From Father Steven - January 14, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • January 12, 2024

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Next week we will have the annual National March for Life in Washington DC. It is important to understand that it is not a protest, but rather a manifestation of life. This particular event is focused on the right to life of the unborn babies. However, the Pro-Life movement goes beyond an “anti-abortion” ambition. It is a matter of defending all sorts of life, from conception to natural death, including the support of those who are destitute and in need of help.

 

The March for Life began 51 years ago when the US Supreme Court ruled a constitutional right to terminate any pregnancy. Then it was up to each state to legislate this right according to their constituents’ representatives. Some states were very broad in their approval terminating pregnancies almost to the last weeks of gestation, while others were stricter allowing the procedure up to 14 weeks. The March is an opportunity to voice the right to life of the unborn. The very beginning of the Declaration of Independence states that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, that among these are LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Therefore, everyone has the right to live, whether they are in the wombs, in jail, or at the end of their lives. When a person is in a tremendous hardship, whatever it may be, many times their judgment gets clouded and they desperately seek a solution for their problem. In this case, the greatest help they could receive is not to accomplish their desire, but rather to enlighten them in the best course of action in the long run. Therefore, the March raises the question if ending a pregnancy is the best course of action for both the mother and the baby. It is NEVER a matter of passing judgment on anyone. It is a matter to support those in need.

 

Usually the right to life in the womb draws more attention than the rest of the pro-life issues. However, the other issues such as assisting those in distress are also very important. Here in the parish our task force is still accessing the needs of the refugees who are being hosted in the hotels in the city. Last week we were able to purchase $1,000 in supermarket gift cards to help the families to buy food. (Their resources are quite limited). They still have more needs. As soon as we identify and have a strategy, we will ask the parish for help as well. We also provided help for the Marlboro Community Cupboard (food pantry) and Our Father’s Table in the past. These are all material needs that we can help them with. There are other needs that people have such as emotional support and more mental health needs that are more difficult to provide. Nonetheless, they are also very much needed. Another issue that is also important is the elderly. Many live in isolation, forgotten by their families, or even put aside in a nursing home. They also deserve our care and support. The week after Christmas, a group of about 30 parishioners visited a couple of elderly homes to sing to them and bring them the joy from Christmas. They were very much touched by the love that children, teenagers, and adults brought them. It took only a couple of hours of our lives, but the impact of it goes beyond any quantifiable number.

 

In front of these challenges, I would like to ask for your help in adding a small contribution to the above-mentioned problems. Surely there are many more issues than the ones we spoke about, and even these issues are much bigger than the space allows us. However, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta often said, “we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” On Thursday, January 18th starting at 6pm, I would to INVITE YOU TO THE 24 HOUR ADORATION FOR LIFE until Friday 6pm. You can decide to whom you would like to pray. Everyone needs prayers, including the 53 pilgrims (mostly from High-School students) who will be on their way to the March for Life. Another way to support pregnant women in need will be next week when First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center from Marlboro will be doing a fundraising drive at the end of all the Masses. EVERY LIFE MATTERS! This is not a political statement, but an absolute truth. God created every person and endowed them with the sacred gift of life. Let us pray for all the brothers and sisters who are struggling in life. Let us do our part in this mission to love our neighbor.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - March 22, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • March 20, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As you may be aware, we are starting our next Bereavement Ministry on March 31st. This is the third session we are offering to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The loss can be a recent one or one from years ago. We will be following the Catholic program called Seasons of Hope. I encourage you to participate to find support and comfort within our faith-filled community. God Bless, Fr. Steven ——————————————————————— Bereavement Ministry: Seasons of Hope to Begin As we mourn together, our parish bereavement team of Nancy Papp, Mark Vital, and Nancy Wells would like to personally invite anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one to attend Immaculate Conception’s next bereavement session which will begin on Tuesday evening, March 31st at 6:30 pm in the Lower Church and continue for six consecutive Tuesday evenings ending on Tuesday, May 5th. There are no stages to grief. We all experience grief in our own unique way, and healing is an intentional process, where we gather as a community of faith to become disciples of hope. It is through prayerful reflection, practical learning, and personal fellowship that we mourn. We will be following the Catholic program called Seasons of Hope . It is a 6-week program based on Scripture that focuses our faith on the spiritual side of grieving. Our mission is to support and accompany those going through the grieving process through Scripture, prayer, reflection, and simple activities. The program centers on Jesus Christ and is founded in the wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Church. It provides an opportunity for those who are grieving to be together, share their experiences, listen to God, and to each other, and be heard and comforted. St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite and Doctor of the Church, said: “In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.” Fr. Mike Schmitz (many of you know him from his Bible in a Year podcast) was asked in an interview once about suffering. He responded: “God doesn’t always take the pain away. God doesn’t take the grief away. God doesn’t undo your loved one’s death. But with hope, our faith in God can console us.” Once again, we warmly invite those mourning to “come and be comforted.” Please call Lee Ann at the parish office to register. This program has helped hundreds of people mourn the loss of a loved one. We are delighted to bring this ministry to you again and hope and pray you will consider attending. Thank you and please keep us and those we serve in your prayers. The Bereavement Team: Nancy Papp, Nancy Wells, Mark Vital

