Easter Season 2026 at Saint Clement Parish | Chicago Catholic Church | Encounter, Community, Faith
This Easter Season —
Encounter Living Hope
Easter changes everything.
Because Jesus is risen, hope isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we can experience. A hope that is alive, personal, and still unfolding in our lives.
The Easter Season is an invitation to encounter that hope: in real moments of prayer, in authentic community, and in the ways God is moving in and around you—a season of new life that unfolds alongside the rhythms of spring.
From Easter to Pentecost, the Church enters a season of joy, renewal, and mission—walking with the risen Christ and opening our hearts to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to be renewed in faith, rooted in hope, and sent into the world as witnesses to new life.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Just come and see what God might do.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
Hope Grows When We Gather
Hope grows when we gather with others. During the Easter Season, Saint Clement invites you to connect, build relationships, and experience belonging through meaningful fellowship—whether that’s lingering after morning Masses for Coffee & Donuts (Sundays, begins Apr. 12) while meeting new friends, or unwinding after the 7:00 p.m. Mass at Sundays Uncorked (Apr. 12, 26; May 10, 31), where a refreshment and conversation help you recharge for the week ahead. Beginning May 9, Saturday Wine & Cheese (monthly, following 5:00 p.m. Mass) offers another chance to relax, connect, and enjoy fellowship across all ages.
For adults in their 20s and 30s, the Young Adult Community offers opportunities throughout the season to meet others, grow in faith, and participate in fellowship, formation, and service. For those 55 and over, Growing in Grace (Apr. 18 & May 23) provides a reflective space for prayerful conversation, spiritual growth, and connection with peers.
Whatever your stage in life, these gatherings are designed to help you belong, connect, and encounter living hope in community.
Grow in Living Hope: Formation and Faith
The Resurrection invites us to deeper formation—faith that is active, Spirit-filled, and rooted in hope. This spring, step into experiences that connect you with others, inspire growth, and reveal the living hope of Christ in your life.
For those wanting to understand how the Holy Spirit works in daily life, BETA: Life Guided by the Holy Spirit, a four-week series on Tuesdays, April 21 through May 12 from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the chapel, explores how the Spirit forms us, equips us for mission, and guides our discernment.
Join our online Bible study, From Peter to Leo: Lessons from Acts of the Apostles on Thursdays, April 9 through May 14 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Led by Fr. John Kartje, this six-week study traces the early Church from Peter’s witness to the leadership of Pope Leo, reflecting on courage, mission, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our own time (April 16 session is pre-recorded).
Explore life, faith, and meaning with Alpha, which runs on Sundays from April 19 to June 7, 2:30–4:00 p.m. in a welcoming space for anyone curious about God, returning to faith, or seeking a deeper encounter.
And for those discerning a deeper commitment, OCIA Spring-Fall sessions begin in May, offering a path to enter the Church or complete the sacraments of initiation, including Confirmation and First Communion.
These formation opportunities help hope take root in your life, guiding both reflection and action while inviting you to grow deeper in faith, courage, and encounter with the living Christ.
Encounter the Risen Christ in Prayer
Prayer and sacramental life anchor hope. During the Easter season, encounter Christ in special liturgical moments that inspire reflection and joy.
On Divine Mercy Sunday (April 12) following the 4:30 p.m. Mass, join the Hour of Mercy to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, echoing the words of St. Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
On Mother’s Day, May 10, honor Mary, the Mother of God, with a blessing at all Masses and a beautiful May Crowning at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. These moments of worship invite us to anchor hope in Christ, deepen our prayer life, and celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.
Become the Hands of Hope: Service and Mission
The Resurrection calls us outward—to share hope through service, stewardship, and love.
Join the 20th Annual Service Day on April 25, a cherished tradition where our parish community comes together to serve partner organizations across Chicago. This day offers hands-on service, connection, and shared celebration of Christ’s love.
If you’re looking for a smaller-scale opportunity, participate in Gardening Day on May 9, caring for our parish campus and offering a tangible expression of stewardship.
Can’t serve in person? Support the Kitchenware Drive on April 25 from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., bringing gently used or new household items to benefit Chicago Furniture Bank, helping families in need. These moments show how living hope extends beyond our hearts into the world around us.
Light a Path of Hope for Others
The living hope of Christ is meant to be shared. Through the Easter Appeal, your generosity supports programs that nourish faith, sustain community, and create life-changing encounters with Christ.
Our goal is $65,000 to continue meaningful outreach, formation, and fellowship opportunities. Every gift—no matter the size—becomes a light for someone in need.
