2022/05/31: The Holy Spirit Among Us
Inspired & led by the Holy Spirit: Sharing stories as we approach Pentecost
As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the church and the beginning of our story as the church, we come to celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit that in every "time and age" leads and directs our church. During this week before Pentecost, we will hear from parishioners sharing how they have seen the Holy Spirit at work. We hope that as you read these stories, you will recognize your own call to active participation, discipleship and community here at Saint Clement.
Reflection from Sheila Lavender
Anchor: Serve
Service has always been a big part of my family. When I retired I looked for additional ways to serve my parish.
Shortly after, I received a call from a friend that headed the Minister of Care program at my then parish. Now looking back I feel strongly the Holy Spirit guided her to call, and me to say yes. At that time we took the Eucharist to people on Friday after morning Mass.
This has led me to grow closer to the importance of the Eucharist to myself, and to the people I visited. Seeing people's smiles and gratitude has certainly deepened my Faith.
When I moved to Chicago, I continued being a Minister of Care at Lurie Children's Hospital. There you serve the patients and their parents from a list the hospital gives you. Time and time again I would leave the patient's room feeling so blessed to be able to do this ministry.
With Covid Lurie shut down all volunteers and still hasn't allowed me back. But a new door opened up. Some of our Saint Clement parishioners were homebound. I take Communion each Sunday and Holy Day to a woman friend who is not able to come to church. Receiving the Host is the highlight of her week she tells me often and the visiting time is also a blessing for both of us.
Contact Fr. Matt Litak to learn more about becoming a Minister of Care and reaching out to those who are unable to celebrate the Eucharist due to sickness or age.
Video reflection from Kelsey DeWitte
"The Holy Spirit unlocked my heart at Saint Clement in the anchor of service."
A testament to the Holy Spirit moving among us at Saint Clement
Reflection from Martina Ricca, Director of Young Adult Ministry & Community Outreach
These past 10 months that I have been here at Saint Clement have been full of countless opportunities to live and learn as Christ showed us. Though the learning opportunities significantly outweigh the teaching opportunities, I have found such grace by the help of the Holy Spirit. I’ll be the first to admit that my newness to the community has, at times, felt overwhelming. The beauty and grace in that, though, came through the faces of this parish. In the faces of the Staff here at the church and school, in the faces of the school students and Hospitality volunteers, in the faces of members of the various service/outreach groups I work with, in the faces of the Young Adult community, and in the faces of the guests at Friday Hospitality. Through each of you, I have seen the Holy Spirit at work. The desire to work for others – the focus on our “Serve” anchor – is clear here. By the volunteering, serving, inviting, and welcoming, I have seen and felt the comfort of the Holy Spirit within this community, and particularly outside of its walls. It is proven by the success of the HUGS Drive, Jesse Tree, Service Week, and other service programs. The selfless atmosphere at Saint Clement is made possible by each member of this community and their love for Christ in others. That is what our Church is about! As we approach Pentecost, my hope and prayer for everyone is that we are renewed by the burning presence of our helper, the Holy Spirit, to help us to live as Christ lived. What a gift to be a part of this community that is so full of the Holy Spirit as a fire of Christ’s love.
To learn more about the ways to serve our community and beyond, click here.
For volunteer opportunities such as Friday Hospitality, click here.