From Father Steven - March 24, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • March 22, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

As we commemorate Palm Sunday, we reflect on Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. There are a few elements I wish to reflect with you.

 

The individuals who greeted Jesus were not Jerusalem's residents but rather a "crowd of people who had come up for the festival" (John 12:12-13). These pilgrims, departing from their homes to seek God in Jerusalem's Temple, recognized Jesus as the Messiah because they were receptive to God's grace. Their pursuit of God led them to abandon worldly desires and comforts.

 

The word "Hosanna" originates from Hebrew and signifies a cry for salvation or deliverance. It can be translated as "Lord, please come to save us" or "come to deliver us, I pray." When the people acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, they cried out for deliverance from oppression.

 

It has an undertone of the prayers of the Hebrews when they were enslaved in Egypt asking God to free them from the oppression of the Pharaoh. Today we use that expression in the mass right before consecration. The meaning behind is to ask the Lord who is about to be present sacramentally in His Body and Blood to be delivered from our slaveries. It is a cry to be delivered from our sins. Easter comes to rescue us from the slavery of the Devil through sin and pass over to the freedom of Christ by grace.

 

Christ's choice to ride a donkey, rather than a white horse, is significant. Horses symbolize worldly power and oppression; both the Romans and Egyptians employed horses to instill fear. The people anticipated a Messiah who would lead Israel militarily, like a new King David. However, Christ's donkey ride signifies that His kingdom transcends worldly power; His strength lies in redeeming humanity through His death and resurrection. St. Paul writes to the Philippians, [Christ] humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (2:8).

 

Upon Jesus’s arrival Jerusalem was “shaken”/”the city was in turmoil.” (Mt 21:10) This is a very interesting detail that often is overlooked. When the Magi came to Jerusalem at the birth of Jesus, the Gospel of Matthew says that Herod and the whole city of Jerusalem were “greatly troubled.”(2:3) They wanted to defend their kingdom. As they felt threatened then by a baby, so now again by a man riding a donkey. Yet, Christ's purpose was not to disrupt but to offer abundant life. His resurrection promises eternal life and the capacity for love, even amid suffering. Not as the world sees it, maybe with its comfort, nice and quiet. Jesus on Easter offers us Eternal Life. It means that man is only capable of love. The only response that comes from the heart of the redeemed man is to love, even in the darkest moments. This is what the saints experienced, and why they were able to forgive those who would torture them. St. Maximilian Kolbe’s only response, in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, was love and forgiveness.

 

The same Sunday that we proclaim the triumphant entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem we also proclaim the first account of his Passion (Matthew, Mark or Luke). Christ enters Jerusalem knowing His mission—to suffer and die for humanity's salvation. Multiple times He announces to his disciples the need for the Son of Man to be delivered in the hands of the elders, to suffer, and die in order to save us. Nothing will deter Him from doing the will of the Father. Scripture will say that it was the people of Jerusalem who will condemn him to die, not the pilgrims. Sometimes we hear that the people who welcome Jesus later will crucify him. It is those who reject Christ or pursue their own will may ultimately crucify Him. Those who encounter Christ, like the pilgrims return home transformed as their attitudes change, and their behaviors are different.

 

As we enter this Holy Week, let us prioritize God above all else. Let us participate fully in Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday, even if it requires taking time off. May we follow Christ's example, walking in His footsteps, sharing in His Cross, and ultimately rejoicing in His Resurrection and life. “Let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation, following his footsteps, so that, being made by his grace partakes of the Cross, we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.” (Opening Prayer of Palm Sunday).

