Sister Irene Murphy ( Sister Mary Regis)- 75th Jubilee

Written on: April 19, 2015

Sister Irene Murphy (Sister Mary Regis) was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she met the Grey Nuns.  She followed in the footsteps of two of her sisters, Sister Estelle Marie and Sister Mary Alice, when she entered the Grey Nuns in 1940.  During her seventy-five years in religious life, she has traveled far from that New England home.  She spent fifty-one years as an elementary school teacher, almost all of that time in New York State. Students in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts benefitted from her teaching skill as well.  She even managed to spend some of her years back in her home town of Lowell.  Sister Irene retired to the Motherhouse in 1994 and volunteered her services in various ways within the Congregation.  She now resides at D’Youville Manor, the personal care facility attached to the Motherhouse.  As you can see from her reflection below, she loves her sports teams and an occasional TV show.  Though her ministry now is mostly that of prayer, she is a pleasant table companion to many.

I have really loved every place that I’ve been missioned but Christ the King parish in Atlanta is one of my favorites. It was my first mission as a Grey Nun after leaving the novitiate. I taught first grade and some of the children were beginning to pick up my New England accent. Some parents were concerned that the kids were losing their Southern accent for a New England one! Recently I had 2 visitors from Atlanta. Imagine: all those years and they still remembered me, their first grade teacher. The people of Atlanta were very special.  As a Grey Nun, I’ve always been happy. Living in community with others is like living as a family. So many sisters in one big family!  These years of retirement have been good ones for me.  I enjoy more time for prayer and reflection in the Chapel and with the other Sisters. I also have more time for my favorite sports teams! The New England Patriots and Boston Red Socks. I call them “my Boys”.

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: Christ the King Parish Atlanta. 75th Jubilee, Sister Irene Murphy, Sister Mary Regis