Parish-wide Lenten Almsgiving: Refugee Resettlement Program

For this year's almsgiving focus, Saint Clement Parish has partnered with Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program which provides comprehensive resettlement services to hundreds of people fleeing war and genocide around the world. Marie Jochum, Program Supervisor of the Refugee Resettlement Program, kicked off the season by introducing the program to parish children in the school and religious education. She visited with fourth- to eighth-graders and parents of the religious education program the morning of Sunday, February 10, and then spent the day with second- to eighth-graders at the school on Thursday, February 14.

Marie had the older children break into groups as refugee families, to walk them through a journey from a refugee camp to arriving in the U.S. "Families" started out with many items they wished to bring from home, which were cut back over time due to the journey. The activity provided the children with perspective on what challenges refugees might face as they journey to a new country. Marie then spoke about various issues families may face when they come to the U.S., often not knowing the language, lacking employment, or needing to acclimate to many of the modern conveniences we are so accustomed to.

Discussion based, the children had the opportunity to ask Marie questions about refugees, their life circumstances, and their process for coming into the country. With the younger children at the school, Marie visited each grade and hosted age-appropriate conversations with the children about refugees and what they encounter upon arriving in Chicago. We are grateful to Marie for taking the time to explain Catholic Charities' valuable program to our parish families!

For more information about the Refugee Resettlement Program and our parish-wide support, please visit the parish website. Collection boxes, donation envelopes, and children and adult Prayer & Activity calendars can be found in the back of the church. Thank you for your support of this program, as we aid our newest neighbors in moving from war-torn environments to ones of hope and self-sufficiency in the United States.

Please also save the date for the evening of Wednesday, March 20, as we will reflect on this program over a pizza dinner in Fireside Hall. Marie will lead us in a discussion about our Lenten almsgiving and we will hear first-hand from a refugee family about their journey and how they've benefitted from the program. We hope you can join us!

Clement Couples Hosts Marriage Retreat 

On Saturday, February 8, Clement Couples sponsored an afternoon marriage retreat in Fireside Hall. Twenty-seven couples enjoyed an afternoon away from the busyness of their lives to focus on their relationship with God and with each other.

Participants had the opportunity to enjoy conversation with other married couples. Tim and Lindsay Will (married 7/2/11) commented: "It was wonderful to hear other married couples, some of whom have been married for over 35 years, offer their advice as to how we can continue to make our marriage a priority, even as our family is beginning to grow." 

Father Manny Dorantes served as the event's keynote speaker. He gave an overview of the history of marriage from both a religious and secular standpoint and how it has evolved over time. He also gave his perspective on the different phases of marriage and how marriage, the core relationship of the family, affects all other relationships in life. Tim and Lindsay appreciated the way Fr. Manny helped them to "examine and prioritize the many types of relationships in our lives by using the Circles of Intimacy and Support model. Most importantly, we focused on how to strengthen our innermost circle and our relationship with God."

Fr. Manny also spoke about how marriage compares to -- and is just as important as -- priesthood. Dennis Foldenauer and Rebekah Rashidfarokhi (married 1/30/10) reflected: "Father Manny emphasized that those who marry in the church receive a sacrament on par with holy orders, and a calling as high as that of ordained priests. It was enlightening to think about living our marriage vows publicly in the same way that priests do, and how God and a parish play such an integral role in that relationship."

Throughout the day, all of the attendees had time for personal reflection as well as time for each couple to reflect together. The afternoon ended with a special marriage blessing at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, and an opportunity for the couples to renew their vows. For Dennis and Rebekah, who were married at Holy Name but are now parishioners of Saint Clement, they found it "very special to exchange those vows again in the parish our growing family now calls home."

For more information on Clement Couples, please contact Amanda and Griffin Lothrop via email or at 773-960-2556.

Welcome Seminarian Intern Francis Nguyen  

"I am a seminarian studying second year theology at Mundelein Seminary. I was born in a small village of Vietnam in a small family of four. When I was a child, I wanted to help out my parish priest. At the age of 15, I began thinking about the priesthood. I decided to serve and live in a small community with the parish priest and eleven brothers. My parish priest influenced me in my spiritual journey.

While I was in high school, I worked in my parish as a staff member in the rectory. I taught the Bible to children, and attended choir and youth group activities. These experiences helped me a great deal with my discernment for priesthood. From this experience, I have learned a lot about myself and how important my friendships are. From the summer of 1993 to the summer 1999, I also lived in the rectory and served in my parish as an altar boy for many years.

In August 2007, I came to Chicago. I took ESL classes at UIC. Living at St. Joseph's Seminary, a beautiful place to live, has totally changed my life. In this house, everything was new to me: the language, the people, the food, the weather, the culture, and the studies. I also was so far away from my family. This house helped me to understand the providence of God in my life and the great love that God has for me. I have met wonderful people in St. Joseph's and in Chicago, and on my way to the priesthood, I have identified with the community. In addition, I have found good role models in this seminary who are very good examples to imitate.     

Being at my parish in Vietnam and St. Joseph's College Seminary in Chicago, I nurtured and nourished my vocation by exerting all my strength and active participation in my activities. Later, I entered Mundelein Seminary, which has given me a new experience in my spiritual and vocational growth. Mundelein Seminary has transformed me tremendously socially, religiously, culturally, and educationally. These experiences have allowed me to continue in my vocational journey. I look forward to what God has planned for me, including this internship at Saint Clement Parish. I thank Fr. Ken Simpson and Saint Clement parishioners for giving me this opportunity."

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 Sarah Beltz.

"I was baptized at Saint Clement, in a beautiful ceremony the night before Easter Sunday last year. Now as I embark on my first Lenten journey I wonder if I would be Catholic if I were in any city other than Chicago. I chalk it up to the power of signs from above.

Actually, I had no desire to ever move to Chicago; sure it was a great city to visit, but was never on my list. With Los Angeles checked off, I was ready for a new adventure and new city, so next maybe Denver, Salt Lake, or how about my favorite city Washington DC. I have always had a love affair with Washington DC, and it just so happens that my best friend lives there, too. I applied to more than 50 jobs in 2011 and only one located in the city of Chicago, and within two weeks I had accepted an offer and was roaming the streets of Lincoln Park trying to find an apartment. I felt very lost.

I felt like I had no plan and that things were happening so fast I didn't have control. I just needed a sign to help me feel like this was the right decision. Finally, I was led to Saint Clement. It was the first time that I felt a great sense of calm in this crazy city. And when I found my apartment and could see the dome of the church from my office window, I knew it was a sign from God that I was in the right place.

Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign." I would encourage all of you to look for the signs from above when you need that reassurance about decisions you are making. And it is these signs that have also made me feel good about pledging to the Sunday Giving Commitment and to become a member of the parish. I feel it is a small way to give back for everything that this community has given to me."