Home > News > Friars Enter Eternal Life > Rev. Clement C. McHale, O.S.A.

Rev. Clement C. McHale, O.S.A. (1901-1973)

Rev. Clement C. McHale, O.S.A. entered eternal life March 4, 1973.

Clement Charles McHale was born April 12, 1901 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Patrick and Judith (Kelly) McHale. He was Baptized April 28, 1901 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Atlantic City. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation November 17, 1912 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Pittston, Pennsylvania.

He received his elementary education at St. Mary Parochial School, Pittston. After studying for one year at Pittston High School, Pittston, he completed his secondary education at the Augustinian Preparatory Scholasticate, Villanova, Pennsylvania.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate June 27, 1919. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine June 29, 1920 and solemn (permanent) vows June 29, 1923. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, in 1923. He then pursued theological studies at Villanova. He was ordained a Priest August 29, 1926. He did additional studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, D. C., at the University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

From 1927 to 1935 Father McHale taught at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa. He taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, from 1935 to 1937. He served as Assistant Pastor of St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago, from 1937 to 1942.

Father McHale in 1942 became a Chaplain in the United States Navy. He served during World War II in the Pacific theater, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He was Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish, Rockford, Illinois, from 1945 to 1947. He served as Assistant Pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Flint, Michigan, from 1947 to 1950.

In 1950 Father McHale was elected the third Prior Provincial of the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest). He was elected to a second term of office in 1953. During his terms as Provincial, the Province opened Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, (1951) and Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan (1952). The Province also co-sponsored with the Province of Villanova the opening of the Catholic mission in Nagasaki, Japan in 1952.

Upon completion of his second term as Prior Provincial in 1956, Father McHale was assigned to St. Rita Parish, Chicago. He served as Prior until 1958 and then as Pastor until 1968.

He was assigned to St. Augustine Catholic Parish, Detroit, in 1968, serving as Prior of the Augustinian community there until the time of his death March 4, 1973.

Father McHale is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615-5664, or via Augustinian Guild Secure On-line Giving.