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From Father Steven - December 25, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • December 23, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

As we approach the joyful season of Christmas, we are invited to pause and reflect on the great mystery of God becoming man. Saint John Paul II reminds us that "Christmas is not merely a day of festivity and rejoicing. It is a day of reflection and renewal, a day in which we should re-examine our lives and strengthen our faith.” The Feast of the Nativity is not just a historical event; it is the very heart of our faith, where heaven and earth meet in the person of Jesus Christ. In this holy season, we celebrate the incredible love God has for each one of us, a love so deep that He sent His only Son to live among us, suffer for us, and redeem us.

 

As we gather with family and friends, sharing meals and exchanging gifts, we are reminded that Christmas is more than lights and decorations. It is about the light of Christ, the true Light that "shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). This is the Light that guides us through life's challenges, offering us hope, joy, and peace. In the words of St. John Paul II, "The birth of Christ is the beginning of the fullness of time. We are called to live in this fullness, in the light that comes from Bethlehem."

 

It is easy, especially in the busyness of the season, to forget that the true gift of Christmas is not found under the tree, but in the manger. In this season of giving, we are invited to remember that God gave us His Son as the ultimate gift. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son," (John 3:16), so that we might have life and have it abundantly. The Catechism reminds us that "the Son of God became man so that we might become God" (CCC 460). This is the true miracle of Christmas: that God, in His infinite love, wants to share His divine life with us.

 

Yet, in our busy lives, it can be easy to forget this profound truth. In a world that often emphasizes materialism and fleeting pleasures, we can lose sight of the eternal gifts that come from Christ alone—peace, hope, and everlasting joy. Christmas calls us to refocus our hearts on these divine gifts, and to rekindle our relationship with the Lord.

 

St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Christmas is a time to remember our shared bond as members of the Body of Christ. It is a time to heal broken relationships, extend forgiveness, and embrace the love that Christ has shown us. We are reminded that the Christ Child came not only for us individually but for all of humanity. In the spirit of Christmas, let us open our hearts and hands to those in need, whether through material help or spiritual support. Let us remember that in serving others, we serve Christ Himself.

 

In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let this joy overflow from our hearts. Even amidst trials, let us remember that we are never alone. The God who became a child in the manger is with us always, and His love will never fail. It is this love that will carry us through every difficulty, every trial, and every moment of doubt.

 

This Christmas, let us also remember that our faith is not just for the Christmas season, but for every day of the year. The infant Jesus calls us to live out His love every day, to witness to His truth, and to serve those around us with compassion and mercy. The Catechism reminds us that the Christian life is a call to "love one another as I have loved you" (CCC 1825). This love is not just for our family and friends but for all people—especially those who are lonely, hurting, or far from the faith. In this season, let us rekindle our zeal to live as disciples of Christ and to share the light of His love with the world.

 

As we approach the manger, let us all ask ourselves, “What can I give to the Christ Child?” The answer is simple—our hearts. In giving Him our hearts, we are also giving Him our lives. This Christmas, let us renew our commitment to live the Gospel with joy and to carry the light of Christ with us into the New Year.



May the peace, joy, and love of Christ fill your hearts and homes this Christmas and always.


