James Murphy

@JamesMartinSJ I will remember her at mass this weekend. Peace.

Please pray for the eternal rest of my mother, Eleanor Spano Martin, who died today at 94 in Abington, Pa. She had only recently developed pneumonia which quickly led to her death this afternoon. I can’t express in words what my sister and I are feeling, how grateful I am to God for her long life, how sad the last few days have been, how devastating it was to see her gasp for air this morning and how moving it was to see the hospice nurse rub her lips with a sponge, which made me cry when I thought about Jesus on the Cross. Today I want to thank my sister Carolyn for being my mom’s selfless and primary caregiver, especially after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and then dementia; for Charles for being a wonderful son in law and for Charles and Matthew for being beloved grandsons. A few days ago, I was terrified I would be stuck in California because of the blizzard, and I called my mom to tell her how I would do everything to get home and she said, through her oxygen mask, “Goody gumdrops.” I thank God I got home early this morning, that a kind Jesuit plowed the car out for me yesterday so that I could drive from New York to Philly at 2 AM, pray the Rosary next to her bed (“now and at the hour of our death”), anoint her with Lourdes water and, most of all, tried to thank her for everything she had done for me: from giving me life, to driving me to school, to teaching me to draw, to baking birthday cakes, to cooking dinners, to encouraging me in my studies, to dealing with the shock of my Jesuit vocation, to being friends with all my friends, to being the biggest fan of anything I wrote or said or did. She wasn’t perfect but she was my mom in every way. The other day the First Reading was how God’s word goes out, does its work and returns to God. I kept thinking about my mom when we read it during a Mass at a friend’s house in California, especially since I was desperate to get home. Today, I kept looking at her frail body that had been through so much in the last few years—cancer, dementia, frequent falls, stitches—and saw how spent it was after it had done what God had asked it to do Nothing I could write could describe my unbelievable sadness or my deep gratitude at being with her in her last moments, as she was with me in my first moments. It would take dozens of books. Mom, I wish you sky-blue-pink days with your beloved mother and father, your brothers Larry and Louis, my dad, and all those who loved and knew you. Please pray for me and Carolyn. Saying goodbye to you today, and hugging you goodbye, was almost impossible, but I know we will see each other in the fullness of time. Love you, Mom.

@CoachSweetfeet @CoachDavis82 @STHFootball Cheering for you!

Forever locked in with my @STHFootball family! #EFND

@maddox_kopp @wbkopp Proud of you! Praying for you!

Healthy. Healing. 3 weeks post surgery.

Life is better when you get to see two of your favorite students come home! #EFND

@DrinTafilaj Keep up the good work! Proud of you!

More pictures from the last few games.

@moniqueslewis @iamDeJuanLewis @SDCoyotesFB @DonteLewis18 You are raising an amazing family!

My SONshine! Dean’s List! Spring 2025! This isn’t just about grades. It’s about the grit, focus & quiet strength it takes to carry excellence on & off the field. I’m proud of your discipline. Moved by your heart. But more than anything, I respect the man you’re becoming. ❤️Mom

@DerekStevenso1 @apellerin_51 @TheHC_CoachLew @CoachSampson3 @CoachMattyJ @DarianLH3 @SeanDillonSDSU @SDSU_CalebDavis @bmecamps @on3 @GPowersScout @txfblife @247Sports @247recruiting @CraigHaubert @PaetowFootball @MichaelRGarvin @CoachConaire Congratulations! So proud of you!

I’m coming home‼️ JAN 2026 Thank you @TheHC_CoachLew @CoachSampson3 @CoachMattyJ @coachhagHagan @DarianLH3 @SeanDillonSDSU @SDSU_CalebDavis & the entire organization for a great visit and for believing in me. #aztecfast #BeTheA1pha

@joeagleason @DonteLewis18 @abc13houston @iamDeJuanLewis Eagle Fight Never Dies!

GREAT to see, only for a minute ⁦@DonteLewis18⁩ - KState in Austin playing in Texas Regional. Donte does a little bit of everything. He was also a hell of a football player! ⁦@abc13houston⁩ ⁦@iamDeJuanLewis⁩

Making winning plays!

Prayers on the passing of Pope Francis, who brought love and humility to the Chair of Peter. May we all follow his example of caring for the most vulnerable.

@maddox_kopp Proud of you and praying for your success!

Thank you God

@millerkopp @usabasketball Congratulations!

Blessed with the opportunity to represent the USA @usabasketball Very grateful

@roythomas_ @LamarFootball @CoachWillFlem @CoachRossomando @Beaumont_Sports @kfdmsports @adamgorney @samspiegs Congratulations! It’s just the beginning!

The journey’s been long, but I’ve learned to trust in the Lord. Thank you for all the continuous support along the way. I am betting on myself and coming home. Excited for what’s ahead! #boomtown25

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church, pray for us!

@HTown_PSClassic @STH_Basketball @KinkaidAthletic Eagle Fight Never Dies!

FINAL @STH_Basketball def. @KinkaidAthletic St. Thomas advances to the PLATINUM Bracket

@_drakemartinez @CoachConaire @SacHornetsFB @BrennanMarion4 Congratulations!

The Basilian congregation is 202 years old today. St. Basil, pray for us!

@ByAndyMcCulloch @cmsilvajr @ReporterNews @ACUsports @AbileneEagleFB @GoCooperCougars @AbileneISDAthl1 @wyliebulldogsFB @wylieathletics @Coopercoogs1 @ACUFootball @ACU_MBB Congratulations!

I’m very happy to announce that I’m joining the Abilene Reporter-News as a sports reporter covering Abilene Christian athletics and high schools sports in the Big Country. Huge thank you to @cmsilvajr and the Gannett team for this awesome opportunity. I’m so excited to get started‼️@APSE_sportmedia

@peter_king Enjoy the trip! Your wisdom is missed!

Day 1, Kings Across America, Brooklyn to Monongahela, Pa: Wife Ann+I embark on a coast-to-coast-and-back car trip, joining bro-in-law for meat loaf at Rockwell’s, Elizabeth, Pa. Weather: Cloudless, autumnal. Miles driven: 373. Americana factoid: Shopped at Aldi’s for first time.

Dennis was my first superior when I joined the Basilians. He was a great support during my formation and I’m grateful for his example of religious life.