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Saint Clement Service Day 2012:
Called to Serve One Another
 Clement Service Day could not have happened without the help and cooperation of so many parishioners, as well as coordinators of the agencies we served. Despite the chilly weather and threat of rain, we are sincerely grateful to the nearly 400 volunteers who came out and made this one of the largest Service Days yet. Because of the large number of volunteers, we were able to serve 21 sites around the Chicagoland area. While some teams spring cleaned at the Anixter Center and Madonna House, others gardened at Association House of Chicago and Marah's Home. Several groups painted at organizations such as Port Ministries and Neumann Family Services, and others organized spaces at Dignity Diner and the Night Ministry. While not always glamorous work, our parishioners served with joyful hearts, feeling called to serve one another. Team captains played an important role in communicating with volunteers and connecting with each of the sites served -- we are grateful for all 27 team captains! Thanks also goes to Chrissy Grainger and Beth Hattel for coordinating the clothing drive which benefited eight organizations, including Lakeview Pantry, Juvenile Court, and House of the Good Shepherd.
 Over at Saint Clement School, approximately 50 children took part in service projects and other activities. With the help of art teacher Kristen Peck and parent Heidi Johnson, the children were able to add a touch of color to the 3rd floor by helping paint a mural of flowers, a highlight of the day. The 4th-7th graders also took part in a gardening project on the west side of the church, thanks to the lead of parishioner Joe Hobein. The younger grades prepared toiletry kits for the homeless through the Night Ministry, made sack lunches for the Lincoln Park Shelter and Inspiration Corporation, put together coloring kits for patients staying at Children's Memorial, and created neighborhood maps for new guests at the  Ronald McDonald House. The older grades visited Lakeview Nursing Home to play Bingo with the residents, and several other grades dropped off items at nearby locations. We are incredibly grateful to all those who coordinated the children's activities, from faithful volunteers to the school faculty.
The Service Day Committee provided exceptional leadership in planning and organizing to assure a smooth-running day. Special thanks to all the committee members! As always, we are grateful to the entire parish staff for their support and cooperation in making the day truly special for the entire Saint Clement community. |
The Romero Scholarship: Collection Results
On behalf of our parish community and the young people who will benefit from this newly created scholarship in El Salvador, I would like to thank all of our parishioners who gave with characteristic generosity to this fund.
 This commitment to mission beyond our immediate personal interest and recognition of our responsibility to share our extraordinary gifts with poor is a concrete enactment of our mission statement and parish spirituality of stewardship.
Through the 2012 Lenten Almsgiving project, our Parish School children donated $6,252.24 and our parishioners, including children from our Religious Education program, donated $31,743.40 to the scholarship fund giving us a total of $37,995.64.
 In addition to this generous contribution that will establish the scholarship fund, one of our parishioners has graciously offered to match this amount. Therefore the seed fund for the Romero Scholarship of Saint Clement Parish begins at $76,000.
This outpouring of financial support will create opportunities for seven young people in our sister parish whose families survive on less than U.S. $1 a day to attend college for four years -- all expenses paid -- thanks to you. As we travel to El Salvador later this month to celebrate our 25 years of relationship we will share the good news with the young people of 22 de Abril.
In the weeks ahead, we will establish a board here and in El Salvador that will oversee the selection of recipients and the distribution of the scholarship money. Furthermore, we will keep you informed of the progress and continue to build relationship with our Romero Scholars and their families.
In their name, I thank you.
-Fr. Ken Simpson
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Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
For more information on upcoming events, including our regular, weekly opportunities, please view the parish's master calendar.
Sunday, May 13 after 11:15 Mass: Musical reflections provided by Director of Music Paul Nicholson for approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of Mass.
Tuesday, May 15 @ 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Eucharistic Minister Training (Church); contact Flo Merkl-Deutsch
Tuesday, May 15 @ 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Saint Clement School Spring Concert for grades 5-8 (School Gym)
Friday, May 18 @ 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.: 5th Annual Spring Fest, social event for adults (Centennial Hall)
Sunday, May 20 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Young Adult Wine & Cheese (Chapel)
Monday, May 21: Please pray for Fr. Ken Simpson and Fr. Manny Dorantes, and Saint Clement Parishioners as they depart for El Salvador to celebrate our 25th year of relationship with our sister parish, 22 de Abril.
Tuesday, May 22 @ 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Saint Clement School Spring Concert for grades Pre-K-4 (School Gym)
Saturday-Sunday, May 26-27: Food collection at all Masses. Donations of non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items are appreciated.
Sunday, May 27 @ 12:30 p.m.: Church Architecture Tour (Church); Learn more about the art, architecture and theology of our magnificent church building; all are welcome.
Monday, May 28 @ 9:00 a.m.: Memorial Day Mass (Church); please note, the parish office will be closed.
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Did You Know?
Catholic Charities Mother's Day Collection
Our only second collection of the year, thanks to
Clement Commits
I am the vine, you are the branches.
When Julia's parish sent her to Catholic Charities, her first question was, "Can you help my child?" Her son was three years old and still wore a diaper. He didn't speak, but threw things. Catholic Charities set up testing that diagnosed his autism, and accepted him into Head Start. He now uses words, and takes his teacher's hand to go to the washroom. He shares with other children, and sits down to eat. "You helped my son so much. I can't thank you enough."
Rooted and grounded in love, your gift to Catholic Charities on Mother's Day, May 13, will bear much fruit.
Thanks to our Clement Commits program, which donates 9.5 percent of each week's general collection to charities, this is the only second collection held at Saint Clement each year. Please see page 5 of this week's bulletin for further information on this special collection.
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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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And finally...
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| Photo credits: Top bar (left): John Zich, www.zrweddings.com. |
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