Advent Retreat for Young Ones Focuses on Preparing for Jesus

Many of Saint Clement's youngest parishioners got a jump start on the Advent season as the Clement Moms Faith and Family Committee hosted the "Kids/Parents Advent Retreat" in Fireside Hall on November 9. They welcomed about 30 two to six year-olds, accompanied by their parents. The focus of the two-hour retreat was to learn how important waiting and preparation are in the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

Darlene Kelly and Angela Deichmann organized and led the retreat with the help of their committee. The retreat opened with community fellowship and children enjoyed coloring advent wreaths with violet, pink, and green. Then Fr. Ken Simpson gathered everyone together for a prayer and reflection on the true meaning of Advent. He shared with the children several violet colored leaves that he had gathered from outside Saint Clement Church. Father Ken asked the children why the leaves change colors from green to yellow to violet as the Fall days grow colder as we approach Thanksgiving. "Father Ken loves purple leaves, like me," said Rose, 3.5 years old, daughter of Kim and Leo Flynn.

Fr. Ken then showed the children the vestments that he wears on Sundays during the Advent Season. He first put on his "alb" or long white robe worn at all liturgical celebrations and spoke with the children about how white represents purity and reminded them of how babies wear white when they are baptized. Then Fr. Ken put on his "chasuble" or violet vestment which is the liturgical color for Advent. 

Story time with Darlene followed with a reading about the birth of baby Jesus. "Oscar is still able to tell me what we learned about an Angel visiting Mary, which I think is great for a 27 month old," said parishioner Jessica Bargnes. Then it was time for an art project where children were able to make an Advent wreath of their own out of beads and pipe cleaners.

For refreshments, everyone enjoyed home-made advent wreath cookies graciously and painstakingly prepared by Nancy and Brian Mattorano. Take-homes included a baby Jesus manger craft and an Advent book with family activity ideas called "Joy to the World" which describes how to reclaim Advent for Christ and for our families.

Thank you to our volunteers, and all the parents who engaged their children in learning about how best to prepare for Advent.

Parish Families Celebrate Advent at Workshop

Nearly 100 parish families gathered in Saint Clement School on Sunday, November 17 to participate in what has become an annual Advent Workshop. For a plate of cookies to share or a small donation, parishioners of all ages enjoyed working on projects such as painting ornaments, decorating Christmas cards for the homebound, and creating an Advent Wreath complete with decorative bows, artificial greens, and four candles to be lit weekly in the days leading up to Christmas.   

In addition to the craft activities, families were able to enjoy a great assortment of homemade baked goods and fresh fruit provided by Saint Clement School parents, as well as coffee and juice. Families who weren't able to stay for the crafts were able to take their wreaths home to make later.

"The Advent Workshop was a nice morning family activity. This year's wreath was classic and easy to put together. It is nice to have the wreath in time for Advent, which started so soon after Thanksgiving this year," said Heidi Johnson, a Saint Clement School parent who helped facilitate the wreath making.

Special thanks to the Saint Clement Parents Association; parent volunteers Janel Colquhoun, Lori Benvenuto, and Heidi Johnson; and Saint Clement's Office of Catechesis for putting together a fun, festive event to kick off the holiday season. 

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 Rhonda and Scott Swanson.

"We have been parishioners of Saint Clement for over 25 years. We are both transplants to Chicago and wanted to find a parish community that made living in a large city a place we could call home. We found our home at Saint Clement. We prepared for our wedding day taking Pre Cana classes at Saint Clement. We truly feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community.  

In the beginning, it was just the two of us, attending Mass, volunteering and attending social events as a couple. Saint Clement has so much to offer in the way of spiritual growth and allows members to get involved in so many different activities. Before long, there were four additions to the Swanson family: Grant-Junior at St. Ignatius; Grace-8th grade; Kate-6th grade; and Emma-2nd grade, all at Saint Clement School. As our family grew, we never doubted that Saint Clement would be the center part of our life. We have enjoyed a rich spiritual life being part of Saint Clement. We know that Saint Clement impacts everyone differently; to us, the most important impact of this parish is the great sense of belonging to a wonderful community.
  
All four of our children would tell you that Saint Clement has been and will continue to be a very important part of their lives as they have spent their PreK-8th grade school years at Saint Clement School and all of their sacraments have been made at Saint Clement Church. As it is for us, Saint Clement has become home to all of them.  

Saint Clement is truly an amazing place but it takes a financial commitment to help it all to be realized. We participate in the Sunday Giving Commitment program and encourage everyone to pledge to keep our incredible community flourishing.

In our journey in life, it is rare to find a place that you can call home. Saint Clement is that special place."