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From Father Steven - December 8, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • December 6, 2024

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This week we celebrate the Feast of our Patroness, the Immaculate Conception, and the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe. We often have heard those titles of Mary, but without much familiarity with them. 

 

The Dogma (an irrevocable truth contained in Divine Revelation as the Catechism defines it) of the Immaculate Conception, is sometimes confused with Jesus being born without sin. It actually refers to the Blessed Virgin Mother who was conceived (Conception) without sin/original Sin (Immaculate). It is fitting, says St. Thomas Aquinas, that the mother of Jesus was completely perfect, in order to receive Jesus in her womb. Like her, we ourselves are also called to be perfect in order to receive Jesus in our souls. It is only through the immense love that God has for each of us that we can be transformed, like Mary, in this holy tabernacle to carry Jesus within us. This radical transformation can be intimidating, as we need much help to be Holy as God is Holy, to be courageous to follow the Word of God, to receive the Lord within us, just like Mary. This past Monday, we heard the Gospel from the Roman Centurion that asks Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant (Mt. 8:5-11). As Jesus wants to come at his request, the Centurion replies that he is not worthy that Jesus should enter under his roof.  That is what we say at every mass right before communion. But the beauty is that Jesus DOES WANT TO DWELL IN US, in our hearts, mind, and lives, even though we are not yet perfect! As God bestowed many graces to the Blessed Mother (full of Grace), He also wants to bless us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens and on earth (Ephesians 1:3). At the example of the blessed Mother let us not be afraid to become the handmaid of the Lord, and accept all the blessings from God.

 

Additionally, the Blessed Mother herself also intercedes for us, caring for us, like a mother. When Juan Diego was in a rush to ask a priest to visit his dying uncle, he avoided the place where Our Lady of Guadalupe first appeared to him, in order to complete his task. Nonetheless, she appeared to him for a second time. After listening to his concern for his uncle, she said, “Listen my little child, let nothing frighten you or disturb you. Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? … Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” Dear brothers and sisters, let us entrust all our preoccupations, concerns, and worries to her. 

 

The time of Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ, not so much about getting the gifts and the house ready for Christmas. There is a prayer of St. Teresa of Avila that often comes to my mind which says, “Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, ALL THINGS ARE PASSING AWAY: God never changes. Patience obtains all things, Whoever has God lacks nothing; GOD ALONE SUFFICES.” We are invited to rejoice also because God has not given up on us. While all things will pass away, we know that He is eternal, and He alone is all that we need. We shall celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception together as a parish this Sunday at 6:00pm in our annual trilingual mass (please note that it does not count as a Sunday obligation). This year it is a holy day of obligation, so if someone cannot make it to our celebration on Sunday, we will have the regular holiday masses on Monday (7:30am, 12:10pm, 6:00pm, and 7:30pm in Portuguese and Spanish). Then on Thursday, December 12, we shall have the mass to Our Lady of Guadalupe at 7:00pm.

 

Let us focus on this time of Advent, with the help of our Blessed Mother, to prepare our hearts to let Jesus into our lives, just like Christmas.

 












God Bless,









,

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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