Parish 8th Graders Participate in Confirmation Retreats 

Do you ever wish someone would tell you to turn your phone off or shut down your iPad? Do you wish you had the time to drop everything and think about what makes you unique? When is the last time you stopped to think about how God is calling you to use your talents and skills? A special element of the 8th grade Confirmation program is a day for them to retreat to think and pray about all these great and worthy questions.

This year the theme of the Confirmation retreat was "Celebrating our Giftedness." In part, the Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the Holy Spirit bestowing upon the Candidates the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  The gifts are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment, courage, reverence, and wonder in awe in God's presence. The retreat took the idea of being gifted and applied it to life of an 8th grader.

The Sunday afternoon was split into three sections. First, we took time to think and talk about our own giftedness -- what makes us unique? Then, we used our reflections regarding our giftedness and thought about how we apply it to help the communities in our life (family, school, neighborhood, church, etc). Last, the candidates were reminded that they are not alone in this journey. Just as the disciples who locked themselves in a room, overwhelmed by fear after the death of Jesus, were blessed and empowered by the gifts of the Spirit, so too are they. Being Confirmed is a beginning not a conclusion. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will guide them along as they navigate their lives. 

Not to be left out, a great middle school retreat should always include a little laughter and fun with friends! One of God's greatest gifts is the gift of a friend, new or old. Amidst our prayer, our deep thinking and wondering, we made time to laugh and act a little ridiculous together. All in all, this year's Confirmation retreat was a great success!

A special thank you to our retreat director Jenny Johnson-Granstrom, and teachers Anne Byrne, Kathy Eslinger, Melissa Otter, Craig Scanlon, and catechists Addie Guzman and Julie Crosby-Healy.

Teaching Mass Attracts Wide Mix of Parishioners

On Sunday, February 9, more than 100 parishioners gathered in the chapel for an "Explanatory" or "Teaching" Mass. Fr. Simpson presided while our Director of Evangelization, Christina Bax, offered a narrative which explained the history and meanings behind our celebration of the Mass. 

Attendees were of varying ages, including families from Saint Clement School and Religious Education program, plus RCIA Candidates and Catechumens. Different aspects of the explanatory portion had an impact on those who attended.

Parishioner Dani Jachino shared that she "liked hearing the prayers out loud that the Priest regularly says silently." Young adult and Catholic school teacher Kelly Foyle added, "I appreciated the opportunity to slow down Mass -- to take it from being routine to being able to understand the significance and meaning behind what we do each week. In taking time to better understand the Mass I, in turn, can then teach my middle school students the same, and I am looking forward to that!"

Candidates and Catechumens journeying through the RCIA process found the experience enriching to their overall worship experience. "The Mass is a beautiful but mystifying ritual for me as an RCIA candidate. What I learned at the teaching mass has given me the information and confidence to participate without confusion, opening up more of the beauty," reflected Danielle Christmas. 

For RCIA sponsor and life-long Catholic, Andrew Grzelak, the afternoon enabled him to view the liturgy with a fresh perspective. "The teaching Mass was fascinating because we are all so familiar with what happens at Mass, but to know why we do it and where these prayers and rituals come from helps us see the bigger purpose of Mass and why it is important for us as the body of Christ -- especially to be Christ's body (i.e. his hands and feet) in the world."

If you missed the Teaching Mass this time around, there will be another one at 7 p.m. in the chapel on March 30. 

Religious Education Families Welcome Refugees through Catholic Charities

Saint Clement Religious Education families have been working with Catholic Charities on its refugee resettlement program. Catholic Charities welcomed many new families from all over the world during the month of January. These children need backpacks for school and some basic personal items to start off their new life. 

Religious Education families were invited to create backpacks for the refugee children. The backpacks included essential school supplies and a "Welcome to the United States" letter from each family. It was a great way for the children to work together with their families on a service project and feel good about how they are helping these children get a start in a new country. The families collected 70 backpacks and had a wonderful time writing letters of welcome together with other parish families.