From Father Steven - November 17, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • November 15, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

As we have been praying for the faithful departed and for the souls in Purgatory especially this month, I came across this article that I thought you would enjoy reading.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

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As we journey through this season of grace, it is a fitting moment to reflect on a vital aspect of our Catholic faith—our duty and privilege to pray for the souls in Purgatory. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to overlook the reality of purgation and the immense mercy of God that extends even to those who have not yet attained the full perfection necessary to enter the glory of Heaven. Yet, the Church teaches us that these souls, though assured of eternal salvation, still require our prayers, acts of charity, and offerings of sacrifice.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God" (CCC 1030). This state of purification is what we refer to as Purgatory. It is not a place of punishment, but a merciful process by which the soul is made ready to behold the face of God.

 

Why We Pray for the Dead

As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to support one another, both the living and the dead, in our shared pilgrimage towards eternity. Our prayers for the souls in Purgatory are an act of love, charity, and solidarity with those who have gone before us. The Church has always taught that those who have departed this life in grace but still require purification can be helped by the prayers and sacrifices of the living. In the Book of Maccabees, we find the example of the faithful offering prayers for those who have died, so that they might be freed from their sins (2 Maccabees 12:46). This practice has been passed down through the centuries as a sign of our communion with the saints and the faithful departed.

 

We may sometimes forget that our prayers are not just for those we knew personally, but for all souls who are in need of God’s mercy. It is a beautiful expression of our faith that we can intercede for others, knowing that God hears our petitions, and His mercy is infinite.

 

How We Can Help the Souls in Purgatory

There are many ways we can offer our prayers for the souls in Purgatory. The most powerful prayer is the Holy Mass, for in the Eucharistic celebration, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is made present to us. By offering Mass for the dead, we unite ourselves to Christ's eternal offering, bringing grace and mercy to those who are in need of purification.

 

In addition to the Mass, we can pray the Rosary, especially the prayers for the dead—such as the “Eternal Rest” prayer. Offering indulgences, fasting, and performing acts of charity can also be of great benefit to the souls in Purgatory. As St. John Paul II often reminded us, our acts of love, no matter how small, have eternal consequences, especially when offered for the sake of others. Another way to support the souls in Purgatory is by participating in the tradition of “praying for the dead” during the month of November, particularly on All Souls' Day (November 2), when the Church specifically remembers and prays for all the faithful departed. This is a time for us to recall the reality of death and the importance of our intercession.

 

A Call to Compassionate Solidarity

As we approach the end of this liturgical year, let us remember the souls of those who have gone before us and entrust them to God’s mercy. Let us also examine our own lives and ask God to purify us from any attachments to sin or imperfection, so that when our time comes, we too may be ready to enter into the fullness of His glory. It is a gift and a responsibility to be able to pray for the dead, as it reflects our deep belief in the communion of saints and the mercy of God. In this life, we are bound together in prayer, and that bond does not end with death. The souls in Purgatory are still part of our family in Christ, and they need our help. Let us not neglect them, but offer them our prayers, especially in this holy season.

 



From Father Steven - June 21, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • June 18, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful start of summer! Please see the letter below from Gabriella Lindhurst, our Director of Music. Happy Father’s Day!! God Bless, Fr. Steven —————————————————————————————— My name is Gabriella Lindhurst, and I am the Music Director at Immaculate Conception Parish. As many of you know, I began serving in this role in January, and my experience here has been wonderful. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and I am grateful for the kindness and support I have received from parishioners, staff members, cantors, and volunteers. Over the past several months, I have enjoyed getting to know many members of our parish community, and I look forward to meeting many more in the months and years ahead. I am originally from Southborough, Massachusetts, and much of my love for sacred music grew out of my involvement in my home parish. As a child, I served as an altar server, learned to play the organ there, and eventually began accompanying Masses as an organist and serving as a cantor. Throughout my school years, I also sang in school and church choirs. Looking back, these experiences helped shape both my faith and my vocation as a church musician, and they continue to influence the way I approach music ministry today. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. What began as a childhood interest gradually became a vocation and a ministry. Along the way, I pursued studies in music and sacred music at Assumption University and the University of Notre Dame, but some of my most meaningful lessons have come through serving the Church and helping others encounter God through prayer and music. That is what continues to inspire me in my work as Music Director today. If you regularly attend one of our English Masses, you have likely seen me at the organ or piano. One of the great joys of my position is helping to lead the congregation in song each week. I have enjoyed getting to know the different communities that make up our parish through the Masses, as well as through my work with the children who attended CCD this year. I am continually inspired by the voices of parishioners who join together in worship, and I believe that sacred music plays an important role in helping us pray and participate more fully in the liturgy. One of the things that has impressed me most about Immaculate Conception Parish is the strong sense of community that exists here. Whether through worship, faith formation, service, or fellowship, so many people generously share their gifts for the good of the parish. Music ministry is one of the many ways that people can become involved, build friendships, and deepen their faith while serving others. Over the past several months, I have become increasingly excited about the future of music ministry at our parish. One of my goals for this fall is to reestablish the Adult Choir. I have heard many wonderful things about the former choir, and I look forward to bringing this ministry back. Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays beginning at 6:00pm, and the choir will primarily sing at the Saturday 4:00pm Mass, as well as for special liturgies throughout the year. Our first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 3rd. The Adult Choir is open to anyone who enjoys singing and would like to share their time and talent in service of the liturgy. If you have ever considered joining a choir, I warmly encourage you to come to a rehearsal and give it a try or reach out for more information. Choir membership is a wonderful opportunity to serve the parish, grow in friendship with fellow parishioners, and participate more deeply in the liturgy. I am also excited to begin a new Children’s Choir this fall that will be separate from CCD. All children ages 7 and up are welcome. Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays from 4:30pm–5:30pm, and the choir will sing once each month at the 11:00am Mass. Our first rehearsal will be on Thursday, September 10th. The Children’s Choir will help young people develop musical skills, build confidence, and learn about the important role music plays in our Catholic faith. Most importantly, it will give them another opportunity to become active participants in the life of the parish while sharing their gifts with our community. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at gabriella5110@gmail.com, I would be happy to speak with you. As we prepare for the fall, I ask for your prayers for all of our music ministries. Please also consider whether God may be calling you, your children, or another member of your family to become involved. Whether as a choir member, cantor, instrumentalist, or simply as a member of the congregation singing with enthusiasm, every voice contributes to the prayer of our parish community. Thank you again for the warm welcome you have shown me over these past several months. I am grateful to be part of Immaculate Conception Parish, and I look forward to continuing to grow with all of you in faith, fellowship, and song.  God Bless, Gabriella

