From Father Steven - January 5, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • January 3, 2025

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the letter below from Fr. Gabriel.

 

God Bless You & Happy New Year!

Fr. Steven

_______________________________________

 

Dear Parishioners of Immaculate Conception,


 I pray that you’ve been able to see the Lord’s goodness during this time of Christmas. Too often is our Celebration cut off immediately after December 25th, when in fact, there are twelve days of celebration that follow. And as the feasting continues, we come now to the Solemnity of the Epiphany. 

 

Epiphany is a word that has Greek roots meaning appearance or manifestation. It’s on this day that we celebrate the arrival of the Three Magi who, according to tradition, are named Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. These three wise men come in search of a King’s birth, heralded by a star, and to their surprise, they find him, The Christ child, laid in a manger. The three Kings bear three gifts, Gold, frankincense and Myrrh. Three costly presents for the newborn king, each pointing to his identity and his destiny. Jesus receives gold at the hands of the Magi, because it symbolizes that he is royalty; he is the true king of Israel. He also receives frankincense, because incense is always burned and offered to Divinity, and Jesus is truly God, hidden in the appearance of a child. Finally, they give him myrrh, which was used to anoint the dead; this points to Christ’s humanity, and that he is destined to die for the salvation of all men. 

 

This also points us in the direction of understanding just why this Solemnity is so important. The arrival of the Three Kings to Bethlehem, marks Jesus’ manifestation to all the nations. That the whole world comes to be united under its one, true king, Jesus Christ. It is important to also remember that these Magi were united on their journey to Jesus Christ by that great star that the Lord placed in the sky.

 

This celebration should be especially dear to us, because its spiritual significance is shown to be true in our parish. This star that shines brightly in the sky can be understood to be the Church, who guides us and leads us to the hidden presence of Jesus Christ who we come to bow before in the Eucharist, just as the Kings bowed before Jesus in Bethlehem. Moreover, we see that it is all nations that are united under this tender little King; just consider all the different languages and cultures that are brought together in our Church, encompassing so many nations and they are all being brought along this journey of faith by this star, that is the Church, to Jesus Christ who is waiting for us every Sunday at mass. 

 

It is also essential to recognize that when we heed the wisdom of the Church, and practice the forgiveness that Jesus brings to us within our homes too, we experience a greater unity, where we can set all differences aside and start anew. That is to say that even as families we are called to follow this star and bow before Christ, because he is the true source of communion among those closest to us, as well as those who we are not so familiar with.

 

The deeper we come in relationship with Christ, the more our life reflects those stories that we hear about in scripture. The Lord desires to instill in each of us that same joy the Magi received at the sight of our Lord. And so I invite all of you to see your faith life with biblical eyes, make the same journey to Bethlehem this weekend, accompanied by the three Kings, to find the hidden presence of Jesus Christ, placed under the light of the star that is the Church, that we may rejoice in the unity that he brings by coming to live among us.

 

God Bless You & Happy New Year!

Fr. Gabriel

 

