Saint Clement Parishioners Support Global Initiatives Through Fair Trade Market

What do Boy Scouts and beads have in common? Plenty, as John Rux and his band of Boy Scout volunteers can tell you. On Sunday, November 3, they were out in force welcoming fair trade vendors, helping with display set up, and then returning later in the day for take-down duty. Other parishioners served as greeters, refreshment hosts, and vendor assistants. Some came just to socialize and see what fair trade is all about. And many came to shop.

Thanks to all the volunteers as well as the many shoppers who supported the fourth annual Saint Clement Fair Trade Market by purchasing items from 18 vendors offering goods from around the world. A quick survey of shoppers found that many return every year to purchase fair traded goods -- products that guarantee artisans a fair price for their merchandise. "I want to help support people from third world countries who are receiving a fair wage for their products'" one shopper said. "That's what brings me back each year."  "The quality gets better every year," commented another fair trade customer. A third shopper pointed out that many of the products offered make excellent use of renewable resources. The beautiful bracelets made from flattened steel drums, and the colorful bags made from fish netting, are just two examples.

Each year the Fair Trade Market also includes several local organizations that feature sustainable, eco-friendly products and help to individuals with significant barriers to employment. This year, Chicago's Bright Endeavors initiative, which helps adolescent single mothers transition into economic stability, featured a beautiful array of quality candles and bath soaps.

Looking around the Fireside Hall marketplace, filled with the scent of fair-trade coffee from Nicaragua, one could also see bright, painted rice bags from Southeast Asia; comfortable socks made in Peru; warm woolen scarves and hats from Bolivia; popular animal hats from Ecuador; and of course beads -- beads from Haiti, Uganda, Ecuador, Kenya and Tanzania -- all with their own unique designs.

Vendors were very pleased with the size of the crowd this year, noting a jump in sales. "Needless to say, this provides vital income for artisans and their families," one noted.

The Human Concerns Commission thanks everyone who made the annual event a success.

Student Art Project Inspired by Day of the Dead and Dia de los Muertos

Fourth grade students in our parish's Religious Education program and the sixth grade Spanish class at Saint Clement School prepared for the observance of All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos by creating art inspired by the Mexican tradition and the Christian belief in life after death.

Calaveras (skulls) were formed out of self-hardening modeling material which the students decorated with joyful colors. One "student" stood out in the parish school classroom -- Associate Pastor Fr. Rex made a surprise visit to the Spanish class to create his own calavera (see image below). The children were delighted to have Fr. Rex join them at their table and participate in the same project as them.

To learn from other cultures is enriching and helps to create bridges and respect. Through learning from the Mexican tradition of honoring the dead, we can develop more understanding of the communion of saints.

Stories of Stewards