IN THIS ISSUE
We Invite Your Children to Worship Here!
Ministries for Children (and Parents!) Attending the 9:30 a.m. Masses
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
Did You Know?



QUICK LINKS  

 

 

We Invite Your Children to Worship Here!
 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  

- Matthew 19:14

 

Children of all ages are always welcome to celebrate with us at Saint Clement, but many families have questions about what to do if their child needs a break during Mass. First, we thank you for emphasizing the importance of attending weekly Mass as a family. Second, please relax! We know children sometimes need to step away, and have a few suggestions to help you as your children grow.

 

We invite all parishioners to accommodate families with small children. Let them sit near the aisles so they can make a quick escape, thank the children for being good stewards by attending Mass and for putting money in the collection basket, and offer them the Sign of Peace. After Mass, it goes a long way to compliment the children on their respectful behavior and to thank the parents for "churching" their children. They are our future!

   

Parents can help set the stage for a successful Mass-going experience right at birth. By bringing your children every week, you are emphasizing that Mass is a non-negotiable part of your family routine. You are encouraged to come as a family, instead of taking turns attending Mass while the other stays home with the children, because before you know it, you'll have a grade-schooler who won't know how to behave during Mass! Please be respectful of all parishioners in both the church and the chapel. The chapel Mass is not a "crying room Mass" and these suggestions should apply there as well.

 

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On the way to Mass, explain to your children your expectations: the church is a sacred space that deserves respect and that they are to sit -- not lie down -- in their seats and remain quiet for the duration of Mass. Arrive early and let your children choose their seats. Believe it or not, it is usually best to sit near the FRONT of church so they can see with their own eyes what is taking place at the altar. Offer them one last chance to use the bathroom before Mass begins -- a use it or lose it opportunity. If your young child needs a snack to help them get through the hour, please consider noise, mess, and allergies of those who may be around you or sit in your pew at the next Mass. Also, please be aware that your "shushing" can often be more distracting than the child's whispers.

 

For parents with infants, you are most welcome to sit anywhere. However, for many parents, sitting in the back near the breezeway that connects the church to Fahey Center, or on the east side near the sacristy are comfortable options. That way, you can make a quick getaway but still hear Mass. Please slip away at the first sound of trouble as it's best to leave before there's a full outbreak! There's also a courtyard off the sacristy if your toddler needs to run off excess energy. We are very aware that this is a challenging time in your child's development, and that sitting still for an hour is a lot to ask. Please don't give up!

 

If you're looking for lullaby songs or prayers for your children, start singing songs they'll hear in church, or praying or singing the Our Father. They'll grow up knowing these and can participate at Mass as a young child. You can also create a "game" for young children during Mass. Pick a word (such as "peace" or "Lord") and have your children count how many times they hear that word during Mass. It's especially helpful if you pre-read the readings and can encourage a certain word they may hear often, and it also helps parents have a richer experience at Mass while tending to their children.

 

Another option for children who just can't make it through all of Mass is our Child Care Ministry. During the 9:30 a.m. Mass, trained volunteers host children ages 18 months through 3 years in the school gym. Take advantage of this free ministry for a few weeks, then bring them back to Mass again to see if they can make it through.  

 

Once your child is four, they can start attending Liturgy of the Word for Children. Children are dismissed during the 9:30 a.m. Masses in the church and chapel, and taken to Fahey Center where trained volunteers present age-appropriate readings, reflections, and songs.(More information on LOWC and the Child Care Ministry is found in the article below.) 

 

Finally, have your child greet the priests on the plaza every week on their way in and out of Mass. It's helpful for children to know our priests are people, too, and helps the children better connect and respect the priests during Mass.

 

For more information on age-appropriateness at Mass, please see our "Guide for Children in Church." We are thrilled you are raising the future of our church and have chosen to bring them to Saint Clement!

 

Images: Third from top courtesy of AmyBoylePhotography.com; bottom two images courtesy of zrWeddings.com. 

Ministries for Children (and Parents!) Attending the 9:30 a.m. Masses 

 

Welcome families with young children! Many families with children tend to worship at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. Some children enjoy the contemporary music and intimate space of our chapel. Others prefer the style of Mass in the upper church. During the 9:30 a.m. Masses from September - May, Saint Clement offers two ministries: the Child Care Ministry, and Liturgy of the Word for Children.

 

Child Care Ministry

Our Sunday morning Child Care Ministry provides a great way to serve parents! As mentioned in the article above, the Child Care Ministry is offered as an option for children ages 18 months through 3 years who can't make it through a Mass. This ministry offers regular, sufficient and trained volunteers to help parents who want child care services during the 9:30 a.m. Mass. This important ministry allows parents of young children to be spiritually nourished in a prayerful environment during the Sunday liturgy, without the distraction of an unhappy child. Click for further information.

