Over the coming weeks, I will attempt to clarify the truths and dispel common myths about three areas of Church practice. We will begin with Annulments. One of the unfortunate myths about divorce is that a civilly divorced Catholic is “excommunicated” and no longer able to receive the Sacraments of the Church. This is not true. (click message for more)

July 30 marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, sponsored by the United Nations. This year's day was dedicated to children. One in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child and a disproportionate number of them are girls, according to the U.N.'s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Children are also twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults. (Click message for more)

The Catholic author, Daniel Fitzpatrick, recently wrote an excellent book entitled Restoring the Lord’s Day: How reclaiming Sunday can revive our human nature. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s book is based upon the Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini, promulgated by St. Pope John Paul II in 1998. I highly recommend it. (click message for more)

On July 2, 2024, Pope Francis released a brief video message stating: “This month, let us pray for the pastoral care of the sick. The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death. No. It is important that this is clear.” When the priest draws near a person to perform the Anointing of the Sick, it is not necessarily to help them say goodbye to life. Thinking this way means giving up every hope. (click message for more)

Every four years, the bishops of the United States have provided a document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. In a series of statements, they remind us of our rich Catholic heritage of contributions to human dignity and justice for all people. The entire 64-page document is available online at usccb.org under “Issues and Action.” (click message for more)

The people who choose to live in New England, and even those who have moved out of the area, often speak of their appreciation of the seasons. We have four of them. By most accounts, winter is the longest, and spring is the shortest. Many people share a favorite — which is summer! (click message for more)

Last week, the Massachusetts state government announced their “first-in-the-nation” effort to scare pregnant women away from Pregnancy Resource Centers throughout our state. With our governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and other state officials, the Department of Public Health launched what it called an “education campaign” to highlight “the dangers and potential harm” of crisis pregnancy centers. These organizations support pregnant women, particularly women in desperate situations and who may be considering abortion. They also offer direct material support to infants and children and social-emotional and parenting support to men, all free of charge because of private donations. (click message for more)

Over the next several days, we will do well to prepare our hearts to enter prayerfully into this year’s observance of Religious Freedom Week which begins on Saturday, June 22. As we approach this special week, the Holy Spirit continues to give us the courage to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel at all times. (click message for more)

Gathering together weekly to worship, to receive the Blessed Sacrament, and to hear the living Word of God is vital to our spiritual health. By doing so, we also obey the Commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. Gathering together socially as a family of faith is also vital to our spiritual health. We are blessed to have such an occasion eight days from now on Saturday, June 15. On that Saturday from 11am to 2pm, we’ll enjoy the Men’s Club Annual Chicken Barbecue. (click message for more)

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi which is also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This Feast celebrates our belief in the true presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and that He is powerfully ever-present in our Church, in the World, and in our lives, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. (click message for more)

Memorial Day is a cherished national holiday. For many people, it marks the beginning of summer, time for families to gather together, for backyard barbecues, or for enjoying the natural beauty around us. Most of all, Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause, to remember, and to pray. We do so in tribute to those who have given their lives in defense of our country. (click message for more)

By the time we celebrate our Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30pm on May 18, the seminarian assigned to Immaculate Conception Church, Jonathan Amidon, will have been ordained a deacon. We are very proud of Jon, and we are grateful for God’s call to him to serve His Church. (click message for more)

The Immaculate Conception Men’s club will be having its annual chicken barbecue on Saturday, June 15 from 11 AM until 2 PM. The event will be held rain or shine behind the church and under the tent. (click message for details)

This past Friday we celebrated the feast of two apostles together, Saints Philip and James the Lesser. Lesser here means “Younger.” The reason why we celebrate them together is because their relics were brought to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rome and buried there together in the ninth century. (click message for more)

We find ourselves in the midst of the annual fundraising effort for the Diocese called “Partners in Charity.” These efforts fund more than 25 diocesan agencies, ministries and programs. You will find envelopes in the pews this weekend that will provide information regarding how you can make a gift if you have not already. (click message for more)

Now that Easter and Divine Mercy Sundays have been celebrated, other occasions advance rapidly. In the spirit of renewal and new life, I invite you to reflect and pray about a specific act of structural renewal that can impact positively on our shared worship. (click more for complete message)

The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us and that He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy. (click message for more)

Beginning, Monday April 1, the 12:15pm weekday Mass reverts back to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only. During future seasons of Lent, Mass will be offered again all weekdays. Thank you for your presence throughout this season. Happy Easter!

Glorious Easter to you and your loved ones! God promised a Savior Who would open the gates of Heaven. That promise was fulfilled through a series of events from the Annunciation to the Incarnation and through the Passion to the Resurrection. The Savior is Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. Now, we celebrate new life in Jesus. Can there be anything greater than wanting eternal life for our families and friends? (click message for more)

Happy Palm Sunday! Yes, even as we give our attention to Jesus beginning the procession to His death, we have reason to celebrate and be happy. The prophet Zechariah (9:9) assures us that joy is appropriate. “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your King is coming to you, a just Savior is He, humble, and riding on a donkey.” (click message for more)