Issue of February 1, 2004

Preacher, retreat leader

Augustinian Father John Patrick Murphy, 74, died Jan. 13. A Chicago native, he professed his simple vows in 1951 and solemn vows in 1954. He was ordained a priest in 1957. Father Murphy was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher in 1957. In 1962 he began a long ministry as a member of the Augustinian Mission Band, traveling to numerous locations to direct retreats and conduct parish missions. He was based at St. Rita Monastery, Chicago, from 1971-93.

In 1993, he was named associate pastor of St. Jude Parish, New Lenox. He served in that capacity until 2001, when he retired to Our Lady of Grace Community at Marian Village, Homer Glen, where he resided at the time of his death.

Sr. M. Ethelina Sasgen

teacher

Sister of Christian Charity Mary Ethelina (Hedwig) Sasgen, 93, died Dec. 30. A Chicago native, she attended St. Theresa Elementary School and Josephinum High School. She entered the congregation in 1929 and made her first vows in 1932. She ministered as a teacher in several states. In the Chicago area, she taught at St. Mary, Riverside, in 1948; St. Martha, Morton Grove, from 1954-69; and St. Theresa School, Palatine, from 1975-92.

Michael Sheahan

Longtime volunteer

Michael Sheahan, co-founder of the Catholic Charities golf invitational, died Jan. 22.

Sheahan, of Palos Heights, was involved in St. Alexander Parish and School in Palos Heights, where he coached basketball. He was vice president of operations at Soderlund Brothers, Inc. in Oak Lawn. He was also a member of the Marist High School Father’s Club. He volunteered his time to the Life Link Celebrity Golf Outing, Mt. Assisi Academy in Lemont, and the Union League Boys and Girls Club in Chicago.

Born and raised in Chicago, Sheahan graduated from St. Laurence High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sheahan is survived by his wife, Marlene, his two children, daughter Rory and son Michael, his father, Harry, two sisters, two brothers and extended family.

Sr. Michaeline Oleszkiewicz

teacher

Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis M. Michaeline Oleszkiewicz, 85, died Jan. 15. She spent 71 years in her religious profession, serving as a teacher in several states. She is survived by her sister, Sophie Lukwinski, and many nieces and nephews.

Sr. M. Berchmans Maher

Teacher

Sister of Mercy Mary Berchmans Maher died Jan. 18 at age 95. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 75 years.

In her native Chicago, she served as a teacher at St. Gabriel and Siena High School. She also served at St. Catherine of Siena and St. Catherine/St. Lucy, Oak Park. Sister Berchmans was then on staff at McAuley Manor, Aurora, from 1984 until she retired in 1989.

Sr. Angela Merici Schmitz

Homemaker

School Sister of St. Francis Angela Merici Schmitz, 88, died Jan. 13.

Born in Frankenstein, Mo., she entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1933 and professed her vows in 1937. She lived her religious ministry for 55 years as a homemaker and seamstress at convents in several states.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Bernardine Convent, Forest Park, from 1942-45, and Our Lady of Charity Convent, Cicero, from 1954-56.

Sr. Mary Loyola Cooney

PR director, counselor

Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate Sister Mary Loyola Cooney, 89, died Jan. 12. A Chicago native, she attended St. Catherine of Siena School, Oak Park, and Siena High School, Chicago. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago.

She entered the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in Manhattan, N.Y., in 1952, professed her first vows in 1955, and her final vows in 1958. She served in various locations outside the Archdiocese of Chicago in several capacities, including public relations director and local superior, and she did counseling, parish visitation, and religious instruction.

Sr. M. Elizabeth Miller

Teacher

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Elizabeth (Euphrasia) Miller, 80, died Dec. 19. Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., she made her final profession of vows in 1965. She ministered as a teacher in several states. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught English, history and religion at Trinity High School, River Forest, from 1960-63. She is survived by two brothers, Robert from West Bend, Wis., and Timothy from Evanston, and extended family.

Sr. Vera Purpura

Minister of prayer

Daughter of Charity Sister Vera Purpura, 87, died Jan. 8. A Chicago native, she was the oldest of nine children. She entered the Daughters of Charity in 1948.

She served at schools in several states. She also served as a secretary, in business offices, and in the ministry of prayer at locations the Daughters of Charity serve.

Sr. Edwardina Lemerond

Teacher

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Edwardina Lemerond died Jan. 6 at age 93. Born in Green Bay, Wis., she was one of eight children. She professed her first vows in 1930 and her final vows in 1933. She served as a teacher and administrator for 62 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Visitation School from 1930-40 and 1941-50; St. Cajetan from 1950-56; St. Luke, River Forest, from 1962-63; and SS. Faith, Hope and Charity School, from 1968-70.