From Father Steven - October 13, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • October 11, 2024


 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

I was thinking about the episode in the Gospel of Mark where the man named Jairus approaches Jesus and says, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” On his way to Jairus’ home, Jesus is pressed by the crowd, but suddenly feels power go out of him. He discovers that it was a woman who suffered from hemorrhaging for many years and who had faith that if she only touched Christ, she would be healed. Jesus will tell her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” When Christ finally makes it to Jairus’ house, he enters, and heals Jairus’ daughter by grasping her hand and saying, “little girl, I say to you arise.”

 

What these two miracles share in common is that they show that when we allow Christ to speak to us and to touch us, we give him the chance to heal us. This healing is not simply physical, because Christ’s deeper mission is to heal our souls. But it is through that physical contact with Jesus that we receive spiritual healing. You may be saying to yourself, “it would be nice to have the chance to meet Christ as the people in the Gospel did, so that Christ could heal me too, but he’s not around anymore…” But the truth is that Jesus has left his Church and the gift of his seven sacraments as his way of reaching out and touching us, to continue to heal us even today.

 

Perhaps you have not had the chance to receive certain sacraments, like confirmation or Holy Communion. It could be that you thought there was no longer a chance to do so. But the Church, knowing how important it is for you to let Christ into your life to touch you and heal you, provides proper preparation to receive the sacraments that you still need. Here at IC we are starting again our RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults) classes, where you will be able to dive deeper into the teachings of the Church and, with the help of our Catechists, come to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, specifically through the sacraments. The classes are beginning this week and will be every Monday at 6:30pm. Please contact the parish office if you are interested.

 

However, it may be that you have already received all of your sacraments and may feel out of touch with Jesus; that your relationship with God is not very strong or that the sufferings and difficulties in your life keep you from sensing that He is really present. Then perhaps God is calling you to attend our Catechesis for adults and youth on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30pm in Meehan Hall. This week especially you are invited to come, because we are arriving at the heart of the Catechesis and it is by attending these talks that Jesus wants to speak to you, to reach out and heal you by assuring you that He loves you.

 

You may be tempted to think that given what you’ve received already, you do not need anymore help, that you are in a good place in your spiritual life. But our conversion is ongoing; Jesus Christ is always on the move and never desires for us to settle. He wants you to go deeper and to come nearer to him. You could say that we are like sick patients who after periods of remission, experience a relapse of our spiritual sickness. Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician, is providing these Catechesis as a strong remedy to heal and restore you. Do not pass up the chance for Christ to speak to you, to touch you and to provide you with great healing.

 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - September 7, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • September 5, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Next Monday, 9/15, the Church will celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. In this jubilee year, we are called to console the sorrowing. The intention of our 7:30 a.m. daily Mass that day will be for all who are in need of consolation. Loss is never easy. If a dollar slips from our pocket, we feel upset—more so if it is $20 or $100. When what we lose carries emotional value, the pain is even deeper, because it cannot be replaced. Those are only objects, yet they can cause sadness. How much more difficult it is to lose a loved one. Even when illness makes death seem inevitable, it remains painful. Sudden loss is harder still. Moments of grief can weigh heavily, like a storm cloud blocking the sun. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, shared a profound bond between her Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of her Son. She shared His joys, but also His deepest sorrows as she witnessed His suffering. I once read an exhortation on the EWTN website that said: “If you are enduring intense sorrow, flee to our Blessed Mother. Take refuge in her Immaculate Heart, and implore her maternal consolation and guidance. For she who endured unspeakable grief will never fail you as your spiritual mother. As St. Louis de Montfort said: If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart, it would not equal the love of Mary’s Heart for her children.” Here in our parish, we will begin a bereavement ministry on October 14. Meetings will take place Tuesday evenings (time to be announced) in the lower church. Using a Scripture-based program, we will encounter the healing power of God’s Word. We invite you—or someone you know who is grieving—to come and be consoled by the Lord. Humanity has reached the moon, explored the depths of the sea, and advanced technology beyond imagination. Yet we still have no human answer to death. Only Christ holds that answer. We must listen to Him, encounter the Risen Lord, and discover that death is not the end. I also recommend My Son Carlo by Antonia Salzano Acutis, the mother of Saint Carlo Acutis. She testifies to the power of Christ and how He sustained her through the sudden loss of her son. I have only read the first chapter, and it is already inspiring. Whatever pain of loss you carry, God desires to console your heart and strengthen you to endure the storm. We never fully “get over” a loss, but we learn to live with it. Yes, it is hard, but not impossible. Please join us for the special Mass on Monday, 9/15, for all who need consolation. And remember, you are welcome to speak with one of the priests if you would like to share more about your loss. 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