Tom Faranda's Folly

Fr. Ned Murphy, SJ

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by

Tom Faranda
in

At the Pax Christi Stations of the Cross this morning in New York it was announced that Fr. Ned had died last night.

I knew Ned Murphy from years ago when we were raising funds for POTS (Part of the Solution) in the Bronx. A co-founder of POTS he was a wonderful speaker and homilist and in 1971 he was part of the Camden 28.

Twelve or more years ago Ned was diagnosed with lung cancer, and given a very bad prognosis. He had treatment and then the cancer completely disappeared (those Jesuits!). He was born in 1937.

The last time I saw Fr. Ned was at the Pax Christi stations on Good Friday two years ago. We had a nice chat and I took his picture with, I believe, his sister.

a wonderful, caring, gentle, soul.

 

 

Comments

One response to “Fr. Ned Murphy, SJ”

  1. Steve Yost Avatar
    Steve Yost

    I just learned of Fr. Neds passing and am heartbroken to here it. I knew him from or retreat house in Malvern PA. He really challenged you to think outside the box and to look at life from a different angle. A few years ago our parish invited Fr. to do our mission, and my family got to spend a nice weekend with him. We went to the St. John Newman and Katherine Drexil Shrines. Then went to lunch and had some mean milkshakes. Which I’m sure wasn’t good for his heart condition, but he drank every last drop. Last year I walked with him after mass at our retreat, when it dawned on me that I forgot to go to confession that weekend. He was more than happy to make the time for me, and my confession became a nice and some what deep conversation. I will never forget him and wish I knew more about his past. I would have loved to talk with him about it. Tom I hope you are feeling well. My dad had lymphoma also, and my family will keep you in our nightly prayers as we did for Ned.
    God Bless and Rest in Peace Fr.
    Steve Yost

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