Florida Catholic | Sister Act

JOE DIAZ | FC
Dominican Sister Nancy Murray, whose brother is actor Bill Murray, gives a dramatic presentation of the life of St. Catherine of Siena at St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota on Feb. 15.

Sister act

Sister Nancy Murray, Dominican nun and sister of actor Bill Murray, will bring the story of St. Catherine of Siena to Orlando.

DEBRA TOMASELLI | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 03.21.08

ORLANDO | Dominican Sister Nancy Murray uses her imagination and just a few props to bring St. Catherine of Siena to life in a show based on the life of this doctor of the church. She will perform at the University of Central Florida the evening of Sunday, March 30, and at St. James Cathedral Monday, March 31.

Sister Murray is the sister of Hollywood actors Bill and Doyle Murray. She graduated from Barry University with a degree in theater, naturally.

She takes the show all over the world. She believes that the words of St. Catherine of Siena are just as relevant today as they were in 14th century Siena, Italy.

“If you believe how much God loves you, you can change many things. Catherine’s voice is needed more than ever today. The church is in a time of struggle. The flock has been scattered and people are confused and in doubt,” Sister Murray said. “God is purifying us in a way that calls us to new life. An important part of religious life was the call to love God and all of God’s people.”

“Sister Murray gets into the character of Catherine of Siena,” said Mary Maxwell, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Sarasota, where Sister Murray performed recently. “She engages people; it’s an interactive performance.”

What: Sister Nancy Murray’s one-woman show, “St. Catherine of Siena’

When, Where: Sunday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., at the University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Blvd., Orlando, Student Union, Room 316 (campus map available at www.ucf.edu); Monday, March 31, 10 a.m., St. James Cathedral, 215 N. Orange Ave., Orlando

Admission: Free

Note: Following Monday’s performance, Una Fides study group will host a women’s luncheon at St. James Cathedral social hall. For more information, or to make reservations for the luncheon, contact Maria Marcano at 407-855-1180 or the cathedral office at 407-422-2005.

The event is intended to draw audiences closer to Christ by showing how they can imitate the lives of the saints, said Diana Coffman of Una Fides, a women’s study group that arranged the local performances.

“The goal of Una Fides is to try to find a way to reach Catholic women and teach at the same time,” Coffman said. Una Fides, founded more than five years ago, originated at St. James Cathedral. Initially, the women sought to improve their understanding of the Catholic faith so they could better explain it to their Protestant friends.

They studied, researched and presented information on Catholic topics, such as why tradition is important to the Catholic Church, issues on the sanctity of life, and our view of Marian devotions.

Most of them were cradle Catholics. They didn’t expect to learn a lot, but they were surprised.

“We discovered that our research went from head to heart,” said Coffman. “The Eucharist became near and dear to us because we understood.”

In addition, the women gained the ability to explain the faith not only to their Protestant friends, but also to their families.

“As a result, we wanted to help educate other women and make them aware of what’s available in the diocese,” said Coffman. “After all, they are the ones who set the calendar and influence their families.”

Realizing that not everybody wants to study or make presentations, Una Fides members began organizing semiannual luncheons featuring Catholic speakers. This is the first time they’ve offered a presentation such as Sister Murray’s.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet other women interested in our faith and in doing study groups at their parishes,” Coffman said. Una Fides groups modeled after the original gatherings at St. James are springing up in other diocesan parishes. Coffman said materials are available upon request, and pastor approval is required before the program can be implemented in a parish.

Meanwhile, organizers look forward to Sister Murray’s upcoming program. After all, Maxwell said, not only was the performance well-received at St. Thomas More Parish, but it delivered a valuable lesson, as well.

“I learned why she (Catherine) became a Dominican nun and how she interacted with family and how they responded,” said Maxell. “I learned that St. Catherine was human just like the rest of us.”

Tanya Goodman of the Florida Catholic staff contributed to this article.

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