|
|
|
|
Valuable Guidelines on End-of-Life Care
An exceptional group of experts came together at Saint Clement
on April 23 to discuss "End-of-Life Care: What to Do, When and Why." On the panel were Karen Nisley Long, President of the Chicago End-of-Life Care Coalition and Director of Development for Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care; Ronette McCarthy, an attorney specializing in end-of-life issues; and Fr. Peter Wojcik, a spiritual director, medical ethicist and hospital chaplain. They spoke about the complex spiritual, social, legal, and psychological issues that arise as death approaches.
Some key points:
If you're caring for someone who is dying, get them to tell you what their wishes are. They may be reluctant to have those conversations as that's the first stage of grief, but hospital chaplains and social workers have ways to make it a lot easier. Don't hesitate to ask for help.
Everyone over 18 should complete an Advance Directive to guide their care should they be unable to make decisions for themselves. Use the State of Illinois statutory form.
Don't stop with the form. Talk with the person you've designated to make those decisions for you. Let them know your wishes, your values and your fears.
Revisit that Advance Directive (and talk with the person you've designated again) at least every five years because our needs and wishes change as our lives change.
Pray for a good death. This was widely practiced in the Church for a thousand years, but has recently faded. Fr. Wojcik, who works with the dying every day, sees great value in it.
The panel discussion was presented by the Respect Life Committee of the Human Concerns Commission.
|
|
Saint Clement Middle School Performs "The Music Man Jr." to Packed House
Guests gathered in the Saint Clement School gymnasium Friday-Saturday, April 19-20, for the performance of "The Music Man Jr." by the middle school students.  The story surrounds a traveling salesman conning Midwest families into purchasing musical instruments and uniforms for a band he vows to organize, but all the while his goal is to skip town with the cash. He becomes a reformed man after falling in love with the school librarian. The 60 junior high performers -- plus one adult performer, the energetic Fr. Ken Simpson as the conductor (a non-singing role, we might add!) -- staged a spectacular rendition, enjoyed by all.
 The students hosted three performances: the Friday matinee show, which was reserved for the Saint Clement student body, and one performance each on Friday and Saturday night, featuring a packed audience filled with grandparents who flew into Chicago from out of town, school families, parishioners, members of the young adult community, and Saint Clement School alumni.
 Anna Bax, musical director for the middle school and director of "The Music Man Jr.," enjoys witnessing how the musical helps create a special bond among the performers, especially across the different grade levels. Her sentiment is echoed by eighth grader Katherine Beavis, who offers this reflection:
 "I love musicals. I always get very excited for musical season and everyone knows it. Whether you are in the cast or watching, there is singing, dancing, and acting, all in about two hours. For the audience, musicals are pure entertainment -- a chance to get swept up in the music and drama, completely in the moment. For the cast, there is so much behind the scenes. The audience never sees the long practices, the short practices, or the lunchtime practices in the corner of study hall with your buddies. They do not see the quiet laughs backstage as a seemingly ordinary line is acted out.
 The casts of musicals I have participated in have always been very close. There is something about singing the same song and dancing the same dance. It is a particular and curious thing sometimes replicated on sports teams. However, unlike in sports, there is no adversary, just the team. We practice until exhaustion to do the best we can, but not competitively. We work because we want to give the audience the best show we can possibly give them. I hope that the cast of the 'The Music Man Jr.' was able to give our audience the gift of a good show."
 The performers celebrated the culmination of weeks and weeks of practice with a post-show cast party in Fireside Hall after the final performance, complete with food and a DJ for the students to enjoy.
So many volunteers offered assistance in so many ways, helping to create the awesome set which was painted by parent volunteers and fifth grade students, and of course, the performers who put their heart and soul into the show. There are so many people to thank for their assistance in assuring a successful event, including co-director Alexis Randolph, Fr. Ken Simpson, Fr. Manny Dorantes, and the parish staff, as well as Melissa Dan, Fran Kucich, Anne Byrne, Carol Bibat, and the school faculty and staff, and the many, many parent volunteers.
|
|
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 Lucy Schaefer.
