Rev. CLEMENT KUROWSKI OFM

Unfortunately, when we die our lives are measured in dashes. Born: - - - Died: - - -. We get the story of survivors and how and when a person is to be buried and very little details about the person themselves. That is especially true if they lead quiet and unassuming lives. It is the lives we lead between those dashes that is important and what the world needs to hear. The true measure of a person is not how many friends they had in their lives but the ability to touch them profoundly. Such was the life of Fr. Clem. I had Fr. Clem as a religion teacher in my sophmore year at Archbishop Ryan High School. As a 15 year old, he was just another teacher trying to make my life difficult. I did not realize that he was trying to instill faith values that I am now relying on the get me through some difficult spots in my life. It was a chance meeting some 25+ years later that opened my eyes.
My late wife and I and my then 2 year old daughter were having lunch in a diner in Northeast Philly. At the table next to us was seated Fr. Clem and another Ryan teacher Fr. Gabe. They finished their meal and came over to our table to fuss over my daughter who was not at her best that day. To my surprise, Fr. Clem remembered me by name and after a brief discussion they were ready to leave. They paid their bill and then returned to our table. Fr. Clem insisted on giving us his blessing. So, while Fr. Clem blessed me and my daughter, Fr. Gabe blessed my wife. Fr. Clem looked at my daughter and said that he would pray that she would bring me nothing but joy. She has!!!! He then turned to my wife and asked if he could bless her. Fr. Gabe said that he had already blessed her. Fr. Clem's response was I know Gabe, but, she hasn't received MY blessing!!!!!!! I don't have all the wonderful stories that many of you who knew Fr. Clem more intimately then I did, have. But, it is one chance meeting in a Philly diner that I will cherish forever. That is the legacy of a simple humble man doing God's work every day. That was the life of Fr. Clem between those dashes!! Rest in peace in the arms of the Lord, Fr. Clem.

Dave Hauser Archbishop Ryan '74

I will never forget the day I was praying,in front of St.Joseph's statue, for a very sick relative. Father Clem came up to me and said "You look like an angel praying there." I felt like my prayer was going to be answered, and it was!
God Bless you in Heaven Father Clement, I will always remember you in my prayers.

Father Clem will be missed by those whose lives he touched. It has been many years since I was in his Religion class, But, I still can remember the passion of which he believed in, taught and cared for his students.

I got to know of Father Clem a few years ago when he heard confessions at St. John's in Center City on Wednesdays and later when I started coming to St. Monica's for early morning weekday Mass. I would second what Theresa said - that it was obvious Father Clem was well cared for by Father Kelley. I also remember the respect with which Father Check deferred to Father Clem on St. Therese's feast day when he came out to prepare for Mass and was surprised to see Father sitting in his chair on the altar. I still cannot believe the pain he must have endured and it should certainly give all of us pause the next time we complain about little aches and pains. My thoughts and prayers are with the good people of St. Monica's and the fine priests who serve them.

Fr. Clem was such a kind man. He will be missed.

Father Kelley, So many of us remember Father Clem over the years when he taught our boys how to become altar servers. We share so many stories of his phone calls giving our boys their mass assignments. He helped some of us become lifelong, dear friends and joined the St. Monica family closer together. God bless you all.

Father Kelley- thank you for your constant goodness to Father Clement since the day you came to St. Monica's. You kept him going these past couple of years by taking him along everywhere and taking care of him lovingly. That was easy for anyone to see and know. Our parish has been blessed with Father Clement over all these years. He has been in our our family's life for almost 40 years. He was a good, holy and loving priest to everyone. All of South Philadelphia will share this loss with St. Monica's parish as Father Clem was everywhere that he was needed - -the hospitals, sick calls, nursing homes and other parishes when needed. Our family will miss him deeply, but we were blessed with the best and will always hold him in our prayers and in our hearts.

Father Clem will be dearly missed, he was like a member of everyone's family with always a beautiful smile and a warm welcome for you, Our mass will never be quite the same without Father Clem.
Father Kelly I am sure you will miss him the most even though you teased about him, we all know how much you loved him.
Father Clem if you can see your parrish you know how sadden we all are without you here. But our comfort is that you are in heaven watching over us. May you rest in peace Father we all loved you.

Fr Clement served not only in his assigned parish of St Monica's but was ever present in the Philadelphia community, whether saying the 7:00 AM Mass daily at St Richards's, doing pastoral care visitations in Center City. South Philly, etc....He served his God well & God's people...It was a pleasure & honor to have known you Fr Clement...May you rest in God's Peace.

Fr. Clem was a great friend to his students. He was kind and thoughful and I am glad to have known him. May he rest in peace!

Walt Garvin - Archbishop Ryan '72

To the priests ,sisters and parishoners of St. Monica's church. On behalf of the people who gather at the 6:30 am mass daily, Father Clemn's presence will be strongly missed. The mass will no longer be the same. We will miss the way he buzzed through the mass so he can fulfill his other obligations.

Rest in peace.

To the priests, sisters and parishoners of St. Monica's parish, Our family wishes to express our deepest sympathy to all of you at this time. We will never forget Father Clement. We will miss his homilies and his smiling face. Even though we moved 10 years ago, we are still part of St. Monica's family. Remembering him while we were students and remembering him always in our hearts. He is with the Lord and looking down on us now with his loving care. He was the last of the originals who will never be forgotten.

Maria (DeFrancesco) Calabro - Class of 1980 and the DeFrancesco family of Ritner Street

To all the clergy, parishioners and friends who knew Father Clement, we at this time express our heartfelt sympathy. Anthony, Jay and Bill will be at Mass to pray for our brother that he is with the Lord. I truly believe at this time is praying for all of us in heaven. So the Lord wills it, so it shall be done.(Pray for on another)Amen.

Father Clem was a good man and a good priest. He said the mass for my father in 1999 and handled the burial for my mother three years ago.

His pain is now gone. May he rest in peace.