Pastoral Letter Blog

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

Dear Brothers and Sisters, There are moments in life when God sends us a messenger—not just to speak to us, but to pierce our hearts, to awaken our souls, and to remind us that His mercy is stronger than any hatred, pain, or loss. This is one of those moments. We are blessed with a rare opportunity at Immaculate Conception Parish to hear firsthand the extraordinary testimony of Immaculée Ilibagiza. Her testimony is not just a story—it is a living proclamation of the Gospel. From the darkness of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when almost everything she loved was taken from her, she emerged not hardened by bitterness, but transformed by the supernatural grace of forgiveness. For 91 days, she hid in a bathroom no bigger than a closet, praying the Rosary until her heart was remade in the image of Christ’s mercy. When she finally stepped out, she chose not vengeance, but love—echoing the very words of our Lord on the Cross: “Father, forgive them.” In a world starving for compassion, reconciliation, and true faith, Immaculée’s witness is a rare light. Her story will challenge you, move you to tears, and ignite in you a deeper hunger for holiness. On the night she comes to Immaculate Conception Parish, God will be speaking to us through her. This is not just an event—it is an invitation from Heaven to encounter Christ’s mercy in a new and life-changing way. Come. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Fill the church. And leave forever changed. It will be on Thursday, September 4 th , doors open at 5:30pm. We ask you to register ahead of time either online or calling the parish office with a $10 cash donation. This week we are also hosting the Encounter School of Ministry. It is a summer intensive course that summarizes 4 quarters into 4 evenings. Drawing from the richness of our Catholic heritage, we seek to teach, equip, and activate disciples to demonstrate the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit in their sphere of influence. The presenters will be Deacon Joe Cooley, Kasia Intrieri, and Mike DelVecchio. Come immerse yourself in the Holy Spirit! Get a survey of the Year 1 Encounter school curriculum and whet your appetite for more of what the Lord wants to do through you, with you, and in you! It's perfect for anyone desiring to attend the Encounter School during the year but unable to do so due to distance or schedule. It is also ideal for those discerning their enrollment in the school but needing further discernment. Come join us! Become a revival! 6-9pm, August 25-August 28, 2025 -- Eucharistic worship begins at 5pm each evening WHERE – HOW TO REGISTER God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As many of you know, a group of 50 youth from our parish recently participated in the Youth Jubilee with Pope Leo in Rome. I had the privilege of accompanying them on this incredible journey. This week, I’d like to share with you what we experienced, and next week, some of the youth will share their own testimonies with you. We began our trip by arriving in Munich on Saturday, July 26th. Our first stop was the Marian shrine of Altötting in southeastern Germany, where we entrusted our pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary. This shrine is one of the oldest in Europe. From there, we traveled to the small Austrian town of Sankt Radegund to visit the church and tomb of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter. He was a farmer, husband, and father of three who refused to swear allegiance to Hitler. For his unwavering faith, he was imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately martyred. His powerful story is beautifully portrayed in the film A Hidden Life . He also had an incredible conversion before giving his life for Christ. The next day, we visited the Dachau concentration camp. There, we faced the harrowing consequences of hatred but also encountered inspiring testimonies of mercy and forgiveness. We had the honor of celebrating Mass at the Carmelite convent built on the grounds after the fall of the Nazi regime. That day happened to be the feast of St. Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite martyred in the camp and the only canonized saint from Dachau. Before he was killed by lethal injection, he gave his rosary to the nurse tasked with ending his life. In an act of love and forgiveness, he offered her an encounter with Christ. Years later, she repented and returned to the faith, moved by that very rosary. That night, we stayed at a beautiful hotel in Trento, having crossed the Alps. The following day, we visited Venice and the tomb of St. Mark the Evangelist. While we didn’t get a chance to ride the gondolas, we did enjoy exploring the canals during our free time. After celebrating Mass, we were warmly welcomed by a parish in Bologna, where the pastor generously provided us shelter. Although we slept on a hard floor, it was a welcome break for our backs after many hours on the bus! Our next stop was Loreto, where we visited the Holy House of Mary. According to tradition, this is the very house from Nazareth where the Virgin Mary lived, transported miraculously to Italy. The following day, we visited the beautiful city of Assisi, where we prayed at the tombs of Blessed Carlo Acutis, St. Clare, and St. Francis. It was truly a blessing. On our way to Rome, we stopped in Cascia to visit the tomb of St. Rita and venerate an Eucharistic Miracle preserved there. We reflected on the themes of vocation—both to marriage and religious life—as well as the power of forgiveness, all central to St. Rita’s life. We then spent four unforgettable days in Rome. On the first day, we visited St. Peter’s Basilica, entered through the Holy Door, and prayed at the tomb of St. Peter. Later, at Piazza Navona, we reflected on the life of St. Agnes and prayed before her relic. That day, we also visited the Colosseum, remembering the many martyrs who gave their lives for Christ.The next day, we joined over a million young people at a large field where Pope Leo addressed us. His message was truly inspiring—well worth reading—and his English flawless! That night, we camped under the stars with the other pilgrims. The following day, we attended a meeting of youth from the Neocatechumenal Way, with 120,000 participants. During the vocational call, four of our youth—three young men and one young woman—publicly expressed their desire to pursue a religious vocation. On our journey back, we stopped in Padua to pray at the tombs of St. Anthony, St. Matthias, and St. Luke. We concluded our pilgrimage with a final Mass at the Shrine of Altötting, joining 11,000 other American youth. There are no words to fully express what we experienced. From the sacred places we visited to the saints we encountered, from witnessing the transformation of the youth to the daily presence of God we felt—this pilgrimage was a profound gift. We carried all of you and your intentions in our hearts throughout the journey. We are deeply grateful to God and to each of you who supported us through your prayers and encouragement. If you would like to see some of the pictures from the Pilgrimage, they are on our website. God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope that you are all enjoying your summer with your loved ones! Please see the letter below from Deacon Javier. God Bless, Fr. Steven ============================ Dear Brothers and Sisters, This will be the first time that I write to you as Deacon Javier. I am happy to have this opportunity to share with you all a bit of my experience so far as a deacon. Just as a quick catch-up for everyone, right before the ordination in May, I was wrapping up my itinerancy in Samoa. Part of my formation in the seminary is to go on mission for a period of three years. I began in Washington DC for some months before being moved to Samoa for the remainder of my itinerancy. After this summer, I will return for one final year of school before the ordination to the priesthood next year. One thing about the mission that translates to being recently ordained is how everything feels new. Samoan culture is very much alive and landing in the midst of it having no prior experience can feel a bit overwhelming. In Samoa I felt like I was learning something new everyday about the culture or the language. In a similar way I now find myself in the parish where, oddly enough, even though it’s been my home parish for the duration of my formation it feels like I have to learn everything over again and then some. Regarding language, I’ve been trying to practice Portuguese at the 9am Mass. With some practice I can proclaim the Gospel but it might be another while before I can give a homily in Portuguese. I hope to take advantage of the remainder of this summer because it has flown by quickly. I am just coming back from a pilgrimage for the Jubilee. The Jubilee Year has left its mark on me. Through it I am reminded of the mercy and patience God has had with me. There was a moment in the seminary that I felt that I could no longer continue but I saw how God fought for me and for my vocation. He did so by giving me more than what I deserve because when I gave up, God did not give up on me. To have been ordained and enter the clergy in the Jubilee Year has been for me a sign of love and comfort. Love because I can see God’s election over my life to the priesthood. Comfort because with this election comes the graces necessary to live my vocation well. At the Prayer Vigil for Young People last Saturday the Pope invited all to say these words to the Lord: “Thank you, Jesus, for calling me. My desire is to remain as one of your friends, so that, embracing you, I may also be a companion on the journey for anyone I meet. Grant, O Lord, that those who meet me may encounter you, even through my limitations and frailties.” I can’t think of a better way to put into words what my experience has been this far. I’m grateful that the Lord called me to this vocation and in doing so saved me from many sufferings I would have caused myself, but there are those moments where I can’t help but smile at God’s sense of humor. We see many times in the Bible and in the lives of the Saints how God can work with any and every human limitation. In the end, I pray for one thing, that I may be an instrument in this orchestra of God that is the Church. I look forward to this year with you all! God Bless! Deacon Javier

