I am not a religious person.
I wish I was more of that.
As you get older, I suspect it’s a familiar regret for many.
I was raised Protestant and as a young boy I always sat in the second row at Trinity Church on Sunday mornings. I think my mother chose that pew because she knew that Reverend Sylvia could keep a watchful eye on me and my brothers and we all knew that our means of escape were now blocked.
Like most of you, I have been fortunate enough to attend a baptism or confirmation, a blessing or two, a couple of weddings, and the inevitable funerals. My limited religious experiences on Nantucket have been mostly positive, as I sporadically shuttled between St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s, always admiring the beautiful Nantucket skyline of Unitarian and Congregational churches from the harbor.
Lately, however, I have noticed a different tone and presence in the “religious scene” on the island. Today, there is a different vibe coming from Main Street and downtown.
Is it a higher authority or divine intervention? It didn’t take long for me to hear and see the answer.
Meet Father John M. Murray of St. Mary’s Church.
Whether he’s presiding over a funeral, conducting a wedding, fluently switching between English and Spanish with some of his parishioners, or holding “office hours” on a bench on Main Street with Mary Adams, Barbara Kotalac, Jim Perelman, Barbara Jenkins, Julie Reinemo, Joe Kirby, Jeanette Topham, and Ritch Leone, Father Murray seems as content with spreading the gospel as he is with his integration into the Nantucket community.
Following in the footsteps of a long list of local charismatic church leaders such as Father D. and Ted Anderson, to name a few, “Father John” arrived in August 2021 to take over the leadership of St. Mary’s after a brief tenure by Father Kelleher.
My curiosity got the better of me. Even if it meant risking a trip to the confessional, I wanted to know: Who is this guy?
“You don’t really get to choose your position, but fortunately the bishop in Fall River had faith in me and sent me to Nantucket. This is just another example of how we have no control. There is a higher authority,” Murray explained as we sat together on a comfortable bench in front of St. Mary’s.
“I was born in Brockton, lived in Bridgewater and my family was very religious. I remember my Lebanese grandmother, my aunt, my mother and my father being actively involved in St. Ann’s in Raynham. My father was going to be a deacon and as an 11-year-old I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a Catholic school with my three younger sisters, although I knew it was a huge financial sacrifice for my parents,” recalls Father Murray.
After graduating from Coyle Cassidy High School, Murray was accepted into St. John’s Seminary College and at that time began “seriously considering the priesthood.”
Murray continued, “If I remember correctly, there were only 12 of us who came to St. John’s as freshmen, but I remember positive reinforcement in those early years because the commitment was a challenge. I remember constantly asking myself, ‘Is this for me?'”
The reaction of the dozens of people who strolled by and stopped to talk to Father John confirmed two things I had learned in a short time: John Murray had made the right choice, but more importantly, there is a new, energetic spiritual leader in town.
Although Murray had much to say, he listened attentively to anyone who stopped and spoke to him. And when he was ready to respond, Father John spoke softly, patiently, forcefully and passionately to young and old, locals and visitors, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“Within a few weeks, he knew everyone,” said Sheriff Jim Perelman, who stopped by to say hello.
Perelman couldn’t resist: “I remember a funny story when I gave Father Murray and another guest a ride in my patrol car. Father Murray had to sit in the back seat. You should have seen the looks as I drove through town…”
Former Nantucket Police Department Lieutenant Jerry Adams, whose CJ 5 Jeep was blessed by Father Murray, added, “With his passion and understanding, he immediately became a community leader. Father Murray is a special person and he helps make this island community so unique.”
The longer I sat, watching and listening, the more I sensed there was more. Knowing how much commitment and sacrifice was required, I asked, “Why church – why faith?”
“It’s a lifelong commitment, much like marriage. It means a lot of ‘no’s’, as promises of obedience, celibacy and prayer all have consequences. But I’m blessed to be able to interact with a variety of people with moving stories. I enter their lives – in sad times and good – and look for the influence of Christ,” Murray explained.
He continued: “Being a priest of the Catholic Church, providing the Bread of Life, is the greatest joy of my life. God is good – we just have to trust.”
Father John Murray took a circuitous route to get to Nantucket. After spending eight years at St. John’s Seminary, Murray graduated in June 1998 and was ordained a priest at age 26.
Bishop O’Malley, who later became Archbishop O’Malley of Fall River and is nearing retirement, transferred Father Murray to Wareham, Massachusetts. After a year, Murray moved to two different parishes in Fall River. From there, Father John was able to enjoy much of southeastern Massachusetts, preaching for nine years in churches in Sandwich, Cape Cod Hospital as Chaplin, South Yarmouth, Attleboro, and finally Raynham before moving to Nantucket.
“I love this community. I’m just a lucky person and everyone has welcomed me warmly. I couldn’t have found a better place. From Rabbi Gary Bretton-Grantor and the Interfaith Counsel to Steve Hollister, the construction manager, and his crew who have provided great leadership in the beautiful renovation of St. Mary, to all the members of Our Lady of the Isle, I am blessed.”
“How about we stay here a little longer, since Father Kelleher only lasted three years?” I asked.
Murray replied: “Ultimately it’s up to the bishop, but I hope to stay for the next 20 years. What’s not to like? But I constantly remind myself that we are not in control. There is a higher authority, but it’s a beautiful life.”
The parade of curious, familiar faces drew Father John all morning. There was former Nantucket Fire Department Captain Charlie Kymer and his two granddaughters, Zoe and Carla, visiting from New Jersey. They were all excited to tell Father John about their morning hot chocolate and the start of school in two weeks.
There was eight-year-old Chelsea Valenzuela and her friend, eleven-year-old Pamela Rodriquez, who stopped to say hello. Father John quickly switched to Spanish, leaving me far behind, but even though we didn’t understand a word, the mutual admiration and respect said it all.
It was clear. Our “interview” was not interrupted by people stopping regularly to ask questions. In fact, I simply watched Father John pick up, without hesitation, numerous conversations he had started days, weeks, or months before.
As we neared the end, Father John gave me some words of encouragement and advice as I left. I left feeling a little different. It’s hard to put it into words because inside I was doing my best to fight it, although I must admit that we could all use a little “religion” in our lives right now.
As I walked up Main Street to my truck, the words of Vin DeBaggis, the sacristan of St. Mary, kept echoing in my head. He said, “Any man who dedicates his life to the service of God and others deserves admiration and respect. It is a tremendous sacrifice…”
There’s nothing you can say against that.
Although I am not prepared to rise early to attend the 8 a.m. service in St. Paul’s Memorial Garden, or go to the 9:30 a.m. Congregational Church meeting, or stroll up Orange Street to the Unitarian Church at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays, Father John Murray made me pause and reflect.
And if I happen to see Father Murray strolling down Main Street, I know I will listen to him.
At least I owe him that.
