After graduating from MUW, where she was a member of the Gauntlet Social Club, a Junior Usher and a member of the Chapel Choir and Tour Choir, she went on to get her Masters Degree from Loyola University Chicago with a concentration in liturgical studies. Her last full-time job with the Church was on the worship staff of Cardinal George. Their responsibilities include providing worship catechesis to parishes and preparing all the episcopal liturgies at the cathedral. Working in the Catholic church means working in a primarily male environment. Murtaugh credits her MUW days with helping her to become a confident woman with the ability to work with a diverse group of people. The up-side of her job was making music and inspiring those who hear it. Her main challenge was dealing with difficult personalities in the parish.
When asked if she had any advice for MUW students considering a ministry like hers, Courtney said “ In order to be successful in church ministry you will need to pursue graduate studies in one of these areas: music, liturgy, theology, scripture or education. If ordination is a route opened to you, you will need a Masters of Divinity and most likely a doctorate after a few years of professional pastoral work experience.”
If you are in Barrington IL, Courtney invites you to join her parish, St. Anne, ( http://stannebarrington.org) which she describes as a very hospitable parish that has a strong social justice ministry and engaging liturgy. She is no longer in full-time ministry, but does serve St. Anne as a cantor, environment and art coordinator, wedding coordinator, as well as assisting with the children’s choir and training children as cantors.
Courtney's husband of 32 years, Barry, is a retired corporate executive and works full time as the Director of Finance and Operations for a large Catholic Urban Grammar School. Her son Liam is a graduate student studying in London while her son Rory is an out of work high school Latin teacher who currently he lives in Portland, OR where he is writing music and singing professionally. Her youngest son, Keefe recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy and is a 2nd Lt in the Marine Corps, based at Quantico, VA. While her sons were young she was a working mom married to a corporate executive. She and her husband shared parenting in every way....school, athletics, parent meetings, etc. While it got tricky at times, and she did miss a few events, she was always there when it counted most, so doesn't feel guilty about missing a few things. Her boys are well adjusted grown men who treat women with equality and respect. What more can she ask for!! When not working, she enjoys travel, shopping, and socializing with friends and family.
In 2006 she decided to start her own business as a meeting and event planner. Her business focuses on assisting religious non-profits with their meeting and conference needs. One of her clients is the North American Academy of Liturgy. The academy is ecumenical and includes scholars of liturgy as well as practitioners. Many of the members of the academy wrote books that she used in her graduate studies. Courtney can be reached via email at murtaughs@ameritech.net or visit LinkIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/murtaugh60010 Also feel free to take a tour of CBM Meetings Plus at http://web.mac.com/murtaughs
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