YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, has granted Rev. Richard Murphy’s request to retire as president of Ursuline High School, effective July 1.
“After months of prayerful reflection and 14 privileged years serving my alma mater as its first-ever president, it is time to acknowledge at age 72 that the many good things the school community, its boards of governance and I have sought to advance as goals and vision for Ursuline are best served by a person with new energy and their own initiative,” Murphy said.
Murphy, a 1972 Ursuline graduate, was appointed president of the high school in 2012. He has also served as the administrative liaison to the school board of directors. Murphy also taught in the Religious Education Department at Ursuline for 22 years on both the junior and senior levels and served as associate principal for pastoral ministry from 1986 to 2008.
Murphy, a Youngstown native, is also pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in McDonald and Saint Mary Church in Mineral Ridge) and has served the Diocese of Youngstown since 1980.
“I am grateful to Father Murphy for his dedicated service to Ursuline High School,” Bonnar said. “Father Murphy’s commitment to the priesthood and Catholic education in the spirit of the Gospel is exemplary.”
Steven Jones, superintendent of Catholic schools within the diocese, along with the Ursuline board of directors, will begin the process of searching for the next president immediately.
Murphy said the school is in good hands, and he still hopes to serve the Ursuline community.
“I look forward to serving the Ursuline family, my students and alumni in whatever capacities the new president finds useful,” he said. “My pastoral support for the school, Catholic education throughout the diocese and Ursuline Sisters Mission will thankfully continue within my ministry as pastor of the newly formed Queen of Heaven Parish in Trumbull County.”