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 - February 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • February 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please see the letter below from David and Stephanie Ringland, our parishioners, about the upcoming Couples Retreat February 21st. This will be a wonderful day for our couples!! This retreat is for couples of all ages and stages committed to growing deeper in love, in faith and in God’s Calling. The day will include meaningful conversations, guided workshops, stories and lunch. This is designed to strengthen connection and renew commitment. We are looking forward to seeing you! God Bless, Fr. Steven ———————————————- Greetings Fellow Parishioners! Are you distracted? There are so many things in the world today that compete for your time and attention, whether it's the late-night work deadlines, the news feed on your cell phone, the ads on the radio, who or what was posted on Facebook, or the what's playing next on your TV....to name a few of them. We have all become desensitized by the remarkable availability of these distractions in our lives. As a result, it has become easier to be drawn away from the relationships that actually matter to us as we focus on those other things. If you have been together for a while, maybe it is the distraction of money, material wealth and competition with a family that seems to be perfect from the outside, or even coveting your neighbor's spouse. It's mostly unintentional, but over time, the detachment and avoidance of the negatives in a relationship can impact a couple and become significant obstacles that can feel insurmountable at times. As we age, just like interest, these things compound and can feel heavy to the point of breaking. We become tired and feel beaten and abused, but can’t identify the source of it. In reality, it is the overwhelming weight of complacency that rests on our shoulders that can lead to finger pointing and accusations when anything goes out of the ordinary. If you have children, like we do, you can see this manifest in the way that their attention is diverted from helping around the house or helping each other, or how quickly a task like homework can evolve into mindless scrolling when an electronic is involved. Their behavior may echo what they see and the complacency that many of us have fallen victim to. That is why when we learned that there would be a couple's retreat in February, we were happy to become involved. Not only is it a great example of how vibrant the parish is here at Immaculate Conception, but it's a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with each other in a no-judgment zone. We welcome the chance to spend some time with each other to rediscover the Holy Spirit's presence within our relationship, and how our love for each other will be magnified by the end of the day on February 21st. Whether you are married, engaged, or a couple that has been dating for 20 years, we invite you to join us for part of a day at a retreat that is guaranteed to be nothing short of profoundly moving and entertaining! Should you know a couple going through a rough patch or one that has been dating for 20 years, bring them too! You may be the catalyst that they need to revitalize their love or finally make the commitment. Childcare will be available during the event in order for you to make your date-day at Immaculate Conception. Your date-night is up to you, but we know that it will be extra special with the one you love. God bless, David & Stephanie Ringland

From Father Steven - February 1, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • January 30, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This past week, the parish took a bus loaded with youth to attend the March for Life in Washington. It was really a blessing to all of us. We attended an event held on Friday morning by the Sisters of Life. During Mass, New York's auxiliary Bishop, Joseph Espaillat, delivered a passionate and energetic homily centered on the consistent dignity of human life and a full Catholic pro-life ethic, delivered a powerful homily. Drawing from the Church’s teachings and the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes , he invited all in attendance to embrace every aspect of a life-affirming vision, not just select issues. I would like to share some points with you. In his homily, Bishop Joseph Espaillat energizes the congregation by acknowledging their sacrifice in waking early, traveling long distances, and enduring fatigue to be present. Drawing on his own experience of attending the March for Life as a teenager and seminarian, he reassures especially young people that the effort is worth it, emphasizing a repeated refrain: “In the end, love wins.” This phrase becomes the central theme of his message, underscoring that love—not anger, exhaustion, or despair—is the Christian response to the struggles surrounding life issues. Bishop Espaillat situates the pro-life movement within the broader faith and tradition of the Church. He stresses that Catholics do not rely solely on Scripture, but also on Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium. He highlights the importance of Vatican II documents, lamenting that many Catholics—laypeople and clergy alike—are unfamiliar with them despite their relevance. The Church, he explains, has a “constitution” similar to that of a nation: Gaudium et Spes , the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Focusing especially on Paragraph 27 of Gaudium et Spes , Bishop Espaillat walks the congregation through a list of violations against human dignity. He emphasizes that being pro-life is not a single-issue stance. While abortion is affirmed as a grave moral evil and a central concern, it cannot be isolated from other life issues. The document condemns murder, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, torture, coercion, subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, human trafficking, and exploitative labor. According to the bishop, Catholics cannot “pick and choose” which lives deserve protection. To do so undermines the Gospel and weakens the Church’s moral witness. He reinforces this point by quoting Fulton Sheen and his own seminary professors: refusing to take a stand on major moral issues is itself a decision and amounts to silent cooperation with evil. By choosing to travel to Washington, D.C., the faithful have already made a decision—to stand publicly for life and truth. Bishop Espaillat explains that disrespect for life poisons society, leading to violence, war, and hatred. When life is not honored—beginning in the womb—all of society suffers. At the same time, he offers hope: the Christian response is to listen, teach, and send. The Church must listen to one another across generations and roles, teach clearly without relativism, and then send disciples into the world as witnesses. Returning to the Gospel, he reflects on King David’s choice of mercy over violence and calls for a consistent life ethic grounded in compassion, truth, and love. Quoting Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, he rejects the “throwaway culture” and urges defense of the unborn, the poor, the sick, the elderly, and the marginalized. He concludes by encouraging the faithful, especially young people, to respond to opposition with love, to be light rather than hostility, and to remember their mission: they are summoned, appointed, and sent. His final message echoes his opening refrain— love is the answer, and in the end, love wins . God Bless, Fr. Steven