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Theology on Tap Attracts Record-Breaking Number of Participants
 Saint Clement's Theology on Tap speaker series has attracted record-breaking numbers of participants this year, packing the plaza, church steps and lawn with a sea of young adults. Kim Marks has been one in the crowd; she comments, "Theology on Tap is one of my favorite Saint Clement events. The speaker and subject matter is always relevant, and the young adult community is full of genuine people which contributes to the vibrant atmosphere." Over 60 volunteers have been welcoming young adults from across the archdiocese to Saint Clement and sharing information about our parish ministries. Every week after dinner and time to socialize, there is an engaging speaker and time for questions from the audience.
On July 16, Timothy O'Malley, Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, spoke on "When Life Doesn't Go as Planned: The Hidden Gift of Disappointment" in front of 329 young adults. O'Malley shared his own experiences with disappointment and how we can "offer up" our own suffering to God. He described offering up our sufferings as "finding the concrete way to love through Christ, even in the midst of the darkness."
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Tim O'Malley on "When Life Doesn't Go As Planned:
The Hidden Gift of Disappointment"
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The following week, Northwestern University professor of Religious Studies, Cristina Traina, gave a talk entitled "Sex and the City of God." Professor Traina gave the 266 attendees insights that connected the Church's teachings about sex to the daily lives of young adults living in 2013. She answered many questions about a variety of topics including celibacy and gay and lesbian sexuality.
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Cristina Traina on "Sex and the City of God"
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This past Tuesday, 208 young adults attended the talk entitled "#Discipleship in a Digital World: A Challenge, a Chore and the Charge." The event was moved indoors to Centennial Hall due to the threat of rain. Speaker Clarissa Aljentera, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation and Media Resources for the Archdiocese of Chicago, spoke about using Jesus as a model for discipleship, even when using modern technology such as Facebook and Twitter.
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Clarissa Aljentera on "#Discipleship in a Digital World --
A Challenge, a Chore, and the Charge."
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New this year is a "Christmas in July" collection to support the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program, welcoming our newest neighbors as they seek hope and self-sufficiency in the United States.  Young adults are encouraged to select a paper ornament from the Christmas tree which lists an item to purchase for a "Welcome to America" pack. These packs include items the refugee families would need to get settled in to their new apartment, such as dishware, basic toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Items are due by Sunday, August 11.
 Theology on Tap concludes this Tuesday, August 6 at 7 p.m. Fr. Ed O'Shea will be speaking about "The Other Side of the Confessional: Insights into God's Loving Mercy." Even if you haven't made it to a TOT talk yet, you should come! As TOT participant Katie McCarthy commented, "Theology on Tap has been a great way to meet and share my faith with other young adults at Saint Clement. I definitely recommend it!" We hope to see you there!
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Thank You Della Anglin for 30 Years of Ministry and 78,000 Items Laundered!  Many people contribute behind the scenes to make liturgy beautiful at Saint Clement Parish. One ministry about which most people are not even aware is the cleaning and pressing of the linens we use at Mass. For thirty years, parishioner Della Anglin has lovingly cared for the purificators, corporals and lavabo towels which amount to around 50 pieces of linen per week. Over thirty years, that amounts to approximately 78,000 items laundered! Wow!
This Tuesday, we honored Della with a tribute brunch in the company of her friends and family from the Parish. Della is an extraordinarily dedicated, and humbly understated, steward of our parish. She has contributed countless hours to the community through her unique ministry quietly, reverently and with immense care. If you see her at daily Mass or on Sundays at the 8 a.m. liturgy, thank her for her years of service! ( Pictured from left to right: Della Anglin with Flo Merkl-Deutsch, our Coordinator of Liturgy.)
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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. 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 Betsy & Jeff Nelson.  Betsy writes, "I found Saint Clement eight years ago. I had just moved to Chicago and was yearning to find a community that would feel like home. I still remember the first time I went to Mass at Saint Clement and thanked God for bringing me here.
