From Father Steven - February 23, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • February 21, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This week’s readings urge us to love our neighbors. It is certainly not easy, but not impossible either. Let us reflect on what God is asking us and how we can do it.

 

The greatest and most important tenet of our faith, and the first commandment is to love God and Him alone. The other day someone came to my office asking how we can love God. There are many ways to love God, talking to Him, listening to what He has to tell us, and putting into practice what He revealed to us. Another way we have to love God is to love everything that he created and to love Him in other people. Sometimes we don’t see God in other people. We forget that every single person was created in His image and likeness. Therefore, God can be seen in each person. Surely if we look at a person’s actions, we might not see God. However, He is present in that person in one way or another. Then, it flows from there what Christ will tell us what the other commandment is, “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt22:39)

 

One important observation is that these are not merely laws or suggestions which we can follow or break. The Jews see the 10 commandments as the “words of Life.” That is, these are the words that give us (eternal) life. Sometimes we understand only the legality of the law. We don’t understand the spirit through which it was passed onto us. A father does not have to create a law for his children saying that it is wrong to stick the finger into a power outlet. He teaches his children that it will hurt them if they do that. God in his pedagogy with the people of Israel and by extension with ourselves, he also teaches us what to do and what to avoid. These teachings that are meant to help lead us to heaven are handed down to us through the optic of the legal/judiciary mentality of the Roman Law. It is no longer a matter of doing the will of God or following the path to holiness, but rather to follow the dictate of the law.

 

Returning to the original topic of our reflection, we can now read that through a different way. The love of the other person, it is no longer a matter of personal preference, but rather, it is a path to salvation. It is interesting to observe that Christ will say to “love” one another. He never said that we have to like other people. Then he adds on, love “as I have loved you.” (Jn 13:34). Here we qualify what kind of love we are to give, that is, the same that we have received. Then the moment that we understand that by loving each other is the path to salvation, why should we not do it? What could prevent us from loving the other? Of course, to love the people that love us is easy, and to love the ones that are good to us is also natural. However, what about loving the people that persecute, hurt, and despise us? Let us look at St. Stephen while he is being stoned, or St Paul as he writes to the persecuted Christian community of Rome “bless those who persecute you.” (12:14). There are so many other testimonies of countless Christians that showed love to their executioners. Then, again, why should we not follow their example? One may add that he does not have the graces or he is not a saint like them, which is a valid response. I insist on asking the same question, what prevents us from being like them? We were all created in the same image and likeness of God. We all received the same Holy Spirit. We all received the same blessings through the sacraments.

 