From Father Steven- June 14, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • June 12, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Every priest is called to be a man of prayer. Through ordination, we are united to Christ and configured to Him in a unique way. Therefore, when a priest prays, he not only pursues his own sanctification but also deepens his union with Jesus. Whether celebrating Mass publicly or privately, praying the Rosary, or offering short prayers throughout the day, St. Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” provides the foundation for all that we do. We all live in a world full of demands and expectations. What Frank Sinatra once called New York—the “city that never sleeps”—has, in many ways, become a description of life everywhere. There is so much happening in our lives that we can easily become like Martha in the Gospel. Some parents spend countless hours driving their children to activities and sporting events. Others have demanding jobs that consume most of their time. Still others are occupied with maintaining a household or caring for a sick loved one. Yet when do we become like Mary, who chose to sit beside Jesus and listen to Him? Martha was not doing anything wrong. On the contrary, hospitality was considered a sacred duty in her time. Nevertheless, Jesus reminds us that there is something even more important than all our responsibilities: to be with Him. When we pray, we draw close to Jesus. Suddenly, our burdens seem lighter, we become less irritable, and challenges that once felt overwhelming become manageable. Prayer is not simply a matter of reciting a few Our Fathers or Hail Marys; it is about spending time with Jesus. Next week, Fr. Gabriel and I will be away on retreat for a couple of weeks to spend time with the Lord. Although we maintain our daily prayer routines, there are moments when we need to “retreat” from the world and the busyness of parish life in order to rest our hearts and renew our souls. Fr. Fernando, who was ordained in Warsaw and is currently serving on mission in Ireland, will arrive on Friday to assist Fr. Victor in caring for the parish during our absence. We ask you to keep us in your prayers, just as we continually pray for you. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to participate more actively in spiritual activities. Whether it is joining the Cenacle Group, which meets on Mondays from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the lower church, attending Eucharistic Adoration at least once a week, or reading a spiritual book during the summer, each of these practices can help us grow closer to Christ. In the coming months, we are planning additional opportunities to deepen our relationship with Him through retreats, talks, and other parish events. The good news is that we do not need to wait until the end of summer. In just two weeks, we will have a beautiful opportunity right here in Boston to encounter Jesus in a special way. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage carries the theme “One Nation Under God.” This is not merely a slogan—it is an invitation to realign our lives, our communities, and our country under the sovereignty of Christ. It is a call to foster unity through prayer and to allow Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, to renew and heal the heart of our nation, one soul at a time. As pilgrims on this route, we walk with Christ so that His love may draw our nation back to Him. The Archbishop has invited all the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic procession on Saturday, June 27 , beginning at Boston Common. We will follow the Freedom Trail and conclude at the Bunker Hill Monument. A bus will depart from the parish at 8:00 a.m. , and we expect to return by approximately 3:00 p.m. You can reserve your seat for $15 either online using the QR code below or by calling the parish office. Although I will not be present, I hope our parish will be well represented. This pilgrimage offers a wonderful opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and spend time with Jesus. Through our presence, we can also invite others to follow Him, just as the Apostles did. God Bless, Fr. Steven