Latest news with #Sister
Chicago Tribune
17 hours ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Social justice advocate Sister Pat left legacy of defiant compassion: ‘She lived for others'
Sister Patricia Murphy took risks for love. That's how the Rev. Larry Dowling described her Thursday morning to hundreds of people who gathered at a church in Mercy Circle Senior Living Center in Mount Greenwood to honor her life and commitment to social justice and immigration advocacy. The 96-year-old nun — known as Sister Pat — was diminutive but bold. She was rarely seen without her closest collaborator, Sister JoAnn Persch, with whom she was inseparable in action and purpose. They worked in sync until the day Sister Pat died, July 21, in her home in south suburban Alsip, surrounded by loved ones. Together, the activist nuns were arrested four times at different demonstrations over the years. They pushed to pass state legislation allowing religious workers to visit people in detention processing centers in Illinois. Their impact was recognized at the highest levels, from being entered into the Congressional Record for Women's History Month in 2018 to receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award — a prestigious honor recognizing dedication to community leadership and issues like immigration —from Chicago's Cardinal Blase Cupich in 2023. 'We've done the stuff that other people didn't feel OK with, and that's fine, because not everybody's called to the same thing,' Sister Pat told the Tribune in January. Thursday's tributes to Sister Pat also served as a call to action. Yogi Wess, who did social work in Chicago with her at Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly for nearly 50 years, said that if Sister Pat had been in the building that day, she would have likely told people in the audience to stand up for 'the forgotten, the unnoticed, the undocumented and unseen.' 'She was a modern-day saint. She lived for others,' said Wess, 68, who noted that Sister Pat went to great lengths to help her plan her wedding, for which she remains grateful to this day. Sister Pat was born in Chicago, one of five children, to Frank J. and Thelma Murphy. She graduated from high school in 1947 and joined the Sisters of Mercy. She admitted that she'd always wanted to be a nurse, but became a teacher instead. She met Sister JoAnn at an elementary school in Wisconsin. Then, in 1960, the Sisters of Mercy community put out a call for a volunteer to go on a mission in Sicuani, Peru. 'I filled out the form, ran across campus, and put it into the mail slot,' she recounted to the Tribune in January. She lived there for eight years, in what she called a 'house for the houseless' with no running water. In remembering her life there, she focused on the beautiful aspects — the lady who owned the house, named Isabel, who would cook soups and traditional Peruvian dishes, and how the smell would drift through the rafters. Pat picked up Spanish and the local dialect of the region. Photos of her from that time were pinned onto a poster board at Mercy Circle. She is smiling and wearing a habit. James Connelly, 67, said his great-aunt went and visited her while she was in South America and brought him back a llama fur vest. 'Now, I can't really fit in it,' he joked. Connelly admitted that he was a little afraid of the traditional nun garb as a kid, but said he always admired her compassion and dedication. 'She set an example as a strong, female leader,' he said. 'And she passed that on to all the children she taught.' Indeed, when she returned from her time abroad, she reunited with Sister JoAnn and the two trailblazers took advantage of a burgeoning movement in American Catholicism, where many nuns moved from traditional roles to activism. Sister Pat did stints at Mercy Hospital, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly and Austin Career Education Center, helping teen dropouts and adults prepare for the GED. But in her later life, shaped by her experiences in Peru, Sister Pat prioritized helping immigrants. She and Sister JoAnn in the 1980s and '90s opened Su Casa Catholic Worker House, a home for survivors of torture from Central America, on the South Side of Chicago. Several years later, they started praying outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview. And they collaborated with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights to successfully pass a bill allowing religious workers to enter immigrant detention centers. They spent long hours with immigrants in detention. Pat warmed up the guards with homemade cookies and wrapped candy canes. Because she could speak Spanish, she was able to help detainees connect with family members. 'They just loved her,' Sister JoAnn said in January. 'Imagine how much of a help she was to them, speaking Spanish like she did.' The sisters stopped visiting immigrants in detention during the pandemic. And under the current Donald Trump administration, ICE has been unwilling to let anyone — even elected officials — inside, said Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel at ICIRR, who attended the funeral. 'Sister Pat always used a particular word to describe the immigration detention system: demonic,' said Tsao. The sisters meant to retire after the pandemic, they said, but felt called to step in and help the tens of thousands of migrants who were bused to Chicago from the southern border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. They founded a nonprofit called Catherine's Caring Cause to help asylum-seekers settle, opening 17 apartments to house 100 people. They shifted to provide 'Know Your Rights' information to their tenants when Trump was elected. In a final essay that Sister Pat co-authored with Sister JoAnn, they wrote about one Venezuelan family assisted by their nonprofit, who they said was recently deported to Costa Rica. 'The parents and their five children were seized at a local ICE office when they reported for a routine check-in as required by law,' the essay reads. 'ICE officials accused the husband of having a criminal background, which he denied. He never had a chance to present his case in court.' On Thursday morning, a migrant family lingered a little longer in the hallway outside the church sanctuary after her casket was brought out. They said they were blessed to be connected to Sister Pat through a nonprofit in El Paso, Texas. Their family of four was staying in one of the apartments the sisters rented. 'Pat was our angel,' said Jose Ramos, 37, whose daughter is disabled and needs extra support. 'She called us all the time to check in.' His wife, Victoria Naranjo, 34, said Sister Pat often encouraged her to write a book about her migrant journey. 'It's not easy being a migrant,' Naranjo said. 'She thought more people should know that.' Ramos said he thinks he might have been one of the last to speak to her before she could no longer use her voice.
