Sr Patricia Murray IBVM was honoured by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) on September 8 during a reception of gratitude. She served as Executive Secretary of the UISG for 11 years, and will be succeeded by Sr Roxanne Schares SSND, who was welcomed into the role at the same reception.
Sr Murray grew up in Dublin and joined the institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters) in 1965. She served as Peace Education officer for the Irish Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, working with both Protestant and Catholic teachers in Northern Ireland on incorporating peace and justice into their teaching. Sr Murray went on to be the founding executive director of Solidarity with South Sudan in 2009, an initiative focused on educating teachers, nurses, and pastoral workers in an effort to rebuild the country through conflict and war.
Within her role as Executive Secretary, Sr Murray has taken part in a variety of initiatives that have helped migrants, established safeguarding policies, and advocated for environmental action. During the reception, she thanked those who collaborated with her on these projects and initiatives, including other superiors general, Church leaders, and diplomats.
“It is under each other’s shelter that people survive. Thank you for the shade and shelter you have offered me, not only for myself but also for all the people with whom you live, work, and serve,” Sr Murray said. “Everything we have accomplished we have done together.”
Former UISG President Sr Mary Barron OLA wished Sr Murray a “fruitful new chapter”, and commended both Sr Murray and Sr Schares for their hard work.
“Pat and Roxanne are two remarkable women, different in their origins and charisms, but united by a profound passion for Christ, for consecrated life, and by a clear vision of what we are called to be as consecrated women today,” said Sr Barron.
Sr Schares, originally from the US and a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, officially took over the role of Executive Secretary on September 1, after previously serving as Associate Executive Secretary.
