The Clark Family —
Faith Is the Center Of Their Lives
DECEMBER 2009 — Nancy and Richard “Dick” Clark have been married for 25 years. Each grew up in a family with seven children. Once married, Nancy and Dick wanted to have several children of their own. They have nine. The children — Ann, Veronica, James, Teresa, Catherine, Grace, Thomas, Daniel and Michael— range in age from 24 to seven.
All either graduated from, or are attending Catholic schools. They always had four to six children in Catholic schools in any given year. Six are currently attending either St. Peter-Marian High School or St. Peter’s Elementary School. They are members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Worcester. 
Their son James was an Adopt-A-Student scholar and graduated from Holy Name in 2008. He joined the Marines immediately after graduation. He graduated Squad Leader from boot camp and was top in his Military Occupational Specialist class as an electrician. He was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal upon his graduation. Six months later he was deployed to defend our country in Afghanistan. After seven months, James returned home for Thanksgiving for a brief period. He is now back with his fellow Marines awaiting new orders. Thank you, James, for helping to protect all of us!
The Clark’s daughter, Grace was selected to be an Adopt-A-Student scholar this school year. Grace is in the 7th grade at St. Peter’s Central Catholic Elementary School. In a recent conversation, one of Nancy’s first comments was, “I couldn’t put into words what I feel about these Catholic schools. Our kids take what they learn here into their lives. I can’t describe the stress it relieved when our kids were taken into the program and I can’t explain the opportunity and education this program and the schools provide.” Nancy explained how her son James thrived at Holy Name but without assistance from Adopt-A-Student donors, he would have had to leave the school. James knew someone was helping him and is very grateful for the support that allowed him to finish and graduate from Holy Name. His faith is strong and he mentions it frequently in letters written home to family members. 
With such a large family Nancy has stayed home to care for the children. Dick worked for 20 years at the former Spag’s and then for a local builder. He was recently laid off. Nancy stated that religion is the center of their lives. She talked about Catholic schools and the power of the crucifix in each classroom. “It changes the atmosphere. Students learn the importance of faith at school. They are well behaved in church and other social settings because of these teachers and these schools. They don’t listen to me!” she said as she laughed. The Clarks remain strong in their faith that God will guide them through difficult times. They are grateful to the many donors who support The Adopt-A-Student Program to make it possible for them and so many others facing challenging financial situations but are able to receive the benefits of a Catholic education.