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Camping Trip 2012
"As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." This was Joshua addressing the tribes of Israel in our first reading for the weekend of August 25/26, the weekend of our parish's annual camping trip. For the 50 or so Saint Clement parishioners who were gathered at Blackwell Forest Preserve in DuPage County, they seemed to add to the acclamation, "and as for me and my household, we will go camping!"
 Our fourth annual camping trip offered our parishioners the ideal atmosphere to relax and be open to the spirit of friendship and sharing while taking in the beauty of God's creation. The summer heat was tempered by the trees and the soft breeze danced about the grassy hillside where we gathered, overlooking the boats floating on the lake. The children had space to run, fly a kite, play ball, and still be in sight of their parents relaxing in folding chairs or stretched on blankets on the grass.
The highlight of the trip was just before sunset on Saturday as our Pastor and champ-camper, Fr. Ken, celebrated Mass on an altar of flat stone. The Bread of Life was shared, and the vitality of all of creation seemed more visible.
 After Mass, the campers shared a potluck dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, fruit, cookies, and friendly conversation. The group converged around a wood-burning pit and enjoyed s'mores; the melted chocolate decorated some small faces!
As the moon became brighter and the sky darker, we headed to our individual camp sites feeling connected. As many of us thanked God for this day, we were also grateful for the inspiration and efforts of fellow parishioner, Rob Svendsen, who organized the camping trip. We look forward to next year when we can say again, "As for me and my household, we will go camping!"
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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 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 two of our parish school students, brothers Richard and Anton Deutsch.
 "Our names are Richard and Anton Deutsch, and we have been parishioners of Saint Clement Parish since birth. We were baptized here and our parents, Flo Merkl-Deutsch and Greg Deutsch, were married here. Richard says, 'We go to the parish school, and it is fun to see our friends when we come to church on Sunday. It makes Mass more fun when you see friends.' Anton adds, 'It's good to be part of a community! I had my First Communion last May and we are all part of the Communion of Saints too.'
Two years ago we started serving as hospitality ministers at the chapel Mass with our dad. We greet people at the door and give them a song sheet, and it is nice to not have to sit still through the whole Mass. We help people feel welcome because when they feel welcome, they will make others feel welcome and want to spread the word of Jesus. We also help with the collection and are glad people donate so we can keep the church running and pay the staff, like our mom.
Sometimes we help to feed the homeless people in our parish. We make sandwiches and hand out the sack lunches on Friday mornings. People like to see kids do it -- it makes them feel happy and hopeful. At the Lincoln Park Community Shelter we have served mom's chili for dinner, and also cooked breakfast with the parish staff. It is kind of like playing restaurant, but more fun and the people at the shelter are really nice. We remember them at our family dinners at home too, and that makes us feel grateful for what we have.
This fall we have a new allowance system in our house and some of that money will go in the collection basket. Mom and Dad want us to 'build good habits for the future.' Like sharing our food, sharing our money reminds us to be grateful for all God's gifts. We love Saint Clement Parish and our school!"
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Interested in Becoming Catholic?
Wednesday nights, starting September 12
 Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of spiritual and educational formation through which adults prepare and discern their desire to become fully initiated members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Our sessions will be held on Wednesday nights from
7:00-8:30 p.m., and will start on September 12. If interested, please contact Christina Bax at 773-281-0371 to set up a time for a short and informal chat; this will provide a time for you to ask any questions, share your past experiences of faith (positive or negative), and explore how we can best walk with you on this journey.
This process is open to adults who have never been baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, or were baptized Catholic, but have not received First Communion or confirmation. For information on our adult confirmation program, please contact Christina. |
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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, September 9 following the morning Masses: Farewell Reception for Mary Cele Doyle (Plaza)
Sunday, September 9 after 11:15 a.m. Mass: Director of Music Paul Nicholson performs an organ reflection for 10-15 minutes following Mass (Church)
Sunday, September 9 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC (Young Adult Community) Wine & Cheese (Chapel)
Monday, September 10 @ 1:15 p.m.: Afternoon Book Club discusses Lost Memory of Skin by Russell Banks (Fahey Center I); contact Rick Jones
Wednesday, September 12 @ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults begins; prior to attending, please contact Christina Bax.
Tuesday, September 18 @ 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Catholicism 101, a "refresher course" for adults; runs weekly through November 13; $20 to cover course materials, register here.
Tuesday, September 18 @ 7:00-9:00 p.m.: Adult Confirmation Program begins; pre-registration required; contact Christina Bax
Sunday, September 23 @ 5:00 p.m.: Young Adult Community hosts graduates from the 2010, 2011, and 2012 classes from any college/university; social at 5:00 p.m. (Chapel), Mass at 7:00 p.m. (Church); contact Kyle Welch.
Sunday, September 23 @ 6:00 p.m.: Clement Couples Annual Kick-Off Potluck Dinner (Centennial Hall). Please bring a salad or dessert. RSVP to Griffin & Amanda Lothrop by September 19.
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Did You Know?
Changes to Liturgy of the Word for Children
During our two 9:30 a.m. Sunday Masses, children ages 4-8 years are dismissed for Liturgy of the Word for Children.
Because of the increased popularity of this ministry, we will open up a registration process for Children's Liturgy. Registration is free. Registration forms will be passed out at Children's Liturgy this weekend, and can be found online. Each child will receive two nametags, a green one for the church and a gold one for the chapel. Each child will need to wear the proper nametag if they want to attend Children's Liturgy during Mass (to help in those times when the child forgets which Mass they came from).
In order to implement the changes, we will not have Children's Liturgy for four weeks starting on September 16. Children's Liturgy will start up again on Sunday, October 14 at the 9:30 a.m. Masses. Questions? Please contact Director of Catechesis Mary DuQuaine.
We are also looking for new leaders for this ministry. If you are a parishioner interested in volunteering for Children's Liturgy, please contact Mary DuQuaine.
Child Care during 9:30 a.m. Mass Begins Sunday
For children ages 18 months to 4 years, the Child Care Ministry offers regular, sufficient, and trained volunteers to help parish parents who want child care services during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. Child care service begins again this Sunday, September 9, and will be located across the street in the Saint Clement School gymnasium. Please contact Maggie Hanley with any questions or to volunteer for this ministry.
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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) and Did You Know?: John Zich, www.zrweddings.com. |
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