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please see the letter below from Jackie, one of our parishioners, who is a FOCUS missionary at the University of Rhode Island. God Bless, Fr. Steven ============================ Dear Parishioners, My name is Jacqueline (Jackie) and I’ve been serving as a FOCUS missionary at the University of Rhode Island for the past year- you may recognize me from last summer when I gave a short talk about the mission. Thank you so much for your generosity in your prayers and financial gifts, the mission work we do would not be possible without you. FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) is an apostolate that sends missionaries to college campuses in order to share the Gospel and make disciples. We fulfill the Great Commission through the little way of evangelization. Each missionary invests deeply in a few and teaches them to do the same. We build them up in the habits of Christian disciples- helping them to grow in the life of prayer, the Sacraments, the teachings of the Church, and fellowship. Then we send them out to make more disciples. This is how we will reach the entire campus and the entire world. There was a team of missionaries at UMass Amherst while I was there for my undergraduate degree. Through their example of true Christian friendship and their witness to the faith, I was led to an encounter with Christ. The Father had begun to strip away any false images I had of who God was and who I was, leading me to security in the Truth, Jesus. In my junior year at UMass, I had opportunities to lead Bible studies and lead other women in the faith. My heart came alive while serving God and His Church, and I desired to answer the call to be His missionary. As I reflect on this first year of mission, I am in awe of the transformation in Christ I’ve seen in my students and in myself. To be invited into my students' lives and to be with them in the joys and sorrows is something I cherish deeply. I’ve gotten to teach them the beauty of our faith and the importance of a personal relationship with God. The Father wishes to bring home many of his children in this jubilee year of hope and we as missionaries get to share in the ache and the joy of this journey. I am blessed to be returning for another year to serve the students at the University of Rhode Island. FOCUS missionaries are responsible for fundraising their entire salary each year. If you would like to hear more about the mission or how you could support me with your prayers or financial gifts, please send me an email at jacqueline.chung@focus.org . Thank you in advance for your prayers, and be assured of my prayers for you. In the Hearts of the Holy Family, Jackie Chung

