[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1206-E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SISTER KATHERINE MURPHY--50 YEARS OF SERVICE
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HON. BART STUPAK
of Michigan
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 27, 1996
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed, an honor for me to bring to
the attention of the U.S. House of Representatives and this Nation the
celebration of 50 years of devotion to the Sisters of Mercy of Sister
Katherine Murphy. The parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church in
Traverse City, MI, the community, her religious order, and the Church,
as a whole, have been blessed by her long and dedicated service. This
Sunday, June 30, 1996, Sister Katherine will be the guest of honor at a
parish dinner.
Born in Detroit, MI, on March 8, 1930, Sister Katherine was the only
child of Mae Florence (Henry) and Daniel Murphy. As Sister Katherine's
life demonstrates, the Irish heritage is strong in faith and family.
Not long after Sister Katherine's birth, the family moved to
Dearborn, MI, where she was enrolled at the Sacred Heart School through
the ninth grade. Sacred Heart School was staffed by the Sisters of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary and in the eighth grade she was first exposed
to the idea of serving and living her Catholic faith. Even at this
young age, Katherine was confident of what she wanted to do with her
life and entered Our Lady of Mercy Academy, on September 8, 1946.
After completing her studies at the academy, Katherine Murphy was
received into the Order of Sisters of Mercy on March 12, 1947, at the
age of 17. Sister Katherine accepted the name of Sister Mary Brendan in
honor of the patron saint of her father's hometown of Killorglin,
County Kerry, Ireland. She professed her final vows on August 16, 1952,
and continued her education by completing her bachelor's of arts degree
from Mercy College in Detroit; then a masters of arts degree from
Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, WI; and finally a degree in
pastoral ministry from Seattle University in Seattle, WA.
Although not known to possess a strong desire to teach, Sister Mary
Brendan accepted her first teaching assignment at the second grade
class in Berkley, MI and discovered that she truly had a great love for
teaching young children. For the next 31 years, Sister Katherine taught
in the primary grades from 1949 until 1980. During that period, Sister
Katherine's assignments included the Immaculate Conception School in
Traverse City in 1955, 1968, and again in 1971.
As changes occurred in the religious orders, in 1969, Sister Mary
Brendan took back her own name and has since been known as Sister
Katherine. On August 1, 1981, she began her ministry at St. Francis
Parish in Traverse City with Father Thomas Neis. As Sister Katherine's
ministry continues at St. Francis, she has served with Father Ron
Gronowski and with Father Jim Gardiner. Father Gardiner recently
bestowed upon Sister Katherine the title of Pastoral Associate at St.
Francis Parish.
As an active and integral member of the St. Francis Parish staff,
Sister Katherine's current duties include directing the OCIA formation
program, overseeing the altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic
ministers for the parish and for nursing homes. She is also chairperson
of the liturgy commission, a member of the evangelical team and serves
on the Dioceasan Pastoral Council.
In addition to her official duties, Sister Katherine has also found
time to travel, visiting Ireland, the Holy Land, Manila, and traveling
throughout Europe and several cities across the United States.
Mr. Speaker, Sister Katherine has devoted her life to the Catholic
Church through her order, the Sisters of Mercy for half a century. She
has provided education, counsel, comfort, and spiritual guidance to so
many who have had the privilege of knowing her.
There is a special bond between Sister Katherine, the Traverse City
community and St. Francis Parish. When Jesus told Sister Katherine to
``Come, follow Me,'' 50 years ago, scripture promised:
And everyone who has left house, . . . father or mother . .
. for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold, and shall
possess life everlasting.'' Matt 19:20
All of us in the Traverse City community and especially here at St.
Francis Parish, wish to be among the hundredfold who count as part of
Sister Katherine's family and ministry. Sister Katherine's devotion,
faith, and life serves as an everlasting example to us all.
On behalf of the Traverse City community, Michigan's First
Congressional District, and the State of Michigan, I congratulate and
extend best wishes to Sister Katherine Murphy on her lifetime of
accomplishments, devotion and faith.
Bart Stupak
Member of Congress
[[Page E1207]]
THE 1996 JC PENNY GOLDEN RULE AWARD
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HON. DEBORAH PRYCE
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 27, 1996
Mr. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the
outstanding philanthropic efforts of the 17 semifinalists for the 1996
JC Penny Golden Rule Award. I am proud to represent these people and
organizations in Congress, for their commitment and devotion to the
central Ohio community is truly exemplary.
The Golden Rule Award ceremony publicly honors local volunteer
efforts, and is presented in more than 200 markets in 45 States. The
1996 semifinalists have proven themselves to be clearly deserving of
this recognition, having demonstrated continued, selfless sacrifice to
the Columbus, OH, area. They serve as a model to us all.
America's generosity both at home and abroad is unsurpassed on this
planet. Regrettably, however, the day-to-day volunteer efforts of so
many Americans go regularly unnoticed. We take for granted their
generous work with the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the neglected.
But their unheralded and noble deeds are duly noted by those they help,
often providing a bit of hope during times of great distress.
At a time when our Nation demands that government become smaller and
spend less, the importance of voluntarism and community service grows
profoundly. These semifinalists prove once again that the most
important work done in our country is not done within the beltway, but
within the shelters, pantries, and soup kitchens of our local
communities. We must never lose sight of the fact that Americans'
innate sense of sacrifice continues regardless of what may transpire in
Washington.
I proudly salute the following people and organizations for their
inspiring work, and join with my colleagues in congratulating them for
this most deserving recognition.
Ms. Julie Rose Cook, Court Appointed Special Advocates
(CASA), Franklin County Volunteer Guardian Program, Hyatt
Force on Capitol Square, Bob Merideth/Skip Teaford--Christmas
in April.
Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of
Homicide, Capital University Circle Kiwanis, Residential Care
Team, Teen Parent Connection Volunteers.
Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition, L.E.A.D.E.R. Institute, Jean
``Rambo Granny'' Smith, Rick Baumann, Dorothy Burchfield,
Dianne Glaser, Dora Browne.
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