From Father Steven - September 22, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 20, 2024

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind after chatting with a group of adults recently about their experiences in CCD. It was interesting to hear that while they could remember fun stories and the names of their catechists, many struggled to recall what they actually learned. It got me thinking about how, as kids, we often had so much going on that we didn’t really get the chance to dig into our faith. But what if we could take another shot at it?

 

I’m excited to announce that we’re starting a new catechesis program for youth and adults on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM in the Parish Hall. This is a great opportunity to explore our beliefs, deepen our understanding of God, and build a personal relationship with Him. Every year, we see people coming through the RCIA program, eager to learn more about our faith and the Church. There’s so much about God and the Scriptures that we can all still discover!

 

In the early days of Christianity, baptism wasn’t just a quick ceremony; it was a transformative journey. Sadly, after the conversion of Constantine, many lost that deeper connection, and the focus shifted too much toward just receiving sacraments. The Second Vatican Council highlighted the importance of returning to that deeper initiation into our faith, reminding us that even those baptized as infants need to experience a genuine introduction to their beliefs (CCC 1231). However, as we grow up, so do our problems. Then our faith should also grow in order to face the challenges that we have. 

 

The program we’re introducing is something special. Approved by the Vatican in 2008, Pope Saint John Paul II called it “an itinerary of Catholic Formation, valid for our society and for our times.” It has been embraced by Popes and parishes all over the world. I can personally vouch for its impact. Growing up, my family only went to Mass on Christmas and Ash Wednesday, (yes, we were one of “them”), and we never fully understood what our faith was all about. It wasn’t until I got involved in a program like this that I really began to see how relevant and close God can be in our everyday lives.

 

St. Thomas Aquinas once said we can’t truly love what we don’t know. I remember as a teenager grappling with tough questions: “If God is love, why do I suffer?” and “Why am I not happy if I’m doing everything right?” Those questions pushed me to dive deeper into my faith and led to a personal encounter with God that changed my life.

 

At the end of Mass, we’ll be inviting everyone to join this new program. It might not be for you, but think about someone in your life who could really benefit from this experience. Maybe there are people feeling lost in their faith, don’t know how to navigate through their struggles, or looking for a fresh start with God. I encourage you to pray about it and consider inviting two people who might be interested in exploring their faith further.

 

Everyone is welcome—there are no restrictions! We’ll even have babysitters available for those with children. If you have any questions or specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s embrace this opportunity together and see where God leads us on this journey of faith and renewal!

 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven



From Father Steven - March 29, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • March 27, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Here we are in the most holy week of the year! I hope you had a fruitful Lent, preparing your souls for this moment. I would like to share a brief reflection with you for each day of this upcoming week.  You might have noticed last week that all the sacred images and statues were covered. The Church recommends covering them after the Fifth Sunday of Lent to help us focus more deeply on Christ and to heighten our longing for Easter Sunday. When we walk into the church and notice that things are different, we sense that something significant is about to happen. These final days of Lent are meant to be a time of preparation for the Sacred Triduum, and these veils serve as a powerful reminder to get ready. We begin Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday. The technical name for this Sunday is “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” As you may recall, we proclaim two Gospels: one recounting the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem at the beginning of Mass, and another, at the usual time, recounting the Passion according to one of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke). These two passages are important, as they direct us toward Easter. They help us meditate on the events of Holy Thursday and Good Friday with hearts that long for the Resurrection of Christ. On Thursday, as we begin the Triduum, we celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper. Although it is often associated with the washing of the feet, there are two other essential elements to remember. The washing of the feet symbolizes fraternal love, as Christ loves and serves His disciples as His friends. At the Last Supper, we also celebrate the institution of the priesthood and the institution of the Eucharist. Not long ago, during the pandemic, we deeply missed receiving Communion. In this moment, we are reminded that Jesus gives us His Body and Blood as a gift to sustain us. During that time, we had to suspend the distribution of the Precious Blood, but now we are able to restore it. What better day to do so than the very day on which Jesus Himself instituted it? I encourage you to receive the Blood of Christ, not only because it is His desire, but also because the Church, especially since the Second Vatican Council, has affirmed that the faithful should have this opportunity. At the end of the celebration, we will process to the hall, where we are invited to keep vigil with Christ until midnight. On Good Friday, when Mass is not celebrated, we gather for the “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.” In this service, we listen once again to the Passion, and we venerate the Cross of Jesus, as well as reflect on our own crosses. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, though this is not always easy. On this day, we are invited to come forward to adore and kiss the Cross, trusting that Christ helps us carry our burdens. Finally, on Saturday evening (8:00PM) and Sunday morning (7:30AM and 11:00AM—there will be no 5:00PM Mass), we will gather to proclaim the Resurrection of Christ. As we accompany Him to the tomb and mourn His death, we will also come together to proclaim to the world that God is not dead—He is alive and desires to share His divine life with us. Last week, we heard St. Paul exhort us to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. This is only possible if a new life is formed within us. That new life comes through the power of God, made present in the death and Resurrection of Christ. Just as God led His people from Egypt to the Promised Land, so too He desires to lead us into new life. Therefore, it is essential to approach these days with intentionality, striving to rise with Christ into a new life. 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