Inspired by Their Son’s Vocation, Priscilla and Clay Fryer Support Jesuit Works
By Rosalie Tomeny
Priscilla and Clay Fryer are the parents of Fr. Marcus Fryer, SJ, of the USA Central and Southern (UCS) Province. Priscilla was raised Catholic and Clay joined the Church after ten years of marriage. Neither has a long history with the Jesuits, but they chose Strake Jesuit College Preparatory of Houston for Marcus and his brother Christopher – and it made all the difference.
“Marcus and Christopher thrived at Strake Jesuit, each finding their own path to faith and spirituality,” Priscilla said.
“Our family is a testimony that vocations can come from ordinary families. The evolution of our relationship with the Society essentially followed Marc’s progress through exposure to, discernment of, and eventually the pursuit of his vocation to become a Jesuit priest,” Clay and Priscilla said.
The Fryers have learned more about the Society of Jesus and its mission by getting to know the Jesuit works where their son has served and through his relationships within the Society. Father Fryer currently serves as chaplain and assistant principal of Loyola Academy of St. Louis. Clay and Priscilla have endowed a scholarship there, as well as at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, where he previously worked.
By visiting the places where Fr. Fryer has ministered, his parents have witnessed the important work the Jesuits are doing in the world. “We wanted to be a part of that good work, supporting Cristo Rey and Nativity model schools and their important ministry,” Priscilla said.
Clay noted, “Jesuits seek to form the whole person, ensuring that their students are formed spiritually as well as academically.”
“In an increasingly secular world, the faith formation of a Jesuit education is more important than ever,” the Fryers said. “We believe that this education should be accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their ability to pay.”
The Fryers also donate to the Formation Fund of the USA Central and Southern Province, Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries and province works in Belize.
“Jesuits are known for reaching out to those on the margins, especially the poorest and most vulnerable,” Priscilla explained.
Philanthropy is part of who the Fryers are. “I maintain a yellow sticky note on the lower left corner of my computer with a quote I heard during an address by a former president of Strake Jesuit: ‘Much is expected of those to whom much has been given,’” Priscilla shared.
“We have been greatly blessed in our lives,” Clay said. “By sharing our story, it is our hope that others will reflect more deeply on the gift of gratitude and seek out Jesuit works that serve the poor and the vulnerable and support them.”
In addition to their financial generosity to the province, Clay and Priscilla are active in their parish, St. John Vianney in Houston. Clay leads the parish’s semi-annual home repair mission trips to the Rio Grande Valley, organizes the parish’s participation in Habitat for Humanity, provides volunteer tax preparation during tax season through AARP and assists candidates for U.S. citizenship to complete their applications in citizenship workshops through Catholic Charities. Priscilla is a day manager, social organizer and membership manager for their parish’s clothing resale shop, Joseph’s Coat, and is involved in other pastoral works, such as taking Holy Communion to the homebound.
Through Fr. Fryer’s journey with the Jesuits, his parents have made many Jesuit and lay friends. Some have had a particular impact on them, especially Jesuit Fathers Flavio Bravo, Billy Huete and John Nugent. “Father Bravo, currently serving with Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries in Brownsville, Texas, and northern Mexico, is an example to us of the desire to serve Christ,” said Clay. “Father Huete, in his (former) work with novices and high school students, represents generosity, gratitude and prayer,” added Priscilla. “Father Nugent, in his (former) role at Arrupe Jesuit High School represented to us an example of leadership and commitment.”
Priscilla and Clay enjoy making private, silent, directed retreats at Grand Coteau Retreats in Grand Coteau, Louisiana (Priscilla) and Manresa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana (Clay). Retreat leaders Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ, and Fr. Dan Daly, SJ, have especially inspired them. “Many of our retreats have focused on the important work of discernment,” said Clay. “By growing in our ability to hear and discern God’s will, we seek to serve Christ more closely,” added Priscilla.
The Fryers find their relationships with the Jesuits help them to find God in their work and service. “Since our sons first began attending Strake Jesuit, the faith life of our family has grown,” Priscilla said.
“Through our relationship with the Jesuits and their works, we continue to find grace in so many ways, and hope to share that grace with others in our giving and our volunteering,” said Clay. “Our most joyous times are when we get to go to Mass together with the entire family. The sacraments are a source of joy for us – especially Chris’ marriage and Marcus’ ordination,” they said.
Clay and Priscilla acknowledge that their support of underserved populations has a practical component. “A few years ago, I seized on a quote from one of the Federal Reserve governors about disadvantaged communities in the U.S. ‘not participating in the economy,’” Clay said. “The solution to bringing these communities into the economy is through education. Our goal is to make a quality religious education available to at least some members of these communities.”
“The teachings of St. Ignatius emphasize a deep care for the poor and disadvantaged, encouraging followers to embrace poverty as a grace, serve others and prioritize the needs of the vulnerable,” Priscilla said. “St. Ignatius taught that by educating others, we can help them grow in their relationship with Jesus and serve God more faithfully.”
Rosalie Tomeny is a major gifts officer for the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province. Reach out to her at rtomeny@jesuits.org to discuss a gift to the province.
