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Rest in Peace Bishop James A. Murray
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Bishop Murray had a great heart for the Hispanic community. He was the one who started the Masses in the migrant camps. Each summer he celebrated several Masses in the fields and welcomed the farmworkers who each summer come to the nine counties of the diocese for the harvest. He always had a great smile and simplicity for the families.
Even though he did not speak Spanish, he celebrated Mass in Spanish, he never hesitated to accompany and be there among the people. To continue accompanying and getting to know the Hispanics in his diocese, he began the diocesan celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He first started celebrating the Masses every December in the different parishes that have a Hispanic community. After some years of visiting and celebrating the Masses in the different parishes, he decided to have an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe painted and on Dec. 11, 2004, Bishop Murray dedicated the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Cathedral of Saint Augustine. He wanted his Hispanic people and all the people who identified with the Empress of America to know that this was their cathedral and that everyone is welcome.
In 2000, the USCCB called an Encounter with the motto, “Many Faces in the House of God.” Bishop Murray accompanied the delegation of 40 people to the Encuentro 2000 that took place from July 6 to 9 in Los Angeles, Calif. He also accompanied Latino youth throughout the process of the First National Encounter of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (Hispanic Youth Ministry) that began in 2005. More than 1,000 youth from the Diocese of Kalamazoo gathered at the parish, diocesan, and regional level and culminated with the National Encounter at the University of Notre Dame, Ind. from June 8 to 11, 2006. This was a historic gathering where the voices of Hispanic youth were heard at all levels.
In November 2006, after two years of consulting and writing, Bishop Murray approved the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, a five-year plan. On Dec. 12, 2006 in the Cathedral of Saint Augustine during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Murray promulgated the plan with the motto, “A Culture of Love.” These are some words that the Bishop wrote in his letter:
“The Diocese of Kalamazoo is blessed and enriched by the presence of a diverse, vibrant and growing Hispanic/ Latino community both resident and migrant. Their presence among us is a great source of hope as well as a challenge. We embrace this challenge with a renewed apostolic zeal and a missionary spirit as we seek ways to promote and facilitate your full participation into the life and mission of the Church which is also your Church.” (Diocesan Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, 2007-2011)
Thank you very much, Bishop James Murray, for all your love and dedication to the Diocese of Kalamazoo and especially for your dedication to the Hispanic community!
Grant eternal rest to Bishop James Murray, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
