From Father Steven - October 12, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • October 10, 2025

 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

I write to you this week to share a powerful and life-changing devotion that has brought countless blessings to individuals, families, and entire communities throughout the centuries—the Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This spiritual practice is more than a simple act of piety; it is a profound commitment to grow closer to Jesus through His Mother, Mary.


Why consecrate ourselves to Mary? As Catholics, we believe that Mary plays a unique role in the plan of salvation. She is not only the Mother of Jesus but also our spiritual Mother, given to us by Christ Himself as He hung on the Cross (John 19:26–27). Just as she nurtured and guided Jesus in His earthly life, she desires to nurture us in our spiritual lives, always pointing us to her Son. When we consecrate ourselves to Mary, we are not worshiping her—we are entrusting ourselves to her motherly care and guidance, allowing her to form us into better disciples of Christ. As St. Louis de Montfort, one of the foremost promoters of Marian consecration, beautifully put it: “To Jesus through Mary.” He taught that by giving ourselves entirely to Mary, she gives us entirely to Jesus, in the most perfect and pleasing way.


This consecration is a voluntary act of love. It is a renewal of our baptismal promises, made with Mary as our model and advocate. Many saints and popes, including St. John Paul II, who took “Totus Tuus” ("Totally Yours") as his papal motto, have emphasized the transforming grace that comes from Marian consecration. St. Maximilian Kolbe called it “the quickest, easiest, surest and most perfect way to become a saint.” Practically speaking, consecration involves a period of preparation—traditionally 33 days—during which we reflect on Scripture, Marian devotion, and the call to holiness. Various methods exist. One of the most famous is by St. Louis de Montfort. Here in the parish we will use Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory which is spiritually enriching and accessible. There is a book which we will encourage people to purchase that will guide us through this process. If someone has any difficulty in acquiring this book, please contact the parish office.


I encourage every member of our parish family, whether young or old, to prayerfully consider making this consecration. Whether you are seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, struggling in your spiritual life, or simply looking for a way to grow in faith, turning to Mary is a sure path. She is a gentle, powerful intercessor who will never lead us astray. One could do this consecration by oneself. However, we are planning to begin a parish-wide preparation for Marian Consecration next month, starting on Wednesday November 5th. All three communities will do this consecration together. It will conclude with an Act of Consecration during the Trilingual Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec 8th.


Additionally, Bishop Reed has also invited us to serve as one of the host churches for a special “Day of Prayer for Harmony in Our Nation and Peace in the World.” On Wednesday, October 22, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception will be open for Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.


What a blessing it is to welcome such a day of prayer! In a time marked by deep division in our nation and turmoil across the world, we are called to bring everything before Jesus, the Prince of Peace. As we sit in silence before the Eucharist, we are reminded that true harmony and reconciliation are possible—not through our efforts alone, but through Christ, who tears down walls of division and unites us, when we open our hearts to Him.


The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar throughout the day, concluding with Benediction at 7:00 PM in the Upper Church. Morning Mass will be held as usual in the Lower Church. In order to support this day of Adoration, we ask that at least two adorers be present for each hour while the Eucharist is exposed. I encourage parishioners to consider committing to one hour of prayer during this sacred time.


To help coordinate coverage of 2–3 people per hour, an online sign-up is available through our website via Signup Genius, or you may call the parish office directly. While all are welcome to come and pray at any time, we rely on scheduled commitments to ensure continuous presence before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day.


God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

 

