Msgr. Murray celebrates 60 years in the priesthood

Family members, friends, clergy and religious attended Msgr. Celestine Murray’s 60th Anniversary celebration on June 19 at St. John Vianney Chapel. Msgr. Murray concelebrated Mass with Bishop Michael Mulvey, Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody and a host of priests.

Bishop Mulvey thanked Msgr. Murray for his many years of service to the Church and the nation.

Msgr. Roger Smith and Msgr. Michael Howell sang liturgical music in a cappella. Msgr. Louis Kihneman presented Msgr. Murray with a proclamation of recognition from the city of Corpus Christi for all his years of dedicated service to his parishioners.

Members of Msgr. Murray’s family were present for the celebration, including his sister and her husband Bernadette and Bryan O’Laughlin, his niece Dr. Niamh Tunney and his nephew B.G. O’Laughlin.

Msgr. Murray has served seven popes and six bishops over the course of his 60 years as a priest in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. His favorite popes were St. John XXIII and now Pope Francis.

He was born on April 3, 1931 in Waterford, Ireland. He received his seminary training at St. John’s College in Waterford where he was ordained June 19, 1955 in Waterford Cathedral. After he was ordained he and two other priests—Father John McHugh and Father John O’Malley—boarded a ship for New York then traveled by train to serve the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

He has served as pastor and associate pastor in many parishes throughout the diocese, including Christ the King, Our Lady of Refuge, St. John of the Cross, St. John Neumann in Laredo–now in the Diocese of Laredo, St. Frances of Rome, Immaculate Conception in Goliad–now in the Diocese of Victoria, St. Gertrude, St. Therese in Woodsboro and St. Anthony in Violet.

Msgr. Murray taught religion at Incarnate Word High School; served on the Conference of Christians and Jews; was Dean of the Kingsville Deanery; served as director of Catholic Boy Scouts; was on the National Committee on Scouting; was a Pro-Synodal Examiner; served on the Senate of Priests; was an advocate of the Diocesan Tribunal; served on the Personnel Board; was chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1202; and served as chaplain of the Serra Club in Kingsville.

Known for his talent at fundraising, Msgr. Murray has been a generous contributor to the Mother Teresa Shelter and a local Catholic school.

“I think my greatest gift is preaching,” Msgr. Murray said. “I did the best with what I had.”

Retired now at age 84, Msgr. Murray still celebrates daily Mass at the St. John Vianney Retirement Home for Priests. “I’m blessed to be here and am spending some happy days here. People are so kind,” he said.

“This will probably be the last time we see each other,” Msgr. Murray said, while addressing those who came to his Mass of thanksgiving. “Nineteen of us were ordained back then and five are still living. Most of my family has gone back to God. I don’t know where all the years have gone. It went by so fast.”

“You will see us, from another vantage point perhaps, but you will see us,” Bishop Mulvey said. “In the early days of our journey in the priesthood our heart is firmly planted in love of the Lord and service to his Church. Sixty years brings many joys, friends and many accomplishments. Msgr. I ask you to return to that first love, which is Jesus Christ, the treasure we long for in eternal life.”