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 Eric & Cassidy Neveux.

"Little did we know when we began searching for an RCIA program in 2005 that we'd one day not only live a block away from the church we selected, but become deeply rooted in its community. You see, Eric and I started down the path of his conversion in order to be married in the Catholic Church. Neither of us attended religious services regularly, and though I was raised Catholic, I have to admit I was a C.E.O. (i.e., Christmas and Easter Only attendee -- don't tell Fr. Ken!). However, once we began attending Saint Clement, all of that changed.

Since our initial introduction, Saint Clement has continued to impress and amaze us. The warmth, welcome, and acceptance conveyed by the parish are what drew us in, and what inspired us to prioritize faith and giving in our lives. Today, I co-chair Clement Moms and Eric sits on the parish's finance council. Clement Moms has provided an outlet for me to boast and commiserate about the joys and struggles of motherhood and has led to some of my most treasured friendships. It's a group I can always turn to for support and acceptance -- a theme that runs throughout the Saint Clement Parish.

Through our faith and participation in the parish community, we've come to understand the importance of recognizing one's strengths to contribute to the greater good. So when the opportunity presented itself for Eric to lend his banking expertise to benefit the church, he accepted. Helping to manage the financial wealth of the parish is a privilege given the tremendous spiritual wealth provided to our family by Saint Clement -- from RCIA to married life, parenthood and beyond.

We've come to realize over the years that a parish like ours is built upon the giving spirit of each individual. No matter how small, every minute and dollar makes a difference. In offering our services and pledging to the Sunday Giving Commitment, we hope to foster a continued atmosphere of warmth and acceptance for engaged twenty-somethings (and all incoming parishioners) ready to discover the gift of Saint Clement."