Msgr. Joseph W. Murray
Born March 8, 1933
Ordained May 13, 1961
Entered into Eternal Life April 18, 2020
Pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish June 1989 – June 2008
MEMORIAL MASS
Relatives, fellow clergy and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Mass, Saturday, May 22, 2021, 11:00 A.M., St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale Ave, Lansdale, 19446.
Rev. Msgr. Joseph W. Murray, Pastor Emeritus St. Stanislaus Parish in Lansdale, Pa died on Saturday, April 18, 2020.
Msgr. Murray was born on March 8, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pa. He is the son of the late Ignatius L. and Mary (Guiniven) Murray. Msgr. Murray was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Ann Murray, Elizabeth Kelly, and his nephew Johnny P. Murray. He is survived by his brothers Reverend Msgr. Ignatius L. Murray, Dr. John P. Murray (Joan M. Walsh), and Reverend Msgr. Thomas A. Murray. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Msgr. Murray attended Holy Cross school in Mt. Airy and graduated LaSalle College High School in 1951 and entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 13, 1961, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul by John Cardinal Krol.
His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Philadelphia. He began ministering in the Archdiocesan High Schools in 1963—first on the faculty at Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown, then as Principal from 1974 to 1985—first at St. Pius X High School, Pottstown, then at Bishop Kenrick High School, and finally at Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote.
In 1985 he became Pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Philadelphia. From 1989 to 2008, he was Pastor of St. Stanislaus in Lansdale. In June 2018, Msgr. Murray was named Pastor Emeritus for St. Stanislaus Parish.
After retirement, he moved to Mother of Divine Providence Parish in King of Prussia where he continued to minister to the parishioners of that parish before entering Regina Nursing Facility in 2018. During his ministry at the high schools, he resided and assisted at St. Titus Parish, East Norriton, St. Helena’s in Center Square, St. Gabriel’s Hall, Phoenixville, and St. John Neumann in Bryn Mawr. Every place he touched he called home!
He received a Master’s Degree from LaSalle University in 1974. He was named a Monsignor in 1991 by the Holy Father. He received various honors for all his years of service to Catholic Education and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He sat on many committees and rendered service throughout the diocese on many levels.
In Lieu of flowers, donations in his memory might be made to the Catholic School of your choice or the Hemophilia Foundation, 1489 Baltimore Pike, Suite 227, Springfield, PA 19064.
Please read the following heartfelt message from St. Stanislaus’ Parochial Administrator Rev. Sean English.
Dear Parish Family of St. Stanislaus,
Our beloved Pastor Emeritus, Msgr. Joseph Murray, passed away today, April 18, 2020, at the age of 87. It is never easy to hear the news of the passing of a loved one. I hope you find some consolation remembering the many ways he loved you, the parishioners of St. Stanislaus.
In my short time at St. Stan’s, many parishioners have shared their affection for Msgr. Murray. Consistently he is remembered as a gentleman, a people’s priest, and a true shepherd. Without a doubt, he loved you all as family. Upon his retirement, he was quoted, “(As a priest,) you’re married to the church and you really do feel that you’re a member of so many families. That, in turn, makes you realize how blessed you are in this life.”
We are still awaiting details about funeral arrangements, however we do expect them to be private considering the current restrictions with COVID-19. We will certainly celebrate Msgr. Murray with a memorial Mass in the future as soon as we are able to gather as a community. He will be remembered at our private Masses this weekend. Please keep his brothers and sister-in-law, his extended family, and each other in prayer during this time.
In Christ,
Fr. Sean
P.S. Condolences and Mass Cards can be sent to his brother:
Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Murray
Saint Eleanor Rectory
647 Locust Street
Collegeville, PA 19426-2541
VIDEO CONDOLENCES OR TRIBUTES WELCOME
Because the pandemic is making it difficult for grieving families to connect with supportive friends and family, Simcox-McIlvaine is inviting submissions of video condolences. Please send the short videos (less than two minutes) or the url from youtube or vimeo to creation@dca.net with subject line reading Msgr. Murray.
Video by Diane McCaughan, President, Mater Dei Elementary School
Our heartfelt sorrow goes out to Monsignor Murray’s family on his passing. We thank you for sharing him with us. Monsignor surely was the ‘people’s priest.’ Monsignor made time for everyone; he made everyone feel special. Monsignor shared your sorrows and delighted in your happiness. Monsignor was a gift to all of us who knew him. We thank you, Monsignor, for being ‘you.’ May you rest in peace, Monsignor Murray.
Sincerely,
Marty and Betty/Liz Grourke
As I said the last time I saw him at the parish reception….I will always remember you for your sense of humor.
Rest in peace!!
John, perhaps you could send a message to the brothers.
John, Msgr. Murray was my best friend and neighbor for nearly seven years at the Sem. He was ordained with the class of ’61. My hope and prayer and belief is that we will meet once more in the not too distant future in the Kingdom.
“Tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech”.
Msgr. was my neighbor and dearest friend in our youth for nearly seven years at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Although I did follow his priestly years, we met socially only infrequently. I did hear his sermons on several occasions, and he was an excellent homilist as well as had a great singing voice. I can only hope and believe I will see him again in the near future in the Kingdom.
Father Murray was my friend. In my high school days he was a major influence in my life. His kindness and caring were always something everyone could count on. He was truly a man of God and present to all the people. I loved him dearly and he’ll be forever a part of my life.
Msgr. Murray’s first assignment was my home parish, Our Lady of Ransom. I was in the third grade the first time I met him. He was a good priest and the people loved him. After he was transferred, he remained in touch with the Carroll family. He delivered the homily at my wedding, at my parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary, and at each of my Mom and Dad’s funerals. He was well respected in the roles he held in the education apostolate and will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Our condolences to his family. We are better people for having had him in our lives. We lost a dear friend. Rest In Peace, Msgr. Murray.
Dennis and Kathy (Carroll) Kelley
I worked closely with Msgr. For 4 years when he was Principal at St Pius X High School. He was above all things a priestly/priest. He was devoted to Christ and lived every day of his priesthood dedicated to his calling. He was a strong advocate of
Catholic education and worked tirelessly every day to make Pius the great school it
became under his leadership. The friendship we developed during his tenure has
been a loyalty that has been so important to me as a former coach and educator.
He lived his priesthood to the fullest and may he now rest in everlasting peace.
Jim Mich
Msgr. shepherded my family through many joyous times and also some very difficult times. He administered the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick and Marriage on so many members of my family. He also presided over many loved one’s Funerals. His presence always brought us a sense of peace no matter what the occasion. He seemed to know exactly what to say. What a gift he was! Thank you dear friend. I know you are now with the Lord and his indescribable Love.
Father Murray was my inspiration in high school. He was a confidant during the seminary years and much later. Truly a priest’s priest. May God reward this generous and incredibly talented disciple.