Terrance J. Moran, CSJP-A (1955-2025)

Born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, Terrance J. Moran was the eldest of three children of Donald and Lorraine Moran. “I come from a family in which political engagement was an important value,” he wrote in a reflection for NETWORK in 2018, “so there’s a restlessness in my genes for a world that is more just, peaceful, and verdant.”

Terry studied moral theology at the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome, Italy, and the Catholic University of Louvain in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. He spent many years in parish ministry, taught theology at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, was Director of Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, and ministered as a spiritual director and retreat leader. He served on the boards of Spiritual Directors International and NETWORK Lobby. Most recently Terry was Director of the Office of Peace, Justice, and Ecological Integrity for the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. He also shared his many gifts and faithful presence as an active member of the Kairos Community and with local Catholic Worker communities.

Terry made his first covenant as an Associate of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 2006. He made his lasting covenant in 2016. He shared his connection to the Congregation this way:

I first came to know the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace charism when I stumbled across a copy of Margaret Anna Cusack’s autobiography The Nun of Kenmare, locked in the ‘forbidden books’ section of our seminary library. Over the years I continued to read everything I could about this fascinating and passionate advocate for justice and prophet of peace. Through my friendship with Gail DeMaria, CSJP and contacts with other CSJPs, I was to discover how vibrantly the spirit of Mother Clare lived in the CSJP community today. Meeting CSJP Associates Virginia Bell, Ann Wagner, and Angela Zapka at the 2004 Conference of the North American Conference of Associates and Religious convinced me to explore the possibilities of association myself.

Terry was a vibrant and active associate of the Congregation, leading retreat days and giving many presentations. He served on various committees, including the Land Ethic, Eastern Region Response Team, Congregation experience in London, and Living Peace editorial board. Terry was a frequent contributor to Living Peace and wrote a Eucharistic Prayer based on the Congregation’s Constitutions. He also wrote a reflection booklet, Praying Peace with Margaret Anna Cusack, drawing on the work of CSJP Sisters Margaret O’Neil, Rosalie McQuaide, Janet Richardson, and Dorothy Vidulich.

After facing several health challenges since May 2024, Terrance J. Moran passed away on January 27, 2025, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, at the age of 69. In keeping with his commitment to care for creation, Terry requested a green burial which took place on January 30, 2025, at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, New Jersey. A memorial service was held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey, on April 22, 2025.

Terry now knows the deepest truth of these words on letting go as he enjoys the embrace of his loving and compassionate God and his family and friends who have gone before him. We can only imagine the conversations Terry is having with Mother Clare, who he described in Praying Peace with Margaret Anna Cusack as his anam cara.