Sister. Director. Aunt. Boss. Daughter. Teacher. Counselor. Co-Worker. Friend.

Monica.

If you have found this website, you are no doubt aware that Sister Monica Murphy was an extraordinary person who lived an extraordinary life. I was lucky enough to have worked with Monica for many years at Pyramid Life Center, and the ways in which she touched my life are too numerous to count. Like all of you, I was devastated to hear of her passing. 

Fortunately, I was blessed to have the chance to spend time with Monica a few weeks before her accident, and as usual, we spent time recounting our various adventures at PLC. She mentioned, as she often did, that people had recently urged her to write her stories down. But I don't think either she or any of us could have foreseen the way in which her life was cut so tragically short. 

At Monica's wake, we heard stories from her friends, family, co-workers and others.  I think if we had more time, we all could have continued telling stories throughout the night.  Regardless of whether those stories were about defying authority, or heading off on a grand adventure, or finding beauty in life's simple pleasures, I am sure that all of us felt in our hearts that these stories were quintessentially Monica.

After her tragic passing, I feel like it falls to all of us - those of us who were part of her stories - to share those stories with one another. I only knew Monica through my time spent at PLC, and so I need help from you to gather stories from the many different facets of her life. In order for this collection to reflect the great diversity of Monica's life, I need stories from her family, her fellow Sisters of St. Joseph, her co-workers, her friends and other loved ones. Feel free to share a story, or a favorite quote, or a longer reflection on the way that Monica influenced your life. Photos are welcome too.

I have set up TheMonicaProject2019@gmail.com where you can send your submissions via email.  You can also submit your story directly below.  If you want to write your story out on paper and mail it to me, or call me directly, all of my contact information is below. What I hope to gather are a variety of stories, anecdotes, and reflections about Monica and to then assemble them into an e-book or, if there is enough interest, into a printed softcover book.  

So if you know anyone who has stories to share, please let them know about this project. Share it on facebook, twitter, instagram, or whatever social media everyone is using these days.  Anything you can do to get the word out would be so greatly appreciated. As you know, Monica was all about community, and so I would welcome any and all help offered to hopefully turn this project into something that is worthy of her memory. 

Peace, 

Joe Voytus

126 Fieldstone Drive - Ringwood, NJ 07456 - 201-787-8298