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - March 22, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • March 20, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As you may be aware, we are starting our next Bereavement Ministry on March 31st. This is the third session we are offering to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The loss can be a recent one or one from years ago. We will be following the Catholic program called Seasons of Hope. I encourage you to participate to find support and comfort within our faith-filled community. God Bless, Fr. Steven ——————————————————————— Bereavement Ministry: Seasons of Hope to Begin As we mourn together, our parish bereavement team of Nancy Papp, Mark Vital, and Nancy Wells would like to personally invite anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one to attend Immaculate Conception’s next bereavement session which will begin on Tuesday evening, March 31st at 6:30 pm in the Lower Church and continue for six consecutive Tuesday evenings ending on Tuesday, May 5th. There are no stages to grief. We all experience grief in our own unique way, and healing is an intentional process, where we gather as a community of faith to become disciples of hope. It is through prayerful reflection, practical learning, and personal fellowship that we mourn. We will be following the Catholic program called Seasons of Hope . It is a 6-week program based on Scripture that focuses our faith on the spiritual side of grieving. Our mission is to support and accompany those going through the grieving process through Scripture, prayer, reflection, and simple activities. The program centers on Jesus Christ and is founded in the wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Church. It provides an opportunity for those who are grieving to be together, share their experiences, listen to God, and to each other, and be heard and comforted. St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite and Doctor of the Church, said: “In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.” Fr. Mike Schmitz (many of you know him from his Bible in a Year podcast) was asked in an interview once about suffering. He responded: “God doesn’t always take the pain away. God doesn’t take the grief away. God doesn’t undo your loved one’s death. But with hope, our faith in God can console us.” Once again, we warmly invite those mourning to “come and be comforted.” Please call Lee Ann at the parish office to register. This program has helped hundreds of people mourn the loss of a loved one. We are delighted to bring this ministry to you again and hope and pray you will consider attending. Thank you and please keep us and those we serve in your prayers. The Bereavement Team: Nancy Papp, Nancy Wells, Mark Vital

From Father Steven - March 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • March 13, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we heard the terrible news from the Diocese of Providence regarding the abuse of minors by clergy. Any form of abuse of minors is always despicable. In this particular case, not only is there the problem of the priests themselves, which would be unacceptable, but it seems that there were also problems in the hierarchy/administration as well. Once I heard an expression that portrays well this issue: one is way too many. Every victim counts. It is very unfortunate that so many cases of abuse happened in the past, and even worse when they happened in the Church, where it should be a safe place for every person. For many years, anything related to abuse was always a big taboo that no one ever spoke about, much less reported. In 2002, the Boston Globe reported the systematic abuse that happened in the Archdiocese of Boston for decades. The Church has failed its people. Even if there were only one single case, one is too many. With the arrival of Cardinal Sean O’Malley, many rules and procedures were adopted to guarantee the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also changed their protocols to never allow any sort of omission of abuse. Mandatory training for all volunteers who have contact with children and yearly background checks for all volunteers are some examples of what was adopted. There was also some support offered to victims. However, there are more out there who have never reached out. The problem is far from its resolution. Although many changes have taken place in the Church, we must remain vigilant. Abuse remains a terrible reality in many parts of society—from schools to sports and other institutions—and the Church must always strive to be a place where children and vulnerable people are protected and safe. Nowadays, there is also a call to protect vulnerable people, such as the elderly and anyone with special needs. Although there is a policy that requires certain people to report any form of abuse to the authorities (mandated reporters), it is the duty of every person to protect their neighbor. I would like to plan a day or evening to offer training from the Archdiocese to everyone who would like to participate. There we can also explain all the efforts that are being made in the Church to promote a safe environment for anyone who comes to the parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. On a related topic, for anyone who has suffered any sort of abuse, we also want to offer help. There can be a stigma that pushes victims away because of shame. A person can even feel guilty for having allowed such a thing. God is there to help us take things off our chest and from our souls. This can be expanded to other kinds of traumas that we keep only to ourselves. How many times have we heard in the past that people bring such things to their tombs? God is here to help us carry our burdens. We priests are also available to listen and offer whatever resources may assist anyone who is suffering. There is help that can be offered, whether through professional counselors, victim assistance, or independent resources. On the spiritual side, we do know that God heals our wounds, accompanies us in our journeys, and helps us carry our crosses. In moments like this, when human failures are so evident, we are reminded that our hope ultimately rests in Christ. Only He can help us live by His grace. Only He can console us when we are tired and burdened. Only He can bring us to green pastures to refresh our soul. Only He is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us then follow Him up to the Cross, because if we die with Him, we shall also live with Him. And if people need our help, let us not neglect their needs. Let us be there for them, to listen, or even hold their hands in their journey. No one should be left behind…no one.  God Bless, Fr. Steven