From Father Steven - July 21, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • July 19, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

There is a lot going on the parish. Much more than what we can share at times. Today I asked Jackie Chung to speak about her calling and the new mission that she is about to start. Please keep her in your prayers and all the youth who are searching for their call. 

God Bless, Fr Steven

 

Dear Parishioners,

 

My name is Jacqueline (Jackie) Chung. I'm from Shrewsbury, MA, and Immaculate Conception is my home parish. It is here that I've received all of my Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation)! I am a regular at the 4:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass along with my parents- we usually sit in the front, left side of the Church. I have just graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Civil Engineering. My time at UMass was incredibly formative and I encountered Jesus in very real ways.

 

Going into my freshman year, I was committed to receiving the Sacraments, but my “why” was not strong. As an underclassman, everyone tells you to “get involved,” and “keep yourself busy.” I took this to heart and decided to sign up for some clubs and find ways to fill my schedule. Thanks be to God, one of the first clubs I signed up for was the NCSA (Newman Catholic Student Association). Shortly after that, a missionary reached out to me and invited me to an event… and then to her Bible Study. It was through these simple invitations and her contagious joy that I was led to an encounter with Christ. Suddenly, I found myself desiring to learn more about my Catholic faith and forming friendships centered around the Lord. I finally found what I had been searching for, the One that will truly satisfy. The One who calls me His beloved daughter. The One who has made me in His image and likeness. My relationship with God had never felt more alive.

 

During the summer, between my Sophomore and Junior year, I participated in FOCUS Summer Projects in Newry, Maine. This experience was another pivotal moment in my faith journey. I was surrounded by 40 other Catholic college students, worked a full-time job in food service, and had some of the best Catholic formation each week. We were taught by the missionaries living there with us how to lead Bible studies and formation groups. It was there that I learned how to live out the Christian life while managing a demanding work schedule.

It was through a FOCUS missionary that I was invited and led into a deeper relationship with God. It is my desire to invite other young college students to make Jesus the center of their lives and experience the great joy of the Gospel!

I'm writing all this to share some exciting news with you: during my senior year, I felt the call to give my life to the Lord in a radical way and become a full-time Catholic missionary with FOCUS! The Fellowship of Catholic University Students sends a team of missionaries to colleges all over the United States to evangelize our young people. I have been placed at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI, and will be moving there in mid-August! 

 

Each FOCUS missionary has the unique opportunity to fundraise 100% of his/her mission budget. Part of the mission of FOCUS is to engage our family, friends and parish communities in the New Evangelization, inviting those outside of the college campus to participate as active members of our ministry through prayerful and financial support. This means that I will be funded by a support team of mission partners (individuals, families…etc.) who commit to supporting my mission on a monthly basis.

 

This is where you all come in! I would love to invite each of you to join my support team prayerfully and financially. If you are interested in hearing more about the good work FOCUS is doing on college campuses and joining my support team, you can visit this link: https://forms.gle/rK3TVWX9mCqBVeUL7 or scan the QR Code below with your phone. If it's easier for you, you may email your name and phone number to jacqueline.chung@focus.org. This will allow me to reach out to you and schedule an appointment soon!

 

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. Be assured of my continued prayers for you all.

 

All Glory to God,

Jackie Chung                                                                                                                                                                     

 