Buzz Feed
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tia Mowry's Single Mom Claims Sparked Backlash
Tia Mowry has been at the center of backlash for the terminology she chooses to use to describe her current family dynamic. On Tuesday, Tia opened up on Instagram about receiving negative comments for referring to herself as a single mom. She explained her reasoning for putting herself in that category, but not everyone agreed. For those who don't know, in October 2022, Tia and Cory Hardrict announced they were separating after 14 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in April 2023. The two initially met back in 1999 and eventually tied the knot in 2008. They agreed on joint legal and physical custody of their two children — 14-year-old Cree and 7-year-old Cairo. Despite their split, Tia and Cory have appeared to find a great balance and co-parenting rhythm. They've also agreed to never introduce their minor children to a new romantic partner unless they've been exclusively dating them for a minimum of six months. But because the Sister, Sister star has been open about sharing responsibilities with her ex-husband, and applauding him for being a present father, many of her fans didn't understand how or why she'd consider herself a "single mom." "Being a 'single mom' doesn't always mean a mom doing it all alone without the father present in their kids' lives at all," Tia wrote. "I recognize that archetype is extremely difficult, and I truly empathize. But what often gets overlooked is the nuance of what being a single mom can actually mean." "For me, in my household, I am SINGLE. I don't have a partner, so I'm holding it down for everyone at home. I'm the only parent present day-to-day." Tia recalled feeling guilty during the first nights after her divorce. She admitted to crying and feeling shame, because she wasn't even sure if she could still use the word "family" to describe them. "It's not even about being a 'single mom.' It's about recognizing we need to normalize different family dynamics. Just because parents aren't together doesn't mean the family is 'broken.' It just looks differently." "The kids are the priority. Parents have to set aside their emotions and feelings for each other. They have to be there for their kids. No matter what." Tia, who recently celebrated her 47th birthday with her twin sister Tamera, added that she never wants her kids to feel like they have to choose between their parents. The last thing she wants is to create a "toxic" or "broken" environment for them. As a way to continue to provide Cree and Cairo with a sense of family, Tia and Cory have ensured that they'll always be together when celebrating big moments like birthdays, holidays, graduations, and more. "Kids should see their parents in the same room, united." "No matter if you separate or divorce, the commitment to your kids is forever. When you have kids, you'll always be FAMILY, no matter the changes. I'm not saying divorce or separation is always the answer. But even if parents live together, it doesn't guarantee a happy home. Kids want their parents to be happy, no matter the situation." "Being a single mom isn't one way or one story," Tia added. "There are so many nuances. Happy healthy families come in many forms. Different doesn't mean broken. We are family, regardless." Tia also emphasized that this doesn't just go for moms. She stated that no one should dictate what family looks like for you — whether you're a single dad, LGBTQ+ parents, or any other family that aren't a part of societal norms. Even with her transparency, some still didn't agree with her definition of a "single mom": While others appreciated her view: You can read Tia's full post below: I always love how transparent Tia gets with her fans. It's okay if a word has different connotations for you versus someone else. And it's also okay, if someone has differing parenting habits than you, as long as the kids are healthy and being loved properly. I feel like everyone wants people to do and think like they do, and that's just not realistic. To be honest, there are a few terms and phrases out there that mean something completely different to me, and that's okay. That doesn't make my definition any less valid and vice versa. For example, I always thought the term "co-parenting" was strange, because in my eyes, you're literally just parenting. Whether you're together or not, you're still a parent, so adding the word "co" felt redundant to me. Or, when some people use the phrase "tall, dark, and handsome," they're referring to someone who looks like Theo James, whereas I would use it to describe someone who looks more like Kofi Sirboe. In my eyes, Theo is tan, not dark, but to someone else, he's considered dark, and that's okay. It's not different. But that's my opinion. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments!
