From Father Steven - March 23, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • March 21, 2025

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Have you ever felt the weight of past mistakes pressing down on your heart, leading to sadness or hopelessness? The sacrament of confession, also known as reconciliation, offers a transformative path toward healing and renewal. As a priest, I assure you, our focus in confession is not on remembering your sins but on offering God’s forgiveness and guiding you back to the light. I want to share with you how to prepare for and experience the grace of confession.

 

The first step is recognizing that Christ entrusted His apostles, beginning with Peter, with the authority to forgive sins. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:23). This power, given to Peter and passed down through the bishops, has been entrusted to us priests. We act in Christ’s name to offer forgiveness. As St. Augustine reminds us, “The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works” (Sermon 13.1). St. John Chrysostom also teaches, “Let us not be ashamed to confess our sins, but let us be ashamed of our sins” (Homily 3 on Matthew). This sacrament invites us to acknowledge our failings, that God may heal and renew us.

 

Preparing for confession is an act of humility and grace. As we approach the sacrament, we should ask the Holy Spirit for help. The Holy Spirit comforts us, dispels our fears, and leads us back to God with hope. Like the prodigal son returning home, we too can experience the embrace of our Heavenly Father. Sin separates us from God, but reconciliation through confession restores us to Him. This sacrament is aptly named because it heals the rift caused by sin and restores our relationship with God.

 

The process begins with an examination of conscience. Reflect prayerfully on your actions since your last confession. You can use guides available on our website under the sacraments section to help recall your sins. Whether you focus on the Ten Commandments or the Seven Deadly Sins, the goal is to remember your sins as best as you can. As St. Ambrose said, “Confession is the way to freedom.” Reflecting on our sins is not an exercise in shame, but an opportunity for growth. It’s natural to feel remorse, but we should also be grateful for the grace of recognizing our faults and the opportunity to be forgiven. With a resolve to abandon sin, we are then ready to approach the sacrament.

 

If you have not confessed in a while, I recommend scheduling an appointment. This will give you time to reflect and prepare. When you come to confession, begin with the sign of the cross and say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ___ amount of time since my last confession, and these are my sins.” You may also share your marital status and whether you have children living with you, so the priest can best serve you. When confessing, there is no need to go into explicit detail—simply name the sin and its frequency. If you have forgotten any sins, say, “For these sins and the ones I don’t remember, I am sorry.”

 

The priest will offer words of encouragement and may assign a penance. This penance is not a punishment, but a way to heal spiritually and undo the damage caused by sin. It strengthens you to resist sin in the future. Afterward, you will say the Act of Contrition: “O my God, I am sorry for my sins. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.” As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, “The one who has been forgiven much loves much.”

 

Finally, the priest will pronounce the words of absolution in the person of Christ: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” With this, your sins are forgiven, and you are made new, filled with joy and peace. As St. John Paul II said, “Confession is the door through which we enter into the embrace of God’s mercy.”

 

