Michael and Mary Murray were active parishioners at Our Lady of the Assumption for 57 years. During their 64 years of marriage, they were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Mike and Mary “always felt strongly about providing a living legacy as a return on the wonderful gift God has given us through a happy and rewarding life together.”  

The Murrays had long been supporters of Catholic education. Mike noted, “There needs to be a nurturing environment grounded in the Catholic faith to provide a spiritual and academic environment for each child.” 

Years ago, at a Knights of Columbus Council Meeting, Mike suggested creating an endowment fund that benefits children of the Our Lady of the Assumption parish to attend Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School. With their own generous initial gift in 2014, the Murrays established the Knights of Columbus Council 15161 Endowment Fund at the Catholic Foundation. 

The Knights regularly contribute to the fund and promote it with other members of their council, parish, and community. Through the generous donations of many Knights and parishioners at OLA, the fund has grown to over $142,000 in only five years. “Through the generosity, hard work, and support of the Knights, not only will the children benefit, but our OLA community as a whole will benefit too,” said Lisa Cordell, Principal of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School.  

Mary passed away in 2017, but her legacy and giving spirit lives on in her husband Michael and their gift of education to the parish and Catholic school they love. Mike continues to make gifts in memory of Mary to the fund. “We see this as a gift that will last in perpetuity, which makes it so much more valuable. Along with Mike Murray, we believe a Catholic education lays the foundation for a person to grow practicing charity, service, love, and spreading God’s word. We will continue to work to make this fund grow each year” said former OLA Grand Knight, Paul Halloran. 

Join Michael and Council 15161 by donating to The Knights of Columbus Council 15161 Endowment Fund in support of Our Lady of the Assumption School.