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Parishioners Support Fair Trade at Market
 On Sunday November 4, parishioners supported the third annual Saint Clement Fair Trade/Green Market by purchasing items from 18 vendors offering goods from around the world. With Fair Trade purchases, parishioners can be assured of several things: fair trade guarantees that artisans and farmers receive a fair price for their products; fair trade products are quality products -- by receiving a fair price, fair trade producers can avoid cost-cutting practices that sacrifice labor; fair trade means caring for the earth, as most Fair Trade Certified™ products are certified organic; fair trade protects children -- no forced child labor is used in production.
Looking around the Fireside Hall marketplace one could see scented candles and bath soaps produced by adolescent single mothers transitioning into economic stability through Bright Endeavors initiative; colorfully painted rice bags from Southeast Asia; jewelry from artists and cooperatives in India, Central America and Morocco; and simple crosses made from bullet casings in Liberia. Customers were able to smell and enjoy coffee produced and roasted in Nicaragua by a women's cooperative.
 
The Fair Trade Market is hosted by the Human Concerns Commission and would not be possible without the many volunteers. Thanks to parishioners who helped make the day a success, particularly members of the Saint Clement God Squad and Boy Scouts.
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Children Taught Importance of Pray, Serve, Give at Retreat
 About 60 parents and children gathered in Fireside Hall the morning of November 10 to participate in "Kids' Retreat: Pray, Serve, Give." Organized by the Saint Clement Moms Spirituality Committee, Fr. Ken Simpson kicked off the event with prayer, showing the children the hand signs for pray, serve, and give.
The group then gathered in the cafeteria and formed a large circle while holding hands where one person would pass on a "squeeze" and a smile to the person to their right. This elicited many adorable grins from the little ones!
 Guest speaker Tammy Garza engaged the children in a conversation about what they are thankful for, and and presented ideas on how they can be active Catholic stewards. She then introduced a project for them to participate in during Advent. The little ones decorated small boxes to fill with money that will be used to purchase toys for those who cannot afford them. Children then were able to hear a story about Mass while also receiving a gift of a Children's Missal that they could then take with them to Mass each week.
 All participants were asked to bring at least one children's book to the event, which allowed the children to go home with a gently used book while the leftovers were donated to local charities.
Garza also spent time with the parents while the children enjoyed open play time, sharing ideas about how to actively engage even the littlest ones in service projects. She explained how planting the service seed early in life can develop a lifetime of giving back. |
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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 Dennis Walter.
 "In 2000, due to a job change, I moved to Lincoln Park for the 'location, location, location.' Little did I know that 'location' meant having Saint Clement just one block away!
My initial involvement in Saint Clement was, well, embarrassingly little: I attended Sunday Mass and said 'hello' to Father Tom Hickey and Father Vince Costello as we crossed paths from the Bally's health club.
In 2009, this 'Cradle Catholic' who was taking his faith for granted, noticed that Saint Clement offered Tuesday night sessions about the Catholic faith. Through faith sharing, I discovered that while I knew the Ten Commandments, I knew nothing of the Seven Principles of Social Justice. Attending those classes put me on a journey to embrace Saint Clement's mission of Pray, Serve, Give:
Pray -- the opportunity to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday night helps deepen my relationship with God. Also, serving as a lector allows me to reflect on the Word of God and share it with the community of Saint Clement on Sunday.
Serve -- being a monthly volunteer at the Franciscan Outreach Center and at Our Lady of the Angels has been a blessing. The poor face many challenges. For one evening or Saturday morning, we can provide them a meal or clothing and serve in solidarity with them. Also, I will facilitate Strengths for the Journey sessions during Advent. It gave me a path to service at Saint Clement and I hope to help others find that path.
Give -- the Sunday Giving Commitment allows me to give of the 'first fruits' and realize that what I have is a gift from God. Also, with Fireside Hall being my second home, I realize that the school is integral to Saint Clement and I contribute to its Annual Fund.
Lastly, I want to thank the community of Saint Clement for practicing 'Pray, Serve, Give.' Your thoughts, prayers and acts of care-giving during my challenge of beating leukemia over the past year will never be forgotten. I hope that I can give back more of what you have given."
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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.
Friday, November 16 @ 6:00 p.m. - Saturday November 17 @ 3:00 p.m.: Urban Mission Retreat (Mission of Our Lady of the Angels)
Sunday, November 18 @ 10:30 a.m.: Reception honoring Maria Leonard, Christifidelis Award recipient (Fahey I)
Sunday, November 18 @ 10:45 a.m.: Prayer Yoga (Fireside Hall)
Thursday, November 22 @ 9:00 a.m.: Happy Thanksgiving! Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. (Church); Thanksgiving Food Collection -- please bring donation of non-perishable food to Mass.
Saturday, November 24: Jesse Tree begins. Select a tag from one of the trees, and support one of 12 charities this Christmas season.
Tuesday November 27 @ 7:00 p.m.: Four Steps of Prayer with Fr. Peter Wojcik, a program on Tuesdays during Advent (Chapel)
Sunday, December 2 @ 10:30-noon: Family Advent Workshop (Centennial Hall)
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Did You Know?
Maria Leonard Honored with the Christifidelis Award!
Reception on Sunday, November 18 following the 9:30 a.m. Masses
On November 4, Francis Cardinal George awarded the Christifidelis Award -- an Archdiocesan award that recognizes outstanding service to the church by lay persons -- to parishioner Maria Leonard.
Maria has been a member of Saint Clement for more than 35 years. She regularly serves as a lector and in numerous other liturgical ministries, such as the Ministry of Care, bringing Communion to residents of a nursing home. She is recognized as a pillar of our community, a source of wisdom, and a great teacher. Maria served as a key member of the committee who envisioned, planned, and executed the renovation and restoration of the Saint Clement Church. The endeavor took years of research and countless hours of preparation and catechetical effort.
From that experience and research, Maria now leads tours of the art and architecture of the church that are both informative and formational in the prayer of the Church. Her work in liturgy extends beyond Saint Clement. She served on the staff of Liturgy Training Publications where she helped to author and edit many catechetical materials that continue to nurture the lives of parishes in Chicago and far beyond.
You are invited to join in recognizing Maria with a reception following the 9:30 a.m. Masses on November 18 in the Fahey Center.
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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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