Merry Christmas

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - April 6, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • April 4, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We would like to thank everyone who helped us with our recent 24Hr Adoration and mass with Bishop Reed! All the servers, the lectors, our Choir and the Knights of Columbus! Everything was beautiful! I would like to bring your attention to some very important upcoming activities we are having here at the Parish: Our Annual Fish Fryday will be held on April 11th at 5:30pm in Meehan Hall . We will be serving Fish & French Fries. The tickets are $15.00/per adult and $10.00/per child . Please purchase your tickets ahead of time so we can prepare the right amount of food. You can purchase tickets after mass or at the parish office (they will also be available at the door). Next week we will have a very important and powerful workshop led by Deacon Joe Cooley who has been here in the parish before. Please see the announcement below. Please see our Holy Week and Easter Schedule on the next page. Our new IC Bereavement Ministry will begin on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00am in the Lower Church . Please stay tuned for more information on this ministry. God Bless, Fr. Steven On Fire: Identity Workshop Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th in Lower Church Deacon Joe Cooley Please join us for an On Fire: Identity Workshop on Friday night, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 in the lower church . Connect with Jesus in a way that will transform your life immediately and permanently! Uncover the truth of who the Lord says you are! The following testimonies from people who have attended this event in the past demonstrate the possibilities: · “The On Fire workshop was a whirlwind of blessings. The weekend surpassed all my hopes and expectations. I have been so blessed by the people I was privileged to meet, the profound experiences in prayer and Adoration, and even receiving extraordinary healing! On Fire was truly an experience of Heaven kissing earth.” · “Praise the Lord!! The Father downloaded my identity as a beloved daughter into my heart and soul. I experienced His love and mercy flooding into the core of my being.” · “What a powerful workshop. I so love the work being done.” · “ON Fire Identity Workshop was a powerful workshop. The kind of workshop where the word of God and the encounter of the Holy Spirit will stay with you long after the workshop is over.” Use the QR code to learn more and register for the workshop. You can also register at the door. 

From Father Steven - March 30, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • March 28, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend, we will hear the story of the prodigal son—a story familiar to us all. However, I would like to share a few insights with you as we reflect on this powerful parable. A few years ago, while meditating on this passage, I began to wonder why the father would give his money to his son. Perhaps the natural reaction would be to refuse or to send the son away empty-handed. If we were in his shoes, we might think, "Who does this rebellious son of mine think he is, demanding the money I earned through hard work and leaving us behind? If he wants to leave, he knows where the door is." However, that is not the attitude of this father. It took me a while to understand how the father could so gently give his money to his son and allow him to leave. I am no philosopher or theologian, but it seems the father understands that love cannot be forced. Love is an act of the will, and without freedom, there is no love. This principle underlies the gift of free will that God has given us. Despite everything God provides—a world we did not create, families given to us, and the gift of salvation through Christ—we remain free to take our blessings and walk away. In the face of our stubbornness, God can do nothing but love us. Just as the father left the door open for his son's return, God always leaves a door open for us to return to Him. Another element to consider in this story is that the son may have been deceived. We are quick to judge him, but we often fail to understand what led him to make such a drastic decision. What might have influenced him to leave everything behind? Was it the persuasion of friends turning him against his family? Did the allure of worldly pleasures make him believe he would find greater happiness elsewhere? Or perhaps he felt useless in his father's house—comparing himself to his brother or believing he was such a disappointment that he no longer belonged. These inner struggles are difficult to understand, and I realize it is becoming increasingly challenging to comprehend the thoughts of today's youth. Their understanding of reality often differs greatly from our own, making them more vulnerable to feelings of exclusion. The pressures they face—to act or appear a certain way—can become overwhelmingly burdensome. This parable also invites us to be less judgmental of others. If you knew the prodigal son and his family, what would you have said to him as he walked away? Many of us might have spoken harshly or dismissed him. Yet, how would we react if we only encountered him on his return? It is the same person, but our responses would likely be very different. This story reminds us to approach others with compassion and understanding, no matter where they are on their journey. Finally, I would like to reflect on the pivotal moment when the son decided to return home. He endured great suffering and lost everything he had. The weight of shame must have been immense. Yet, nothing prevented him from returning to his house. Deep within, he knew his father would welcome him. I hope we all share this same trust in God's mercy. There is always an opportunity to confess our sins and return to the Father's house. Like the prodigal son, let us rise, leave behind the land of darkness, and speak to the Father. We know how He will receive us—with open arms and the joyous feast of the fattened calf, which ultimately points to the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. May we never hesitate to return to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. Please consider attending one of our Wednesday Jubilee talks, as we will be covering some of these topics in our upcoming talks. We also have adoration everyday 6:00pm-7:00pm with the opportunity to go to confession with various priests as well. God Bless, Fr. Steven
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