From Father Steven - September 15, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 13, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

This weekend, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, a special occasion to acknowledge and honor the vital role of catechists in our Church. It is also a moment to reflect on our own commitment to the mission of sharing and living out the faith. The United States Conference of Bishops describes Catechetical Sunday as “a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.” It’s a time for us all to renew our dedication to this mission as a community of believers. As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the significance of Baptism.

 

When a child is baptized, their parents are asked a profound question: Are you willing to accept the responsibility of training your child in the practice of faith? This question is not just a formality but a solemn promise to raise the child according to the teachings of Christ. The priest then emphasizes the duty of parents to guide their child in keeping God’s commandments, which Jesus taught us—to love God and our neighbor. Godparents also play a supportive role in this mission, reinforcing that parents are the primary teachers of their children in matters of faith. Parents are crucial in teaching their children about God’s love, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Saints, and the Gospel. They begin this education through everyday interactions—teaching their child to walk, speak, and ultimately to understand and embrace their faith. Parents teach not only through words but also through their actions and example. I recently spoke with a young father of three who shared a poignant experience. As his children grew and began asking more complex questions about Bible stories, he realized he wasn’t fully prepared to answer them. This moment of realization inspired him to study more about his faith and deepen his understanding of the Church’s teachings. This story is a reminder for all of us that the journey of faith is ongoing, and there is always an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and relationship with Christ. Whether or not you have children, this is an important moment to reflect on your own faith journey. Children who are baptized become part of the larger family of God.

 

While parents have a primary role in their upbringing, the entire Church community shares the responsibility of supporting their spiritual development. Just as we learn from our extended family members, we also learn from fellow parishioners. Many of you have formed what I affectionately call “pew-buddies”—friends you see regularly in the same pews each Sunday. These relationships can become a source of support and inspiration. It’s wonderful how friendships formed in the pews can lead to deeper discussions and shared growth in faith. These connections can be a powerful way to witness and support one another in our spiritual journeys. To support our community’s growth, we are launching a Catechesis program for Adults and Youth. This series will begin on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Hall by the parking lot. There is no need to register, and it’s free. Babysitting services will also be available to accommodate all who wish to attend. This Catechesis is an opportunity for everyone—whether you feel you need to catch up on your knowledge or are seeking to deepen your faith. It’s a chance for us to come together to learn and grow as a community.

 

