After teaching at St. Rita during the 1971-72 school year, he resided at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago while pursuing theological studies. He began his Diaconate internship in June, 1975, continuing until his priestly ordination at St. Cletus Parish in LaGrange.
His first assignment as an ordained priest was in 1976 at Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago as teacher and chaplain.
He returned to St. Rita in 1979 as teacher and chaplain, and in 1983 was appointed principal.
In 1989, Father Murphy was named Vocations Director for the Augustinian Midwest Province, with residence at St. John of Sahagun Friary at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox.
In 1990, he was transferred to St. Rita Parish, where he served as interim pastor.
He returned to educational ministry in 1991 when he was assigned to Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Okla.
In 1994, he was transferred to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery in Olympia Fields.
In 2004, Father Murphy was assigned to reside in the Augustinian Community at St. Mary Parish in Gainesville, Texas.
He was named pastor of St. Mary Parish in August, 2006, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
Father Murphy is survived by his sisters, Bette Mroz and Michele Kurkowski; and brother, Robert Murphy.
