As part of our ongoing engagement process, we have come to realize the importance of parishioners sharing their personal stories of how they have connected with Saint Clement as an important factor in their lives. As a feature twice a month, the Stewardship Council will share the stories and reflections of our engaged parishioners who are living a stewardship life of prayer, service, and giving. This week we hear from Katie Lawler.

Katie Lawler pictured with two of the little girls she met at NPH Guatemala, Raquel and Ana.

"I've been a part of Saint Clement since I moved to Chicago after graduating college in 2003. I was living with a childhood friend whose boyfriend lived on Deming and went to Saint Clement; they introduced me to the parish and I had the privilege to witness her progress through the RCIA program before they were married. I've always found Saint Clement to be such a vibrant, welcoming community that it's easy to see how she was drawn in. I'm continually comforted and renewed by the energy that I experience there, and I imagine she felt the same.

Aside from finding beautiful worship celebrations at Saint Clement, I've really valued it for the friends I've made and for connecting me with service opportunities. To me, to be a good steward means to simply appreciate what you have and to consistently seek to give back your best in gratitude. I'm proud to support Saint Clement financially through our Sunday Giving Commitment and to support our community with my free time. I've enjoyed many visits to serve clients at the Lakeview Food Pantry; had an incredible trip with Saint Clement young adults to New Orleans in May of 2010 to assist with rebuilding work; and now spend time regularly volunteering at Friends of the Orphans.

Friends is an organization that supports Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH), a group of orphanages in Central America and the Caribbean. I've loved working with everybody in the downtown office and had the amazing experience of visiting two of the homes (in Guatemala and El Salvador) this past November. We were warmly welcomed and it was a privilege to meet the kids and see what wonderful people they're all becoming with the support of their family at NPH. I made many new friends and hope to travel in the future to meet the "Goddaughter" I sponsor in Haiti. 

I'm overwhelmingly grateful to be part of such a warm, welcoming, parish, and to have the opportunity to try and extend those same sentiments to others. I look forward to many more years!"