From Father Steven - March 17, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • March 15, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Every Easter Christ makes himself present in a special way, through his death and resurrection. The Jews celebrate the Passover feast not as a reminder of what happened in Exodus. Rather, they celebrate their own personal passage from slavery to freedom. We know that on the Passover night, the Hebrews were ready to leave Egypt. Now with Easter approaching, we need to ask ourselves, are we ready to do Passover? Are we ready to leave the slavery of our own sins to be able to join in the Resurrection of Christ?

 

In Theology we believe that grace is not magic. It requires the person to be open to it, to desire it, and to leave behind whatever is blocking it. God wants to bestow on us many graces. God wants to give His infinite love that we long so much without realizing. However, in order to do that, it is necessary to realize that we need these love/graces. This is the reason why God at times allows us to go through some sufferings, precariousness, difficulties. We need to be convinced that we need His help. The Jews believe that this is the reason why God hardened the heart of Pharaoh and sent him the ten plagues. Once the Israelites saw that, they were convinced that God was the only one that could help them in their sufferings. Then they cried out and God heard them. The first step of receiving God’s graces is to be open to it. Then, realizing our needs, we can cry out, that is, to desire to receive them. The third and last step is to remove whatever impediments that block God’s grace to reach out to us. This is the renunciation and rejection of sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the consequence of sin as turning away man from God. Then we need to turn back to God. Ultimately is a choice of our own (distorted) desire instead of doing God’s will. Thus, we need to reconnect with God, and reestablish the desire to do His will. The way we know for sure that God forgives sins is through the sacrament…because he said so.

 

Once I heard that God is always pouring graces upon us like the rain that drops from the sky. We are like containers that collect them. However, what is collected is according to the size of the recipient. If we have a small cup, we will collect very little. However, if we have a swimming pool size tank, imagine how many graces we could collect. There is a small “if” in there. If there are holes in the containers, as big as they can be, it won’t hold any water. Confession then comes to cover the holes created by sin. The sacraments and our will/desire for God are like enlarging the containers. Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters to seek the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) before Easter. To accommodate everyone, we will have three evenings of Penance Services (confessions) next week. These services will begin with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, scripture readings, and a brief reflection, followed by confession times. We will have additional priests to assist. The schedule is as follows:

 

· Monday: Spanish, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

· Tuesday: Portuguese, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

·  Wednesday: English, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (following the 6pm Taize Prayer service)

 

St Paul urges us to be reconciled with God…[because] now is the day of Salvation (2 Co 5:20, 6:2). He adds that we are children of the light, and not of the darkness (1 Th 5:5). The night is far spent, and the day is approaching. Christ the new light is coming to save us from our sins and give us a new life through His death and resurrection. Finally, St. Paul says, awake you who slumber (those whose sins are seen as sleeping) (Rm 13:11). It is now the time for us to leave behind our slavery to sin, to live for ourselves, to be open to the graces that God wants to give us, to open our hearts to receive His infinite love. Let us not harden our hearts as Pharaoh did. Let us go to Christ. “He who is in Christ is a new Creation. The old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Co 5:17).

