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 Ryan Short: 

"I moved to Chicago three years ago to see if a kid from a cornfield could survive with high rises and public transportation.

I came not only to survive, but to really grow to love Chicago, and particularly Lincoln Park. After church-hopping for a few weeks, I stepped foot in Saint Clement, and for the first time in my life I found a parish worthy of being called a faith community. I'd always rolled my eyes a bit at that, which I'd thought was just a platitude.

This parish has given me the opportunity to find a community of like-minded young adults who live for something larger than themselves, and it's incredibly reassuring to feel so optimistic about the future of the Church. I thank God everyday that so many of these young men and women have become my friends.

I've grown through Fr. Ken's thoughtful homilies, Fr. Manny's one-man theater performances, Fr. Rex's application of apologetics to daily life, gotten some really edgy jokes from Fr. Peter, and been shocked at how much theology Christina Bax can fit into 10 minutes (though with Christina that usually stretches to 20).

I've come back to confession, become a Eucharistic minister, sat in on Catholicism 101, taken Strengths for the Journey, gone on young adult retreats, played volleyball, gotten to know the neighborhood establishments at happy hours, and volunteered at Theology on Tap, where I met the woman I'll one day marry. And this list is nowhere near exhaustive.

The prominent modern day theologian Stephen Colbert has said, 'Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.' Saint Clement is a joyful place, and the many opportunities to be nourished are only possible because of generosity.

I give to St. Clement through Parish Pay. It's an automatic withdrawal each month so that I'm not tempted to direct those funds elsewhere. Oftentimes, young adults think they can't give, don't make enough, don't have enough, and there are those student loans, of course...

Give.

For the good of yourself, for the good of this Church. Even if you deny yourself one Friday night out per month, let that be a reminder of how important Saint Clement is to you, and grow your donation as you are able.

Saint Clement, pray for us!"