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IN THIS ISSUE
The Passion of Our Lord Through the Eyes of a Child
We Welcome the Newest Members of Our Church!
Stories of Stewards
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
Did You Know?
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The Passion of Our Lord Through the Eyes of a Child

 

Palm SundayIn order to help engage our youngest worshippers in what can be a long service, there was a special reading of the Passion text on Palm Sunday in the Chapel. The children sat around the altar while the Gospel was being read. 

 

As is often done with the Passion liturgy, the text was broken into several parts so that it could be read in dramatic fashion with a narrator, a speaker and Jesus. The lectors proclaiming the text sat on stools around the altar close to the children in order to help create the atmosphere of telling a story. In addition, the Chapel Choir enacted the voice of the mob in the story, created several musical sound effects, and used song in order to enhance the story. 

 

At the point in the story when the veil of the curtain is torn, Patrick Sinozich, the Chapel Choir director, played an especially excellent sound effect and a four-year-old child questioned, "Is this real life or a story? Did this really happen?" During the section in which Jesus dies, one child turned to her younger friend and said, "This is the sad part of the story. Why would they mock Jesus?"

 

It is often refreshing to see that the mysteries and complexities of our faith are not lost on children. In fact, it is quite the opposite. They often are most readily able to accept the truth of God's love for us.

We Welcome the Newest Members of Our Church!
 

Easter 2012 We warmly welcome those who were baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 7.

 

Easter Vigil  2012Those who were baptized, confirmed, and shared in the Eucharist for the first time were: Sarah Beltz, Sara Daly, Pete Hwan, Derek Leggitt, Anthony Levy, Jeff Nelson, James Skaggs, and Jennifer Szajna.

 

Those who were received into full communion from other Christian traditions, confirmed, and shared in the Eucharist for the first time were: Holly Barrett, Rebecca Freeman, Shawna Herleth-King, Jake Karstens, Melba Lara, Jordan Moore, and Hunter Van Houten.

 

Baptized Catholics who completed their initiation into the Church were:

Andrea Fassler, Erienne Sonnier, John Schade, and Maribeth Johnson.   

Stories of Stewards 

 

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, we 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 James (JJ) and Mary Keil.

 

Keil"When we were house hunting five years ago, we gave a list of criteria to our real estate agent: walk to church, library, post office, dry cleaners, drug store etc. As it turned out the 'church' was Saint Clement. It was obvious from Sunday Mass that first August day that the membership was young. Very. Very. Young. And just as obvious that we were seniors. Very. Very. Senior. Still we were warmly welcomed with a list of ministries and opportunities to practice the faith we profess.

 

Christmas found us shopping for HUGS for the homeless and Jesse tree gifts for the needy. Spring introduced us to Service Day. JJ brought a shovel and I brought a trowel. We planted a garden at a senior citizen home, hoping to bring a little joy into their lives; meanwhile thinking, 'there but for the Grace of God...'

 

We have prepared breakfast and dinner for the guests at Lincoln Park Shelter. Next to the food, what the guests appreciate most is one-to-one conversation. JJ excels at this. He serves food and he chats. He recycles our magazines to the shelter and he chats; and we always come away richer for the experience.

 

JJ found the weekly Men's Prayer Group (now Communio) which has enriched his faith and made him Communio's persistent recruiter. From the amount of time he spends researching the Gospel for his reflection, I've wondered if he was authoring a new Summa Theologica; I jest. We both profit from his research as he shares a new understanding, or a deeper meaning of a particular Gospel. We don't always agree, but we both profit from the discussion.

 

For the past three years I have tutored in the Cabrini Green Tutoring Program at St. Vincent De Paul Center. These are disadvantaged students who are bussed to the center for tutoring in all subjects (grades 1-6). It's a great ministry to be part of; a great reminder of our many blessings.

 

We are part of the Sunday Giving Commitment. We worship together, enjoy all the fruits of this wonderful, welcoming community at Saint Clement. So too, we must share its financial support. How could we not and still call ourselves members of the community?

 

We both serve on the Hospitality Committee welcoming new parishioners in various ways. We marvel over the many newcomers and their eagerness to become part of our parish. Our hope is that perhaps a word or an example might encourage them to become stewards of Saint Clement.

 

Don't let the word 'steward' scare you. Honestly? In the nine definitions of 'steward' that the Random House Dictionary offers, there is not a definition that fits either JJ or me. If, however, what we do/have done qualifies us --fine.

 

Become a 'steward.' The rewards are great. You might be an answer to someone's prayer."

Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give. 