From Father Steven - March 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • March 13, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we heard the terrible news from the Diocese of Providence regarding the abuse of minors by clergy. Any form of abuse of minors is always despicable. In this particular case, not only is there the problem of the priests themselves, which would be unacceptable, but it seems that there were also problems in the hierarchy/administration as well. Once I heard an expression that portrays well this issue: one is way too many. Every victim counts. It is very unfortunate that so many cases of abuse happened in the past, and even worse when they happened in the Church, where it should be a safe place for every person. For many years, anything related to abuse was always a big taboo that no one ever spoke about, much less reported. In 2002, the Boston Globe reported the systematic abuse that happened in the Archdiocese of Boston for decades. The Church has failed its people. Even if there were only one single case, one is too many. With the arrival of Cardinal Sean O’Malley, many rules and procedures were adopted to guarantee the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also changed their protocols to never allow any sort of omission of abuse. Mandatory training for all volunteers who have contact with children and yearly background checks for all volunteers are some examples of what was adopted. There was also some support offered to victims. However, there are more out there who have never reached out. The problem is far from its resolution. Although many changes have taken place in the Church, we must remain vigilant. Abuse remains a terrible reality in many parts of society—from schools to sports and other institutions—and the Church must always strive to be a place where children and vulnerable people are protected and safe. Nowadays, there is also a call to protect vulnerable people, such as the elderly and anyone with special needs. Although there is a policy that requires certain people to report any form of abuse to the authorities (mandated reporters), it is the duty of every person to protect their neighbor. I would like to plan a day or evening to offer training from the Archdiocese to everyone who would like to participate. There we can also explain all the efforts that are being made in the Church to promote a safe environment for anyone who comes to the parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. On a related topic, for anyone who has suffered any sort of abuse, we also want to offer help. There can be a stigma that pushes victims away because of shame. A person can even feel guilty for having allowed such a thing. God is there to help us take things off our chest and from our souls. This can be expanded to other kinds of traumas that we keep only to ourselves. How many times have we heard in the past that people bring such things to their tombs? God is here to help us carry our burdens. We priests are also available to listen and offer whatever resources may assist anyone who is suffering. There is help that can be offered, whether through professional counselors, victim assistance, or independent resources. On the spiritual side, we do know that God heals our wounds, accompanies us in our journeys, and helps us carry our crosses. In moments like this, when human failures are so evident, we are reminded that our hope ultimately rests in Christ. Only He can help us live by His grace. Only He can console us when we are tired and burdened. Only He can bring us to green pastures to refresh our soul. Only He is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us then follow Him up to the Cross, because if we die with Him, we shall also live with Him. And if people need our help, let us not neglect their needs. Let us be there for them, to listen, or even hold their hands in their journey. No one should be left behind…no one.  God Bless, Fr. Steven