From Father Steven - December 25, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • December 23, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

During these days of Christmas, I would like to reflect with you on the figure of the shepherds. They were simply minding their own business, as on so many other nights, watching over their flocks. We might be tempted to imagine them as admirable people, faithfully and diligently doing their work. However, in the time of Jesus, shepherds were not regarded as great individuals—certainly not as role models. They were often viewed with suspicion, considered unreliable, even labeled as thieves or liars. Because they worked at night and rested during the day, they were frequently absent from the synagogue and were thought to be neglectful of prayer and religious observance.


Yet, remarkably, these were the very people chosen by God to be the first to receive the announcement of the birth of the Savior. Saint Luke tells us that an angel appeared to the shepherds, bringing them “good news of great joy for all the people: for today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10–11).


At that moment, the shepherds faced a choice: they could have continued minding their business, dismissing the angel’s message, or they could believe and act upon it. They may have been tired after a long night’s work, perhaps tempted to remain where they were. But that is not what happened. Saint Luke tells us that they “went in haste” (Lk 2:16). They did not worry about what others might think of them or whether they would be believed given their poor reputation. They hurried to find their Savior. And although they brought no material gifts to Mary and Joseph, they offered what was most precious of all—their hearts.


During this Christmas season, we are invited to imitate the shepherds. Perhaps, like them, we have not been the best Christians lately. Maybe our Mass attendance or prayer life has been inconsistent. Yet, just as God chose the shepherds, He also chooses us. He reveals His Son to us and entrusts us with the mission of sharing the great joy of Christmas.


Now we face the same decision: will we take the time to seek the Lord, or will we continue with the routines of daily life? We may feel tired, distracted, or even surrounded by darkness. Nevertheless, this encounter with Christ has the power to change our habits, our beliefs, and our lives. God invites us to come before Him and offer our hearts, so that we too may return to our daily lives “glorifying and praising God” (Lk 2:20).



The light that shines in the darkness, foretold by the prophet Isaiah (cf. Is 9:2), has been given to us. Even today, many people are hungry and thirsty for God, longing to see the light. God has chosen us to be His messengers, His angels, in the world. In the Christmas story, the angels repeatedly tell us, “Do not be afraid,” for God is with us. Therefore, do not be afraid to open your heart to Jesus and to share the joy of Christmas with all people.

On behalf of all the staff of Immaculate Conception, we wish you and your loved ones a blessed and holy Christmas season. May the newborn Christ fill your hearts with His peace, joy, and love.


Merry Christmas and God bless you.

 

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