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Parish News | Sunday, February 09, 2014

Father James Murphy dies at 68

'He gave love to everyone,' showed special preference for the sick and suffering

Father James P. Murphy: Born June 24, 1945, ordained June 7, 1970, died Feb. 8, 2014.

Photographer: FILE PHOTO

Father James P. Murphy: Born June 24, 1945, ordained June 7, 1970, died Feb. 8, 2014.

MIAMI LAKES | In life, he was all about comforting the sick. In sickness, he showed others how to die.

Father James P. Murphy, 68, died at 1:40 a.m. Feb. 8, nearly five years after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma � a cancer of the blood � and more than two years after retiring as pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, where he had been assigned since 1996.

Since his diagnosis, he had kept his parishioners apprised of the progress of his illness via emails that would be printed and posted in the church vestibule. The one dated Feb. 3 started with these words: �The finishing line is in sight and I hope to go through it with a smile on my face��

It continued: �I suspect the finish line may be less than two weeks away. Try not to be alarmed but rather share in my peace� I am no longer looking for a cure or even an extension of this life. Pray that I may have a happy and peaceful death.�

A priest known for his hospitality � he loved to cook dinner for friends and parishioners alike � he invited people to visit or call him throughout his final days. And they did.

�His death, as was his life, was filled with grace, love and friends,� said Rose Anderson, a friend and a nurse who helped care for him at the end, along with his sister, Madeleine, and another friend, Jacque Austen.

In his last letter, he called them �angels sent by God to minister to me 24/7.�

But it was Father Murphy who was known for arriving at the bedside of dying parishioners within minutes of being called. It was Father Murphy who had someone on staff to help people plan their loved ones� funerals.

�He had a special preference for the sick and for those who were suffering � he had to be with them,� said Father Juan Carlos Paguaga, pastor of St. John Bosco Parish in Miami.

His first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Lakes, under the tutelage of Father Murphy. He recalled some words of advice Father Murphy had given him: �People won�t remember what you said in a homily but how you made them feel. Give them love.�

�He is going to be judged by the love he gave, because he gave love to everyone without distinction. He gave himself completely to everyone,� Father Paguaga said.

He also cared for the poor, often taking money out of his own pocket to help people in need. An amateur chef, Father Murphy would cook dinner every Thanksgiving for those who were alone, elderly or did not have a place to go for the holiday. He also always made room in his rectories for priests who were ill or dying.

During his years as pastor, Our Lady of the Lakes parishioners built 10 Habitat for Humanity homes, set annual records for donating more than 1,000 pints of blood, and tithed 10 percent of the weekly collection � $500,000 over five years � to the poorest of the poor in South Florida and abroad.

Although he was painfully shy, he was not bashful about asking his parishioners to help others. In fact, he joked, �I not only ask for money, I ask for blood.� But as he put it one time in a homily: �If I didn�t ask, would you give?�

He asked children to take part in the Mass, not just as acolytes but as lectors, cantors and ushers. He asked their parents to serve as well, saying he wanted the whole family involved in ministry. Because he asked, Our Lady of the Lakes has a veritable army of talented volunteers helping out at Sunday Masses: children in fourth grade and higher serving at the altar, fifth through eighth-graders proclaiming the first reading and leading the singing of the psalm, high school students serving as ushers, and long lists of adults scheduled as lectors or extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.

Father James Murphy is shown here celebrating his retirement Mass at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, June 18, 2011.

Photographer: ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC

Father James Murphy is shown here celebrating his retirement Mass at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, June 18, 2011.

�He used the liturgy to express the feelings he had in his heart,� Father Paguaga said. �He put his heart into those liturgies.�

�I know I�ve touched a lot of people very deeply in my priesthood, which kind of has astounded me as well,� Father Murphy said in an interview while receiving treatment for his illness in 2009. �I know that God has used me as an instrument to touch these people. With a whole new experience, I�m sure I�ll touch people differently.�

Ultimately, Father Paguaga said, �He taught others how to die by his own example.�

A native of Cork, Ireland, Father Murphy was born June 24, 1945, one of seven children. He arrived in South Florida in September 1970 after being ordained June 7 of that year in Waterford, Ireland, where he had entered St. John�s Seminary right after high school.

Prior to Our Lady of the Lakes, he was pastor of St. Patrick on Miami Beach for 15 years, and before that he headed the archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministry. His first assignments in South Florida were as parochial vicar at Annunciation Church in Hollywood, St. Louis in Pinecrest, St. Michael in Miami and St. Mary Magdalen in Sunny Isles. From 2002 until his illness in 2009, he also served as chaplain to the Miami Hurricanes football team.

