IN THIS ISSUE

Sister Parish Update: Inmaculada Concepción, 22 de Abril, El Salvador

 

Saint Clement has maintained a relationship with our sister parish in El Salvador, Inmaculada Concepción in the community of 22 de Abril, since 1987. Parishioners from Saint Clement have traveled down for visits to the community, and a portion of our funds from Clement Commits are used each year to support the parish and other social projects that take place in the community.  

 

In March 2014, a group of parishioners traveled to our sister parish and experienced a wonderful week visiting our friends there. This trip included visits with host families, interacting with children of the guadería (day care center), the elementary school children, and children in the School Under the Sky (a project which brings book, puzzles and games to the street for children). Our group also spent time learning and reflecting on the church in El Salvador, and especially the role played by priests who spoke out for peace during the years of their civil war. We participated in a march to celebrate the Venerable Archbishop Oscar Romero, and visited the University of Central America where six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her 14 year old daughter were murdered in 1997. We continued to build friendships with our brothers and sisters in 22 de Abril by attending mass in the parish church, visiting the finca (farm) of the social projects which helps to supply the community with eggs and vegetables, and also made a visit to a home for the elderly run by an order of nuns which our sister parish supports. Though the trip can be a bit exhausting, it also offered gifts to each person who participated.

 

Many of you will recall that in 2013, a group of parishioners from the church and school made a visit to the community, and donated a number of computers. We're proud to say that there is now a young man, Ferman Rivas, a lifelong community member and graduate of the school of the social projects, who teaches three computer classes to students from the school.

 

The church is thriving under the leadership of Father Santos who continues to focus on young people, hoping to give them alternatives to the gang influence which is so prevalent in 22 de Abril. Father Santos is a blessing for the community and has truly reinvigorated the church. On December 12, 2014, Father Santos, along with the replica of Guadalupe (a gift made possible by our own Fr. Manuel Dorantes and the generosity of Saint Clement parishioners), led an annual procession of parishioners of Inmaculada Concepción to the neighboring community of 10 de Octubre to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe, beloved especially by the people of Central America. Parishioners and their children who dressed in traditional clothes marched and sang accompanied by Father Santos on his guitar.

 

In addition to the spiritual gifts that Father Santos has brought to the parish, he, with the help of parishioners, has added to the physical attributes of the church. It has been painted in a lovely blue and white and now has a stained glass image of Mary as well as a few other stained glass windows. Upon seeing Mary in the stained glass window, a young man from the parish remarked that he was so overtaken by emotion that he cried. This is a very different church than the one with its corrugated tin roof that greeted the first Saint Clement parishioners in 1987. Although some of the physical characteristics have changed, the faith and spirituality remains the same.

 

The community continues to struggle with issues of poverty and gang influence, but the people are resilient and never seem to lose their sense of hope. They are always open and welcoming to us. We are blessed to have them in our life.

 

Saint Clement parishioners are invited to build their own friendships with our sister parish in El Salvardor on our annual trip, scheduled for March 25-30, 2015. If you are interested, please contact Rachel Gunderson or Rebekah Rashidfarokhi.

 

Hearing the Sounds of the Gaudete Brass Quintet

 

The thrilling sounds of Gaudete Brass Quintet, guest artists at Saint Clement, reached their fullest potential at the Concerts Under the Dome performance on January 25. The concert was spectacular as the five artists performed songs from their three albums, Brass Outings (2006), Conversations in Time (2011) and Chicago Moves (2012).

 

The Gaudete Brass Quintet has performed together since 2004, previously playing live performances in venues such as Merkin Hall and Symphony Space in New York. The group has also worked with composers such as David Sampson, Rob Deemer and John Cheetham.

 

To view a clip from their performance, visit our Facebook page!

 

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.

Friday, January 30 @ 7:00 p.m.: New Parishioner Welcome Dinner (Centennial Hall); new parishioners will receive an evite invitation, or contact Maggie Hanley

Tuesday, February 3 @ 7:00 p.m.: Service Day Planning Committee (Fahey II); contact Maggie Hanley

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

Wednesday, February 11 @ 6:45 p.m.: Strengths for the Journey Annual Gathering; contact Lisa Friedlander

Save the Date

Saturday, March 21: Anchor Ball

Did You Know?
Take the Next Step: Prayer Resource Fair
Sunday, February 8 after 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Masses

To encourage and inspire our personal focus on daily prayer, our parish will participate in a prayer challenge during Lent and the Easter Season. Our goal is to pray 10,000 hours as a parish during this most holy season. To get everyone ready for this challenge, and to help us all take the next step in our prayer life, we will hold a Prayer Resource Fair on February 8. 

 

Join parishioners in Fireside Hall for hospitality and fellowship after the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Masses, while browsing the various Prayer Resources available to prepare us for our Lenten journeys. More than 10 prayer stations will be staffed with our own experts explaining various styles of prayer, as well as members of our existing prayer groups, in case you're interested in getting involved in this way. Look for more details about the 2015 Lenten Prayer Challenge in next week's bulletin.  We hope to see everyone at the Prayer Resource Fair!

 

Photo credits: Top bar images 1 & 2 by John Zich, www.zrweddings.com; image 3 & 4 by AmyBoylePhotography.com.