Mary Lillianne Murzyn

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth recommend to your prayers the soul of their beloved Sister M. Lillianne Murzyn. She was called to the Lord on May 24, 2014 at the age of 97 in the 83rd year of her religious life, at the Convent in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Vigil Service Thursday, 5/29/14 at 6:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass Friday 5/30/14 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Henry V. Petter officiating. Services will be held at the Chapel Covent and burial at the Convent Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.funerariadelangelgp.com.

Sister Lillianne Murzyn

Of Our of Perpetual Help

“Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”

(Luke 10: 42)

Sister Lillianne’s parents were both born in Poland. Her father, John, preceded her mother, Julia nee Gorlinska, in coming to America, where they met in 1915 and eventually married. In 1916 their first child was born and that was “Mary” – Sister Lillianne. In time four more children completed the family, namely: Ted, Stanley, Ann and Patricia.

Sister Lillianne attended St. Adalbert’s School in Whiting, Indiana and often related the grace of her vocation in the following manner: “ On the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, February 2, 1931, I was chosen with three other girls to serve at a party and was privileged to serve the pastor. Sister Vincentia, the Superior of St. Adelbert’s Convent said: ‘wouldn’t it be nice to serve the Lord in religious life?’ This was the turning point in my life.”

As a result of this, Mary was on her way to Des Plaines Illinois, despite the fact that her mother wasn’t too eager to see her go. However, wanting her happiness, she didn’t stand in the way and Mary on her part was forever grateful and loved her without measure. On Sept. 7, 1931 Mary became a postulant and nine months later, June 18, 1932, she became a novice and was given a new name – Lillianne. Sister recalled these two years of novitiate as being years of grace wherein she learned to live in the presence of God. On June 20, 1934 Sister Lillianne pronounced her first vows with great reverence.

Her first assignment was to teach first grade at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Chicago, Illinois without any pedagogical background. However, with the guidance of the sisters, workshops and personal enthusiasm she was successful. Sister continued teaching first grade at St. Hyacinth and St. Michael schools where she was challenged not only with her teaching assignment but by herself having to attend DePaul University twice a week, train altar boys, and decorate the altars in church. Again, with God’s help everything was accomplished. On August 15, 1940 Sister made her final profession.

In 1954 Sister completed her education and was sent to St. Philip’s in Montana to teach Catechism classes. She recalls this assignment as one which broadened her horizon on the life of people living on farmlands.

In 1955 Sister was elected as Vice-President of the First Grade Teachers Organization of the Chicago Diocese. The following year, 1956 Sister’s First Grade teaching ministry ended and she was appointed Principal and Superior at St. Andrew School in Calument, Illinois.

Sister’s niece, Maureen often teased sister that she should go to a far away place like Texas so she and her family could travel south to visit her. Her wish came true, In 1962 Sister was transferred to Texas, to again be Principal and Superior at St. Luke School, in Irving, Texas. At this time Sister also served as a Vice-Provincial Councilor and a member of the Mother Frances Hospital Board from 1966-1969. While performing these duties, Sister was simultaneously elected as Secretary for the Principal’s Association in the Dallas Diocese. Talk about multi-tasking!

After completing her term of leadership at St. Luke in 1968, sister was transferred to St. Andrew’s School in Fort Worth where she taught reading to 5th to 8th grade students. At the encouragement and persuasion of her principal Sister once again found herself attending classes at Marygrove College, Michigan where she pursued a Master’s Degree in the field of reading. This she accomplished on April 28, 1974.

In 1978 Sister was transferred to Holy Family School in Irving, Texas. Again, she was appointed as Principal and Superior. This assignment lasted until 1983 when Sister was sent to Immaculate Conception School in Grand Prairie. Here she taught reading to small groups of children who benefited from her expertise. Many of these students returned to thank Sister for her encouragement and guidance which helped them achieve goals in later life. After seventeen years at Immaculate Conception School, and sixty-seven years of teaching Sister retired to Good Shepherd Convent in the year 2004.

As Sister put it: “Here my mission changed from active ministry to prayer. I spend my time for the greater honor and glory of God, praying for the salvation of souls.” In addition to spending time in praying Sister continued her direction and monitoring the members of the Association of the Holy Family, as she had done for several years previously. She eagerly prepared for the monthly meetings in order to share and enrich the members with the spirit of Nazareth.

Truly, Sister’s life was an example of prayer, compassion, devotion, love, and generosity for anyone who every crossed her path. Sister was very diligent in keeping her daily appointment with God at 3:00 in the afternoon. She often said “I pray for you daily, each one by name, and I place you in the rainbow of God’s love.”

Sister will be remembered for her great devotion for the Mass. At one time when we thought there would not be a priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice, Sister became anxious for fear there would be no Mass.

Sister was an exemplary religious person, content and accepting of the challenges life brought her. Even as she aged and her hearing became impaired, she still gave her radiant smile to everyone she met. Her spirit of gratefulness for the least service given her was remarkable. It was evident that Sister loved her community and wanted to be present with them as much as possible, and even though “retired” she offered assistance in whatever way she could.

It wasn’t until this past year that Sister began to show signs of physical weakness. She accepted the fact that she became wheelchair bound and yet that did not deter her from participating in all community prayers and gatherings. She was a determined person.

On May 9,2014 Sister fell twice and the second fall resulted in her being taken to the hospital. At the hospital her heart showed signs of failure and Sister had to spend the night. The following day, although weak, she wanted to return to the convent saying: “I am ready for Jesus to take me.” For two weeks Sister was bedridden and even then she showed her gratefulness with a smile to anyone who visited her room.

On Saturday, May 24 while sisters from area convents had gathered for a meeting, Sister began to show signs of approaching death. The sisters gathered in her room, prayed the Rosary, the Chaplet of Mercy and sang hymns. Thus, surrounded by her sisters, Sister Lillianne peacefully breathed her last with a single teardrop falling from her eyes.

Sister Lillianne, we your sisters will miss your presence among us, but we know that you are praying for us and are enjoying your eternal reward. It is now our turn, Dear Sister to say – We place you in the rainbow of God’s love.