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IN THIS ISSUE
Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.
Annual Catholic Appeal
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
Did You Know?
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Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.
  

CSW 2012 LogoSaint Clement School celebrated Catholic Schools Week 2012, which commenced on Sunday, January 29 with an action-packed week. "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." was the theme for this year's celebration, and Saint Clement pupils excelled in all.

 

CSW 2012The week kicked off with recognition at Sunday Masses where students were asked to wear their uniforms to church and parishioners heard reflections from students. Older students also served as greeters, ushers and gift bearers. All students enjoyed an all-school Mass on Monday, hosted by the 5th grade class.

 

Parents were invited to enjoy coffee in the caf� after Tuesday morning drop-off, prior to an Open House for all grade levels. Teachers coordinated activities for the parents, including art projects in Pre-K and CSW 2012a short play performed by the Kindergarteners, to the infamous "The Math Game" which pits second grade students against their parents. Word on the street is the kids continued their winning ways! Grades 6-8 participated in a History Fair in Fireside Hall while there were also two band concerts, in addition to an all-School Student & Parent assembly in the gym!

 

Wednesday sure was wacky as the students enjoyed "Tacky Dress Day" and ice cream treats at lunch. Teachers were the heart of the celebration on Thursday where they were presented with special gifts from their students, and parents were encouraged to send in notes of appreciation as well. The week culminated Friday with a CSW 2012special lunch and "Twins Day" where reading buddies and their young counselees dressed alike and competed in an exciting game of BINGO.

 

On top of the fun activities was perhaps the most important mission: Each class sponsored another class at St. John de la Salle Academy of Fine Arts on Chicago's South Side. Students brought in donations of books and classroom supplies along with financial donations to help purchase items on de la Salle's wish list.

Annual Catholic Appeal 2012
Annual Catholic Appeal
 

The Annual Catholic Appeal funds numerous ministries which help to advance our Christian mission here and abroad. It provides religious education, counseling and support to children and adults in economically challenged areas; supports Catholic Relief Services which responds to major emergencies, fights disease and poverty, and nurtures peaceful, just societies across the world; and funds education for lay leaders, deacons and priests. 

 

This weekend at Saint Clement Parish, you will be asked to consider making a contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal. A recorded homily from Cardinal George will be played at all Masses. Contribution envelopes will be in each pew, and Fr. Simpson will walk us through the donation process. We are asking for wide participation from our parishioners. Once we achieve the goal set by the Archdiocese, additional funds come back to Saint Clement to help fund parish ministries. If you received a pledge form in the mail, you are invited to return your completed form to the Archdiocese, or bring it to Mass this weekend. Additionally, contributions can be made online.

 

Before Sunday, we invite you to prayerfully reflect on how you can contribute to this important part of funding our Catholic mission in our struggling world. Thank you for your consideration.

Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.

  

For more information on upcoming events, please view the latest bulletin.

   

Saturday, February 11 @ 9:30 a.m.: Sacrament of First Reconciliation (Church) 

 

Saturday, February 11 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)

 

Sunday, February 12 @ 12:00 p.m.: Children's Liturgy of the Word Volunteer Workshop (Fahey Center I); contact Mary DuQuaine  

 

Sunday, February 12 @ 5:00 p.m.: God Squad (Youth Group) Meeting (Fahey Center II)  

 

Sunday, February 12 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC Wine & Cheese Social (Chapel)

 

Monday, February 13: Deadline to register for Young Adult Community Winter Retreat at St. Benedict's Abbey Retreat Center in Benet Lake, WI; register here or contact Joanne Turner with questions

 

Monday, February 13 @ 1:15 - 3:00 p.m.: Afternoon Book Club discusses Bound for Canaan by Fergus M. Bordewich; contact Rick Jones

 

Tuesday, February 14 @ 6:30 a.m.: Saint Clement Men's Communio (Chapel)

 

Tuesday, February 14 @ 9:30 a.m.: Focus on Sunday Scripture (Fahey Center I)

 

Tuesday, February 14 @ 7:15 p.m.: Young Adult Volleyball (School Gym); contact Brian Slosson

 

Wednesday, February 15: Deadline to register for our four-week Lenten program, Strengths for the Journey. Click here for details. Register here.     