For a few months at the start of 2013, Father Murphy was well enough to serve as temporary administrator of Blessed Trinity Parish in Miami Springs after the sudden death of its longtime pastor.

He is survived by six brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews, many of whom will be traveling from Ireland for the funeral. The wake is set for Friday, Feb. 14, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes, with the funeral Mass Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m., also in the church. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Doral.

This article has been modified since it was posted: The time for the funeral Mass has been added; the number of years he was pastor at St. Patrick has been corrected, to 15.

Comments from readers

Madeleine Sugden - 02/15/2014 08:07 AM
I had the pleasure of nursing Father Murphy and always felt very lucky when he was in my chair for his treatment. A quiet man he spoke volumes with his smile his witty comments, and sense of humour. I will truly miss him, and find joy in knowing his journey is over and he is in the arms of the Lord. I am blessed to have known him
Carol Lang - 02/13/2014 11:55 AM
I remember Fr. Murphy fondly when he was pastor at St Patrick & I was Nursing Supervisor at the former St Francis Hospital in Miami Beach. I would like to share a story about his sense of humor. I was making rounds in the ER & every bed was full. I walked out to the waiting room to assess anyone who had not been seen yet. There was Fr. Murphy, patiently waiting with a bloody towel wrapped around his hand. I approached him to ask, "Fr Murphy, what happened?" He told me, "I sat down to a lovely lobster dinner. I had a fight with the lobster, & the lobster won!" Shortly thereafter, his hand was sutured & he returned back to finish that lobster dinner!
Pat Solenski - 02/13/2014 10:52 AM
I met Father Murphy when he was Youth Director for the Archdiocese. At that time he brought a model for youth ministry to the archdiocese and the parish. But more than bringing a model he brought a living model - himself. Once you met him you never forgot him. He exuded goodness, kindness, love and always with the joyful spirit of the Lord.
Smith A. Dawson, III (Smitty) - 02/12/2014 12:42 PM
I met Jim at St. Michaels Parish in 1976 and went through the marriage preparation process with him. I loved him since day one. He made you feel comfortable and at ease at all times. a real person, honest human being to the core. He lived the same spirit of Jesus. I was married for 35 years. I decided last weekend to go to a retreat at his parish, for Matrimonios in Amor! Sat. Feb. 8th at 8.00am We attended the retreat which was fantastic, just wonderful. And then they gave the news the Fr. Jim had passed away. the day I go to the retreat for marriage, at his parish, 40 years later. God gave me a big God-Incident again in my life. I was blessed that he walked into my life and will cherish it forever! God bless you Fr. James P. Murphy, rest in peace in Heaven and pray for us here. Amen! Smitty
manny perez - 02/11/2014 03:47 PM
If you where to discribe what Father Murphy was you couln't describe him any better than this article. My family and I were so bless of known him and the way he touched our lives on those ten years in St. Patrick my two kids lived in the kitchen of the church, we were always cooking or prepering events for the church. Father Murphy we are going to missed you but you legacie stay in our hearts. May God give you the eternal rest and keep you at his right side
Chris Graveline - 02/11/2014 02:10 PM
Father Murphy meant so much to many of us, and had a special place in my heart. My wife and I met while serving at his church and we were so blessed that he came out of retirement while battling his illness so that he could celebrate our wedding. He was always the first one with a kind word or open arms. I thank God for putting Father Murphy in our lives and for allowing me the privilege of calling him my friend. Father, we will always love you and miss you. But we thank God that we will be able to see you again one day.
Heide Marando - 02/10/2014 08:40 PM
There are no words to express the man Fr. Murphy was but this article does a beautiful job of giving a glimpse of his character. I was truly blessed to have had him in my life. I was one of those kids he got involved in church as a teen. With one sentence he changed my life and I will forever be grateful.
Andrea Dougherty O'Naghten - 02/10/2014 08:03 PM
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you and whispered �come to me.�
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

