Every person has her secrets. If Katie can forgive her mother and herself for theirs, readers of this book can certainly find it in their hearts to forgive their own transgressions. This deeply affecting memoir by a Catholic schoolgirl during the 1960s shares her inspiring journey from an abusive childhood with a schizophrenic mother to an adulthood of redemptive love. My Mother Killed Christ: But God Loves Me Anyway is a triumphant memoir detailing the life of Katie Murphy, a 1960s Catholic School girl struggling to keep the faith acquired at school in a home ruled by a mentally ill mother who believed she killed Jesus Christ. This life story is not divided into years, but into episodes capturing her family’s chaos, created by an absentee father and a mother frequently committed to a mental hospital. She and her four siblings are forced to shoplift food, toiletries and clothing to survive. Meanwhile, Katie's misguided search for parental love leads to an ongoing affair with a priest in high school, marriage to a man twice her age in college, and a twelve year affair with a married man in adulthood. She finally learns the truth about her childhood. Successful, safe and loved today, she lifts the veil of self-blame and anger to trace a path to true forgiveness. The author shares poignant proof that, with conviction, compassion, and truth, even the most damaging past can be transformed into a peaceful and meaningful present.
It took turning 50 years old for me to finally decide to strive for my childhood dream of becoming an author. I've made an excellent living as a writer of state and federal grants, but honestly didn't feel as if I had actually achieved my goal. I had to write a book before it was too late. While struggling to find the subject for my first book, I recalled the most frequently spoken words of all of my many writing teachers: "WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW!" Hence, I have written a memoir.
After conducting a typical mid-life review, I realized that there were many things I regretted and felt ashamed of for years. I'm certain that some of my peers may feel similar emotions. My Mother Killed Christ: But God Loves Me Anyway illustrates one person's journey towards understanding and forgiveness of herself and others for some of the most egregious offences imaginable. I hope readers will find it worthy of their time and that it serves to illustrate that there is a path to peace, regardless of your starting point.
Another important reason for telling my story is that there are continuous discussions in the 24-hour media about how to improve education to better serve at-risk children. My brothers and sisters and I grew up on welfare, with a mentally ill mother and an absentee father. When we were teens and my mother was committed again and again to mental institutions, we had to steal food, clothing and toiletries to survive. Yet, today, we have all broken the cycle of poverty and abuse for ourselves and our children. How? We had exceptional teachers. They didn't just dispense facts. Instead, they provided opportunities for us to confirm our self worth. Money is not what is needed to improve education. Making it possible for caring, competent teachers to make a meaningful connection with EVERY child in the classroom makes all the difference. A high school teacher's few positive comments scribbled in my weekly journal were enough to sustain me for a week. Soon, one week led to another and before I knew it, I was graduating from college. This magical connection in the classroom can never be measured by a standardized test.
I've worked as a professional grant writer for public school districts for the past fourteen years. Prior to that, I taught high school English for twelve years, during which time, I enjoyed serving as a basketball coach and advisor to various clubs. I consider myself a true "Jersey Girl," but I now reside in Brevard County, Florida, with my husband of five years.