 

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

  

Through week of April 15: Please turn in any collection cans and donations for the Romero Scholarship, our focus for this year's Lenten almsgiving, to the parish office. If writing a check, please make it out to "Saint Clement Parish -- Romero Scholarship."   

 

Through April 18: Saint Clement 7th Annual Service Day Registration available online; Service Day will be held Saturday, April 28.  

  

Saturday, April 14 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)

 

Saturday, April 14 @ 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.: Reconciliation (Chapel); also available by appointment

 

Sunday, April 15 @ 9:30 a.m.: Occasional Choir (Cantatae Choir) sings at Church Mass

 

Sunday, April 15 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC Wine & Cheese Social (Chapel)

 

Tuesday, April 17 @ 6:30 a.m.: Saint Clement Men's Communio (Chapel)

 

Tuesday, April 17 @ 9:30 a.m.: Focus on Sunday Scripture (Fahey Center I)

 

Tuesday, April 17 @ 7:00 p.m.: Confirmation Parent Meeting (Fireside Hall); contact Mary DuQuaine

 

Tuesday, April 17 @ 7:15 p.m.: Young Adult Volleyball (School Gym); contact Brian Slosson

 

Thursday, April 19 @ 8:15 a.m.: A Mother's Rosary (Chapel)

 

Thursday, April 19 @ 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Adoration; Rosary at 6:00 p.m.; Benediction at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

 

Thursday, April 19 @ 7:00 p.m.: 6-week Bible Study on the Acts of the Apostles (Fahey Center I); contact Mary DuQuaine 

   

Saturday, April 21 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)

 

Saturday, April 21 @ 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.: Reconciliation (Chapel); also available by appointment

 

Saturday, April 21 @ 5:00 p.m.: Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Mass (Church) 

 

Saturday, April 21 @ 8:00 p.m.: "Music of the Hours" concert by Schola Antiqua of Chicago (Church) 

   

Sunday, April 22 @ 8:00 a.m.: Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Mass (Church)

   

Sunday, April 22 @ 11:15 a.m.: Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Mass (Church)

   

Sunday, April 22 @ 5:00 p.m.: God Squad (Youth Group) Meeting (Fahey Center I)     

   

Monday, April 23 @ 6:30 p.m.: New Lector Training (Church) 


Tuesday, April 24 @ 6:30 a.m.:
Saint Clement Men's Communio (Chapel)

 

Tuesday, April 24 @ 9:30 a.m.: Focus on Sunday Scripture (Fahey Center I)

 

Tuesday, April 24 @ 7:00 p.m.: Strengths for the Journey Reunion (Centennial Hall) 

 

Tuesday, April 24 @ 7:15 p.m.: Young Adult Volleyball (School Gym); contact Brian Slosson     

  

Wednesday, April 25 @ 7:00 p.m.: "Eat for the Cure," presentation on the relationship between what you eat and your health (Centennial Hall)

    

Thursday, April 26 @ 8:15 a.m.: A Mother's Rosary (Chapel)

 

Thursday, April 26 @ 2:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Adoration; Rosary at 6:00 p.m.; Benediction at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

  

Thursday, April 26 @ 7:00 p.m.: Bible Study (week 2 of 6) on the Acts of the Apostles (Fahey Center I); contact Mary DuQuaine     

 

Saturday, April 28 @ 9:30 a.m.: Centering Prayer (Chapel)  

     

Saturday, April 28 @ 10:30 a.m.: 7th Annual Parish-Wide Clement Service Day 

 

Saturday, April 28 @ 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.: Reconciliation (Chapel); also available by appointment

 

Sunday, April 29: Monthly Food Collection at all Masses  

Did You Know?

 

Celebration for Fr. Bob Oldershaw

 

Fr. Bob OldershawFather Bob Oldershaw, who served as associate pastor of Saint Clement Parish from 1981-88, will celebrate 50 years as a priest on Sunday, April 29.

 

To mark the occasion, there will be a 1:00 p.m. Mass followed by a reception (until 5:30 p.m.) on Sunday, April 29 at St. Nicholas Church, 806 Ridge Avenue, Evanston. If you would like to attend the Mass and/or reception, please notify the celebration planners by email.

 

While at our parish, Father Bob founded the Saint Clement Children's Choir and later an alumni choir. He collaborated with Fr. John Fahey, the late Sr. Dolores Brooks, Sr. Jacquelyn Rice, and others in a variety of ministries to singles and families and was very involved in hospital ministry, especially at Children's Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the committee that renovated and restored Saint Clement Church. He ministered to the late Jim Northcutt, who became a symbol of homelessness and a contemporary parable for the people of Saint Clement and Lincoln Park as well as a catalyst for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter


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.