Associate Tom Clifford, CSJA

Tom Clifford, CSJA, a lifelong resident of St. Louis, Missouri, has been an associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 50 years. His journey with the CSJs began when his wife, Anne, introduced him to the CSJs during their marriage preparation. Tom, now 86 years old, reflects on his life with both joy and sadness. While he is grateful for the many Sisters who have remained in his life over the years, he deeply misses his wife Anne, with whom he shared 45 happy years of marriage. Tom is also thankful for his three children, Meg, Mimi, and Peter, and his seven grandchildren, who bring him much happiness and pleasure.

Tom's connection to the CSJs and Association is deeply intertwined with Anne's life. Anne's mother and Anne herself were graduates of Fontbonne University, and Anne worked as a guidance counselor at St. Joseph's Academy for over 35 years. When the idea of lay association was first explored, Sister John Marie Riley invited Anne to study the concept alongside other individuals. Anne strongly believed in the idea and felt that men would also be welcomed into the program. After several months, Tom and Anne were invited to form a group with other people, marking the beginning of a new concept for both the Sisters and the lay associates.

For Tom, association was a learning process. He had to navigate how a man could fit into this idea and connect with the gifts and charism of the CSJ community. Thanks to the warm welcome they received, Tom found it easy to embrace the CSJ charism. As associates, they were asked to share the gifts of unity, justice, reconciliation and "love of the dear neighbor."

Through his involvement in association, Tom formed other connections with the CSJ community. He served on the Nazareth Board as it was growing and becoming Nazareth Living Center. After taking early retirement in 1995, he returned to Nazareth as an employee, working in the business office for eight years.

Tom, a graduate of the University of Missouri with a BS in Business and a Certificate in Gerontology, has worked in four different fields throughout his career: the food industry, health insurance, the coal industry, and at Nazareth Living Center. For the past 20 years, he has worked with Fr. Bob Gettinger's energy assistance program at a parish in North St. Louis, handling banking and financial reporting.

Reflecting on his journey, Tom notes, "Association is still very much a priority in my life, and I am grateful for the invitation and for the community that invites me to be a more caring and loving person. I appreciate the gift that each of you gave to me and my family. Thank you for the invitation 50 years ago and thank you Sister John Marie for your idea and wisdom."

Currently, Tom lives in a condo community and greatly enjoys the company of his neighbors. His 50 years as a CSJ associate have been a testament to his dedication and the enduring impact of the CSJ charism on his life.

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