From Father Steven - October 5, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • October 3, 2025

 

 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

From time to time, it is good to pause and reflect on all that God is doing in our lives. This is what I would like us to do together this weekend. In our personal lives, God pours out countless graces upon us each day—some we recognize, others we may overlook. But when we take a moment to reflect, we can clearly see His hand guiding and sustaining us in so many ways. Looking back on our past, how many blessings has He given us? How many gifts have we received from Him?


The same is true in our parish. Before the summer break, our Director of Faith Formation, Cecilia Melo, presented me with a report of all the activities that took place this past year. It was truly moving to see the abundance of retreats, pilgrimages, and sacraments celebrated in our community. Cecilia highlighted the growth in Mass attendance and in the number of children enrolled in CCD. Last year alone, we welcomed 441 students into our program, along with 39 adults in the OCIA (formerly RCIA). Throughout the year, about 10 retreats were offered for children, youth, and adults.


In addition, we launched two new ministries: the Friends of Faith group and the Bereavement Ministry. Since January, we have also received the immense grace of being named a Jubilee Parish. This has allowed us to expand opportunities for confession and adoration. Now, confessions are offered almost daily (except Sunday), and adoration is available both mornings and evenings. Each week, Jubilee talks are held in our parish communities, drawing an average of 50 participants per night. If you have not yet attended, I encourage you to join us. Upcoming topics include “Consecrated Hope” by Sister Bernadette (10/8) and “Walking through Loss with Hope” presented by members of our Bereavement Group (10/15).


As part of our Jubilee celebrations, we have also hosted major events such as 24-hour Adoration, a Mass with Bishop Reed, a Mass at the Cathedral followed by a Blessed Sacrament procession through the streets of Boston, two Ordinations, Catholic Fest, the Corpus Christi Procession, and more. These are just a glimpse of the many graces God has poured into our parish life. Behind each event are beautiful stories that cannot be measured, and more blessings are still to come.


Of course, with so many wonderful things happening, a few inconveniences may arise—such as crowded parking, long lines for confession, or limited meeting spaces. But aren’t these good problems to have? Another challenge is that at times it may seem the priests are not available. In truth, that is usually because we are ministering to those most in need. Still, we are here for you, and most of the time we are available. Please never hesitate to reach out.


I do ask one special favor: if you or a loved one becomes sick, hospitalized, or faces difficulties, please let us know. We already pray for all of you daily, but knowing your needs allows us to pray more specifically and serve you more directly as your priests.



There is so much good happening in our parish and in our lives. Let us not get discouraged by small inconveniences or daily irritations. Instead,


let us keep our eyes fixed on heaven. As our newest Saint, Pier Giorgio Frassati, used to say: “Verso l’alto—towards heaven!” God is good, all the


time. Let us never forget that!

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

 

From Father Steven - January 4, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • January 2, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar.” This is a well-known song that we sing and hear every year during this season. Yet, I wonder how often we pause to reflect on the meaning of these words. As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany this weekend, I would like to reflect on three aspects of the Magi: they left their homes, they traveled from afar, and they returned by a different way. There are many traditions and even myths surrounding the wise men. Were they truly kings? Were they astronomers? Where did they come from? What gifts did they bring? When exactly did they arrive in Bethlehem? While many of these questions remain open to speculation, there are a few things we know for certain. As the song reminds us, they were men who journeyed from afar, bearing gifts for the Christ Child. Perhaps we imagine their journey in modern terms: three men meeting at an airport, boarding a plane to Israel, then taking a transfer or an Uber while following a GPS pin to the child. But in reality, their journey was nothing like that. These men risked their lives. They faced the harsh elements of the desert and the many dangers of the road—wild animals, bandits, and countless unknowns. They had to renounce the comfort of their homes and the security of familiarity. Yet they were confident in the sign they had seen in the sky. They were people attentive to God, waiting for a word that would point them in the right direction. Pope Benedict XVI once reflected on this profound moment, saying: “The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star. It was as if the journey had always been part of their destiny, and was finally about to begin.” As beautiful and inspiring as their story is, we are invited to place ourselves within it. What if we were among them? Would we spend long hours searching for a sign from God? Would we be willing to leave behind the comfort of our lives to begin such a journey? What would we be willing to risk in order to encounter the Messiah face to face? These are questions worth asking, because God desires to reveal himself—have an epiphany—in our lives every day. The real question is whether we desire it enough: what we are willing to leave behind, and whether we are willing to face the challenges that come with following him. Each day we bring many intentions before God. Certain situations reveal our lack of charity, our pride, or other sins, prompting us—after honest examination—to ask God for help. The same can be said of any vice or weakness. Yet the question remains: how far are we willing to go to grow in humility, charity, and holiness? The Magi understood that without the Messiah, everything else lost its meaning. Without a personal encounter with Jesus, all the riches of the world amounted to nothing. They seemed to know this deeply. But do we? Once again, Pope Benedict offers guidance: “The better you know Jesus, the more his mystery attracts you. The more you discover him, the more you are moved to seek him. This is a movement of the Spirit which lasts throughout life.” We also know that the Magi “returned to their own country by a different way.” Their story did not end in Bethlehem; they still had a long journey home, facing the same dangers once more. This time, however, they no longer followed a star. After encountering Christ, the light now lived within them. Later, Jesus would affirm this truth when he said that we are the light of the world. In baptism, we too receive the light of Christ. Pope Benedict describes the Magi’s new mission in these words: “Their task was to guard and nourish it in the constant memory of Christ, of his Holy Face, of his ineffable Love.” This is the mission of every Christian. And I would go even further: we are not only called to guard and nourish the love of God within us—we are also called to spread that love to all those around us.  God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - December 25, 2025

By 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