Early on in Deacon Leo’s mission, he found himself complaining to God while he was on retreat as a young seminarian. Why were poor and marginalized orphans, widows, and rural villagers suffering so greatly due to neglect, manipulation, and corruption in his native land of Nigeria? God answered Leo from the exposed Blessed Sacrament and changed the trajectory of his mission forever.
“What are YOU doing with the money I gave you?” Jesus asked the complaining seminarian. Leo heard the answer, “Do something with what you have, and I will raise up men and women of like mind to follow you.” That was in 1997, the spiritual beginning of what is today known as HEAL.
Twenty years later, Leo has found not a follower, but a legendary leader of like mind!
Fr. George Clements was the first African American graduate of Quigley Seminary in Chicago in 1945 and the first African American pastor of Holy Angels parish in Bronzeville in 1969. Fr. George’s legendary advocacy on behalf of orphans included his adoption of four boys, with special permission granted by Pope John Paul II after Cardinal Cody had initially refused the action.
Deacon Leo and Fr. Clements met on Wednesday and shared their mutual stories of faith and discipleship with each other. The clergymen bonded immediately as they recognized the parallels in their lives of selfless service to the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters (Mt. 25:40)! Leo and I took the opportunity to ask Fr. Clements if he would speak at our 4th Annual HEAL Benefit.
We are honored to announce that Fr. Clements accepted and will be with us on October 4th! Join us for this awesome event celebrating the spirituality and mission of Jesus Christ’s self-emptying!