Actress who portrays saint has starring role in church's fundraiser

Published: 2007-10-03

STAYTON, Ore. (CNS) -- What better way to roll out a fundraising effort to renovate your falling-down mission church than to ask the saint for whom the church is named to come to town to perform before a paying audience? That's what members of St. Catherine of Siena mission in Mill City did in late September when they invited Dominican Sister Nancy Murray to perform her dramatic portrayal of St. Catherine in neighboring St. Boniface Church in Sublimity. The 97-year-old white wooden mission church in Santiam Canyon is under construction and was unable to host the event. Before the performance, about 75 parishioners paid $100 each to attend a dinner at the Stayton home of Ted and Diane Freres. Dressed in an old-fashioned Dominican habit, Sister Nancy as St. Catherine speaks out against injustice in the church and world, a theme that resonates with modern-day audiences. The saint also taught that love of God means love of one's neighbor. The real St. Catherine, a nurse and mystic, advised popes and princes on the issues of the day. She proved to be one of the sharpest theological minds in the 1400s, even though she lacked formal education. The Italian-born visionary's letters are considered among the most brilliant writings in the church. She died at age 33. Over the past four years, Sister Nancy's dramatic recreation of the saint's life has evolved into a full-time ministry for the vivacious 59-year-old, who is the sister of comedian Bill Murray.

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