Paul Clifford Obituary

Just this opportunity to remember Fr.Paul and his kind and gentle spiritual support to me as a high school senior 57 :) years ago is a wonderful blessing from Spirit. Remembering his spirit is a gift, an affirmation of Presence in the moment this morning when I happen to be feeling vulnerable. Praise to our loving God, to the loving Mystery and praise to his spirit Now, in real time, many years after his passing.

Fr. Clifford was my confessor through part of my college days, and he was the celebrant at my wedding Mass in 1982. Now, both he and my husband have passed on...so I hope they're enjoying a good time in heaven. :-)

On a retreat under the guidance of Fr. Paul I came to the greatest realization of my life...and it has made all the difference! All glory to God who worked so gently through Fr. Paul

I loved this dear man. After many years of travel away from Wilmette, where I met Fr. Paul at LA in 1970, I just found a letter he sent me when he moved to Chicago in 1975. Tracking him down online, I find out only now of his passing. I can attribute the birth of my spiritual life to this man who led a retreat that he allowed me to attend (I was a freshman, and you had to be at least a sophomore.) His delight in the love of God! His basking in the mercy of God! His living example of the joy these bring! What a teaching his life was! In later years of high school when my spiritual path led me to become a Baha'i, he stood by me and defended me. "Do you love Jesus?" "Yes" "Do you love the Virgin Mary?" "Yes." "Than don't worry about what anyone else says!" His unencumbered love was like water on the dry soil of the soul. How do you repay such a gift? Fr. Paul, I love you still.

In 1982, at age 22, I moved into a studio apartment across the street from St. Ignatius Church in Chicago. I would walk to work at a nearby used bookstore and sometimes bump into Paul (who I did not know at the time) on the street in front of the church. Our conversations led to my first teaching job at Loyola Academy and a happy friendship. Although I taught Theology at Loyola just 3 years, it was a wholly positive work and personal experience that served as a contributing basis for future work.
Later, in conversations in his office at Loyola University, he was a quiet and good advisor on the Christian life. He started a group of lay people to meet, pray and support one another's ministerial, family, work and personal endeavors of which I was a part. A great man. Rest in peace!

I was introduced to Fr. Paul in 1973 while at Loyola Academy, although he already knew my father and brother, both prior graduates of LA. Over the ensuing years he was who I turned to for presiding at the funeral mass for my brother, to marry me and baptize two of my children. He also handled my Pre-Cana reflection period and, at an earlier time in my life, was a trusted personal counselor to me at a most confusing time in my life. He guided and taught me to discern life and its problems. My wife and I share the same feeling: our respective lives have forever been touched by Fr. Paul's compassion, positive approach to God and his amazing soft-spoken(calming)manner. Our lives today would not be what they are had he not been a part of it. We will always fondly remember who, and what, he was in our separate and combined lives.

Fr.Clifford,
Took me off the street in Chicago, gave me food, peace, time, confidence, love of everloving God, hope, and most importantly, accept myself.
To me, he was a saint.
stephen

Fr. Paul Clifford was my spiritual director during the process of discernment as a senior at the Academy as to whether to enter the Society. I have thought of Paul many times over the years with a real affection and deep respect. His love of God was palpable, both gentle and fierce. I join with you the reader in sending a prayer of gratitude and love to Paul's spirit now, and through to our common and joyful future in our One God.

Fr.Paul will always be remembered by me as a dear friend and spiritual guide. I am grateful to have been able to visit with him even up to 6/16/06. He was still "preaching": 'Gratitude is our most important response to our Loving God.'

Fr. Paul Clifford, S.J. will long be remembered for his kind, caring, selfless and faithful service to the people of St. Ignatius Parish in Chicago.

Without a doubt, in all of my education, Fr. Clifford is the best teacher I ever had . His passion, excitement, and most of all, unswerving ability to create an environment where respect ruled, encouraged an atmosphere of learning. He backed down from no one, and challenged the potential in every person's mind. He helped me to see the best in me. When I think of those who have had a meaningfull impact in my life, Fr. Clifford is in the top group. He was a very special and unique person.

A priest, a man, a gentleman of caring compassion...and a brave one through his final illness. I hope he is already praing for those of us left behind.

The Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus remembers Paul Clifford with affection for his 63 years of service and is grateful to the many friends and benefactors who helped make that service possible.

Fr. Paul will be missed by many for his quiet and loving personality and his sense of humor. He loved his family and parishoners. I have had the privilege of knowing Fr. Paul for 50 years through his cousin Judy Stephens Craig and we went on an incredible journey with Fr. Paul through those years. He loved being a priest and we were the richer for having him with us. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.

With love and rememberance,

Holly Wisner

My favorite high school teacher and mentor. I learned a great deal from him in the classroom and as a mentor. I should be half the person he wanted me to be. Ted Handrup M.D.

May the loving God whom you served

with such gentleness, dear Paul,

comfort each of us who loved you

and will continue to pray for you.