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - August 31, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • August 29, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Labor Day weekend usually marks the end of summer. Schools are back in session, traffic returns to normal, and we settle into our regular schedules. It is also important that we bring our spiritual lives back on track. After a long stretch of work, difficulties, and challenges, summer often gives us the opportunity to slow down a bit. Even some of our daily tasks get set aside during these months. We may travel to visit family, or they may come to see us. In other words, we step away from our routines—and our prayer life can also be affected. That is why it is so important to return to the practices we should live by every day. To begin, it is always good to make a thorough confession after the summer, so that whatever may have happened during those months will not weigh us down as we move forward. Missing Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation (such as August 15th, the Assumption of Mary) is a mortal sin. We know the Ten Commandments (putting other things before God, taking His name in vain, not honoring Sunday as a holy day, dishonoring father and mother, harming others—even through actions, thoughts, or words—sins against chastity, stealing, lying, coveting another’s spouse or goods). Along with these are the seven capital sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth. These sins can become like extra weight that we grow accustomed to carrying, often without realizing that they drag us down and hold us back. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that mortal sin “destroys charity [love] in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to Him” (CCC 1855). The consequence is the loss of grace and love in our hearts. If mortal sin is not forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation—which requires repentance and the firm resolve not to commit that sin again—it can lead to eternal separation from God in hell (CCC 1861). St. Paul warns us that “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord,” bringing judgment upon themselves (1 Cor 11:27–30). Let us take advantage of this Jubilee Year, in which God pours out special graces to be forgiven and to forgive. Here at the parish, confessions are available Monday through Friday from 6–7 pm, and Saturdays from 1–3 pm. If you prefer, you may also call the office to schedule an appointment outside these times. Or, if you wish, you can seek out another priest and arrange a time with him. What is most important is that we confess our sins and reconcile with God. We can also return to the daily habits of prayer. From the moment we open our eyes, we are called to praise God, as the psalms remind us. Praying the Angelus or the prayer to our Guardian Angel is a wonderful way to begin the day. Picking up a spiritual book during the day helps us lift our thoughts to heaven. At some point, it is also good to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament—whether in adoration or simply sitting in the church—and to pray the Rosary with our Blessed Mother. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is another beautiful way to stay connected to God. At the close of the day, we should give thanks for the blessings received and ask forgiveness for any failings. And of course, let us never forget to pray before meals. Whenever possible, try to attend daily Mass. It is one of the greatest opportunities to draw near to the Heart of Jesus. Not only does it bring us salvation, but it also strengthens us in our love for one another. Finally, I would like to share that I will be away for two weeks for some rest and spiritual formation. During this time, Fr. Gabriel and Fr. Victor will be available for any needs. If there is an urgent matter, please speak to them or contact Lee Ann. Although I will be away, I will continue to pray for each of you every day. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - August 24, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • August 22, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, There are moments in life when God sends us a messenger—not just to speak to us, but to pierce our hearts, to awaken our souls, and to remind us that His mercy is stronger than any hatred, pain, or loss. This is one of those moments. We are blessed with a rare opportunity at Immaculate Conception Parish to hear firsthand the extraordinary testimony of Immaculée Ilibagiza. Her testimony is not just a story—it is a living proclamation of the Gospel. From the darkness of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when almost everything she loved was taken from her, she emerged not hardened by bitterness, but transformed by the supernatural grace of forgiveness. For 91 days, she hid in a bathroom no bigger than a closet, praying the Rosary until her heart was remade in the image of Christ’s mercy. When she finally stepped out, she chose not vengeance, but love—echoing the very words of our Lord on the Cross: “Father, forgive them.” In a world starving for compassion, reconciliation, and true faith, Immaculée’s witness is a rare light. Her story will challenge you, move you to tears, and ignite in you a deeper hunger for holiness. On the night she comes to Immaculate Conception Parish, God will be speaking to us through her. This is not just an event—it is an invitation from Heaven to encounter Christ’s mercy in a new and life-changing way. Come. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Fill the church. And leave forever changed. It will be on Thursday, September 4 th , doors open at 5:30pm. We ask you to register ahead of time either online or calling the parish office with a $10 cash donation. This week we are also hosting the Encounter School of Ministry. It is a summer intensive course that summarizes 4 quarters into 4 evenings. Drawing from the richness of our Catholic heritage, we seek to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their sphere of influence. The presenters will be Deacon Joe Cooley, Kasia Intrieri, and Mike DelVecchio. Come immerse yourself in the Holy Spirit! Get a survey of the Year 1 Encounter school curriculum and whet your appetite for more of what the Lord wants to do through you, with you, and in you! It's perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so due to distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school but needing further discernment. Come join us! Become a revival! 6-9pm, August 25-August 28, 2025 -- Eucharistic worship begins at 5pm each evening WHERE – HOW TO REGISTER God Bless, Fr. Steven