 As followers of Christ, we are called to be the “Light of the World” and the “Salt of the Earth.” To live out this calling effectively, we need to deepen our understanding of Christ and His teachings. Jesus, who is “the Word made flesh,” is present among us and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. This Catechesis will provide a valuable opportunity to explore both the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of our faith, helping us better understand who Jesus is and how He calls us to live. This may be the moment you’ve been waiting for to strengthen your faith journey. Whether you are new to the faith, have been practicing for years, or are simply curious, you are invited to join us. Let this Catechesis be a time of renewal and growth for us all as we strive to be more faithful disciples and witnesses of God’s love. We look forward to embarking on this journey of faith with you. Let us come together, support one another, and grow in our knowledge and love of Christ.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - February 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • February 13, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We all know that God is love and that He does everything to help us attain salvation. However, we are not always aware of the graces He has prepared for us. At other times, we do not take advantage of the opportunities when they are offered to us. This week, I would like to briefly highlight some special opportunities that will be given to us in the coming days. This Sunday, after the 11:00am Mass, we will offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for those who need it. For a long time, it was known as the Last Rites or Extreme Unction. Therefore, it still carries the taboo that only those who are dying should receive this sacrament. The Rite of Anointing tells us that there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. As its name indicates, this sacrament is for those who are facing serious illness, undergoing surgery, or experiencing the frailty of old age. When the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given, we pray that, if it be God’s will, the person may be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is spiritual healing, by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. It is very important for those who are facing something serious to receive the grace of the sacrament in order to be helped by God. Therefore, we urge anyone who needs it to ask for the sacrament. If you know someone who is in a nursing home, they should also receive the sacrament while conscious in order to be helped by God. Unfortunately, sometimes people wait until it is too late. This Sunday, after the 11:00am Mass, we will have a small celebration for anyone who needs the sacrament. It can also be scheduled by calling the office. From Sunday to Monday, we will have the opportunity to spend time with Jesus during 24 hours of adoration. Considering that Monday is a holiday, it is a special moment to slow down our lives and recharge the battery of our soul. This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. There will be other opportunities to continue receiving God’s grace, such as praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays. Next weekend we will be holding a retreat for couples to help and sanctify their relationship. Do not miss it. Finally, on Saturday, 2/28, Sister Olga will be leading us in a Lenten Parish Mission from 12:30–2:00pm. Finally, I would like to touch very briefly on something that I will later dedicate more time to expanding upon. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about adultery as when a person who was married before, and after a divorce marries another person. This is different from separation. The promise made before God is to be faithful in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of one’s life. Therefore, that promise cannot be broken until death. If there are problems that lead to a separation, there are still ways to live a holy life. We have prepared a team to assist couples who would like to begin the process of nullity of their marriage. Soon, I will write a bulletin letter with details about what it is and what it is not, and set up a meeting to explain it better. I also take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has not received the Sacrament of Marriage (who was not married in the Church) to do so. It can be a very simple process to receive an immense grace!  Let us not pass up these opportunities to receive God’s grace. He walks with us every step of the way and sustains and strengthens us with the Sacraments and through the love and concern of the Church. He also respects our free will. If we are not open to grace or simply refuse it, then there is very little He can do. He will never give up on us! Let us not give up on Him either! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - February 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • February 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please see the letter below from David and Stephanie Ringland, our parishioners, about the upcoming Couples Retreat February 21st. This will be a wonderful day for our couples!! This retreat is for couples of all ages and stages committed to growing deeper in love, in faith and in God’s Calling. The day will include meaningful conversations, guided workshops, stories and lunch. This is designed to strengthen connection and renew commitment. We are looking forward to seeing you! God Bless, Fr. Steven ———————————————- Greetings Fellow Parishioners! Are you distracted? There are so many things in the world today that compete for your time and attention, whether it's the late-night work deadlines, the news feed on your cell phone, the ads on the radio, who or what was posted on Facebook, or the what's playing next on your TV....to name a few of them. We have all become desensitized by the remarkable availability of these distractions in our lives. As a result, it has become easier to be drawn away from the relationships that actually matter to us as we focus on those other things. If you have been together for a while, maybe it is the distraction of money, material wealth and competition with a family that seems to be perfect from the outside, or even coveting your neighbor's spouse. It's mostly unintentional, but over time, the detachment and avoidance of the negatives in a relationship can impact a couple and become significant obstacles that can feel insurmountable at times. As we age, just like interest, these things compound and can feel heavy to the point of breaking. We become tired and feel beaten and abused, but can’t identify the source of it. In reality, it is the overwhelming weight of complacency that rests on our shoulders that can lead to finger pointing and accusations when anything goes out of the ordinary. If you have children, like we do, you can see this manifest in the way that their attention is diverted from helping around the house or helping each other, or how quickly a task like homework can evolve into mindless scrolling when an electronic is involved. Their behavior may echo what they see and the complacency that many of us have fallen victim to. That is why when we learned that there would be a couple's retreat in February, we were happy to become involved. Not only is it a great example of how vibrant the parish is here at Immaculate Conception, but it's a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with each other in a no-judgment zone. We welcome the chance to spend some time with each other to rediscover the Holy Spirit's presence within our relationship, and how our love for each other will be magnified by the end of the day on February 21st. Whether you are married, engaged, or a couple that has been dating for 20 years, we invite you to join us for part of a day at a retreat that is guaranteed to be nothing short of profoundly moving and entertaining! Should you know a couple going through a rough patch or one that has been dating for 20 years, bring them too! You may be the catalyst that they need to revitalize their love or finally make the commitment. Childcare will be available during the event in order for you to make your date-day at Immaculate Conception. Your date-night is up to you, but we know that it will be extra special with the one you love. God bless, David & Stephanie Ringland