Thank You for Your Generosity to This Year's Jesse Tree!

Throughout Advent, Saint Clement parishioners once again reached out to those in need to share in the joy of the season. Through the generosity of parishioners, we were able to donate more than $13,000 in gift cards and donations, as well as more than 1,300 items of clothing, toys, and more, to the 12 charities we work with through the Jesse Tree.

The following gives a breakdown of the distribution:

• Catholic Charities Toy Shower: 164 toys; 57 of these were for children ages 11-15, which we had a special emphasis on this year!
• The Grove Nursing Home: 81 individual gifts of clothing, gift cards and blankets
• H.O.M.E.: $1,880 in gift cards and donations
• Lakeview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center: 137 individual gifts of clothing, gift cards and blankets
• La Rabida Children's Hospital: $470 in gift cards, 114 items of toys and clothing
• Lincoln Park Community Shelter: $465 in gift cards and donations, 129 individual gifts, as well as general supplies
• Madonna House: $1,320 in gift cards, 39 items of women's and children's clothing, toys, as well as other needed items
• The Night Ministry: $1,365 in gift cards and donations, 106 items of men's and women's clothing, sheets, and other necessities
• Our Lady of Mercy: $1,330 in gift cards, 100 items of coats, gloves, hats and scarves
• Our Lady of Solace: $1,630 in gift cards and donations, 54 items of diapers and personal care bags
• Solidarity Bridge: $4,195 in donations for medical supplies and treatments
• St. Vincent de Paul Center: 205 items of children's and adult clothing, and other basic necessities

The Fahey Center was filled with bags and bags of gifts collected for the Jesse Tree!

We are incredibly grateful to the more than 30 volunteers who contributed to making this year's Jesse Tree a success -- all the tag makers, tree decorators, re-stockers, gift sorters, door watchers, wrappers, shoppers, and charity liaisons who generously gave of their time for this project.

Thank you to all Saint Clement parishioners who donated so generously to the agencies who count on us at Christmas and throughout the year!

Jesse Tree Feedback from Friends of Saint Clement

We've received so many cards, emails, notes, and even Tweets thanking Saint Clement parishioners for their wonderful generosity. Here are some of our favorites:

Thank you so much, Saint Clement parishioners, for the generous Jesse Tree gifts for Lincoln Park Community Shelter and our Guests!  We have gotten a lot of wonderful feedback about the gifts:

• "I had a great holiday but now [a] TV to make it even greater!" - new permanent housing Resident who received a converter box for his TV
• "Alexis" said she couldn't believe that [her Jesse Tree buyer] would have gotten her such a lovely coat and PJ's.  She tried it on for [the staff and Guests in attendance] and said she felt "as though she belonged in the neighborhood"!
• "You all give out gifts too? ... Can I give you a hug?"
• The new cutting boards and cleaning supplies in the LPCS kitchen are great-we are more confident of being germ-free over the winter!
• "Marie" was pretty excited to have her new microwave.  This will be especially helpful as she has a broken leg and can't stand for a long time to cook.
• "Adolph" was so happy to receive his wrapped present that he giggled. He received drapes for his new apartment, which he has been desiring for a long time. It has probably been some time since he's received a wrapped Christmas gift.
• "Wow, thank you so much."
• "Earl" was so grateful for his gift, he said that he didn't believe he had actually got what he asked for, a Swiss Army-style back pack, and he carries it everywhere he goes. 
• "What a blessing, I really needed this."
• The Guests were dancing around like kids with their gifts, glad to know that others cared about them over the holidays. - LPCS staff member

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 Tracy Hagan.

"I moved to Chicago in 1998, long before I had a computer or smart phone, and found Saint Clement in the Yellow Pages. It was the closest Catholic church to my apartment so I walked over one Sunday morning and fell in love. I knew immediately I had found a very special place. I have since lived in various neighborhoods throughout the north side of Chicago, but I have never strayed from Saint Clement. 

When I think back over the 15 years I have been at Saint Clement, it is fun to remember all the ways in which I have been involved with the parish. When it comes to volunteering my time, there has never been a shortage of opportunities. I worked with the Habitat for Humanity group and served on the planning committee several years ago. At that time I also co-lead a small faith sharing group. That experience served me well recently as a facilitator for two Strengths for the Journey groups. One of the most rewarding experiences I have had volunteering with Saint Clement is monthly visits to the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels in West Humboldt Park. It was a profoundly touching experience to assist in the rehabilitation of the Our Lady of the Angels church, and it continues to be a blessing to be able to serve the people of that neighborhood. What has drawn me the closest to this wonderful church, however, has been serving as a Eucharistic Minister. I have found that the more I get involved with Saint Clement, the more I want to be involved.

In addition to offering time and talent, another very important way to be a good steward is offering financial support to the parish. ParishPay makes it so easy! It just makes good sense to make a commitment once a year with a pledge to the Sunday Giving Commitment and letting ParishPay take care of the rest. I get so much from Saint Clement, it's only right that I give back as much as I can. 

There have been many changes in my life over the past 15 years in Chicago, but the one constant has been Saint Clement--an oasis, a home, a family, a blessing."

Kathy Bauer and Fr. Rex clear the way

Each weekend is a flurry of activity at Saint Clement Church but on Sunday, January 5, with a snow storm in the mix, it was blizzard literally and figuratively!  Attendance at the 8 a.m. Mass was low but volunteers braved the snow to serve at Mass.  Hospitality Ministers joined staff members Dave Erwin, Jim Kelley, Fr. Simpson, and Fr. Rex in keeping the church entryway safe and clear, offering a warm welcome from the chill to all who entered.

The always lively Mass in the chapel was the site of

Clement Moms host Epiphany celebration

 some additional
cheer.  In celebration of Epiphany, Clement Moms embraced a Church tradition and assembled House Blessing kits to give to families.  It is customary to mark the doors of the home by inscribing the numbers of the new year with the initials of the Magi.  The letters form an acronym for Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless this house" (from 2014 Sourcebook, Liturgy Training Publications).  Moms Darlene Kelly, Gina diSalvo, and Angela Deichman served donuts and coffee in the chapel to accompany the kits, and

Newly confirmed Chris Mikell

also spread the word on 

upcoming monthly Family Gatherings on Sundays.

Adding to the festivities was a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday by the choir in honor of longtime parishioner Larry Emge.

At the 9:30 Mass in the upstairs church, we welcomed five new members of the Church from other Christian traditions through the sacrament of Confirmation.

As we embark on a new year may the warm image of the light of Christ that called the Magi to join the shepherds around the Holy Family continue to draw you into our community in joyful celebration of the gifts we share as the children of God.  Happy New Year!