They say that when a person dies they become part of the people that they love. I will forever treasure the part of me that is Fr. Jim. He was my godfather, mo anam cara, and an amazing pen pal. May God bless him and keep him, always.
Sara Mijares - 02/10/2014 07:11 PM
Father Murphy taught us all how to face death with courage, dignity and peace. We were blessed to have him as our pastor. My children received most of their sacraments from him and he married my daughter and son-in-law just a few weeks before taking ill in 2009. Rest in peace Father, we will miss you.
Julie Lugones - 02/10/2014 01:00 PM
I was blessed to hear the word of God at Our Lady of Lakes every Sunday morning through Father Murphy when I lived in Miami Lakes. At a time where I was learning once again to listen and find the peace that only God could give during a tumultuous time in my heart. Grateful to have received that at Our Lady of Lakes during mass with Father Murphy. He will be missed but he now resides in the land of the living!
Kenneth Masiello - 02/10/2014 12:24 PM
Father Murphy was a part of so many of our lives. He meant so much to all of our children....and to my wife Maitte, and me. We were blessed to be able to see him after Thanksgiving, and spend some quality time with him. We will always remember his quiet demeanor, and his endless love for his parish family. We will love and miss you always Father.
Zoraida Garcia - 02/10/2014 12:10 PM
May he rest in peace. God has another angel by his side. He will be greatly missed.
Jimmy Espinosa - 02/10/2014 11:27 AM
Being the first priest I met when I moved in from Panama to Miami Beach in 1994, I thank God for having received me with such a beautiful person. I loved his homilies, expressing passion in each one. God bless his soul. Rest in peace Father Murphy.
Leonor Schuck - 02/10/2014 10:45 AM
Father Murphy was a man of few words but he always knew what to say at the right time. He was my family's spiritual leader throughout his years at OLL and his teachings will remain with us throughout our lives. He especially enjoyed seeing his kids at OLL become men and women and venture into the world of adulthood with a strong faith that he helped instill in them. I know he will continue to watch over us from Heaven. He will be truly missed. May he rest in peace.
Peter Wagah Oyugi - 02/10/2014 09:31 AM
May his Soul Rest in Peace and all those he has left behind get good comfort form our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marta Vargas - 02/10/2014 09:14 AM
Moving to south Florida to serve in the Archdiocese of Miami in 2005 leaving job, band, parish, and family behind back in Tampa Bay to embark on what's been one of my life's greatest joys and adventures, though very exciting, was not an easy move and particularly challenging in the early years. Had it not been because in Our Lady of the Lakes I found a home and a family with a loving Father to all of us in Father Murphy, I am not sure if I'd still be here or as involved in serving today. The memories are as many as they are vivid. The debt of gratitude is huge. I thank God for so lovingly placing Father Murphy and the beautiful community of Our Lady of the Lakes in my path at such a pivotal time, and in it making them a part of my life that's special beyond words. Though between increased responsibilities and moving to a different parish made me no longer able to frequent that special place and people as much as I once did and would have loved to continue to, especially in these past years, ever in prayer, a part of my heart remained and always will be there in great part because, Father Murphy you shall always be in our hearts, always a tremendous inspiration to us and to many. Oh how you'll be missed!
Katherine Schuck - 02/10/2014 01:07 AM
Fr. Murphy was one of the best leaders in my life. Thanks to his trust and faith in me, I am the person I am today. He spoke on my behalf a few times and never let anything change his opinion of me and for that I will be eternally grateful. He was a beautiful person whose love and passion showed in everything. He will be forever missed and loved by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Robert Christman - 02/09/2014 11:28 PM
Fr. Jim was a powerful influence in the people he served. He touched their lives and hearts like few could. While his physical stature was not large, his shoes were impossible to fill! May the angels lead him into paradise, may he be welcomed by the angels, and his beloved brother priests who have gone before him.
Juan Carlos Garcia - 02/09/2014 07:45 PM
Thank you Lord for the life of Father Jim Murphy. While transforming St. Patrick's he touched our lives with his love, compassion and his dedication to helping others. He called on my wife and I to serve there and we will never forget it; he changed our lives. After a painful and unexpected transfer to Our Lady of The Lakes, he did it again and transformed that parish into the dynamic community that it is today. Please Lord, inspire others to follow his lead. Too many anecdotes to list, but finding him in remote Masada in the Holy Land after years of not seeing him was almost a miracle. May our paths cross again in Heaven, Jim wearing his Australian bush hat, as he was in Masada. Dear Lord comfort his family and friends now that this new wonderful journey begins for him in your Divine Presence.

Juan del Sol - 02/09/2014 11:41 AM
Those whose lives were graced by the kind gentle love of Fr. Murphy can truly state he lived totally for Christ and His Church. Eternal rest grant unto him Lord.
Chip DiComo - 02/09/2014 11:27 AM
Back in his days of being the Director of Youth Activities for the Archdiocese we used to call him the Leprechaun. His example of love and service was indeed great for all of us. May he be welcomed well into eternal life.

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