The Importance of Clement Moms  

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 Carol Fowler.

 "Like all of you, I have been the recipient of Internet messages that advocate a way of thinking, or a particular action. Almost all of them ask you to share the article with others. I never respond! Though, the latest on that has come into my cyberspace is different. The person is asked to post three things for which he or she is grateful for five consecutive days and additionally to challenge someone else to do the same. I haven't been challenged yet but I had the pleasure of reading the posts of four of five others. Learning what a person is grateful for is a great way to get to know someone. This particular gratitude challenge is one of the best things I have received on the Internet and one that forms the foundation of what I think stewardship is.

As part of the Parish Engagement process, I have been invited to share my personal story of engagement at Saint Clement and in the church. At the basis of my faith, my ongoing connection with the church and my joyful immersion into Saint Clement is the foundation of gratitude to God and to all of us who travel this faith path together.

I did not grow up Catholic, but I did grow up with a natural predilection to being positive and grateful. I don't get any credit for it except to have been smart enough to build on the gift of who I am and to intentionally choose to become Catholic while I was in college. The Eucharist has always been at the center of my faith decision and we all know that Eucharist is another word for giving thanks.

I am retired now, but I have spent almost all of my professional life in lay ecclesial ministry of one kind or another. I have been a Director of Religious education, a pastoral associate, a campus minister at Michigan State University, the director of Ministry in Higher education for the Archdiocese of Chicago, director of Personnel Services for the Archdiocese and an active member of saint Clement for the last 27 years. I currently co-chair the Parish Engagement Committee; have facilitated Strengths for the Journey groups, assisted in liturgical ministries of various kinds, assisted in the RCIA program, and participated in small group faith sharing activities. I try to continue to serve the church through teaching and consulting, especially in Church Human Resources.

Spending my life in lay ministry made my parish experience here at Saint Clement all the more essential. None of this would have made sense as a vocation if I had not had the support I needed to continue to choose a life of faith, prayer, sacraments, and ministry.

 With gratitude as the fundamental quality necessary for stewardship and a life of prayer, I can unreservedly say I am so very grateful to the entire Saint Clement community, Saint Clement ministry volunteers, the parish staff and all of our clergy, who continue to walk with each of us on our faith journeys. Thank you to God and to all of you."