Sister Pat Murphy, a deeply respected figure in Chicago’s immigrant sanctuary movement, passed away on July 21 at the age of 96, surrounded by family and fellow Sisters of Mercy.
Described as a “tiny and gentle” woman, Sister Pat was known for her unyielding advocacy, speaking truth to power even in the face of significant challenges.
“She would speak truth to power,” said Sister JoAnn Persch, her lifelong companion.
Together, Sister Pat and Sister JoAnn have passionately fought for immigrant rights, marching in protests, praying with detainees in jails and deportation centers, and lobbying for immigration reform.
The two Sisters of Mercy lived and worked together in Chicago for almost 40 years, often moving between various homes, apartments, and shelters, sometimes taking in immigrants and refugees themselves.
The bond between Sister Pat and Sister JoAnn spans over 65 years, marked by their shared commitment to social justice.
Sister JoAnn expressed, “It was an amazing gift for me to walk with her, someone that had the same passion that I did, someone who was a risk taker.”
Over the years, Sister Pat and Sister JoAnn founded several organizations aimed at assisting migrants, including Su Casa in Back of the Yards and the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants.
Their most recent initiative, Catherine’s Caring Cause, was launched in response to an Archdiocese of Chicago call for solutions to house asylum seekers sent to the city by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in August 2022.
Sister Pat was notably affected by the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which implemented aggressive enforcement tactics that targeted Chicago’s immigrant population.
Reflecting on these actions, Sister Pat was quoted in the Chicago Tribune earlier this year, stating, “What could happen to these people is extremely important. [President Donald Trump’s] words … the way he talks about immigrants. It’s an act of disrespect. Complete disrespect.”
Born on April 20, 1929, in Chicago, Sister Pat grew up in a family with four siblings.
After graduating from St. Patrick’s High School in Des Plaines in 1947, she joined the Sisters of Mercy novitiate and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Xavier University and a master’s degree from Mundelein College, which later merged with Loyola University Chicago.
Sister Pat’s early career involved teaching at Catholic schools across Chicago and Wisconsin, where she first met Sister JoAnn in 1960.
She also volunteered for missionary work in Peru, returning to Chicago in 1969.
Over the years, Sister Pat and Sister JoAnn championed significant reforms in the immigration system.
One of their notable achievements was helping to pass a state law in 2008, which allowed religious workers to visit detainees in county jails.
For 12 years, they consistently visited the McHenry County Jail, offering prayers and support to immigration detainees, and extended their reach to other facilities across Kankakee County, Broadview, and Wisconsin.
Sister JoAnn recounted their positive interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) representatives in earlier administrations, stating, “We could meet with them, we could talk about how to make things better.”
However, she noted a stark change in attitude during recent years, expressing concerns about the inhumane treatment of immigrants under current policies.
Sister Pat’s compassion and empathy transcended her advocacy work, leaving a lasting impact on many lives.
Recently, Sister JoAnn received a heartfelt message from Sister Pat’s hospice nurse, who spoke of having been profoundly influenced by Sister Pat despite their brief acquaintance.
“She would put herself out for whoever needed help… Her gift was that she knew how to be present to each person,” Sister JoAnn recalled, reflecting on Sister Pat’s ability to connect with everyone she met, including a young child at her hospice bedside.
Sister Pat is survived by her brother Michael and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas or to Catherine’s Caring Cause.
A visitation for Sister Pat is scheduled for Wednesday from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at Mercy Hall, located at 10044 S. Central Park Ave.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Mercy Chapel.
image source from：chicago
