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 - September 13, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • September 11, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The other day, I was talking with a priest about the need to evangelize within the parish. Usually, when we speak about evangelization, we imagine going out to reach people who are not coming to Church. Besides that, there is also a need, at times, to catechize the folks who are already in the Church. The primitive Church, especially during the first centuries, lived among small communities. For a person to be baptized, there was a long and serious period of preparation and training in the faith. However, with Constantine coming into power and Christianity becoming recognized by the Roman Empire, the Church became full of people who received the sacraments but were not necessarily deeply initiated into the faith. They were “sacramentalized,” but not necessarily catechized. In other words, people were initiated into the Church, but did not necessarily have deep roots in their faith. This reminds us of the parable of the Sower (Mt 13:18-23). When people receive the Kingdom of God, there are different reactions. One does not understand it; another receives it with great joy, but when trouble or persecution comes, quickly falls away. Still others hear the word, but worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit. Finally, there are those who hear the word and understand it, bearing much fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. Maybe those first reactions are familiar to you. Then one can ask himself: If you are not part of the last group, then, How can you be in it? Please understand that this is not simply a matter of the moral character of each person. Rather, it has to do with the type of soil and the surroundings that can either help or kill the Word of God in one’s heart. Therefore, we might need help cultivating the seed that we have all received in Baptism and protecting it from the dangers that can prevent it from growing. Sometimes I get asked: Where should a person who is rediscovering the faith, or someone who is new to the Church, start? There is so much material out there. Even for those who stopped their faith formation at the age of 15, with Confirmation, where can one continue their Christian formation? The Catholic Church has approved an itinerary of Christian formation that is focused on this. Pope Saint John Paul II called it “valid for society and for today’s times.” The world has changed dramatically in these past decades. Many of the values that we grew up with have been put aside and ignored by many. Besides relativism, one of the greatest dangers that we are facing is individualism, especially with the development of cellphones, screens, and social media. The Virgin Mary has inspired this Christian initiation to be lived as a group, as a community of people coming together—not online, but in person—as we have always done since the very beginning of the Church. Technically, even before that, the people of Israel came together under the tent in the desert. On Monday the 21st, we will begin this Christian initiation with catechesis for adults and youth (13+) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at the building by the parking lot, Meehan Hall. Everyone is invited to come. We will have babysitters available to help for free. One does not need to register or to come to all the sessions. Since the catechesis are independent from one another, if someone can only make one of the days, that is also okay. Even if you are not interested, or you are already engaged in another activity in the parish, maybe you know someone who could benefit from it. The presenters will be parishioners, together with myself. So please, pray for us!!! You know I need lots of help. The final consideration I invite you to reflect on is whether this comes from God or not. If it does, then the invitation is not just from me, but from God. How many times do we not want to do something? Here, it is not about what we want or do not want. Rather, it is about asking what the will of God is for us. You may have seen the cards or the banner with the picture of the Annunciation. Today, God also comes to you, inviting you not to be afraid and to allow Christ to be born in you. Maybe this is the time to take another step in your faith. Maybe this is the time to allow the seed that was planted in you at Baptism to grow deeper roots. Do not be afraid. Come and listen. Come and see what God may be preparing for you.  Please pray about it, and I hope to see you there. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - September 6, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • September 4, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you had a good, restful, and joyful summer. Unfortunately, it's over, so it's time for all of us to get back to our regular schedules — including our spiritual routine. I often recommend going to confession after the summer. Whether there was a Mass that was skipped, some feathers that got ruffled, or our tongue got a little too sharp, it's always good to go to confession. Another way to think of it: it's time for an oil change — but instead of oil, it's our sins that get removed, and new graces are put into our souls. God has prepared many wonderful graces for us this coming year, beginning with the Labor Day Parade. On Monday, the Lord is calling as many of us as possible to make His presence visible in town. As every year, IC Church will have a float to show everyone that God and the Church are very much alive. But if only a few of us show up, it defeats the purpose. You may have heard before about a person who came back to church because of the joy he saw among our people. This year's theme is the Eucharist. The Spanish community has prepared a float displaying a monstrance, with children dressed in white (some as angels). We urge as many people as possible to join us in this procession of our faith. Next Saturday, Richard Kerns, a longtime parishioner, will be ordained a permanent deacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I've mentioned before how our parish is bearing much fruit through different vocations and missions. I invite those who are able to come and accompany him at this important moment in his life, and in the life of our parish. Then, on Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, he will serve and preach for the first time. There's no excuse not to be there to witness this special gift to our parish. Light refreshments will follow in the Hall. Also next Saturday, the Brazilian community will hold their annual festival in the parking lot in the late afternoon. There will be traditional food, entertainment for the children, and lots of fun. Since we are one parish, this isn't just their feast — it's ours too. They use a ticket system for food and children's activities, and there will be a booth at the entrance selling tickets. The following weekend, we will begin a series of talks for youth and adults. For many people, religious instruction stopped at Confirmation, and they haven't received any further formation in the faith since. These talks offer an opportunity to continue growing in faith through a itinerary of Christian formation. I will be leading the group this time, along with a team of parishioners. The talks will take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Hall.  Last but not least, the following weekend we will hold our annual Friends of the Poor Walk, sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul. This is their major fundraiser to help those in need in our parish and in the city of Marlboro. IC's group will be joined by St. Matthias' group for this event. It is not only our duty to help the needy, but a privilege to be part of it. With rising rent, utility, and living costs in Massachusetts, more families are in need of help — families that could be sitting next to you, your neighbor, or your children's friends. I invite anyone looking to help to join a group; this is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action. God Bless, Fr. Steven