From Father Steven - December 3, 2023

December 4, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This week we have the celebration of Immaculate Conception, our patroness. It is also our parish feast! I’m not sure how many people are aware of our parish history. I would like to share a few facts from the beginning of the Immaculate Conception Parish.

 

The first priest assigned to Marlboro was Fr. Edward Farrelly back in 1850. Prior to that, families had to walk eight miles to the nearest mass in Saxonville. With the growth of the population due to the shoe factories, Bishop Fitzpatrick saw the need to send a priest to minister to the Catholics of the area. In 1854, Father Farrelly began to build a church on Charles Street and in November he celebrated the first mass. Originally he named the church St. Columba (Columbkille) after one of the Irish patron saints. However, that same year the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was approved by the church under Pope Pius IX. Although the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin was a long-standing tradition of the Church, only then it was declared a definite teaching. Bishop Fitzpatrick intervened at the creation of the parish and decided to dedicate it to the Immaculate Conception. A few years later in 1862, under the new pastor, Fr Walsh, the property on Prospect Street was purchased and they started the construction of the new church. Nine years later, the new church was dedicated by Archbishop Williams. The bell tower was incorporated into the church roughly twenty years later. It was the same that fell during the hurricane of 1938 (one of the most severe to hit New England). A new one, shorter in height, would be built after that.

 

