Fr. Jack McClure, C.PP.S., celebrates 50 years of faithful service
On November 13, 1976, Father Jack McClure was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Joseph Marling, C.PP.S., at Precious Blood Seminary, marking the beginning of his ministry in service to Jesus Christ, the Church, and the work of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.
Born on March 27, 1945, in Leon, Iowa, Jack was raised in the Methodist Church in Decatur, Iowa, and converted to Catholicism when he was teaching at Ankeny High School in Ankeny, Iowa. He was baptized at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart in 1971. He entered religious life on Feb. 2, 1974. Fr. Jack’s formation included theology studies at St. John’s University (Collegeville, Minnesota) and a master’s degree in counseling and administration at University of Missouri, Kansas City, followed by his ministry at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, Missouri, where he was principal and a member of the formation committee. He then served in parish ministry at St. Charles Parish in Gladstone, Missouri, serving as associate pastor and marriage counselor. Fr. Jack also studied at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois.
Over the course of his ministry, Father Jack served in a variety of assignments and life experiences, including educational leadership, formation work, prison ministry, inner city teaching, family counselor, and non-profit executive at Synergy Services, Parkville, Missouri, as well as parish pastoral ministries at Sacred Heart, West Des Moines; St. Michaels, Harlan, Iowa; St. Charles, Gladstone, Missouri; Queen of Saints Cluster, Van Horne, Iowa; St. Thomas Catholic Church and Catholic Student Center at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; St. Isidore Cluster, Stacyville, Iowa; and Most Holy Redeemer, San Francisco, California. Fr. Jack retired in 2015 to reside at Sonnino House, Berkeley; Ft. Collins, Colorado; and San Francisco before taking up residence at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio in May 2024.
Congratulations, Fr. Jack, on the occasion of your 50th year of being ordained to priestly ministry. May God continue to bless you!
“My Grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9