Last week during staff orientation at St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota, the staff presented Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ, a star quilt to commemorate his 50 years of religious life. Fr. Anthony is chaplain at the school.
The following is an interview with Fr. Anthony done by Allyssa Hoffer of St. Joseph’s:
“Wherever you go, you are sent specifically to touch people’s lives, or they will positively touch your life.”
– Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
What does 50 years look like? For Fr. Anthony Kluckman, 50 years has proven to be adventurous. In 1966, Fr. Anthony took the vows of religious life, committing himself to serving the needs of others through ministry. Fifty years later, that journey continues.
The story actually began before 1966 when Fr. Anthony was a seventh grade student and received an informational card on becoming a priest from his teacher. “I was interested in the priesthood at an early age,” he said. In 1961 Fr. Anthony entered the high school seminary graduating in 1965. After his philosophy and theology studies, he was ordained in 1973.
Then came vocation work in Wisconsin, Texas, and California. From there, Fr. Anthony took a sabbatical and went to Notre Dame, which ultimately led to a trip to Jerusalem, Egypt, Jordan, Istanbul, Turkey and Greece.
In 1997 Fr Anthony came to South Dakota to serve as the chaplin at St. Joseph’s Indian School and later in the SCJ ministries in Eagle Butte. He also worked with the community’s retirement communities in Hales Corners and Florida before returning back to St. Joseph’s in 2009.
Fr. Anthony took a moment to share his thoughts with us on 50 years of service.
Q: What made you decide to join the Priests of the Sacred Heart?
Fr. Anthony: The Priests of the Sacred Heart gives you a variety of opportunities to work with various groups of people. Helping minorities and those who are less fortunate.
Q: What has been the biggest change you have seen within the SCJ community in the last 50 years?
Fr. Anthony: We have lost a lot of ministries due to the declining numbers of young men entering the seminary. We are doing more ministries with fewer priests. This puts more strain on those who have to serve in rural areas as they may have more than one parish to celebrate Mass at. It becomes hard to make one-on-one connections with folks in each parish.
Q: You have been at St. Joseph’s twice. Why did you want to come back?
Fr. Anthony: The kids – I am able to see the students in church on Sundays but also go into the homes for prayer. I am a referee at the games and participate in a wide variety of activities that take place here. I can show the students that I too am human and make individual connections for those who may need to talk about things. St. Joseph’s also has a great staff who go the extra mile, which in return, makes me go the extra mile.
Q: Can you sum up what you have learned and gained in the last 50 years?
Fr. Anthony: One thing I have learned is that I may have a plan on where I am going, but I have to be open to where God wants me to go. The key is to not focus on the door that closes, but rather look around for the doors that may be open.
Q: What has it meant to you to be in service to others?
Fr. Anthony: It means to help people move closer and closer to God. To be flexible and to have a willingness to go where you are needed.