 

Thursday, February 16 @ 8:15 a.m.: A Mother's Rosary (Chapel)

 

Thursday, February 16 @ 10:00 a.m.: Clement Moms Playgroup (Chapel)    

  

Thursday, February 16 @ 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Adoration; Rosary at 6:00 p.m.; Benediction at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

 

Friday, February 17 @ 7:00 p.m.: New Parishioners Welcome Dinner (Centennial Hall); RSVP to Maggie Hanley.     

  

Saturday, February 18 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)

 

Sunday, February 19 @ 8:00 p.m.: Anchor Ball Volunteer Meeting (Centennial Hall); option 1 of 2 for those already registered 

 

Tuesday, February 21 @ 6:30 a.m.: Saint Clement Men's Communio (Chapel)

   

Tuesday, February 21 @ 9:30 a.m.: Burning of palms for Ash Wednesday (Plaza)  

 

Tuesday, February 21 @ 9:30 a.m.: Focus on Sunday Scripture (Fahey Center I)

 

Tuesday, February 21 @ 7:15 p.m.: Young Adult Volleyball (School Gym); contact Brian Slosson

 

Wednesday, February 22: Ash Wednesday, start of Lent.  

  • Masses with ash distribution will be celebrated at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 7:30 p.m. in the church.
  • Short prayer services with ash distribution at Noon, 4:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. in the church.

Thursday, February 23 @ 8:15 a.m.: A Mother's Rosary (Chapel)

 

Thursday, February 23 @ 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Adoration; Rosary at 6:00 p.m.; Benediction at 7:30 p.m. (Church)    

  

Friday, February 24 @ 6 p.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday: Young Adult Community Winter Retreat at St. Benedict's Abbey Retreat Center in Benet Lake, WI; register here by February 13 or contact Joanne Turner with questions 

 

Saturday, February 25 @ 8:45 - 11:15 a.m.: Clement Moms Retreat: "Journey of Motherhood: Love and Loss of a Child" (Fahey Center I); RSVP on the portal by February 20    

 

Saturday, February 25 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)  

 

Sunday, February 26: Monthly Food Collection; you are invited to bring non-perishable donations to Mass   

 

Sunday, February 26 @ 12:30 p.m.: Church Art & Architecture Tour (Church)      

 

Sunday, February 26 @ 5:00 p.m.: God Squad (Youth Group) Meeting (Fahey Center I)  

 

Did You Know?
 

Strengths for the Journey Registration Deadline Wednesday!  

 

StrengthsBrochureDiscover your God-given talents and strengths to understand more fully the person God created you to be! We are all uniquely made in the image and likeness of God. God formed each of us with different individual talents and strengths. Each one of us is called, chosen and beloved by God. But how do we discover our own unique gifts? How are we called to use these gifts to become faithful followers of Christ?

 

Guided by personal experience and the results of the Gallup Member Engagement Survey, members of the Engagement Committee developed a program which provides an opportunity to explore and develop your God-given gifts. It will be offered to all parishioners for the first time this Lent. This program, called Strengths for the Journey, consists of four sessions dedicated to reflection and understanding of your unique God-given gifts. Trained Saint Clement facilitators will guide small groups of eight to ten people through four 90-minute sessions. Each participant will be required to purchase the book Living Your Strengths: Catholic Edition for $20. This cost includes the Clifton StrengthsFinder 1.0 AssessmentTM and workbook. Payment will be collected at the first session. 

 

The program begins the week of February 20 with several options for meeting days, times, and starting week. Registration deadline is this Wednesday, February 15. Visit the Saint Clement website for more information and to register. Questions? Please contact the parish office.

Submit Your Ideas
 
We hope you have enjoyed this week's issue of The Plaza. If you know of a parishioner living their life as a steward or a topic that would interest other parishioners, please submit your idea here.
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Photo credits: Top bar (left-right): (1) John Zich, www.zrweddings.com; (2, 3): Amy Boyle, www.amyboylephotography.com.