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 - May 3, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • May 1, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is with great joy that today we celebrate our First Communion. I don’t know how much you remember from the day you received your First Communion. Unfortunately, I also remember very little. Last week, I asked one of the children who had received their First Communion how it felt, and more than the words they used, you should have seen the joy in their smile. Lucky for us, this weekend we can experience their joy as well, because each time we receive Communion it is just as amazing as the first time. When we do something so often in life, we can easily take it for granted, and it can become routine. However, we need to be careful that receiving The Body and Blood of Christ does not become routine. Each time is different. The other day, I was reading the reflections of St. Alphonsus Liguori on the Eucharist and thinking about the experiences that some of the saints had while receiving Communion. For instance, some saints had mystical experiences with Jesus after communion. St. Giuseppe of Cupertino would levitate at Communion. He also levitated at the mere thought of Jesus (even church bells would draw the saint closer to heaven). There are some people who lived being fed only by The Body of Christ. This miracle is called “inedia.” Some lived for more than 10 years solely on the Eucharist. Imagine how impressive that is. I have capitalized the “T” in “The Body of Christ” because it is The one and same Body that was born of Mary and was crucified on the Cross. When we receive Communion, we receive the very Body of Christ. It is not an image, a representation, or a symbol. There is a transformation of the substance of bread into The Body of Christ during consecration. We call it “transubstantiation.” In history, some people have failed to understand it, and this has caused great misunderstanding and error in other beliefs. For instance, Protestants do not believe that The Body of Christ is in the Eucharist. As the children have prepared themselves over the past two years, it is also important that we prepare ourselves to receive Communion. We often urge you to begin by preparing your souls by going to confession. Then, we should also dress up for such the special occasion. It would also be nice to arrive early, find good seats, and pray before the beginning of Mass. I understand that at times things happen as we come to church that delay us. However, as much as possible, it is important to arrive early, and prepare ourselves for this special moment. We hear in the Gospel that Jesus has prepared a place in heaven for us. He gives us His Body to strengthen us in that journey. Let us not miss this great opportunity. As the children receive their Communion for the first time, let us also have the same attitude and awe this Sunday! 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