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

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

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we will hear the story of the Good Samaritan. We all know the story—but do we act as the Good Samaritan? There are some stories in the Bible that we are so familiar with that we could almost recite them backwards. The danger of becoming too familiar with a story is that it no longer impacts us. We can become numb to the message of Jesus. I would like to offer three thoughts to help us meditate on this Gospel passage. First , the geography is very important. The story takes place on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Therefore, all the characters had just been in the presence of God in the Temple in the Holy City. To bring this into our daily context, it would be as if people had just left Mass. After praying to the Lord, they encounter a victim. Can you imagine—after listening to the commandment of love, they are given the opportunity to put it into practice, but they bypass it? Second , the characters in the story are not horrible people. According to Jewish precepts, if someone touched a corpse, they would become ritually impure. Perhaps they didn’t want to defile themselves. Maybe they didn’t have time to return to Jerusalem to go through the rite of purification. Or perhaps they thought the victim was already dead, or they were simply in a rush. In other words, there could have been a “reasonable” or “justifiable” excuse not to help the needy person. Third , the Samaritans were not on good terms with the Jews. Due to a historical event long ago when the Israelites were taken into exile, their rivalry had deep roots. It would be like the Red Sox and the Yankees, or Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland—they really didn’t like each other. That is why the Samaritan is called “good.” Since Samaritans were generally viewed negatively, this one stood out as “good.” However, this hostility did not stop our Samaritan friend from helping his neighbor. Though they all believed in the same God, not all acted like God. Jesus tells us that all the Law is summed up in love of God and neighbor. We can all know what is right and wrong, like the characters in the Bible. The real question is: do we excuse ourselves like the priest and the Levite, or do we act like the Samaritan? As we approach the Lord at Mass this weekend, let us not be mere consumers. Quite the opposite—let us be re-energized and do what the Lord has done for us. As we witness Christ giving His life for us in His Body and Blood, let us do the same. “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). This command “is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out,” as we hear in the first reading. Finally, I would like to highlight a couple of things. This Sunday, 7/13 , some parishioners will be holding a fundraiser for a group of 50 pilgrims who will attend the Youth Jubilee in Rome this summer. They will host a ticketed Spanish Rock Concert at 3 p.m., either in Meehan Hall or in the parking lot (donations can also be sent to the parish office). We are also promoting the Catholic Fest event next weekend. There will be food and games in the parking lot. We’ll also have Sean Forrest, a singer and missionary, sharing his amazing witness from 2–3:30 p.m. (in the church). I hope you can stop by on Saturday, July 19th , from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Let us not miss these opportunities to support our parish—and to love one another! God Bless, Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we celebrate the Independence of the United States of America. With this Jubilee year that we are currently celebrating one can’t help but think that the following year the United States will celebrate a jubilee of its own, 250 years! Let this earthly liberation remind us of a much older spiritual liberation that took place some 2,000 years ago with the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the Fall of Adam and Eve we were at the mercy of the world, and the prince of this world who is Satan. The title prince comes from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John to reference the real but limited power the devil has over this world and us who dwell in it. Christ, however, won us back through the shedding of his blood. Even when he was still with his disciples, already the kingdom of darkness was being destroyed as we hear in today’s Gospel, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.” “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Col 1:13) Just in our parish alone we are from many different countries but we all belong to the same heavenly kingdom by virtue of the Lord’s crucifixion. Let this weekend remind us that we should always keep our eyes fixed on this heavenly Kingdom because ironically, although the war has been won, the battle is still very much present in our own lives. That is why St. Peter exhorts us, “stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.” Today, July 6th is the memorial of St. Maria Goretti. Although the Sunday takes precedence over her feast day, nevertheless we can see someone who was solid in her faith. Born in 1890 Corinaldo, Italy, Maria was the third of seven children. When she was just eleven years old a man named Alessandro made advances on her but she refused. As a result of her unwillingness to sin she was stabbed fourteen times. On her death bed, Maria said that she forgave Alessandro, “I forgive him, and I want him with me in heaven!” Alessandro was sentenced to thirty years in prison and after several years in a dream he saw Maria handing him lilies. It was at this moment that he realized that he could be forgiven. Knowing that Maria forgave him, he began to accept the forgiveness of God. After twenty-seven years in prison he was released and went directly to Maria’s mother. To his astonishment, Maria’s mother forgave him and she said that it was because her own daughter had forgiven him. Alessandro became a Franciscan where he remained for the rest of his life. Maria was canonized in 1950 in the presence of her family and Alessandro. As we can see, we are still in the midst of a battle where the devil can lead us to sin. However, God’s mercy and love is far greater than what we can imagine and he can lead us from slavery to sin to the freedom belonging to the children of God. God Bless, Fr. Steven