Leo Patrick Murphy, Jr., 83, of Warren, PA, died Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Warren General Hospital. Born on November 28, 1932 in Texarkana, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Leo Patrick and Gertrude Rigney Murphy. On January 4, 1958 in Houston, Texas, he married Mary Ann Kuhn, who survives. Pat graduated valedictorian from St. Edward’s High School in Texarkana and later attended Purdue University and the University of Houston. He had worked for 40+ years as an electrical engineer with Geospace Technologies in Houston, TX, retiring in 1998. In 1999 he received a patent for his repairable waterproof geophone housing. While living in Warren, he was a member of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church where he served as an usher and with Pro Life. Pat was a member of the American Legion and had served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He also was a 4th degree member of the Warren Knights of Columbus Council. Pat loved his family and was also fond of his dog, Buttons, whom he took for walks every day. In addition to his wife, Pat is survived by his 5 children – Allan Murphy of Katy, TX, Sharon Hernandez and her husband, Paul, of Austin, TX, Donna Murphy of Houston, TX, Joann Murphy of Jacksonville, NC, and Lawrence Murphy and his wife, Marsha, of Fayetteville, NC, 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, two sisters – Gertrude Ryan and Teresa Eidt, both of Houston, TX, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Pat was preceded in death by 4 brothers – Paul, John, Frank, and Jim Murphy.
Friends may call from 6-8pm Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA, where a vigil service will be held at 5:45P.M., conducted by Deacon Joseph Lucia. Members of the Warren K of C 4th Degree will stand as Honor Guard and their funeral ritual will be held at 7:45 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Monday at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, PA, with Fr. James Gutting, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Passionists Father’s Mass, 111 S. Ridge Street, Rye Brook, NY 10573. Email condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Prayers and blessings from Del and Mary Orthouse family.
Prayers for all the family from Mark and Janet Seavey.
For our family and for the soul of My much beloved Uncle Pat;
The Passionists: St. Paul of the Cross Province
Gospel Reflection for 11/27/2016
The Unknown Day and Hour.
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,* but the Father alone.
37 For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 In [those] days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
39 They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be [also] at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.
42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
Reflection:
Matthew has written one of the most poignantly poetic accounts of loss. Eschatology aside, these verses describe a very real human experience. Think about it, we often look forward to those celebratory episodes of our lives–vacations, holidays, weddings, birthdays–all those times when we get to eat, drink, and be merry with those we love. Then, suddenly, the milestone we don’t like to think about comes, and that person who we lived with side by side, day by day–a family member, a coworker, a friend–that person is taken away, and we are left behind.
We know that Mary and the Apostles experienced this loss with Christ’s death. One night they had gathered to celebrate the Passover and the next a dear Son, friend, and Teacher was taken away.
Why are we reading this now? It’s the first day of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year, [we’re supposed to be breaking out the holiday decor and watching ABC Family’s (currently known as Freeform) 25 Days of Christmas.] Why do we have to think about death?
The joy of Christ’s birth and redemption in Christ’s death are inseparable. The true joy of Christmas comes not in the celebration of a season or even in Christ’s becoming man alone, but that through the ultimate sacrifice of His life we can live in the assurance of seeing Him again when we are taken from this world and welcomed into the next. The message in today’s Gospel is not to be discouraged from doing fun stuff like eating and drinking and getting married, but to live in readiness. Just as we prepare for the celebrations of this life, we are reminded to spiritually prepare ourselves for the celebration that awaits us in heaven. The advent season is an opportunity for us to solemnly anticipate the coming of our Lord through the remembrance of His birth and to prepare ourselves for the moment when we will be united with Him everlasting life.
Reflection written by Ross Boyle
Tomorrow marks 7 years since you went to be with our Lord. I still miss you. You and mom are always invited to visit me and my family. J.T. remembers you two walking the dog when he was 7 saying he and pop pop are having guy time.
The passing of a dear loved one, is a difficult experience for the family, Sorry for your loss. It is through the privilege of prayer, that the family can experience God’s love and comfort in the most intimate way. May you all find comfort as you pour out your hearts in prayer, to “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Jehovah), the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials.” {2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).
Aunt MaryAnn and family-Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you that Our Heavenly Father will comfort you and strengthen you during this sad time. Uncle Pat’s life was an example to us all of how to be loving and caring people. That is a great legacy.