From Father Steven - October 4, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • October 2, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As your pastor, I am charged with the responsibility of the care of souls of everyone who lives in the parish territory, even if they are not Catholics. The care is summarized in the three “functions” of every priest, that is, to teach, govern, and sanctify. Today I would like to exercise the first office, even if it is a bit controversial. Already in Biblical times, life has always been considered sacred by everyone. Moreover, the Greek philosophers also have defended the right to life, even to the point of including it in the oath that every doctor made in ancient times “to do no harm.” It is true that times have changed, and we live in a totally different world. However, the TRUTH has not changed. Whether religious or philosophical thoughts, they all have agreed that life is sacred no matter who, where, when and it should be defended at all times, no “ifs, ands, or buts". Pope Saint John Paul II has written, in 1995, a beautiful encyclical Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life). If you have never heard of it, I highly recommend you read what he wrote on the value and inviolability of human life. It is important to stress that we are not anti-abortionist, or anti-euthanasia, anti-deportation, but we are in favor of all lives, regardless of age, race, sex, condition of life, political party, etc. In this encyclical the Pope has declared that society has adopted a “culture of death.” He exhorts us to understand that we the issues affecting life “to make us all fully aware that we are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the "culture of death" and the "culture of life". We find ourselves not only "faced with" but necessarily "in the midst of" this conflict: we are all involved, and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life.” (#28) This is not a matter that we can remove ourselves because we are uncomfortable, or it does not express our ideas. He continues “For us too Moses' invitation rings out loud and clear: ‘See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. ... I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live’ (Dt 30:15, 19). This invitation is very appropriate for us who are called day by day to the duty of choosing between the ‘culture of life’ and the ‘culture of death’.” We are not ideological, religious, or fanatic activists. We are speaking because we believe human life has an inherent dignity that must be respected and defended. In the month of October, the Church has always observed “Respect Life Month”. Life means everything in between conception and natural death. We will be promoting different activities that highlight different stages of life. This week we begin with the baby’s. We will have a bassinet from birthright pregnancy help center which we will be collecting clothing (boys and girls 0-2T), diapers (sizes 5-7), wipes, baby products, and monetary donations (write and mail a check for birthright). Also, we will be collecting signatures to repeal the law recently approved allowing the abortion throughout the pregnancy for any reason. (PLEASE OBSERVE WHERE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE - the forms are according to the town you are registered to vote in). Next week the Knights of Columbus will be doing their annual Tootsie Roll drive for children with disabilities for the Special Olympics. Next week too, we will gather as our Archbishop recommended to pray for life. We will do our 24Hr adoration from Sunday into Columbus day. Please set a time to come to pray for life. I conclude with another quote from John Paul II (same encyclical), “To all the members of the Church, the people of life and for life, I make this most urgent appeal, that together we may offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilization of truth and love.” (EV #6) This is what the Church is about, namely, “LOVE ONE ANOTHER, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” (Jn 13:34) God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - September 27, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • September 25, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are settling into your Fall schedule! We have a lot of exciting things going on here in the Parish! Please see the letter below from Gabriella Lindhurst our Music Director about our new upcoming Adult & Children’s Choirs starting up October 1st. God Bless, Fr. Steven —————————————————————— Growing in Faith, Fellowship, and Song It is hard to believe that I have now been serving as the Music Director at Immaculate Conception Parish for nearly ten months! When I first arrived in January, I was excited to begin this new chapter, but I could not have anticipated how warmly I would be welcomed into this parish community. Over these past several months, I have had the joy of getting to know many parishioners, families, cantors, volunteers, and staff members, and I am deeply grateful for the kindness and support you have shown me. One of the greatest joys of my ministry has been getting to know our parish through music. Each weekend, I have the privilege of helping lead our communities in song at our English Masses, and I have also greatly enjoyed working with our Spanish and Brazilian communities. Through these experiences, I have seen again and again how music can bring people together and help us enter more deeply into prayer and the celebration of the liturgy. Earlier this summer, I shared my hope of reestablishing our Adult Choir and beginning a new English Children’s Choir. I am very excited to share that the time has finally arrived! Both choirs will begin rehearsals this coming Thursday, October 1st. The Adult Choir will rehearse on Thursdays from 6:00pm - 7:15pm, beginning October 1st. The choir will primarily sing at the Saturday 4:00pm Mass, as well as at some special liturgies throughout the year. Our first rehearsal is an open invitation to anyone who is interested in possibly joining the choir . There will be no auditions beforehand. I would love to meet everyone who is interested, get to know you, your voices, and your musical backgrounds, and begin building this new choir together. Whether you have years of experience singing in a choir or have simply thought, “I’d love to try that someday,” you are warmly invited to come to our first rehearsal! The Adult Choir will be an opportunity not only to share our musical gifts, but also to form friendships and serve our parish community. My hope is that our rehearsals will be a place where we can grow together in music, prayer, and fellowship while preparing to help lead our parish in worship. I am also excited to begin our English Children’s Choir, which is open to children ages 7 and up and will be separate from CCD. Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays from 4:30pm - 5:30pm, beginning October 1st. The Children’s Choir will sing approximately once each month at the 11:00am Sunday Mass. Through this choir, children will have the opportunity to develop their musical skills, grow in confidence, make new friends, and learn more about the important role that music plays in our Catholic faith. Most importantly, I hope it will give our young people another way to become active participants in the life of our parish and to discover the joy of using their gifts in service to God and others. As we begin these new ministries, I invite you to consider whether God may be calling you—or your children—to become more involved in the musical life of our parish. Music ministry takes many forms: singing in a choir, serving as a cantor or instrumentalist, or simply joining wholeheartedly in the singing at Mass. Every voice and every gift has a place, and together our music can become an offering of prayer. If you are interested in the Adult Choir or Children’s Choir, or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at gabriella5110@gmail.com. I would be very happy to speak with you! Please keep both of our new choirs in your prayers as we begin this new chapter of music ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve this community, and I look forward to growing together in faith, fellowship, and song.  God Bless, Gabriella