Christmas came early at Murray House in Clifton, N.J.
“Welcome home!” Joanna Miller, executive director of the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) of Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese in N.J., and her staff exclaimed as they greeted clients of Murray House, a group home for men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Murray House staff and clients joined diocesan and community leaders, family members, and volunteers for the blessing and ribbon-cutting celebration of the group home’s new location on Nov. 14. DPD is part of Catholic Charities.
Opened in 1971, Murray House was the first group home for men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Garden State. The home is named in honor of Jimmie Murray, who had a developmental disability and died in 1969. DPD aims to make the move to the new location by Christmas.
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Residents were excited to tour the home and see their bedrooms freshly painted in the colors they selected. Laura Beahm said her sister, a resident of Murray House for 14 years, is looking forward to moving in.
“My sister called me every day about it. The house is beautiful. I love the garden, the ramp. It makes you feel so safe,” Beahm said.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the blessing and prayer.
“We thank God for the gift of life and the gift of family. And the family needs a home. And we’re so grateful to all those who have made this moment possible. We pray that every family would know peace and happiness in a safe home,” Bishop Sweeney said.
During the ribbon-cutting, Miller presented a plaque to the Murray family for its dedication, in partnership with DPD, for more than 50 years in making the home “a beacon of compassion and dignity.”
Jimmie’s brothers, Dennis Murray, vice president of the board of Catholic Charities, and Patrick Murray, officer in charge of the Paterson Police Department, and other family members, celebrated the milestone with residents and the community. The late Father Jack Wehrlen, founder of DPD, and the Murray family opened the first Murray House in 1971.
Bishop Sweeney thanked community and government leaders for their support, including U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou and State Sen. Kristin Corrado, both of whom attended the event.
“This is a sign of hope in this Jubilee Year of Hope for the Church. Look what we can do when we work together as neighbors and as a community,” Bishop Sweeney said.
The lawmakers applauded the Murray family and the DPD staff for their commitment to helping the residents flourish and grow. They wished the residents much happiness in their home.
“All of you will become one family. That is what we all want,” Pou said.
Corrado noted that there was a time when homes like Murray House were not available for “our most special and wonderful residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” It takes a village, said Corrado, adding, “Every person in this room is part of that village.”
Scott Milliken, CEO of Catholic Charities, said it has been their dream to relocate Murray House so that the residents can age in place.
“It’s a testament to our belief that every person deserves to age with dignity, independence, safety, and comfort. This fully accessible ranch-style home in Clifton will ensure they can continue to thrive safely in the place they love. Murray House has set the standard for compassionate, person-centered care for over five decades. This relocation honors that legacy while securing their future,” Milliken said. “This is your home, and you can stay here for a very long time. Enjoy it, live well, and prosper.”
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, DPD operates 10 group homes and one supervised apartment program, with a new group home scheduled to open in Morris County in 2026, to help individuals live with dignity and respect. DPD has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation since 1986 and is the only provider in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field in New Jersey to hold this accreditation.
Miller also said it was essential to the Catholic Charities staff to keep Murray House in Clifton because the residents have been part of the community’s fabric, and their day and support programs are nearby.
“They’re engaged in many activities. They worship there. They shop there. They take part in recreational activities and all the different activities that make Clifton a great place for them,” Miller said.
