Fr. Clem was the first Jesuit whom I got to know. We met in the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma in 2007 as I had a reflection day before the ordination. He said to me, “H.Paul, don’t push yourself too hard. Gentle on you.” He was a compassionate, energetic Jesuit that you would not miss him if he were around. His voice was so loud that many had to cover their ears when he said the mass at St. Anthony. After his retirement, he moved into St. Anthony and we became friends and later he became my spiritual director.
One day, he gave me a chuck of money, saying, “H.Paul, somebody gave me this money. I believe you could use this better than me.” He was filled with new ideas that made him lively all the time. As he worked on catechesis for the high school confirmation, using the Powerpoint, he was so excited to show me like a child. He was the one who introduced me to the campus ministry at John Carroll because he had worked with JCU as a director of the Jesuit Retreat House. After I left St. Anthony, his health got deteriorated and he had to go to the nursing home for Jesuits in Detroit. I knew it would be the last time I saw him, so I visited him on December 5, 2009.
He was so fragile that he couldn’t speak long. I asked him how he wanted to be remembered. “I am a humble servant, a Jesuit.” “Are you not afraid of death?” I asked. He said if he did not wake up that would be the time to wake up in heaven to meet God. I asked him to bless me before he went back to the Father like Isaac did to Jacob. He laid on of his hands over my head. I felt pressure and assurance because he gave his all to bless me. He died in Detroit on December 15.
I have a GPS that Fr. Clem gave to me. Whenever I use it, I think of him. When he was alive, he guided me to the humble priesthood. Now although he passed away, he still guides me through the navigation to find a right path. I miss his thundering voice and joyful presence.
Fr. Clem is the third Christ.