Executive Director’s Update to Principals #15 - 8 April 2025

Death of Fr Kevin Murphy

It is with sadness that I write to share the news of the passing of Fr Kevin Murphy who died at Nazareth House in Ballarat on 7 April. 

Fr Kevin studied for the priesthood in Melbourne and then in Rome and was ordained in Rome in 1957. He did further studies at Mercy Teachers’ College in Ascot Vale and was Diocesan Inspector of Schools from 1962 till 1968. He was assistant priest in Ballarat, Horsham, Apollo Bay and Camperdown and then parish priest in Apollo Bay and Wendouree and administrator in Redan. He also served as chaplain to tertiary students and to Nazareth House. For some time he kept in touch with a network of people through a newsletter, encouraging his readers to be active in their parish communities and inviting them to share their ideas on how to bring the gospel to the world. He was a regular visitor to the Diocesan Resource Centre, where he would keep up to date with periodicals. He spent his final years in Nazareth House, Ballarat.

The funeral service for Fr Kevin is likely to take place the week after Easter at St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat.

Fr Kevin will be remembered for his deep faith, his commitment to Catholic education, and his gentle encouragement of others to live out the Gospel in everyday life. May he rest in peace.