Little Rock teacher announces entry to religious life

Clifford Heyer tells Christ the King students his intention to enter Subiaco Abbey

Published: April 28, 2014

By Dwain Hebda
Associate Editor

Dwain Hebda

Clifford Heyer receives a standing ovation following his April 16 announcement he would be entering Subiaco Abbey. Heyer, a middle school English teacher, joined Little Rock’s Christ the King School in August 2013.

Dwain Hebda

Following daily Mass at Christ the King Church in Little Rock April 16, first-year English teacher Clifford Heyer surprised seventh- and eighth-grade students by announcing his intention to enter Subiaco Abbey, following the conclusion of the school year.

Heyer had previously received word of his acceptance to the Benedictine community, but except for select members of parish and school leadership, the announcement to the students was the first time the information had been made public.

Most students sat without visible emotion as Heyer read his prepared remarks, which began with his heartfelt thanks to the school and an expression of love and appreciation for his students. Following the event, he told Arkansas Catholic his process of discernment began in childhood but came into focus over the past two years.

When asked why the Benedictines, he said, “In short, because God said so.”

“The extended answer: I love their devotion and rich history in education and the Church. Their charism is fantastic,” he added. “The monks at Subiaco are wonderful, and the lifestyle seemed to be the solution to all my concerns when discerning for the diocesan priesthood, particularly the stability of staying at one place and community life.”

Heyer, 24, holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. He taught and coached track for two years at St. Joseph School in Pine Bluff and after the school closed its doors last May, he joined the staff at Christ the King School. Heyer and his juniors in Pine Bluff were the subject of a June 2013 article in Arkansas Catholic about their class assignment to write and publish a novel.

Christ the King Parish has gained a reputation for supporting vocations. It currently has eight men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Little Rock.

In a letter sent to school parents and the wider parish community, Heyer wrote, “Were it not for the insurmountably fertile environment for vocations that you — every single student, priest, teacher and parishioners — have cultivated, I would in all probability have lacked the courage and grace to pursue the vocation to which I feel God is calling me.

“I may not be teaching at Christ the King next year, but I will never truly leave this church or school.”