From Father Steven- November 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we were reminded that our call is towards Holiness. This week, in case it was not clear enough, the liturgy will point out that our lives were made for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, God needs our internal disposition, our desire, acceptance, and readiness to enter this Kingdom. We live in a world full of distractions, which each day they are more appealing. Whether TV shows, youtube videos, social media, our lives are more and more are behind a screen. There are numerous psychologists alerting to the danger that simple tasks are no longer enough to make a person happy because of the overdose of dopamine. The human body is not used to the amount of stimulation as given by the electronics (screen). Then, simple tasks, such as praying, can become boring, unpleasing, lacking the necessary stimulus. How then are we going to be ready for the Kingdom of God if we spend a good amount scrolling through the phone or channels? Human interaction in New England is already limited. After Covid, it became almost nonexistent. Nowadays, we limit our conversations to emojis, or if you come out of the house and see another human being, a simple nod or a half smile. Gone are the days that people talk to each other. Then, let’s begin a new culture, as Pope St. John Paul II would often exhort the youth. Pope Francis in a World Youth Day called those in attendance to dictate their own lives, instead of following what the world tells them to do. As St. Teresa of Calcutta says, we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” Another element present, which we don't often speak about, is the adversary whose mission is to condemn us. Since the day he opposed God and his loving plan of redemption of man, he seeks to destroy the image of God, which is us. He speaks to us through thoughts (temptations). He can throw darts of false desires into our hearts. It is important to understand that these inclinations are not ours. They come as suggestions as if whispered in our intellects which we can agree or reject them. Taking the passage of the Gospel, maybe the Virgins were alerted to go out to get more oil to wait for the groom, but then the temptation of laziness, pride, or presumptuousness came and suggested them not to come. It is important to learn the strategies of our enemy in order to be alert and counterattack them. This is another way for us to fight for the Kingdom of God. In Theology we say that the spiritual beings (angels and demons) are much more intelligent than us. It can be compared to the difference between an adult and a toddler. Then the enemy can easily deceive and distract us of what is important as children do. That is why we invited Fr. Carlos Martins next Monday (11/16) to explain to us better what the spiritual world is and how to fight. We do not need to fear these things. They can do nothing without our consent. Like a barking dog on a leash cannot bite us, so the spirits cannot hurt us unless we get close to the dog. Finally, I would like to say a word about our fellow brothers and sisters who have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed much serving in the military. Our dear Veterans, whose day we observe on Wednesday, are an example of selfless action that we should imitate. Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). These countless men and women have sacrificed their lives. They set a great example to be followed. This is still part of what we need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I invite you to say a Rosary on Wednesday praying for the Veterans in thanksgiving for their service, especially those who are struggling because of their time in the military. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 1, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • October 30, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we observe All Saints Day, and on Monday we will remember all the faithful departed (All Souls’ Day). It is important for us to understand the relationship we have with the saints and the dead. First of all, it is crucial to know that the saints are great examples of our faith. They are to be venerated, not worshipped, and serve as role models for us. Their lives show us a path that can lead us closer to God. In a similar way that Tom Brady, Larry Bird, and Big Papi inspire young people around here to become professional athletes, the saints do the same for those who want to be part of Team Jesus. We not only look up to them, but we can also model our lives according to their practices of faith. Secondly, not all the saints lived perfect lives. Some had very troubled pasts, others were known for their vices, and still others converted near the end of their lives. What is important is how they responded to God's grace and surrendered their lives to Him. St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Charles de Foucauld all experienced periods in their early lives when they were far from the holiness they later embraced. St. John of God was admitted to a psychiatric hospital before fully embracing his mission after his conversion. St. Bartolo Longo became involved in satanism before turning to Christ. St. Dismas, the Good Thief who was crucified alongside Jesus, was not a follower of Christ during His public ministry. Yet, at the very end of his life, he professed his faith in Jesus and received the promise of paradise. Therefore, our past does not have to define our future. What matters is whether we turn to Christ, repent of our sins, and accept His forgiveness and the salvation He offers us. Finally, the saints want us to be with them in heaven. Therefore, we can ask for their help and intercession, especially for spiritual goods that will help us conform our lives to Jesus. Getting to know the saints and their lives is extremely rewarding. I personally read the description of the saint of the day every day. Do not treat them like the genie in the lamp, asking for mundane favors or help finding lost objects. Of course, they can also intercede for us in our daily needs as a sign of their love for us. But imagine asking Tom Brady to come here to the parish to help us find our keys! It would be a waste of his time. This weekend, all the relics we have will be exposed in the church, with a brief description of each, for veneration after Mass. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask the saints for a special spiritual favor that will help you get to heaven. On Monday, we will pray for all the faithful departed. We believe that those who die face the particular judgment of God. At that moment, their eternal destiny is determined: those who die in God's grace and friendship and are fully purified enter heaven; those who definitively reject God separate themselves from Him forever in hell. Those who die in God's grace but still need purification before entering heaven undergo that purification in purgatory. Our prayers cannot change the fate of those who are in hell, and the saints in heaven do not need our prayers. However, the souls being purified in purgatory can benefit from our prayers. We can offer prayers, sacrifices, and indulgences for them. That is why we pray for the souls in purgatory and for all the faithful departed. We do not know with certainty whether a particular person is in heaven or hell, unless the Church has declared someone a saint. Therefore, it is always good to pray for those who have died. We have a book in which you can write the names of your deceased loved ones, and we will pray for them throughout the month of November. Lastly, and briefly, Fr. Carlos Martins, who has a special ministry, will be coming to our parish on Monday, November 16, to host a “Night with an Exorcist.” He will give a talk to clarify some of the misleading information about spiritual warfare circulating on social media. It is important to hear how the Church understands evil and how we can protect ourselves spiritually. Save the date on your calendars! God Bless, Fr. Steven