Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. James P. Murphy, Dies
Chicago, IL (Oct. 4, 2019) – Rev. James P. Murphy, pastor emeritus of St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at the age of 80.
Murphy was born on April 24, 1939, in Evanston, Ill. He attended St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette, Ill., Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.
Murphy was ordained to the priesthood on April 29, 1965, by Bishop Cletus O'Donnell, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 2 of the same year at St. Francis Xavier Church in Wilmette, Ill.
Before serving as a pastor at St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Glenview, Ill., for 13 years, Murphy was assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on Ashland Avenue in Chicago, St. James Parish in Sauk Village, Ill., and St. Mary Parish in Des Plaines, Ill. Later, he ministered at St. Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mt. Prospect, Ill., and St. Eugene Parish on Foster Avenue in Chicago.
In 1989, Murphy served at St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Glenview, Ill., until 2002. He was appointed pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield, Ill., in 2003 and in 2009 he was named pastor emeritus.
“He had a wide range of experience in ministry,” said Rev. William Vanecko, pastor emeritus of St. Kilian Parish on 87th Street in Chicago and one of Murphy’s classmates. “He befriended many people at every parish he served along the way.”
Rev. Robert Mair, pastor emeritus of St. Catherine Labouré Parish in Glenview, Ill., had the opportunity to serve alongside his classmate at that church. He remembered Murphy’s contributions to the parish and school. “He was always very generous with his time in terms of liturgies even after he retired,” added Mair.
All funeral services will occur at St. Catherine Labouré Parish on 3535 Thornwood Ave. in Glenview, Ill. Visitation hours will be Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. while the funeral Mass will take place at 11:30 a.m. and will be celebrated by Vanecko. Interment will take place at a later date at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Ill.