2020 Diocesan Ministries Appeal

Father Brendan’s Story

In his more than 50 years as a priest, Father Brendan Murray has witnessed some of the most extraordinary works of God. He will never forget this one couple, who was expecting their second daughter and the news they received that the sonogram showed the baby had deformities. On top of that devastating news, while pregnant, the mother-to-be was just diagnosed with cancer. They asked Father Murray to pray for them and if the pregnant mother could receive communion every day for the next six months. They made a plan for this to happen and Father Murray anointed her. Some weeks later, the mother had another sonogram, which showed the baby’s deformities have disappeared and then, she received the news after a visit to her doctor, she was cancer-free.
 
Moments like that, Father Murray won’t ever forget. “I just gave that young girl, First Communion last year,” he said as he looks back at the gift of his priesthood.
 
Father Murray feels blessed to witness the faith of the people and he is honored to be part of so many people’s lives. He said, “I get to bring the Lord Jesus to many families and I am there for their joys like their weddings or their child’s baptism and their sorrows like when they are sick or there is a death in the family. It is a privilege to be part of those big life moments.”
 
Father Murray, who is pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart/Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, currently lives at Nazareth Village, the retired diocesan priest residence in Chester and appreciates the opportunity it gives that while in retirement he is still able to serve the community.
 
Retired since August 2019, while he doesn’t have meetings to attend on the administrative workings of serving a parish, Father Murray continues to serve the people. He helps celebrate Mass at several parishes and he is in constant contact with many people at his former parish. With the current coronavirus pandemic, it did slow his ability to help the community due to social distancing restrictions but he is looking forward to serve once again.
 
With social distancing, he is happy to have the friendship of his brother priests, also living at Nazareth as they experience this historic moment together since they live in the same complex. “We have been celebrating Mass together once a week and we have dinner together. Some of us cook. I don’t,” Father Murray laughed, “But I’ll buy the dinner whenever it’s my turn.”
 
Father Murray thanks so many that have supported him and his ministry through the years and now living at Nazareth, he is grateful to the many who support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. He said, “It has been a great blessing to me.”