 "I have been a part of Saint Clement for my whole life. My parents were parishioners when I was born, so I was baptized, received my First Communion, and was confirmed all at Saint Clement. I went to Saint
Clement School for ten years and now I am a sophomore at Northside College Prep. It is undeniable that Saint Clement remains a strong presence in my life, as it was in my grade school years. One way that I stay involved in the church is that I am a part of a great group, called the God Squad. When I tell people I am in God Squad, they ask, "What do you do there? Recite verses from the Scripture?" It's tough to answer this question, but I tell them that God Squad is a place where the Saint Clement 8th graders and high schoolers can meet to discuss relevant issues in our community -- plus we get food. In a recent meeting we discussed poverty, something that most of us at Saint Clement do not personally experience. What made the meeting fun, though, was the relay race activity and the pizza we ate at the start of the meeting. This summer I will see poverty first hand when I travel to the Cocle region in Panama for six weeks through the Amigos de las Americas organization. I will live in a rural village and coordinate a community development project, as well as run a summer camp for children. The goal of the Amigos program is to inspire youth leadership and encourage cross-cultural exchange. I look forward to this cultural experience which will be far different from Chicago and Saint Clement. Apart from being a part of God Squad, I am a lector at 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. I used to dread going to Mass, but after graduating from Saint Clement, church has been, in some cases, the only peaceful hour in my hectic week. I would like to encourage all teens to try a God Squad meeting. God Squad gives me the chance to be thankful for what I have material-wise, and reminds me of the support group that Saint Clement offers." |
|
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.
Saturday, May 4 @ 9:00 a.m.: Sacrament of First Eucharist, Religious Education students; @ 11:00 a.m.: First Eucharist, School students (Church)
Sunday, May 5, following 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Masses:
Thursday, May 9 @ 6:30 p.m.: Saint Clement School Spring Music & Band Concert for Grades 5-8 (School Gym)
Thursday, May 9 @ 7:00 p.m.: YAC Shot of Theology discusses "Mercy & Justice: An Oxymoron or Christian Command" (John Barleycorn Pub, 658 W. Belden); contact Kim Riley
Monday, May 13 @ 1:15 p.m.: Afternoon Book Club discusses The Moviegoer by Walker Percy (Fahey Center I); contact Rick Jones
Monday, May 13: @ 6:00 p.m.: Training for Eucharistic Ministers; @ 7:00 p.m.: Training for Lectors; contact Flo Merkl-Deutsch
Thursday, May 16 @ 6:30 p.m.: Prayer Yoga (Fahey Center I); contact Dina Wolf
Sunday, May 19 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC Wine & Cheese (Chapel)
|
|
|
Did You Know?
Upcoming Spiritual and Social Opportunities for the Young Adult Community
 Saint Clement Parish's Young Adult Community (YAC) is an inclusive community of parishioners in their 20's and 30's on a journey of faith in Jesus Christ. The YAC invites other parishioners in the same age group to join them at two upcoming events:
1) A Shot of Theology Thursday, May 9, 7pm, John Barleycorn Pub (658 W. Belden) This new monthly speaker series offers concentrated and focused presentations that last 30 minutes or less. - Speaker: Keara Ette, Director of Faith Formation at Old St. Patrick's Church.
- Topic: "Mercy & Justice: An Oxymoron or Christian Command."
- In this age when so many inside and outside of the church are so quick to categorize one another as "liberal," "progressive," "conservative," or "traditional," what would it look like to return to the demands of the Gospel and move away from labels and language that divide--rather than unite--us as believers and people of good will?
2) Be Transformed: YAC Day Retreat Saturday, May 11, Fireside Hall, 10am-5pm retreat, 5pm Mass, 6pm-8pm BBQ dinner & social Do you find it difficult to integrate your faith in daily life? Take a day to reflect and pray on God's role in your daily life. Share with others, make new friends, and discover how God is an active participant in your life and seeks to transform your mind and heart to His will. - Cost: $40 (includes light lunch and BBQ dinner and social, retreat materials, and retreat t-shirt)
- Register: By May 7 online
- Questions: Email Kim Riley
|
|
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...
Please note, by unsubscribing via the link below, you are opting out of receiving The Plaza newsletter. You will continue to receive other messages from Saint Clement Parish.
|
|
|