One year later, I invited my boyfriend Jeff to join me at Mass. Though he was raised in a different faith, he could see the grace and peace that my faith brought me, and he wanted to get to know that part of me better. Jeff listened to Father Ken and said he felt moved to come to Mass more often. We talked about the Gospel and homily. He would ask questions--some I could answer, others I couldn't. This community began to live in us--in our relationship. Soon after that, Jeff proposed. We talked about raising our kids Catholic, completed Pre-Cana, and got married in the Church. Two years ago, Jeff told me that he wanted to join the Church and asked me to be his RCIA sponsor. The deepening strength and vigor of Jeff's faith inspired me and deepened my faith as well. Then last year--at the Easter Vigil and on his 30th birthday--Jeff was baptized at Saint Clement. I remember that moment clearly--standing there five months pregnant and watching the water pour over him. That evening changed our lives forever.
The impact Saint Clement has had on our family is profound. We are stewards of the Church because we try to live the Gospel we hear each Sunday. We feel blessed to be a part of such a vibrant faith community and to have met so many people--through Theology on Tap, faith sharing, Clement Moms, and various service opportunities--who have touched our lives and strengthened our faith. We give through ParishPay so that the Gospel may reach many other people and to ensure this community is preserved for our daughter Emma's generation.
When I first came to Saint Clement eight years ago, I knew I had found a special place. I could have never imagined, though, the tremendous impact this place would have on my life."
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The Plaza Switches to Summer Schedule
The Plaza has switched to its summer schedule and will be published on a bi-weekly basis. There are many great stories of the wonderful people of Saint Clement. If you have a story idea you'd like to share, please send an email to theplaza@clement.org.
Have a safe and wonderful summer!
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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.
Sundays in August: No 9:30 a.m. Chapel Mass. Sundays, August 4, 11, 18, & 25 @ 8:30 a.m.: Summer Choir Rehearsal (Chapel); all are invited to join in making a joyful noise! Contact Paul Nicholson or Patrick Sinozich with questions. Tuesday, August 6 @ 7:00 p.m.: Theology on Tap final session, "From the Other Side of the Confessional: Insights into God's Loving Mercy" featuring Fr. Ed Shea O.F.M. (Plaza)
Saturday, August 10: Loved Twice Baby Clothes drive. Donations of gently used baby clothes (newborn-24 months) can be dropped off in the chapel area, by the restrooms. Please label the bags to the attention of "Paula Quinn."
Sunday, August 11 @ 12:15 p.m.: Exhibit by World-Renowned Salvadoran Artist Fernando Llort (Fireside Hall)
Sunday, August 11 @ 8:00 p.m.: YAC Wine & Cheese Social (Chapel) Thursday, August 15 @ 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m.: Masses for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation (Church); please note, Eucharistic Adoration will be shortened on this day, held from 4pm-6pm. Saturday/Sunday, August 24/25: Annual Parish Camping Trip (Blackwell Forest Preserve) Weekend of August 24/25 @ all Masses: Monthly Food Drive; collection of non-perishable foods and hygiene products to support local parish-operated food pantries. Please place such donations in the boxes in the vestibule.
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Did You Know?
Exhibit by World-Renowned Salvadoran Artist Fernando Llort: Sunday, August 11
 Saint Clement is honored to host Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort in the parish on Sunday, August 11. Following the 11:15am Mass, Fernando Llort will host an exhibit of his artwork in Fireside Hall. His art will also be available for purchase.
Hailed as the founder of the artisan movement in El Salvador, Fernando Llort is credited with creating the artistic expression of the entire county and their dynamic faith. Inspired by his faith and the potential of a small seed, he began training multitudes of Salvadorans to earn a living through creating colorful seeds, crosses, paintings and murals.  This past April's El Salvador participants had the privilege of visiting his studio and speaking with Fernando Llort, and many parishioners can attest to the faith-filled beauty his art brings to their lives and the lives of so many in El Salvador.
Proceeds from the sales on August 11 will benefit the Foundation of Fernando Llort, aimed at teaching art to the Salvadoran people, which ultimately promotes the wellness and development of the human being and benefits underserved populations.  Most specifically, the foundation empowers artisan women to be entrepreneurs, develops alternative incomes for those in coastal communities after primary sources were lost due to ecological changes, and creates scholarships for the program Por Ser Niņa (Because I Am A Girl), enabling Salvadoran girls to continue studies. Many of the foundation's projects are also aimed at youth violence prevention through art and culture. We hope you can join us for this incredible opportunity. For further information on Fernando Llort and his foundation, please click here.
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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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