McNicholas welcomes Father Kevin as School Chaplain

McNicholas is excited to welcome Father Kevin Scalf of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood as School Chaplain and Theology Teacher.  Fr. Kevin will preside at our Friday morning Masses, beginning this Friday, Aug. 27 at 7 a.m. in the chapel, as well as at our all-school Masses, beginning Monday, August 30.

These are just two of many liturgical, sacramental, and pastoral counseling services that Fr. Kevin will provide. Fr. Kevin said, “As a member of the theology faculty and school chaplain at McNick, I have a special opportunity to accompany various communities on the level of the mind and the heart. I look forward to serving the sacramental needs of the McNick community, teaching in the Theology Department, and contributing in incipient ways.”

Fr. Kevin will walk with students inside and outside of the classroom, teaching two semesters of Biblical Literature, a dual credit theology course offered in connection with Mount Saint Joseph University, accompanying them on retreats and Christian service experiences, and discovering new ways to keep Christ and prayer at the center of our culture. He will also be working with other faculty members to develop and implement a senior capstone program.

Principal Dave Mueller said, “Fr. Kevin is so talented at meeting people and immediately making them feel valued. He has a wonderful wit and a sense of humor and brings lots of experience in Catholic high schools.”

Most recently, Fr. Kevin served as Director of Mission and Ministry, Assistant Professor of Theology, and Chair of the Humanities Department at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, IN.  He is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph University, Xavier University, Mount St. Mary's Seminary, and Catholic Theological Union. 

Fr. Kevin said that God was calling him to be closer to his parents in Cincinnati and to return to Catholic secondary education where his vocation to religious life began. After meeting with McNicholas administrators last summer, it was clear the Spirit was calling him to McNick. “I’m so glad they felt the same way,” Fr. Kevin said. “It’s great to be home.”

“Fr. Kevin is multi-talented,” Mr. Mueller said. “He's a gifted teacher. He has a strong academic background, especially in Scripture. He has good gifts as a chaplain and a person who can help us appreciate the church's liturgy and sacraments, and he has such a strong pastoral presence. He is someone who can help our students appreciate even more deeply what they hear from other faculty and staff members about looking at the world through a Catholic lens and appreciating the distinctive gifts of the Catholic Church.”

Fr. Kevin is in residence at the Cathedral Basilica, living closely with another gift to McNick, Father Jan Schmidt. “Our community is blessed to have such strong connections with two priests who are right at the heart of the Archdiocese,” Mr. Mueller added.