From Father Steven - January 8, 2023

 
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
​
Please see the announcement below from Deacon Chuck and Deacon Elcio.
 
Greetings, Immaculate Conception Family.  We have just experienced that great joy of Christ’s birth anew in our hearts!  And a New Year also brings the opportunity for movement in our spiritual lives as well, as we continually respond to God’s call moving within us.  In this respect, Dcn Elcio and I have some important news to share with you.
 
I'll be leaving IC within the next couple of weeks. Like all of you, I'm always listening to what God is telling me about moving my faith journey forward.  Lately, over the past 2-3 months, He's been telling me to begin that process of exploring another new opportunity for working “in the vineyard”. This is a very difficult decision for me.  My wife Joyce and I have been part of IC for over 40 years.  I love my vocation so much.  At the same time, I know Jesus is calling me to a new ministry that lies ahead. I don't have a new assignment yet, but I know there will be much richness and continued growth to be derived from it.
 
Our parish family has been such a blessing to me and Joyce!  I have loved working with and simply being with all you so much.  You live faith-filled lives, and our parish is greatly blessed by your active involvement in all we do!  Thank you immensely for the joy you have brought to me in the laughs, conversations, and great spiritual moments we have shared.  Jesus speaks volumes to me through you! 
 
Be assured of my continued prayers for you all, your families and your work at IC.  I humbly ask you to keep me and Joyce in yours as we continue our journey together. 
With tremendous gratitude always for what Christ has given me in you –
Dcn Chuck
 
Taking the opportunity from Deacon Chuck, I would also like to thank you for all your support. I will also be moving to another parish.  I don’t know yet where it might be, but I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your prayers as I discern my next steps.  
 
As I mentioned with the Brazilian community there are many of you who, even though are not ordained, serve as true ‘deacons’ within the parish, serving even more than I do. I can only thank God for the 5 years serving at IC.  We were assigned at IC parish, but we are Deacons of the Archdiocese of Boston.  We hope to be seeing you again in our work in the archdiocese.  Please pray for me and my family, especially my son who is battling an unknown illness.
 
Yours, forever servant in Christ.
Dcn Elcio
 
We would personally like to acknowledge and thank all of the clergy and staff with whom we have served in our assignments at IC.  Their witness to Christ is what inspires us to embrace our vocations.  Please continue to keep them and all clergy in your prayers, that God will continue to provide them with exactly what they need.
 
We would like to thank both of them for all their support over the years they served here at our parish and wish them all of God’s blessings in their new assignments.  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
 
God Bless,
Fr. Steven