IN THIS ISSUE
Archbishop Cupich Welcomed with Raised Hands at Sunday Mass
Saint Clement Represented at Cupich's Installation Mass
Congratulations Mary Ellen Johnston
Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedule
Opportunities to Pray.Serve.Give.
Did You Know?



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Archbishop Cupich Welcomed with Raised Hands at Sunday Mass

On Sunday, December 7, Saint Clement Parish welcomed Archbishop Blase Cupich as presider at the 11:15 a.m. Mass. Cupich thanked the standing room only crowd for the warm welcome and hospitality, and was comforted by all the familiar faces in the crowd -- faces of those he's already met through their support of the many Archdiocese of Chicago charities.

 

In his homily, Cupich warned that evil can slither into our lives in ways that are very unsuspecting, that we are ambushed by things in our life that are below the surface. He explained that God's grace comes to us in the wilderness of our lives, that we need to accept the fact that we are defenseless, that we are beggars for God's mercy, God's grace. Raising our hands in prayer is a posture of being defenseless, of not being able to, in some way, be the source of our own strength, but we depend totally on God. 

 

Cupich invited parishioners to raise their hands in an extended period of silent prayer following the Prayer of the Faithful, a posture that allows us to come to the Lord in our defenselessness with evil around us, but also in solidarity to those who have hands raised these days with a sense of frustration that the system does not seem to work for them.

 

After Mass, Cupich and Fr. Ken Simpson met with the press gathered on the plaza prior to meeting with parishioners in Centennial Hall at Saint Clement School. It was there that Cupich took time to greet our parishioners, pausing for pictures, praying with our parishioners, and listening to their stories. He even received a gift from the Saint Clement School students who welcomed him to Chicago and provided him with advice.

 

Listen to the Mass in its entirety on the Saint Clement SoundCloud page.

 

View pictures from Sunday on the Saint Clement Facebook page.

 

Pictures from Sunday Mass courtesy John Zich, www.zrweddings.com.

 

Saint Clement Represented at Cupich's Installation Mass

 

Saint Clement Pastor Fr. Ken Simpson and Director of Evangelization Christina Bax were honored to be a part of Archbishop Blase Cupich's Installation Mass on Tuesday, November 18 at Holy Name Cathedral, and are proud to welcome him to Chicago.

 

"When it came to selecting a date for the installation, November 18 seemed to be a good fit. The Commemoration of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul gives me a chance to recognize all immigrants, as I recall my own immigrant grandparents who helped establish my home parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Omaha. Additionally, the church's calendar today celebrates St. Philippine Duchesne, someone the Native People honored with the name "Woman

Who Prays Always." She reminds us of the extraordinary contribution women religious have made and continue to make to the church and society. I intend to honor and give thanks for all these people today, especially for family and immigrants, Native Americans and religious sisters -- all of whom have shaped so much of our faith, our lives, and my ministry."

 

-- Archbishop Cupich

 

You can watch the Installation video here.

 

Congratulations Mary Ellen Johnston

 

On the afternoon of October 26, Francis Cardinal George awarded the Christifidelis award to our parishioner Mary Ellen Johnston during a Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. This award recognizes outstanding service to the church by lay persons. The Parish Pastoral Council with the affirmation of the Parish Staff nominated Mary Ellen in honor of the exceptional service she provides to this parish.

 

Mary Ellen has been an active member of Saint Clement Parish for more than 24 years. In that time she has served in leadership and support roles in practically every aspect of parish ministry. Always generous with her time and support, she has a talent for working kindly and calmly with all varieties of people in any context. As a Service Day Team Captain, Anchor Ball Chair and volunteer, Faith Sharing group facilitator, Hospitality Minister and trainer, Eucharistic Minister and overall engaged parishioner, she is exemplary in living out the Anchors of Saint Clement Parish - Pray, Serve, Give, Learn, Belong! And in her professional life she helps us to  expand our call to mission.

 

A reception for Mary Ellen was held at Saint Clement on Sunday, November 16. Congratulations Mary on her most deserved recognition!

 

Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedule 

Christmas Eve -- Wednesday, December 24

4:00 p.m.: Christmas Eve Family Mass with the telling of the Christmas story; Christmas carols begin at 3:40 p.m. (Church)

4:00 p.m.: Christmas Eve Family Mass with the telling of the Christmas story (a little shorter than the Church Mass for our littlest worshippers); Christmas carols begin at 3:40 p.m. (Chapel)

5:00 p.m.: Christmas Eve Mass (Cabrini Shrine, 2520 N Lakeview Ave)

6:00 p.m.: Christmas Eve Mass; Christmas carols begin at 5:45 p.m. (Church)

Christmas Day -- Thursday, December 25

12:00 a.m.: Christmas Midnight Mass; Christmas carols begin at 11:30 p.m. (Church)

8:00 a.m.: Christmas Day Mass (Cabrini Shrine, 2520 N Lakeview Ave)

9:30 a.m.: Christmas Day Mass (Church)

10:00 a.m.: Christmas Day Mass (Cabrini Shrine, 2520 N Lakeview Ave)

11:15 a.m.: Christmas Day Mass (Church)

New Year's Day -- Thursday, January 1

10:00 a.m.: New Year's Day Mass (Church)

 

Opportunities to 
Pray Serve Give Learn Belong 
 
For more information on upcoming events, including our regular weekly opportunities, please view the parish's master calendar.

Sunday, December 14: Deadline to return all Jesse Tree gifts (Fahey Reception)

Sunday, December 14 @ 8:00 p.m.: Young Adult Community Wine & Cheese Reception (Chapel)

Tuesday, December 16 @ 7:00 p.m.: Parish-wide Reconciliation Service (Church)

Wednesday, December 17 @ 7:00 p.m.:  Advent School of Prayer (Church); register by emailing Fr. Peter

Wednesday, December 17 @ 7:00 p.m.: Young Adult Community Book Club (Fahey II); contact Kimm Mering

Thursday, December 18 @ 6:30 p.m.: Saint Clement School Christmas Concert (Church)

December 20: Deadline to donate new and gently used winter coats; sponsored by Men's Communio, supporting Catholic Charities (Church vestibule); contact Anthony Spalla

Saturday, December 20 @ 3:00 p.m.: The Dorothy Day Story performed by Still Point Theatre Collective (Fireside Hall)

Saturday-Sunday, December 27-28: Monthly Food Collection (Church)

Did You Know?
Alumni Reception
January 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Calling all recent alumni! Please join us for a casual get-together for our most recent alumni, ages 21 and under on January 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Saint Clement School. If you have not yet received a save-the-date email, then we don't have your most recent contact information. Please
contact [email protected] if you are interested in attending, or fill out our online update form at stclementschool.org/alumni. We hope to see many of you there! We are also planning an all-alumni reception for early summer. Watch the bulletin for details soon!

 

Image by AmyBoylePhotography.com.  

 

 

Photo credits: Top bar images 1 & 2 by John Zich, www.zrweddings.com; image 3 & 8 by AmyBoylePhotography.com.