In this Jubilee year, God wants to give many special graces. These graces are all means to help us to go to heaven by putting into practice that which God has called us. That is why we will be doing many activities this year to help flourish the graces in us and reject sin and the disordered desire for worldly things. I would even dare to say that God allows difficult people in our lives as a way to help us, not the contrary. In the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, we learn how challenging her mother superior was and how providential she was to make her a saint. Then, starting in Lent, we invite you to come to adoration and take advantage of the sacrament of confession Monday, Wednesday, Friday in English, Tuesday in Spanish, Thursday in Portuguese (Monday to Friday 6-7pm). We are also preparing talks every week where everyone is welcome to attend.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - November 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 12, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we approach Thanksgiving, it is more important than ever to be aware of the graces that God has given us and how much we give back. By this, I refer to everything: our lives, time, talents, and treasure. Before we speak about giving, let us reflect on receiving. What do we have that has not been given to us? When we are born, we literally have nothing of our own. Everything is given to us, namely, love, care, clothing, food, shelter, etc. Maybe we have not received what we wanted, or even what we should have received, but rather what was possible. Our parents may not have been the best parents, but they gave their best to us, according to their capacity. Analogously, we can also say that God did not always give us what we wanted, but rather what was necessary for us to discover Him. Even in times of lacking or precariousness, God was always there to help us. Throughout our lives, there have always been people next to us who gave their best. Some have even given us the clothes off their backs. Whether we were aware of it or even acknowledged it, there has been a lot of support that has helped us become who we are. This weekend's Gospel invites us to reflect on the parable of the talents. Not all received the same amount, but each received according to their capacity. God has called us to a special mission which, among the 8 billion people in the world, only we can fulfill. Therefore, it is important to discern, to "investigate" according to God's will, what that call is. Certainly, it is based on the love of God and neighbor, as we recently heard at Mass. The harder question is: How can I love? To love God means, first and foremost, to be grateful for what He has given us, for the many opportunities, forgiveness, and graces that He has bestowed upon us. Therefore, as we pray at every Mass, "it is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give thanks" to God. The Mass itself is the greatest act of thanksgiving that we can offer to God. Then, once our hearts are full of grace, we can go out and share those graces with others. Not all of us have received the same amount or the same kind of graces. Each of us has our own special gifts, even if they have not yet been discovered. Therefore, we need to pray and reflect, both individually and collectively, on what God is calling us to do. We may say that we are already doing something, but are we called to do more or even to change what we are doing? Soon, we will have different opportunities to serve and to give. Technically, we already have opportunities to give to different needs. At each exit of the church, we have the poor box, which helps St. Vincent de Paul assist those in need. Recently, we held a drive to benefit Birthright. There is also First Concern Pregnancy Help, which needs our support to continue its service. I would also like to announce that the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which formed the three of us priests and where our seminarians are currently in formation, is in serious need of financial assistance. The seminary lives entirely on donations from people. It is also building a larger chapel, which is in dire need of financial support. Moreover, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday, an initiative that encourages people to help others financially. Some companies even match your donations. Therefore, we should take advantage of these opportunities to do good and share the blessings that God has given us. Lastly, I would like to point out that at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24th, we will have a special Thanksgiving prayer service. Our music director, Gabriella, is helping prepare a special moment to praise God through music and prayers. Finally, on Black Friday, we have made a change here in the parish: it will be Adoration Friday. Instead of making it a day to go out looking for special savings, we are called to look for the One who saves us, which is the best bargain that exists. Please join us! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven- November 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we were reminded that our call is towards Holiness. This week, in case it was not clear enough, the liturgy will point out that our lives were made for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, God needs our internal disposition, our desire, acceptance, and readiness to enter this Kingdom. We live in a world full of distractions, which each day they are more appealing. Whether TV shows, youtube videos, social media, our lives are more and more are behind a screen. There are numerous psychologists alerting to the danger that simple tasks are no longer enough to make a person happy because of the overdose of dopamine. The human body is not used to the amount of stimulation as given by the electronics (screen). Then, simple tasks, such as praying, can become boring, unpleasing, lacking the necessary stimulus. How then are we going to be ready for the Kingdom of God if we spend a good amount scrolling through the phone or channels? Human interaction in New England is already limited. After Covid, it became almost nonexistent. Nowadays, we limit our conversations to emojis, or if you come out of the house and see another human being, a simple nod or a half smile. Gone are the days that people talk to each other. Then, let’s begin a new culture, as Pope St. John Paul II would often exhort the youth. Pope Francis in a World Youth Day called those in attendance to dictate their own lives, instead of following what the world tells them to do. As St. Teresa of Calcutta says, we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” Another element present, which we don't often speak about, is the adversary whose mission is to condemn us. Since the day he opposed God and his loving plan of redemption of man, he seeks to destroy the image of God, which is us. He speaks to us through thoughts (temptations). He can throw darts of false desires into our hearts. It is important to understand that these inclinations are not ours. They come as suggestions as if whispered in our intellects which we can agree or reject them. Taking the passage of the Gospel, maybe the Virgins were alerted to go out to get more oil to wait for the groom, but then the temptation of laziness, pride, or presumptuousness came and suggested them not to come. It is important to learn the strategies of our enemy in order to be alert and counterattack them. This is another way for us to fight for the Kingdom of God. In Theology we say that the spiritual beings (angels and demons) are much more intelligent than us. It can be compared to the difference between an adult and a toddler. Then the enemy can easily deceive and distract us of what is important as children do. That is why we invited Fr. Carlos Martins next Monday (11/16) to explain to us better what the spiritual world is and how to fight. We do not need to fear these things. They can do nothing without our consent. Like a barking dog on a leash cannot bite us, so the spirits cannot hurt us unless we get close to the dog. Finally, I would like to say a word about our fellow brothers and sisters who have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed much serving in the military. Our dear Veterans, whose day we observe on Wednesday, are an example of selfless action that we should imitate. Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). These countless men and women have sacrificed their lives. They set a great example to be followed. This is still part of what we need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I invite you to say a Rosary on Wednesday praying for the Veterans in thanksgiving for their service, especially those who are struggling because of their time in the military. God Bless, Fr. Steven