Much more could be said about our parish and the church building, such as the emblems of the different titles of Mary on the top of the walls of the main nave. However, the parish and the church are more than the buildings. WE ARE THE PARISH. Now, as a parish, we are called to be a sign of the presence of Christ in Marlboro both in word and deed. Although times have changed from the beginning of the parish, people are still in need of Jesus. Many families are breaking up, people who cannot forgive, and those who are lost. This week God calls us to reflect upon our actions in the church. What are we doing to help in the mission of Christ in the world? There are many people who are evangelizing in different ways, whether visiting houses door to door, helping the poor through St. Vincent de Paul, and many other groups. And what about the rest of us? Today we have an average of almost 2000 people coming to all the masses of the parish through the weekend. Imagine what we can all do together?! As we continue in this process of discernment and growth of the parish, we can follow the example of the Blessed Mother, who made herself available to whatever God called her. In order to help us prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, I would like to invite everyone to participate in the Triduum (3 days) of prayer with the preaching of guests reflecting upon the life of Mary. Please see the information below. As for the Feast day, December 8th, which is a day of Obligation, we will have masses at 7:30am, 12:10pm, and a major celebration at 7:00pm with the Trilingual mass following reception. Please join us as much as you can! 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - April 26, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • April 23, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The fourth Sunday of Easter is known as the Good Shepherd Sunday, as we hear each year a part of chapter 10 from the Gospel of John. We all know by heart Psalm 23 that speaks of the Lord as our Shepherd. This weekend I would like to reflect on the role of this Shepherd in our lives. I don’t know if anyone grew up in the countryside or has had experience out in the fields. There are many threats to the flock or herds. They can be stolen by other shepherds, eaten by predators, or even get lost or hurt by the terrain. Therefore, it is imperative that the shepherd is watching the flock the whole time in order to protect them from these external dangers. That is why he will bring the sheep to a place that is secure and has an abundance of food and water. It is almost equally important that the shepherd keeps an eye on the sheep. They are known to be extremely docile and not very smart. They can easily be deceived and go on their own or even ignore the voice of the shepherd. Then, he constantly keeps going after the sheep that does not listen to his voice or decides on its own to venture to other places. Often, they don’t find food or water, and in that danger of death, the shepherd finds it and brings it back to the fold. In Israel, it is very hard to find sources of water and pasture. Only a well-trained shepherd knows where to find it. However, it can be an arduous journey which can also be challenging to get there. It is very similar in our lives. There are many dangers to our souls out there. Whether external by the temptation to sin, or we can also make the wrong choices. Only Jesus knows where our nourishment can be found and where we can truly rest. However, it is not an easy journey there. The path to salvation can be very difficult, but not impossible. Jesus himself encourages us to strive to enter through the gate of salvation that is small and the road is narrow. We can find it too difficult for us, we can give up very easily, especially when the road to perdition is broad and the gate is wide. When we start heading to that direction, Jesus calls us by name as we hear this weekend. His voice is very distinctive from all the other voices. But he has to respect our freedom. Then, when we decide to leave his presence to seek a mirage, he comes after us to rescue us and brings us back to the fold. It is very important to understand that. First, Christ goes ahead of us to show us the way to salvation. The cross leads to eternal life. He is the only gate to salvation. While in Israel, the shepherds were known to be dishonorable people because of their lifestyle and vices. Jesus declares to be the Good Shepherd. That is, he is not like everyone else that in front of danger, they abandon the sheep or take advantage of the sheep. He instead lays down his life for us, as we just celebrated that in Easter. I don’t know what is happening in your lives. What are the hidden struggles or challenges that you are experiencing in the silence of your hearts? However, Jesus knows! He comes this weekend to call us to follow Him. If we are away from the flock, he calls us by our names back to his presence. And if someone is lost, he leaves the 99 in the desert and comes looking for the lost sheep until he finds them. Once he finds us, he does not give us lectures or scold us; instead, with great joy, he puts us on his shoulders and brings us home. Let’s reflect on what that means in our lives. Let’s pick up the pace, for the journey to heaven can be long and hard…but possible.  As I mentioned previously, the children of the parish will be receiving their first communion this weekend and the next. Along with them, let’s prepare our souls properly through confession. Let’s approach Christ with great reverence. Let’s not forget the priceless value of communion. If someone does not have the sacrament, or is in a condition that keeps you away from communion, come talk to us. Let nothing separate us from the love of God! He loves us so much, that is He is willing to do anything to save us, as long as we allow Him! So let’s open the doors of our hearts for him. Let’s listen to His voice, and follow His way. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - April 19, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • April 17, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are having a blessed Easter season and were able to enjoy some of the beautiful weather we had recently. This week, we will be launching our annual parish raffle, as we do each year. This is one of our main parish fundraisers. Although our parishioners are always very generous, this year we have incurred unexpected expenses due to snow removal and increased utility costs. This raffle helps us cover some of those expenses. In addition to supporting our parish, the raffle also contributes to the priestly formation at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. Years ago, several pastors came together and saw this as a meaningful way to support both our parishes and the seminary. You can find more details online, but approximately 60% of the proceeds from tickets sold remain with the parish, 20% covers expenses, and 20% supports the formation of new priests for the Archdiocese of Boston. It is truly a win-win-win situation. Each ticket costs $20. The prizes include a 2026 Honda Ridgeline (pickup truck), a 2026 Honda Civic Sport, and $15,000 in cash prizes (five prizes of $2,000 and five prizes of $1,000). The drawing will take place on September 27th. The success of the raffle depends greatly on parishioners who are willing to help sell tickets to family and friends. You will have until September 13th to sell tickets and return the envelopes to the parish office. For the first time, we are offering an incentive: whoever sells the most tickets will receive a $400 prize. During the initial phase, which will take place this weekend and next, we will offer envelopes containing 20 tickets for those who would like to take them home to sell. Additional envelopes will be available at the parish office. At a later date, tickets will also be sold at Mass (before and after the summer). For those who would prefer to purchase individual tickets, they are always available at the parish office through Lee Ann. We invite you to consider helping us this year. Last year, our parish raised $18,045 in profit from the raffle. Altogether, participating parishes contributed $115,000 to support the seminary. We hope to surpass that amount this year. Please feel free to reach out if you need more information. I would like to thank you for your continued generosity to the parish, to those in need, and for all that you do quietly and faithfully. It is a privilege to witness your kindness. Additionally, I ask for your prayers for the upcoming celebrations of the sacraments. Next week, children from the Brazilian community will receive their First Communion on Saturday, followed by the Spanish community on Sunday. The English community will celebrate First Communion the following week at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Many couples will also be receiving the sacrament of marriage in the coming months. Finally, our youth will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on May 29th in Portuguese and on June 5th in English & Spanish. That same season, we will celebrate our annual Eucharistic procession on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) on June 7th. If you have never participated, I encourage you to mark your calendars and join us. Some parishioners begin preparing a sawdust carpet in the early hours of  the morning and finish just in time for the procession. It is a beautiful tradition that honors the Body and Blood of Christ. God Bless, Fr. Steven