Father Clark receives prestigious honor from SU

 
When it comes to ministering to students on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Father Tom Clark uses two philosophies: visibility and availability. He can often be found in the student union, meeting with students, talking with them but mostly just listening.

“To be perfectly honest, church is not the number one thing on students’ minds,” said Father Clark, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Scotlandville and the MLK Catholic Student Center at SU. “However, I find them very open to conversation as I walk around campus, attend university events and staff a table at the student union. Being visible and available leads to relationship building. 

“I find that when they are in crisis because of family emergencies back home, broken relationships or the stress and anxiety of college life, they seek me out for counseling and support.”

The MLK Center, staffed by Joyce Johnson and Wilfred Johnson, is the hub of student activities, providing a quiet place for studying, free printing and fellowship with coffee and snacks, according to Father Clark. Mass is celebrated Sundays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and a small group gathers for Bible study after the Wednesday evening Mass. 

Also, the Southern University Gospel Choir, which consists of more than 70 students, uses the MLK Center as its base of operations, with practices held on Tuesdays.

“I join them each Tuesday evening for praise and worship which always begins their rehearsals,” said Father Clark.

These are small gestures that have added up to a larger sense of spirituality, community and unity and at the heart of it all is Father Clark. On Nov. 3,  the Diversity Committee for Southern University Law Center’s Student Bar Association awarded Father Clark the “Creating A More Respectful World” plaque. 

“Father Clark was chosen to receive such a plaque because of his consistent actions in creating a more respectful world including through his years of work and interaction with students at Southern and his presentations related to the value of respect for diversity,” said Michael Garrard, faculty advisor for the Diversity Committee.  “Father Clark can frequently be seen in the Southern student union graciously sharing fellowship and the benefit of his thoughts and wisdom with students.”

“These plaques are given to individuals that are doing courageous and extraordinary work in the community to progress society forward,” said Jasmine Hunter, director of External Affairs for SULC. “Known for his encouraging words, Father Clark is a staple to the Southern University family. He has served as the university’s Catholic chaplain since 2016. In addition, he is a community partner and delivers the invocation at numerous campus-wide events.”

Father Clark said the ministry at Southern University is one of “presence and accompaniment.”  

“Catholic chaplains at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have identified three characteristics of our ministry: students do not come to you, you must go to students; we minister to all students of all faiths as well as ‘none’s;’ and, we want Catholic students to feel pride and confidence in their Black Catholic history and heritage,” he said.

Father Clark said the Holy Spirit guides him to be at the right place at the right time. He recalled many times when he would be on campus and a student would stop to talk to him. He said students are navigating new territory and new stresses, being away from home and people they know while trying to deal with classwork, projects and exams. 

“I love being able to listen, to support and to encourage,” he said. “Just being able to talk with someone and vent their frustration and air their fears and anxieties help them to sort things out and keep moving on.”

Students’ mental health is an area that Father Clark is focusing on. He said experts are just now learning about the long-term effects of isolation on students from COVID-19 and online learning. 

Father Clark said he loves being on the Southern campus and interacting with students. He said not only do many carry demanding academic loads but they also work to fund their tuition and some students even send money home to help their families with finances. In addition, he said, students are also engaged in community service as a part of academic requirements.

Father Clark said he has learned “faith is a journey,” taking many forms through life. And, as young people explore their independence during their college years, they can often drift away from the church, he said. But he finds that they never lose their connection to God. 

“I fully believe that they will find their way back to church, and when they do their faith will be stronger because they have made it their own,” he said.