Saint Clement Parish strives to be a place of welcome invitation and commits to assisting everyone in the Catholic life. For each person this involves hearing an invitation, being welcomed by others and responding by engaging in the life of the parish. Our parish, located in Chicago, accepts everyone. Whether you are just starting to explore the Catholic faith or have been considering becoming Catholic for a while, we are here to walk with you on your journey of faith.
Full initiation into the Catholic Church is constituted by participation in the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The normative process to prepare for the reception of these Sacraments is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - a process of Spiritual and educational formation that has been handed down to us from the early Church.
Whether you are just beginning to think about returning to Church or can't wait to get involved, we hope to walk with you on that journey. We've put together a variety of information below to help you make some connections as you start out.
Saint Clement Parish's youth group is open to current 8th graders and high school students who are eager to learn more about Christ and wish to serve others. God Squad meets twice-monthly in 1E (formerly Fahey I) in the Ministry Center. See below for our full 2017-2018 calendar.
For further information, please contact Lisa Friedlander.
The gay and lesbian community is well represented in the day-to-day life of Saint Clement Church. Gays and lesbians are lectors and choir members, members of Communities of Care, members of various parish commissions, and much more.
The Welcome & Hospitality Committee is a group of enthusiastic, committed parishioners formed to create an ongoing spirit of hospitality and welcome in the parish.
The committee hosts a number of events throughout the year to welcome new parishioners and offer them the opportunity to meet other parishioners and become more involved in the life of the parish. The group meets regularly to plan events and discuss how the parish can be a more welcoming Catholic community.
Some events the group hosts are:
The Saint Clement Human Concerns Commission focuses our parish's response to the physical and social welfare needs of our parish family and the broader community. Raising awareness of our responsibility to address social issues in light of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, promoting direct service opportunities for parishioners and participating in actions to promote social justice in our civic life are some of the ways we place our faith in action.
Human Concern's mission is to:
Saint Clement Pre-Cana Marriage preparation program is a great way to give back to your faith community by sharing your gifts and your faith and enhance your own marriage, while assisting newly engaged couples to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
If you feel called to share your experience as a married couple, please consider becoming a host couple of Saint Clement Pre-Cana ministry.
Clement Dads offers social, spiritual, and volunteer opportunities for the fathers of Saint Clement, especially for those new to fatherhood but all are welcome!
Most of our activities are designed to give dads quality time with their kids and one another. Two of our hallmark events are Clement Dads & Tots Open Gym on winter weekend mornings and Dads’ Monthly Dinners. Clement Dads also support the larger tot parties along with the Clement Moms group.
If it takes a village to raise a child, then we have one for you! Clement Moms offers social, spiritual and educational support as you begin and continue the momentous journey of motherhood. In addition to a plethora of fun and creative events, including moms’ nights out, playgroups, kids’ holiday parties, wine and chat gatherings, brunches, etc., the group also organizes volunteer opportunities and spiritual retreats for parish mothers.
In 2004, the pastor at the time Fr. Tom Hickey gathered several couples to discuss ways that Saint Clement can better serve and support married couples in the parish. Clement Couples is a coordinated, intentional effort to involve married couples in the life of our parish community.
In recognition of the Saint Clement church mission and vision, the Young Adult Community (YAC) is an inclusive community of parishioners in our 20's and 30's on a journey of faith in Jesus Christ. We grow in faith through engaging in the liturgy, deepening relationships, serving one another and the greater community, and gratefully sharing with others the gifts we have each been given.
This fall, Saint Clement in conjunction with Old St. Pat's will be hosting a support group for those who are struggling with infertility and looking for support in a nonjudgmental environment.
This group will offer:
After a divorce an annulment is required if you wish to remarry in the Catholic Church. Saint Clemement Parish offers Annulment Support Ministry to help you start the paperwork and provide you with some pastoral support for the challenges in completing the process.
In continuing to strive to meet all of the needs of the Saint Clement community, the Saint Clement Grief Support Group has started monthly meetings.
The AIDS Pastoral Care Network and Saint Clement Church are partners in this ministry. The mission of the community is to provide compassionate, non-judgmental secondary care to people with HIV/AIDS, their families, loved ones and friends. Each community is made up of seven to 10 people. Caregivers respond to a common call from God to engage in service and ministry. For information on volunteering, see APCN's website.