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Saint Clement Liturgists Gather to Celebrate Service
 As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, we reflect on how Vatican II has changed the face of worship. One of the most visible examples of these changes is the role of laypersons at the Mass, and at Saint Clement Church, we have much to celebrate! Did you know that more than 400 parishioners serve in liturgical ministries? Wow!
  Each year we take an evening out to give thanks to these extraordinary volunteers who serve as Lectors, Sacristans, Eucharistic Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, Bread Bakers, Altar Servers, Babysitters, and in Children's Liturgy of the Word week after week, year round. Over a spirited feast of Middle Eastern food, volunteers connect across generation, ministry, and habitual Mass time to share stories, build friendships, and enjoy a serving of "spiritual food" as well!
This year, our featured
speaker was Eileen Crowley, PhD, a professor from Catholic Theological Union. Professor Crowley led us on a moving journey through the meaning and implications of our baptismal calling, and inspired us with select eloquent quotes from the documents of Vatican II. Affirmed that we are "marvelously called and wonderfully prepared,"* all who attended departed the celebration with a new and/or renewed sense of the special role of the laity in the mission of the Church. *from Lumen Gentium, 31 If you are interested in serving as a liturgical minister, please contact Flo Merkl-Deutsch, Coordinator of Liturgy.
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Saint Clement, Lincoln Park Churches Participate in Annual Unity Sunday
 Each year, many Christian churches across the world celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In Lincoln Park, we have a long tradition of working with the other Christian churches in the neighborhood, most visibly with the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, and each January through our annual "Pulpit Exchange." On Sunday, January 20, ordained and lay ecclesial Ministers from each church served as guest preachers at churches. Saint Clement Parish was honored to host Reverend Avena Ward and Reverend Matt Fitzgerald as guest preachers at the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Masses. Both shared something about their own story, along with preaching on the readings of the day. One parishioner commented, "It was great to associate a face with the other churches I pass on the street, and also to see such a genuine sense of friendship between the minister and the priest." Pastoral Associate Christina Bax preached at Church of our Savior, and Fr. Manny served as the guest preacher at the Church of the Three Crosses. As Fr. Manny reflected on the day, he had this to share: "Christian Unity week allows us to come together as Christians, regardless of our denomination, and attempt to give an effective witness to the world. Our division is a counter-witness to the Gospel in the eyes of the world; therefore it is imperative that every Catholic do all in his or her power to engage in the ways of dialogue with the hope of unity with members of other Christian traditions." |
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Clement Moms Volunteer at New Ronald McDonald House
 The Clement Moms Service Committee, led by Abby Vaughn and Tiffany Barker, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house on Wednesday, January 23. With the move of Children's Memorial Hospital from Lincoln Park to the new Lurie Children's Hospital in Streeterville, this was the first time the moms group had been to the new location. In the past the volunteers were asked to prepare and serve a meal to 25 people, but at the new, much larger location, the meal is prepared for 70 people. The larger group was a bit intimidating so we decided to keep the meal simple and bake pizzas, pasta, salad, and brownies.
Everything went very smoothly with the help of 12 Clement Moms and the brand new, state-of-the-art kitchen.
 The guests at the Ronald McDonald house were very appreciative of the meal. The children were all excited for pizza and the parents told us it was so nice to have dinner taken care of and one thing less to worry about. After we served the meal and cleaned up, our group was given a tour of the house. Every detail of the house is so well done and designed to make the families feel as at home as possible. The common living floor has a place for everyone including a new piano and a "man cave" with games.
The Ronald McDonald House is a wonderful charity and we encourage everyone to volunteer for a dinner. Clement Moms Service Committee looks forward to planning another dinner soon!
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Ash Wednesday: February 13
Begin your Lenten journey with the visible reminder that we were shaped from clay by God's hands, and that we will return to God. Join us on February 13 at one of the following services:
- 7:00 a.m.: Full Mass with ash distribution
- 9:00 a.m.: Full Mass with ash distribution
- Noon: Short prayer service with ash distribution
- 4:00 p.m.: Short prayer service with ash distribution
- 5:30 p.m.: Short prayer service with ash distribution. Following the 5:30 p.m. service will be a simple meal of rice and beans in Centennial Hall
- 7:30 p.m.: Full Mass with ash distribution
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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.
Weekend Masses in 2013: New Mass Journal initiative, to support our participation and reflection at Mass. Extra journals available in the church vestibule.
Friday, February 1 @ 7:30 p.m.: Call to Remembrance: A Benefit Concert for Newtown, CT (Church)
Tuesday, February 5 @ 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Eucharistic Minister Training (Chapel); contact Flo Merkl-Deutsch
Thursday, February 7 @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.: Prayer Yoga (Chapel)
Sunday, February 10: Annual Prayer Day "The Way We Pray: Our Call to Full, Conscious and Active Participation at Mass" (Church, School)
Sunday, February 10 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC Wine & Cheese (Chapel)
Monday, February 11 @ 1:15 p.m.: Afternoon Book Club (FC I); discusses Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Wednesday, February 13: Ash Wednesday; see ash distribution and Mass schedule above Thursday, February 14 @ 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.: Prayer Yoga (Chapel) Saturday, February 16 @ 9:00-11:30 a.m.: From Nicaea to Vatican II: The Church's 21 Ecumenical Councils (Chapel); continues each Saturday during Lent
Save the Date:
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The Way We Pray: Our Call to Full, Conscious and Active Participation at Mass
Join us for our annual Prayer Day on Sunday, February 10!
This year's focus is on the celebration of Eucharist as the source and summit of our Christian lives. Liturgy is alive! We will explore the many changes that have taken place at Mass, especially in light of the Second Vatican Council. We will celebrate our expression of prayer through music, word, art, gestures, and community.
Prayer Day begins with 11:15am Mass, followed by lunch, afternoon breakout sessions, our featured event (The Vatican II Musical Revue), and ending with evening prayer at 4:30pm. Babysitting is available during the 1:15pm afternoon session. Details can be found online or by downloading the flyer.
Our featured event, The Vatican II Musical Revue, is a family-friendly musical journey of songs sung at Mass through the years prior to Vatican II and into the decades immediately following the Council until now. Participants will get a taste of the music of an earlier age, and will celebrate the initials steps and then the leaps and bounds into a whole new world of celebrating our communal prayer. At times performance and lecture, at times participatory singing, the Vatican II Musical Revue will ultimately be a prayerful recreation of the changes that have brought us to where we are today, enjoyable for all ages.
The program will include performances by the Schola Clementis, under the direction of Music Director Paul Nicholson, and the Chapel Choir, under the direction of Assistant Music Director Patrick Sinozich.
Please RSVP to Mary DuQuaine, especially if you will be attending the lunch, or if have children to drop off for babysitting during the first afternoon session (1:15pm).
We hope to see you there!
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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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