FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
As a young person contemplating his career path , Dr . Kevin Clarke never imagined he ’ d one day be forming future priests , deacons , and lay people as a professor , lecturer , author , and researcher . Having grown up in the south , he didn ’ t picture himself shoveling snow from his driveway , either .
Dr . Clarke joined the staff of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in July as the new Dean of the Institute for Lay Ministry . He will also serve as an Associate Professor . Dr . Clarke brings to the role years of research and expertise in the Church Fathers and their interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures .
After obtaining a B . A . in Psychology from Roanoke College in his hometown of Salem , Virginia , Dr . Clarke accepted a job as a copy editor . When his Buddhist roommate posed metaphysical questions , Dr . Clarke felt dissatisfied with the answers he gave to his friend . Around the same time , his beloved grandfather passed away , inspiring Dr . Clarke to live his Catholic faith more actively and to seek answers . He read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible from cover to cover . He was most intrigued by the 400s section of the Catechism on Christology .
“ Even though I had been to catechesis over the years , I hadn ’ t gotten a full picture of who Jesus Christ was ,” said Dr . Clarke . “ I was simply in awe of the Church ’ s doctrine of Christ .”
This discovery led him to patristics — the study of the lives , writings , doctrine , and theology of the Fathers of the Church . He went on to obtain degrees from Franciscan University of Steubenville ( M . A . in Theology and Christian Ministry ), and Ave Maria University ( Doctorate in Biblical Theology ). He also expects to complete a Licentiate in Sacred Theology ( S . T . L .) with the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University in early 2023 .
Dr . Clarke studied Maximus the Confessor ’ s understanding of Scripture in the seventh century , focusing on Maximus in his dissertation . Currently , he is working on a translation of Maximus ’ Opuscula and the Disputations with Pyrrhus from Greek , which he hopes to publish in the near future with Catholic University of America Press .
“ I always have the Church Fathers with me when I ’ m teaching because I find that they are sure guides to understanding the Bible and to bringing about a ‘ fresh antiquity ’— ever-ancient , ever-new ,” he said . “ The Fathers really provide that connection .”
Dr . Clarke has taught at a number of universities and seminaries , most recently at St . Patrick ’ s Seminary and University in Menlo Park , California .
You have students who are willing , eager , and full of the gifts of the Spirit coming to you for formation .”
— Dr . Kevin Clarke
While he enjoyed the job immensely , he drove 60 miles to work each way and started to wonder whether he and his wife ’ s California dream was meant to be a permanent arrangement . When he learned of the job opening with Sacred Heart ’ s Institute for Lay Ministry , he was eager to apply .
“ In light of my background with catechetics , Scripture and patristics , journalism and Public Relations , and even psychology , the job seemed to bring all the elements of my background together harmoniously ,” said Dr . Clarke .
Michigan was already on Dr . Clarke ’ s radar prior to the job search . Growing up , he spent a week in the state every summer with his godfather and family . Then as an adult , he came to know and respect Sacred Heart .
“ I ’ ve long been impressed by the worldclass faculty at Sacred Heart ,” he said . “ As soon as you start studying theology in the U . S ., you read the words of Dr . Mary
Healy , Dr . Ralph Martin , and Dr . Robert Fastiggi .”
Dr . Fastiggi and Dr . Clarke each wrote a chapter in the book De Maria Numquam Satis : The Significance of the Catholic Doctrines on the Blessed Virgin Mary for All People , published in 2009 .
“ Being at a seminary in recent years , I came to miss teaching [ the laity ]. Now I get to teach both ,” said Dr . Clarke . “ You have students who are willing , eager , and full of the gifts of the Spirit coming to you for formation .”
Having the opportunity both to educate and to form the whole person is important to Dr . Clarke . He turns to the guidelines laid out in Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord , published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops . The document names the four pillars of formation : intellectual , spiritual , human , and pastoral . The pillars provide a framework that applies not only to priests and deacons but to lay ecclesial ministers and lay students wanting to go deeper in their understanding of the Church and its teachings .
“ The laity , in a powerful way , are able to extend the work of the bishop into and throughout his diocese ,” he said . “ And as his co-workers , they are then able to multiply the work their bishop is able to do .”
Moving his wife , Natasha , and their four children , from California was a big change for his family . Natasha grew up in the San Francisco Bay area . Still , they are excited to be part of the southeast Michigan Catholic community and to explore the natural beauty of the state . His children have already come to appreciate fireflies , a summer delight not found in California .
“ I very much look forward to meeting the students of Sacred Heart and those who are interested in becoming students , as well as collaborating with the Archdiocese of Detroit and other dioceses who are interested in the programs we offer ,” Dr . Clarke said .
shms . edu 31