Buzz Feed
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tia And Tamera Mowry's Age Shocks People
Believe it or not, it's been over 30 years since Sister, Sister premiered. Of course, twins Tia and Tamera Mowry starred in the beloved '90s sitcom alongside actors like Jackée Harry, Tim Reid, and Marques Houston. Tia and Tamera were 15 when Sister, Sister first aired in 1994 — and this weekend, the pair celebrated their 47th birthday! Sharing a sweet picture of herself and Tamera on Instagram, Tia wrote, 'And just like that we are 47 :)' Meanwhile, Tamera posted a collage of photos of herself and Tia and said, 'Happy 47th birthday to my twin, Tia! 🩷 It's crazy to think we've been doing life together for 47 years. From the silly moments to the tough ones, you've always had this determination to keep going and growing — no matter what life throws your way. I love you more than words can say. Here's to us, to sisterhood, and spending our birthday today! Together. 🥰' Needless to say, the pair look absolutely incredible — and tons of IG users were totally shocked upon discovering their age. 'The Gasp I GUSPED !!! Idk Why 47 Shocked Me So Bad, They Look So Good,' read one comment with over 16,000 likes. 'Omg they look good af!! 47 where???' said another. 'They still look like teenagers,' one person said, while another echoed, 'And still looking like the teenagers i grew up watching.' Indeed! Happy birthday, twins!
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Call The Midwife fans convinced show will end in heartbreaking death as they work out final storyline
CALL The Midwife fans have been left convinced that the show will end in a tragic death after news the main series could come to an end. The popular BBC family drama will come to a close following the conclusion of the 15th series which is currently being filmed and is due to air next year. 3 Call the Midwife fans have been speculating on how the show may end amid reports of its axing Credit: BBC 3 The popular programme has ran for 15 series Credit: BBC 3 Could Sister Monica Joan die at the end of the show? Credit: BBC It has left fans speculating at to how the programme might reach its conclusion and some have predicted a tragic death could be on the cards for one of its most popular characters. One character who looks set to meet her match during the show's finale is Sister Monica Joan. Whilst not confirmed, fans have begun to cast suspicion that she could fall victim to a death in the programme's final episode. The character, played by actress Judy Parfitt, has been a part of the show since the very first series and has been one of the drama's fan-favourite characters. Taking to Reddit, it led one fan to quip that they could kill off their longest-serving character for shock value. Speculating what is to come: "Something tells me that something is going to happen to Sister Monica Joan. "I think it's going to be a two part episode and the series will end with implications for the upcoming film... and maybe something for the prequel series." Another added: "Maybe so. I've honestly been waiting for Sister Monica Joan to leave because she was a bit of a nuisance at times and very openly disobedient and often willful. "The actress is wonderful but the character has been shown less and less the past couple of years." Whilst many fans were sad to see the programme come to an end, others argued that now felt the right time to call it a day. Call The Midwife fans in tears as beloved Nonnatus House resident dies in emotional scenes They added online: "I love the series but honestly it was time for it to end anyway. Maybe even beyond time. Especially after Lucille left." As someone else penned: "I'm not too sorry about the show ending — it's had a fabulous run, but the writing and storylines just aren't what they were in the early years." The Daily Star were the first to report the news of the show's end. However, the BBC have clarified that whilst Call the Midwife's main series may be paused - the show's prequel and spin-off movie mean the show will still be on the air for years to come. They said: "The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. "As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. "Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere.' Up to 11 million people watched the highly-anticipated episodes at any time since it first launched in 2012. It has won numerous awards including National Television Awards, TV Choice Awards and has received several BAFTA nominations.
Perth Now
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Tia Mowry found travel healing post-divorce
Tia Mowry found travel helped her to heal after her divorce. The former Sister, Sister star split from Cory Hardrict - with whom she has Cree, 13, and seven-year-old Cairo - in 2023 after 15 years of marriage and she has urged anyone who finds themselves suddenly single to "dive into doing the work" on themselves and to take time for self-care. Asked during a fan Q+A on her Instagram Story how to recover from a divorce, she wrote: "I think I'd say: dive into doing the work. "Really, truly focus on self-care. Focus on what makes you happy and what brings you joy. "Build a tribe, a community of friends, a support system. Meditate. Try new hobbies. Read books on healing. Spend time with your kids if you have them, or just surround yourself with people who genuinely love and support you. 'Do things that feel fun and fulfilling. Travel, if you can. Traveling really helped me. It's all about creating new experiences. The more experiences you have, the further away you get from that heavy, gut-wrenching feeling of divorce.' The 46-year-old actress stressed that it is OK to feel emotional but to try not to get "consumed" by sadness. She added: 'Also, allow yourself to cry. Allow yourself to feel it all. Just don't let it consume you. I hope that helps.' Cory recently explained he and Tia had managed to avoid a "messy" divorce by putting their children first. Speaking on 'Sherri', the 45-year-old actor said: "Everything starts and ends with love. We are a family, no matter what people say. I block out the noise. My kids are going to live to see this one day, and I am going to represent for them, always. "If you really love your children, you won't get involved in the noise or the mess. I make sure that I always think about them first. I put myself last. If you do that, you're going to avoid the mess." His comments come shortly after Tia revealed that Cory had been her "first everything" and that she had never really known anything than their marriage when it comes to relationships. Speaking during a confessional segment on her WeTV reality show 'Tia Mowry: My Next Act', she explained: "You know I've never dated. Cory was my first everything. 'I wasn't even allowed to date until I was 18 years old. "I met Cory when I turned 20 and I lost my virginity at 25. There, I said it! And then we got married! Boom!"
