Performing is a Family Habit: Performance Wednesday Evening

Nun’s portrayal of St. Catherine has a fan in brother Bill Murray

While Oscar contender Bill Murray has made his mark on the big screen, his sister Nancy – wait, make that Sister Nancy Murray – has been engaged in some whirlwind performances of her own. On Wednesday, September 23, she will add St Teresa of Avila to her growing list of audiences who welcome her portrayal of St. Catherine of Siena.

Sr. Murray portrays St. Catherine of Siena, patroness of the Dominican Order, in more than 200 one-woman presentations she’s given to date. St. Catherine lived in the 14th century, a time with parallels to the present day, said Sr. Murray in a telephone interview. There were wars and scandals in the church. There was a fearsome disease with no cure, the bubonic plague – the AIDS of yesteryear. “Catherine had the courage to speak out,” said Sr. Murray. “She was able to influence so many political and church leaders by her wisdom, love and truth.”

Sr. Murray described her portrayal of Catherine as a “new form of preaching.”

Sr. Murray grew up in Wilmette, Ill., the oldest of nine children, with six brothers and two sisters. In addition to Bill, known for his film work, another brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, is an actor/writer who began his professional performing career at Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe.

“My own family life allowed me to relate very much to Catherine of Siena”, Sr. Murray said. In her performance, she strives to capture Catherine’s personality, describing her as a “feminine role model” and a “restorer of unity to the church.” Following her graduation from Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, she worked at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. “The work encouraged my love for mission,” she said.

She entered the Adrian Dominicans in 1966, and earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Barry University in Miami. She also holds a master's degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago. She served as a youth minister and pastoral associate at St. Sylvester’s in Humboldt Park, Ill. “Each ministry prepares you for the next,” she said.

“Now, I’m traveling all over the world, performing in habit,” she said.

Adrian Dominican Sister Nancy Murray, OP performs as St. Catherine of Siena. Join us tonight, Wednesday, Septmeber 23, 2009 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, 1511 Laporte Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383, at 7:00pm for her performance. A one-woman performance inspiring people of all ages. Questions call 464-4042. There is no charge for the performance.