From Father Steven - June 16, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • June 14, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day! We are grateful to have Fr. Victor join our parish. Please see the letter below from Fr. Victor. Happy Father’s Day!

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

My Dear Parishioners,

 

I am your new priest in town. I flew in last week early morning at 12:40 AM from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. My name is Fr. Victor Vitug. I was born and raised in the Philippines. My parents are Juanito Vitug & Leonila Luna, both are deceased. I still have 7 living siblings.

 

I entered the seminary when I was 57. It was a late vocation, actually “very late.” I was the one found by the Lord standing ‘idle’ almost at the closing hour. Basically, I see my life in the gospel of St. Matthew where the owner started calling for workers for his vineyard. He began at nine in the morning, then recruited some more at noon time and at 3:00 in the afternoon. And not wanting to miss anybody, he came back at the last hour, where he saw me standing and waiting.

 

For all my life, I was such a fool, having all the things I wanted but my life was empty. All I desired was to be happy, but I found myself in search of happiness in the wrong places and things. I was looking for money, fame, success and enjoying whatever life can give me. Going out for fun and doing basically what I want to do.

 

So immediately after graduating from college in 1973, wanting to gain experience, I got myself a job in the bank. I was hopping from one industry to another. From banking to Pharmaceuticals to transportation-shipping industry to the Airline, then to Hotel Industry and finally settled with the Insurance industry. It was a long and tortuous journey, but was necessary in order for me to discover the love of God. He was patiently waiting for the right moment. He never gave up on me. He never ceased loving me. And the best part, he kept pursuing me like a true lover until finally surrendered myself to him and welcomed the kind of love he has for me. I understood what St. Augustine meant when he wrote, ‘my restless heart, found rest in him, simply because we were made for him.’ At hindsight, responding at the last hour was actually the “perfect” time for me. There could be no other hour for me than that. Thanks to the community I joined 32 years ago, it was very instrumental in leading and showing me the mission the Lord has prepared for me today.

 

At 67, I was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston at the Holy Cross Cathedral in May 2019, together with 12 men. My first assignment was at Reading, Massachusetts at the St. Agnes and St. Athanasius for two years. Then I was a hospital chaplain briefly before I was sent to the Virgin Islands where I served as Parochial Vicar for two years. My pastor was Fr. Andrea Fillippuci who used to be one of your priests sometime ago. Still strong and walking at 72, Cardinal Sean O’Malley sent me here to Immaculate Conception to continue my mission. Together with Fr. Steven and Fr. Gabriel, our two young & energetic priests, may we continue to minister to all your spiritual needs and a witness of the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.

 

Thank you for welcoming me to your “home.”

 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Victor 

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

From Father Steven - August 30, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • August 28, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I was very happy that I finally had the opportunity a month ago to speak about vaping addiction among the youth. Today, I would like to speak about addictions in general that affect and hurt our families, parish, community, and, above all, ourselves. First of all, it is important to understand that usually no one likes to have an addiction. Substance abuse is not something a person simply chooses to become trapped in. Rather, very often, it is the only resource that a person finds in their struggle. The other day, I was talking to a social worker at the hospital about how we have lost so many of our coping skills. We no longer have the resilience that we used to have in the past. Addiction is often more than a bad habit or a lack of willpower. For many people, it can be connected to pain, trauma, loneliness, or an attempt to cope with difficulties they do not know how to face in healthier ways. Therefore, it can often be understood as a cry for help from someone who is suffering. Once we understand that people may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other substances in an attempt to relieve their pain, we also need to recognize that repeated substance use can produce real changes in the brain and body. A person can develop tolerance, dependence, and powerful cravings that make stopping extremely difficult. This is why addiction cannot simply be reduced to a lack of willpower. What may have begun as an attempt to cope with pain can eventually become a dependency that is very difficult to overcome without help. Anyone who suffers from substance abuse does not need judgment, but love and compassion. As Catholics, we believe that love conquers all things. We also believe that for God, nothing is impossible. Therefore, if there is someone in your family, in your circle of friends, an acquaintance, or even a stranger, let us go the extra mile and be compassionate. Christ does not abandon the person who is suffering. He goes out of His way to bring love and consolation, like the Good Samaritan. He certainly suffers with that person. If Christ does this for us, how can we, as His disciples, do anything less for those who are suffering? The more involved I become in helping people here in Marlboro, the more I discover the many resources available through the city and other agencies. I will try to pull together a sheet with different resources in the community and leave them in the church for those who need them. If someone struggles with alcoholism, drug or medication abuse, or some other sort of addiction, YOU ARE NOT ALONE…and YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ALONE. God wants to help, and so do we. It is okay; we all have problems, and the solutions at times can seem so far from our reach that we give up. Maybe now is the time to get up and start walking back to the Father’s house, like the Prodigal Son. Maybe now is the time that, together, we will overcome the struggles that lead to addiction.  I invite everyone in our parish to join us for the Overdose Awareness Day ceremony here at the Immaculate Conception Church on Monday August 31 at 7:15pm. Let us come together to remember those whose lives have been lost (you may bring their picture), support those who continue to struggle, and pray for their families and loved ones. Always count with your prayers to you and your loved ones, God bless Fr. Steven