Confessions are available here at the parish Monday through Friday from 6 to 7pm (along with adoration), Saturdays from 1–3 pm (in the lower church), or by scheduling an appointment at the office. May you experience the peace and freedom that come with reconciliation, and may your hearts be filled with renewed hope as you begin anew.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - July 27, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • July 25, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please see the letter below from Janet, one of our parishioners, who is a missionary teacher in the Caribbean. God Bless, Fr. Steven ============================ Hello! My name is Janet, I’m 31 years old, and I’ve been serving as a missionary teacher in the Caribbean for the past two years. As I now prepare to begin my third year, I’ve been reflecting deeply on this journey—one that has transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Before I answered the call to mission, I was in a season of searching—trying to find myself, questioning what my purpose was, and wondering what God wanted from my life. I felt like I was drifting, unsure of what direction to take. I had desires for meaning, for adventure, for something bigger than myself, but I didn’t quite know how to find it. It wasn’t until I took the leap of faith to serve in mission that things began to change. Coming to the Island, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know how I’d adjust to a new culture, to a simpler lifestyle, or to relying entirely on the providence of God. But I was willing to try. And it’s in that surrender that I found everything I didn’t even know I was looking for. In teaching children and sharing the faith with them, I discovered my vocation. There is something so powerful and humbling about watching young hearts come to know God, and knowing He is using me—just as I am—to help plant those seeds. Every classroom moment, every CCD class, every small conversation has become a sacred opportunity to witness God's love and truth. Mission life is not without its challenges. We live simply, depending on the generosity of others and trusting that God will provide for our needs. And He always does—but not always in the way I expect. Through this dependence, I’ve learned to see God in everything: in a donated meal, in the smile of a student, in the quiet strength that gets me through long days. I’ve learned that God’s plans are always better than mine, even when they take me far from what feels comfortable or easy. The past two years have brought me a joy I didn’t think was possible. Not a fleeting kind of happiness, but a deep, steady joy that comes from knowing I am exactly where God wants me to be. I’ve grown spiritually, emotionally, and in my identity as a daughter of God. I’ve learned to let go, to trust, to live in the present, and to love more fully. As I enter this third year of my mission, my heart is filled with gratitude and excitement. I know there are still challenges ahead, but I also know that God's grace will carry me through, just as it has from the beginning. This mission has become more than just something I do—it has become part of who I am. Please keep me, the children I teach, and all missionaries in your prayers. May we all continue to say "yes" to God's call, whatever and wherever it may be.  With love and joy, Janet

From Father Steven - July 20, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • July 18, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are having a wonderful summer—visiting family and friends, enjoying beautiful places, and, above all, continuing your prayerful life with the Lord. It can be challenging at times to maintain our spiritual routine while on vacation. St. John Bosco exhorted young people to make time for recreation , not relaxation —there is a difference between having moments of fun and letting our guard down. Remember, the devil never rests; he is like a lion looking for someone to devour. A balanced life is always best: a little bit of work, a little bit of fun, and a little bit of prayer. Indeed, we should take advantage of the summer to do things we often don’t have time for during the rest of the year. On a separate note, in case you were not here last weekend, I announced that our Archbishop, Richard Henning, has extended my term as pastor for another six years. He is very pleased with what he hears about the parish, which is a reflection of your efforts and your prayers. I must confess that I, too, am very pleased to see the work that God is accomplishing in our community. There are many graces that God has bestowed on our people—many stories of individuals returning to the Church, receiving the sacraments after many years, and much more. One of the greatest privileges I have is witnessing God at work in people’s lives. Of course, we also share in the sorrows and struggles of our parishioners. But after these years, I can say that, counting both the joyful and the difficult moments, I am very happy to be your pastor. My primary duties are to teach, sanctify, and govern the parish. I have done my best to fulfill these responsibilities. I know I don’t have much to offer, so I kindly ask for your patience with my limitations. I too walk alongside you on this path of growing closer to the Lord. Mistakes have been made in the past, and there may be more in the future—hopefully fewer. Please continue to pray for me and for all priests. We truly need all the prayers we can get. Next week, I will accompany a group of 51 young people on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. Fr. Gabriel will also be going, although with a different group. Fr. Victor will remain here with you, along with Fr. Cássio Dalpiaz, a longtime friend of mine from Brazil. He is a priest from Brasília and will soon be going to Portugal to complete his doctoral studies on the connection between Literature and Theology (he has done extensive work on the theology behind Tolkien’s writings). He speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Some of the youth going to Rome are children of immigrants who faced difficult times not long ago. Thank God their situation has improved, though some families are still dealing with immigration-related issues. These young people are struggling to cover the full cost of the trip, so they will be asking for donations after Mass. Lastly, I’ve invited some parishioners to share their testimonies in the upcoming bulletins. I hope these stories help convey some of the beautiful things happening in our parish and in the lives of our people. Let us continue to pray that more souls may choose the “better part”—that is, to love and serve the Lord. God Bless, Fr. Steven