling with Spanish, let alone the local dialect, Sister Pat spent the next nine years (1960-1969) learning from as well as teaching her Peruvian neighbors. Her experience in Peru taught her the challenges of entering a new culture and the importance of respecting that culture rather than trying to supplant it. That intercultural experience helped shape Sister Pat’s later understanding and response to immigrants in the U.S.
Upon returning to the U.S., Pat trained as a chaplain and served at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Her pastoral and justice skills later took her to work with the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly. After serving in community leadership for the Chicago Province, Pat taught at the Austin Career Education Center, helping teen dropouts and adults prepare for the GED test that would make them high school graduates.
A Sister of Mercy for 77 years, Sister Pat was a lifetime companion of Mercy Sister JoAnn Persch and together they pursued justice and opportunity for immigrants and other marginalized persons. Those who were homeless, victims of torture, lonely or abandoned senior citizens, young adults wondering about social justice, asylum seekers being held in detention, families torn apart by deportations – all these commanded Pat’s and JoAnn’s attention, wounded their hearts, and roused them to action. Skilled networkers, this formidable and innovative team, together with others, founded and launched a number of organizations or facilities designed to serve those in need. To name a few - Su Casa, Casa Notre Dame, the David Darst Center, Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, and most recently Catherine’s Caring Cause.
Protests and prayers, being arrested, teaching, leading a successful effort to close all private or for profit jails in Illinois, convincing local ICE authorities and state legislators that immigrants in detention had a right to religious visitation or services, listening, arguing, refusing to give up. Over time, Pat’s and JoAnn’s tenacity caught media attention and brought honors and awards. Such public attention became another means of advocating for immigrants and for just and comprehensive immigration reform. Behind it all, supported by the Sisters of Mercy, they lived by faith, heeding Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor, and adhering to their activist motto: “We do it peacefully and respectfully, but we never take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Sister Pat is preceded in death by her sister Thelma Finney and her brothers Charles and Br. Denis, FSC. She is survived by her brother Michael and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visitation: Wednesday, July 30, from 3:30-8 p.m. at Mercy Hall, 10044 S. Central Park Ave., Chicago, 60655.
Wake services will take place at 3:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass: Thursday, July 31, 10:30 a.m. at Mercy Chapel, 10044 S. Central Park Ave., Chicago, 60655.
Free parking is available on the south side of the Mercy Hall/Mercy Chapel building. To enter, look for the Mercy Hall sign on the building on the west side of the parking area.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W. 111th St., Alsip, IL. 60803.
In lieu of flowers, please consdier a donation to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas or to Catherine’s Caring Cause.
Info: Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, IL 60453 708-425-0500