Always open to those in need
Obituaries
Fr Chris Murphy (born September 25 1946, died January 18 2025)
Christopher was born at Calvary Hospital, North Adelaide, the second son to Lance and Gwen, with his brother Neil born three years before him.
The family lived at Henley Beach close to the church under the care of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The boys started school at Star of the Sea and later moved to Hindmarsh, continuing their primary education at St Joseph’s and secondary school at St Michael’s College in the Hindmarsh parish, another connection with the MSC.
His sporting attributes were noted in the various teams in which he played with many acknowledging his sportsmanship. On the footy field, despite wearing glasses, he was brilliant in getting the ball and delivering it down field.
After completing school, Chris followed his brother to take on university studies and trained as a teacher.
After teaching for three years the call to the priesthood arose and Chris joined the MSC novitiate at Douglas Park, NSW. After his profession he entered St Paul’s Late Vocation Seminary at Kensington, Sydney, established by the MSC in 1968. His time in the seminary (1970-1974) saw him develop the ability to reflect and respond to the needs of the community.
Chris was ordained priest on December 6 1975 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church at Henley Beach, His was the first ordination from the Henley parish and consequentially there was always a deep relationship between Chris and the parishioners, many of whom were his companions growing up.
The church building itself was modified by the parishioners to make room for the ordination to take place. Chris’ ordination touched the hearts of the people.
In 1976 his first appointment was to the teaching staff at Downlands College Toowoomba, Queensland. This boarding school for boys provided an education for those families in the towns and stations in the western areas of Queensland. At the time 20-25 MSC priests and brothers catered for up to 500 students. Chris was in his element with the variety of sports offered and he enjoyed teaching.
In the six years Chris was at Downlands he was responsible for the teaching and supervision of the boarders. The increase of day students over the years necessitated an increase of lay teachers and carers. Chris then was asked to move to parish ministry.
As the MSC were asked to take on responsibility for more parishes, Chris moved to Moonah parish in Hobart as an assistant priest in1982. He began a practice for which he became renowned, that is engaging with and remembering the names of parishioners. He kept a small notebook in which he noted the names of parishioners as he became acquainted with them. This small notebook grew bigger and bigger over the years and across the various parishes in which he served. People still talk about and wonder how he was able to remember their names.
From Hobart Chris transferred to the growing parish of Kippax, Canberra, in 1986. Chris’ focus was on the young people and consequently he was called on for marriages and baptisms.
Returning to Adelaide in 1991 as parish priest of Hindmarsh, Chris enjoyed being able to engage with family and friends in the suburbs he knew so well. His presence opened more doors as he worked with the communities of four churches and four schools in the parish (three parish primary schools and St Michael’s College).
In 1993 Chris was asked to move to Henley Beach parish as parish priest where he remained until 1999. Here he continued the task of preparing the laity to take on responsibilities that previously had not been necessary. He understood that administration of parishes demanded a mixture of laity, both professional and as volunteers. Parishioners then were chosen and prepared for assisting in many areas of parish life.
Chris’ background in teaching was a bonus at St Michael’s senior campus and Star of the Sea primary school where he was able to effectively interact with pupils, staff and parents. At the end of his six-year term in the Henley Beach parish he journeyed back to the Kippax parish in Canberra for a short stay after which he was appointed to Our Lady of the Rosary at Kensington in Sydney as parish priest in 2002.
A highlight for Chris was being chaplain of the Royal Randwick Races, and he enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the punters, riders and owners. Occasionally he was able to exercise his priestly ministry in times of personal difficulties.
The life of a priest as Chris expressed, was to bring joy to those struggling, hope to those who were stuck, and faith to those who seek to love…he was open always to those in need.
Chris’ next move in 2008 was to the parish of Blackburn in Melbourne where he added another role to that of parish priest with his involvement in the formation of seminarians as they developed skills in pastoral ministry.
By 2014 as Chris entered his 70s his health slowed him down. Once more he moved back to Adelaide to assist in the Hindmarsh parish and to take the opportunity to be closer to his family. Wherever Chris lived and served, he brought to so many an overwhelming sense of love, appreciation and support in their lives. These qualities are remembered and reflected in his pastoral practice. He leaves a legacy of respect and care for those whom he helped and the many who appreciated his friendship.
In 2018 Chris moved back to Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington, NSW, as he required care. Last year he moved into
St Joseph’s Aged Care Facility (next to the MSC monastery) where he was lovingly cared for by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and their staff.
Chris’ brother Neil and Carla his wife, and their children and extended family, his MSC brothers and his friends supported him over these difficult times and especially in the last few weeks.
– Fr Paul Cashen MSC
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