From Father Steven - November 2, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • October 31, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This weekend is a special one as we honor the Communion of Saints. We ask for the intercession of the Triumphant Church in heaven and pray for the Suffering Church in purgatory, especially as we celebrate All Souls’ Day. The Second Vatican Council teaches that the Church exists in three states: the Militant (or Pilgrim) Church on earth, the Triumphant Church in heaven, and the Suffering Church in purgatory. United in the Communion of Saints, the Triumphant Church intercedes for us, while we are called to pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in purgatory, helping them complete their purification and enter into the presence of God. Catholic theology teaches that when a person dies, he or she does not become a star or an angel, nor does the soul enter heaven immediately. Each person faces a particular judgment, which determines whether the soul goes to heaven or hell. Those who have loved God and their neighbor, dying in a state of grace—that is, remaining faithful to God until the end—are saved through Christ and destined for heaven. However, some souls must first undergo a period of purification before they can behold God face to face. I often explain it this way: when children play outside, they must wash their hands before sitting at the table. Sometimes the dirt requires extra scrubbing to be completely clean. I remember as a child my mother once used a brush so strong that it almost felt like my skin was coming off—it was painful. In a similar way, the souls in purgatory are cleansed from the remaining effects/consequences of sin. Some mystics describe this purification as a fire consuming their souls. This is why it is so important that we pray for the souls in purgatory and for our loved ones who have passed away. The greatest gift we can offer them is a plenary indulgence, which may be obtained each time we visit this parish, designated as a Jubilee Church. Another powerful act is to offer a Mass for their intention. The Sacrifice of Christ made present on the altar is the most effective prayer for the departed. You may contact the parish office to schedule a Mass intention. We ask for a $15 donation, allowing us to unite our prayer with a personal sacrifice—just as St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary offered two turtle doves at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. We can also visit cemeteries and pray for the departed. In the United States, we honor the deceased on Memorial Day, but as Catholics, we especially remember the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day. Other ways to assist them include praying the Rosary, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, and offering other devotional prayers for their intentions. We are also introducing the opportunity to honor the faithful departed (or the living) by offering liturgical memorials. Each weekend, the bread and wine, candles, and sanctuary lamp used in our liturgies may be offered for your chosen intention. A $50 donation is requested for each of these three memorials. Many parishes provide this beautiful opportunity, and we believe it will help strengthen our community’s prayer for the deceased. Additionally, we continue to keep the Book of Remembrance by St. Joseph’s Altar, where all submitted names will be remembered in prayer. However, nothing compares to the grace of offering a Mass or obtaining a plenary indulgence on their behalf. Some saints have said that when we help release a soul from purgatory, that soul will intercede for us before God for the rest of our lives. Let us, then, dear brothers and sisters, make it our mission to help as many souls as possible reach heaven. Each time we come to IC, let us take advantage of the plenary indulgence available during this Jubilee year. Remember, by going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, we may obtain one plenary indulgence per day for eight days as long as we and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father and visit the parish each day. In other words, with one confession and communion, you can receive multiple indulgences. As so many saints have interceded for us, let us now help the future saints—the souls in purgatory—on their journey to eternal joy. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - October 26, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • October 24, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, We all had superheroes as part of our childhood. They had incredible powers and wore striking costumes with their emblem and a cape. Yet, not all superheroes wear capes. Some wear uniforms, and others are ordinary people who often go unrecognized. I imagine each of us grew up with a favorite superhero—whether it was a cartoon, an action figure, or even a poster on our walls. Some were ordinary people who received extraordinary gifts, like Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, Captain America, or the Flash. Others were born with special powers, like Hercules, Superman, Thor, Aquaman, or Asterix. The difference between them and their archvillains is that they used their powers to serve others, never for themselves. Their mission often demanded great sacrifice—even the risk of their own lives. They understood their calling and never turned away from it. But there are also heroes without superpowers or capes. They are ordinary citizens who respond to the call to serve and protect—firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other first responders. They leave behind their loved ones to help people in danger and need. These are the real superheroes. They don’t have superhuman strength; their power comes from their hearts. This weekend at IC, we commemorate and honor them through the celebration of Firefighter Sunday. These men and women often go unnoticed when out of uniform. On most days, they live ordinary lives—but when danger strikes, they are the ones who show up and save the day. They pull people from wrecked cars, walk into burning buildings, dive into freezing waters, and expose themselves to hazardous situations. They sacrifice Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, graduations, and countless family moments to remain ready to serve. Having served as their chaplain, I am deeply impressed by how they work together. They depend on one another completely. Each person uses their unique skills to support the team and accomplish their mission. Even when they cannot save someone, they remain there for each other—to console, to lift up, and to keep going. No matter the hour, day or night, they are always there for one another—and for us. There is yet another group of heroes whose powers surpass all others. They wear no capes and drive no shiny trucks, but their courage, love, and faith make them extraordinary. Who could be braver than firefighters, stronger than the Hulk, or more courageous than Superman? The one who loves his neighbor more than himself. The one who is merciful, forgiving, and willing to give his life for another. These are the Saints—Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Maria Goretti, Maximilian Kolbe, and so many others. They did not act only when called upon or faced with danger; they lived their mission every day—quietly, humbly, and faithfully. They made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives daily in love. Their strength came from a source that never runs dry. Their “sidekick” was greater than themselves—they walked with God and triumphed in every battle. Though they lived in the past, their presence remains alive among us. Next Saturday, November 1st, as we celebrate All Saints’ Day , (this is not a holy day of obligation this year), we invite you to join us in honoring these holy heroes. We will have our regular 7:30 a.m. Mass, followed by a trilingual Mass at 9:30 a.m. We will also have the opportunity to venerate many relics. And of course, we cannot forget the Virgin Mary—the greatest superhero of all. Like every loving mother, she helps even before we ask. She anticipates our needs and arranges help for us. She was the saints’ secret weapon, guiding and protecting them throughout their lives. If we desire to become saints ourselves, answering God’s call as they did, we need her assistance—now and at the hour of our death. On Wednesday, November 5th , we will begin a 33-day Consecration to Jesus through Mary , using 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley. Though you can make the consecration privately, we invite you to journey with us. Just as firefighters rely on their team, we too need each other on this spiritual journey. As the old saying goes, it takes a village. God Bless,  Fr. Steven