Rev. Maurice M Murray S.J.

Fr. Murray was born July 25, 1934 in St. Louis and entered the Society of Jesus in August 1952. He earned a Licentiate in Philosophy at Saint Louis University in 1961. He taught math at Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, then pursued and earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology at St. Mary’s College in Kansas.

He was very concerned about racial equality, and during studies, was actively involved with groups seeking racial minorities’ access to public accommodations and fair housing. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis on June 8, 1966.

He earned a doctorate in mathematics at the University of Washington in Seattle, and in 1974, joined the mathematics faculty at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., where he taught for four years. He also helped with Marriage Encounter retreats.

From 1978 to 1981, he taught mathematics at Regis University in Denver.

In 1981, he was assigned to Belize where he would serve for the remainder of his life. He taught mathematics and computer science at St. John’s College in Belize City for nearly 20 years.

In 2001, he was named associate pastor at St. Peter Claver Parish in Punta Gorda, helping to serve Catholics in that Belizean town as well as those in 30 surrounding villages. He studied and had functional use of the Mayan language, Q’eqchi’ (or Kekchi) so that he could celebrate Mass and preach simple homilies to those in his congregation who spoke it. He also created electronic baptismal records for the parish and maintained a spreadsheet schedule of presiders for the town and villages. Fr. Murray often served as acting pastor when needed.

In June, while on a visit to St. Louis, he learned he had developed lung cancer, giving him just enough time to say goodbye to family and fellow Jesuits. His sister, Mary Anne Troy of Downer’s Grove, Ill., survives him.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis, followed by a funeral Mass at 7 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.