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NOVEMBER 4, 2007
By Sister Margie Lavonis, CSC NOTRE DAME – Holy Cross Sister Judith Ann Murphy is no stranger to the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Her early teaching assignments included several years at Christ the King School in South Bend. She was also an academic advisor at Holy Cross College and for one year worked for the diocesan Office of Campus and Young Adult Ministry where she ministered on the campuses of Bethel College and Indiana University South Bend. In July 2007, the Lord called her to a new ministry as a literacy educator at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. Sister works in a program begun over 20 years ago when the hospital, then sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, came to realize that many of its employees lacked a high school education and/or could not speak English well. In the true fashion of Father Moreau, the congregation saw a need, and Holy Cross Sister Joyce Troyer developed and implemented a literacy program to help employees increase their English skills and/or prepare for high school equivalency tests.. Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center is so committed to this program that employees are encouraged by their supervisors to participate and are paid one hour weekly to do so. “Several of my students are taking an additional hour on their day off, and others know it could well help in promoting them to a better positions,” says Sister Judy. “I love doing this for people who need such a boost, and I find their self-motivation a true joy.” As far as the charism of Holy Cross is concerned, Sister Judy declares, “I believe this service walks hand-in-hand with Father Moreau’s drive for education, for service to those in need, and it has become very international. I have students from Ethiopia, Jamaica, Ghana, Rwanda, Russia, Croatia, the United States and Mexico.” * * *
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