IN THIS ISSUE
Families Celebrate Advent at Workshop
Stories of Stewards
Anchor Ball Reflection Night
Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedule
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
Did You Know?



QUICK LINKS  

 

 

Families Celebrate Advent at Workshop

 

Advent Workshop

  

About 100 parish families gathered in Saint Clement School on Sunday, December 2, to participate in what has become an annual Advent Workshop. Children of all ages enjoyed working on projects such as painting ornaments, decorating Christmas cards for the homebound, and of course, creating an Advent Wreath complete with beautiful bow and four candles which will be lit weekly in the days leading up to Christmas.   

 

Advent WorkshopAs they entered and offered either cookies to share or a small donation, families selected a bag which contained all the materials to create the wreaths: foam rings, garland, bows, berries, and candles. The children seemed to enjoy the creative process and proudly displayed their completed projects. Some adults even wanted to create their own masterpieces (and were very thankful to discover glitter was not included in the process)! Even Fr. Ken Simpson grabbed his own bag -- we're still waiting to see his creation!

  

Advent Workshop

Advent Workshop
Volunteers assisted the artists and helped create a calm and happy environment -- the perfect setting to prepare for Christ's birth -- while parents were free to assist their little ones, mingle with other parents, and enjoy a treat.
 

 

Thank you to Saint Clement's Office of Catechesis and volunteer Cassie Casey and her elves for creating a wonderful family Advent outing.

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 Casey Bowles.

 

Casey Bowles "After graduating from college I had the privilege of volunteering with a program called Inner-City Teaching Corps (ICTC) where I taught middle school on the south side of Chicago. The two years I spent in ICTC were the most challenging of my life, but I also feel it was an experience that provided me with a wonderful community of people with similar values. When my two years were up and that formal community was in my life no longer, I floated from one parish to another without establishing any roots. After doing this for several years I came to realize one thing was truly missing in my life: a community with similar values. It was at this time I found Saint Clement. Or better yet, Saint Clement found me.

 

For the past five years I have been involved with the Young Adult Board, Liturgy of the Word for Children, and Eucharistic Ministry. Each of these experiences leaves me with a feeling that the benefits I reap from my involvement are significantly greater than what I put in. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a welcoming and inclusive community where you can find a ministry that speaks to you and then immediately get involved.

 

Because Saint Clement has given so much to me I feel it is only natural for me to be a good steward and give back to Saint Clement. That is why I volunteer in different ministries and support the parish financially through the Sunday Giving Commitment. I admit to not always thinking about how much money I have in my wallet when I go to Mass each week. Through my recurring monthly online gift to Saint Clement, I don't have to spend half of Mass wondering whether it is appropriate for me to toss an Applebee's gift card that has an $8.78 remaining balance in the collection basket. In addition to offering peace of mind, I have depended on Saint Clement for so much meaning in my life. I want the parish to know it can depend on me as well."

Anchor Ball Reflection Night

Anchor Ball

On Thursday, December 6, members of the Anchor Ball Leadership Team gathered in the Fahey Center for a night of faith, food, and fellowship as they continued their planning efforts for this year's event. The group members mingled and shared some social time over dinner before viewing the Paddle Raise video from last year's Anchor Ball.   
 
Anchor Ball The attendees then engaged in spiritual discussions and exercises led by Saint Clement's Director of Catechesis, Mary DuQuaine. This faith-filled portion of the night focused around the Stewardship Prayer shown below and allowed the leadership team to focus their thoughts and energies on the overall mission of Anchor Ball -- to support
our church, school, and the many ministries that Saint Clement serves throughout Chicago.  

Stewardship Prayer

Saint Clement Church is composed of people like me.

It will be friendly, if I am.

Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.

It will do great work, if I work.

It will make generous gifts to worthy causes, if I am a generous giver.

It will bring other people into its worship, if I invite and bring them.

It will be a church of loyalty and love,

of fearlessness and faith,

and a church with a noble spirit,

if I am filled with these same things.

Therefore, with the help of God,

I will dedicate myself to the task of being all the

things that I want my church to be. 

 
This renewed focus also allowed for a great deal of collegial dialogue and produced quite a bit of excitement for this year's gala. After mapping out each committee's next steps, the leadership team concluded the evening with a very touching final blessing before dispersing with a tremendous sense of gratitude and optimism for the 2013 Changing Tides Anchor Ball.

 

Anchor Ball

Anchor Ball: Did You Know?   
  • The goal of Anchor Ball is to raise $260,000 to cover the church and school current year operating budget (this has been the same goal for the past three years). The funds raised are equally divided between the church and school.
  • Everyone benefits from the Paddle Raise: 9.5% of the funds go to our sister parish school in El Salvador; the remaining funds are split 50/50 between school and church to cover operating expenses. As we have fallen short on our budget in recent years, this important initiative will ensure we cover our expenses. 

Learn more about the 2013 Anchor Ball: Changing Tides, including the exciting changes to this year's event, and the ways you can support the event. Please visit the Anchor Ball website for more information or contact Kim Carter of the parish staff.  

Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedule
   
  

Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24

  • 4:00 p.m. in the Church: Family Mass with telling of the Christmas story; Carols begin at 3:40
  • 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel: Family Mass (a little shorter than the Church Mass for our littlest worshippers); Carols begin at 3:40
  • 5:00 p.m. at The Cabrini Shrine, 2520 North Lakeview Avenue
  • 6:00 p.m. in the Church: Carols begin at 5:45
  • Midnight Mass in the Church: Carols begin at 11:30

Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25

  • 9:30 a.m. in the Church
  • 10:00 a.m. at The Cabrini Shrine, 2520 North Lakeview Avenue
  • 11:15 a.m. in the Church

New Year's Day - Tuesday, January 1

  • 10:00 a.m. in the Church
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give. 

 

For more information on upcoming events, including our regular, weekly opportunities, please view the parish's master calendar.            

 

Sunday, December 16: Deadline to turn in Jesse Tree gifts.


Sunday, December 16 @ 3:00 p.m.: William Ferris Chorale Holiday Concert (Church); for tickets click here

Sunday, December 16 @ 8:00 p.m.: Young Adult Community (YAC) Christmas Party (John Barleycorn on Lincoln/Orchard)

Tuesday, December 18 @ 7:00 p.m.: Four Steps of Prayer: Ignatian Spirituality Program, final meeting (Chapel)

Tuesday, December 18 @ 7:00 p.m.: Meeting for Divorced & Separated Catholics Group (Fahey Center I)

Thursday, December 20 @ 7:00 p.m.: School Christmas Concert (Church)

Friday, December 21 @ 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.:
Help decorate the Church for Christmas (Church). Please contact Flo if you are interested in helping.

Sunday, December 23 @ 12:15 p.m.: Art & Architecture Tour (Church)

Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses

Saturday, December 29 & Sunday, December 30 @ All Masses: Monthly Food Collection of non-perishable foods. Please place donated items in the boxes located in the church vestibule. 
Did You Know?
2012 Stewardship Report
Available at Church and Online
 

2012 Stewardship Report Our annual Stewardship Report, which serves as both our year-end, financial report as well as a publication of who we are as Saint Clement Parish, has been printed and mailed out to our parishioners. Extra copies are available in the church vestibule and online. We invite you to look over the report to gain a better picture of the many ways our parish community goes about its daily activities of praying, serving, and giving.

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.
 
And finally... 

 

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Photo credits: Top bar (left); Christmas Mass Schedule image; John Zich, www.zrweddings.com