 

"We have used the childcare ministry for 4 years and are looking forward to continuing to do so with our youngest child. With 3 kids, getting through Mass sometimes feels like a miracle in itself. The childcare ministry eases the amount of wrestling we do during Mass. We have a more pleasant experience in church and our daughter who currently utilizes the childcare ministry loves the gym. She's met many friends there and is always happy to return."  

-Colleen McTaggart, Parishioner 


If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, please contact our Director of Community Outreach, Maggie Hanley.

 

 

Liturgy of the Word for Children  

lowc Children ages 4-8 are invited to attend this important ministry, which provides children the opportunity to participate in Sunday worship and hear a reflection at an age-appropriate level. Children are dismissed from the larger congregation for the Liturgy of the Word. We provide sacred space for them to worship together with their peers. The children learn how to walk in a procession, sit quietly to listen to the Gospel story, prayerfully reflect on God's holy word with the adult leader, and then offer their own prayers of the faithful. They then process back into church to sit with their family for the rest of the Mass. Click for further information on LOWC, including the registration process. 

 

"Children's Liturgy helps children experience the essentials of the Mass (the Liturgy of the Word) at their level. By providing a prayerful environment, and helping the children to identify the Liturgical Seasons and Colors, as well as listen to the Word of God, we enrich their experience of the Mass for years to come. We also help the children to understand that coming to church is sharing sacred time in sacred space. So, skills like listening, participating and singing help them to practice living their faith and feel a sense of belonging in the parish community."    

-Director of Catechesis, Mary DuQuaine
 

This ministry is made possible by parishioner volunteers, ranging from parents to young adults to retirees. A special Thank You to two of our music leaders, Ben Crabtree and Jesse Roe, who have volunteers for many years. Their dedication makes this such a wonderful program. Ben is leaving, so we are looking for additional song leaders/musicians to join the ministry. We also could use a few more volunteers to lead Children's Liturgy. We offer "how to" instructions to all leaders, as well as reflections and suggestions to help make this ministry a meaningful part of your life. If you are interested in volunteering for this rewarding ministry, please contact Director of Catechesis, Mary DuQuaine

  

"I have been a parishioner for 15 years and volunteering with LOWC for a little over a year. It has been great for me to get to work with the children and experience their excitement in being involved with and learning about what Jesus tells us.... I feel more engaged with the parish and preparing to lead the children has helped me connect more with my faith."   

- Amy Rice, LOWC Volunteer 

 

"I have my own children who have all attended LOWC, and it has been a way for me to connect with them on their faith development. They have all 'graduated' from LOWC at this point, but I still continue to volunteer as a leader because I enjoy it. I find the liturgy much more meaningful because I prepare ahead of time and internalize the words myself. Also, it makes me feel good that I am contributing to the formation of faith within the children in our parish. I hope, in a small way, I'm helping to make church fun and a positive experience for the children and helping to create a good foundation for a lifetime of faith. Plus, the kids say amazing things and have interesting insights into faith and God. I learn from them as well!"

-Chris Keller, LOWC Volunteer  

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.   

 

Sunday, September 15 @ 9:30 a.m.: Blessing of Catechists at Mass (Church/Chapel); following Mass is the Religious Ed Open House (School)  


Sunday, September 15 @ 2:30 p.m.: Dorothy Day's Granddaughter to Speak at Saint Clement (Church & Fireside Hall) 
 
Sunday, September 15 @ 6:30 p.m.: Clement Couples Kick-Off Potluck (Centennial Hall)

  

Wednesday, September 18: Adult Confirmation Program begins; pre-register here. Contact Christina Bax.
 
Wednesday, September 18 @ 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.: Explore and share your musical talents! Sign-up for an audition to be a part of the music ministry. Details online.

  

Wednesday, September 18 @ 7:00 p.m.: YAC Book Discussion (FC I); contact Kimm Mering 

  

Sunday, September 22 after 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Masses: Fall Fest (Plaza, Courtyard)
 
Saturday-Sunday, September 28-29: Food collection after each Mass to support area food pantries; collection boxes located at the back of church.

Did You Know?

Dorothy Day's Granddaughter to Speak at Saint Clement!

Sunday, September 15, 2013 - 2:30 p.m.

Hennessey  

Still Point Theatre Collective is pleased to present peace activist Martha Hennessy in a public speaking engagement on "Waging Nonviolence."

 

Ms. Hennessy is the seventh grandchild of Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement. As a strong participant with the Catholic Worker, Hennessy has followed in her grandmother's footsteps by volunteering her time to help those in need as well as protesting issues she feels most strongly about.

 

The event will benefit Still Point Theatre, a nonprofit that uses the performing arts in an effort to inspire compassion, raise social justice issues, and reduce the stigmas associated with incarceration and disability.

 

Suggested donation is $15, $10 for students. For more information, call the Still Point office at 773-868-1700, visit StillPointTheatreCollective.org, or email.

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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Photo credits: Top bar images 1 & 2 by John Zich, www.zrweddings.com; image 3 by AmyBoylePhotography.com.