A Testimonial
Rev. Msgr. James A. Clarke
How did I discover the Lord calling me to be a priest?
I attended St. Columba, St. Edward and Ursuline High Schools in Youngstown. Parish priests and sisters were always encouraging us to think about whether or not God might be calling us to be priests or nuns. In school we had vocation poster contests, vocation essay contests, and good examples of several seminarians, happy priests and sisters.
I used to vacation at my aunt and uncle's home in Akron. I used to read their Sign Magazine and Catholic Digest. In the back of these Catholic publications were ads for many religious communities and summaries of their apostolates. I was attracted to several of them.
In high school, nine seniors announced they were going to the diocesan seminary. I wondered how they knew what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. I had no idea what I wanted to do. One of those future seminarians suggested to me "Why don't you think about being a priest?" That sounded as good as any other future. I talked with the Vocation Director, and I decided to go to the seminary and see if that is the life for me.
I went. I prayed for vocation guidance everyday. The eight years of seminary training zoomed by, and I was ordained a diocesan priest on May 23, 1970. (Of the ten men in my graduating class, I was the only one ordained a priest until my classmate Fr. Joseph Rudjak was ordained a priest in the year 2000!)
My hobbies and interests
Nowadays I enjoy riding a bike around the neighborhood. I have always enjoyed reading and keeping up with old and new friends. I do a bit of work around the house and yard. I travel a couple of times a year. I am in a support group of priests; we meet monthly for prayer and fun. I was a Team Priest for Marriage Encounters for many years, and meet monthly in a support group with three couples. I am also one of the non-gourmet cooks in a Gourmet Group of priests. I enjoy popular films.
The diocesan priesthood today…
is an exciting adventure, because it is always changing along with the times. Diocesan priests are with and for the people. I pastor a rather large parish, and the opportunities for a variety of creative, needed works are many.
One surprise about priestly life and ministry is…
that most of the priests I know, especially the one I know well, are truly happy men. They have significant purpose in life, and are fondly loved and respected by their parishioners. They daily give freely of their time, talent and treasure. They work hard, but their weariness is the good kind.
I remain a priest because…
I cannot imagine myself in any other state of life. There is no job I would rather be doing, even if I were trained in another profession. Whatever sacrifices I have made to be a priest have been small in comparison with the blessings and gifts I have received.
People would be surprised to know that I…
frequent the outdoor Hartville Flea Market, and find "bargains" and "treasures" at the local thrift shops!
