From Father Steven - March 16, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • March 14, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

When we die, how do you want to be remembered? What will people say about our character? I’m not sure if you ever had this thought. Certainly we have spoken about others. Now, how will God remember our lives? What will Christ speak of us? What must we do to change the course of our lives?


Quite often, I meet a lot of people who are good people. They are good spouses, parents, and children. However, do they resemble God in their lives? Do people see their faces glowing? Are they slow to anger and quick to forgive? Do they have an intimate life with Christ in prayer and sacrament? We are not called to be good people. Our calling is to be a saint, and to bear the image of Christ in our lives. 


This weekend we hear the passage of the transfiguration. Peter sees the glory of God as this dazzling white light. It is the same light that the women see in the angels announcing the resurrection. Moses after seeing God on Mt. Sinai, would also have this glow on his face. Some of the saints are also said to have this same glow of the love of God when caring for others. One good starting point is to look at the corporal works of mercy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it “consists especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.”(CCC2447). Jesus Christ says that when we clothe the naked, visit those in prison, feed the hungry, it is Christ himself that we help (Mt 25:31-40). Now there are many ways to be charitable towards others. Here in the Church (on the side of the church) we have the community fridge, where it is a great way to feed the hungry. Have you ever considered cooking dinner for an extra person and putting it out there? Or even take from what is yours and share it with them? It is not a matter of giving the leftovers, or even things that you don’t like. You can fast from candy, cookies, or chocolate and share it with them. Those in need also enjoy good things. You can also contribute to Our Father’s Table and the food pantry, which also accepts donations of clothes.


Imagine if our effort could reach out to people not just in Marlboro, but throughout the whole Archdiocese of Boston. The Catholic Appeal is a way to help those in need on a larger scale, from the poor, to priests, those getting married, prison ministry, struggling parishes, and so many other ways. I have seen firsthand the impact of this campaign. It is amazing what can be done with so little. If we do so much with so little, how much more could we do with more? This weekend, the 2025 Catholic Appeal will officially launch here in our parish and across our Archdiocese. As your pastor, I hope and encourage you to join me in making a gift to this year’s Catholic Appeal.  As we celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, our participation in the Catholic Appeal signifies an important way that we can share Christ’s promise, care, and love with others. For those who have already made a gift, please know that I am deeply grateful. We are hoping to have a strong participation from our parish! Our goal this year is $ 55,500, of which we already have 27% of it. Please pray during this week for God to speak to you and help your heart to be generous next week in our pledges. 



Thank you for moving us “Forward in Faith”!

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - December 7, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • December 5, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, The month of December is always filled with excitement as we prepare for Christmas. Even though the season can get a little busy—and yes, sometimes stressful—God offers us a beautiful time overflowing with grace. You’ve seen the saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” With all the wonderful events ahead, we will certainly keep Him at the center! As in the Christmas story, everything begins with Mary. This Monday, December 8 , we joyfully celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception , the patronal feast of our parish and of the United States. Because of its great importance for our faith, it is a Holy Day of Obligation , meaning we gather for Mass just as we do on Sundays. We will have our daily mass at 7:30am, then 12:10pm, and then the Trilingual Mass at 7:00pm followed by parish fellowship in Meehan Hall. At the evening Mass, those who have completed their 33-day preparation will make their Consecration to Mary —a beautiful milestone in their spiritual lives and a special moment for our parish family. (Reminder for all those doing the consecration to Mary: we will have an important meeting on Sunday, December 7, at 6:00 PM, regardless of whether you came on Wednesdays or completed the preparation on your own.) On Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM We are very blessed and excited to welcome Archbishop Richard Henning , our shepherd and leader! He wants to come to the parish to meet YOU ! He is coming to celebrate the mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe , patroness of the Americas. During his first year in Boston, he has been visiting parishes and getting to know the people. Now that he is coming to us, we encourage you to be there to welcome him. We are preparing a wonderful evening for this special visit. Nearly 500 years ago, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego, bringing hope and unity to countless hearts. To prepare for this feast, the Archbishop has invited all parishes of the Archdiocese to pray a novena. Although we have already begun, you can join us every evening at 7:00 PM in the church. Come and join us! After this grace-filled week, we gather again on Sunday, December 21, at 3 PM for our Immaculate Conception Parish Christmas Concert ! Our children’s choir from each of our three communities has been joyfully preparing their songs, along with our parish choirs. We even have a special surprise in store! After spending Advent contemplating Mary’s faith, we now contemplate her beautiful “yes” —and through music, we quiet our hearts and adore the newborn King, even amid the rush of last-minute preparations. Finally, in this season of lights, lists, and long lines, let us not lose sight of the One we celebrate. Take a moment to slow down… recognize the wonderful things God is doing for us and through us. That is the greatest gift of all. Love is one of the few things that lasts forever. Let us give it generously—and receive it joyfully. May God fill your hearts with peace as we enter this blessed season together! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 30, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • November 26, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving with your loved ones! Please see the letter below from Fr. Victor about Advent. God Bless, Fr. Steven —————————————————————————————————- Growing up I have always associated ADVENT with Christmas with all the Christmas carols, food, gifts and family reunions. It was much later that I understood that Advent is the month-long preparation for that much awaited day. If we have 4 seasons throughout the year: winter, spring, summer & fall; the Church has 6: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Paschal Triduum, Easter and the Ordinary time. And Advent is the first season that ushers the first day of the Church’s liturgical year. It is like New Year, like January 1. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning coming or arrival. A Father of the Church speaks of Jesus’ three comings. First, we all know that Jesus Christ was born more than two thousand years ago in that town called Bethlehem. Second, when he ascended to his Father, he promised to remain with us always, but will come again at the end of time. As to when, we do not know. That is why, he tells us: 'be vigilant and ready anytime as he may come at a time and hour we do not expect.’ That is why, advent fills us with so much hope and expectation. Finally, there is also his third coming. The first one was in the past. The second will happen in the future, but his third coming is today, in the daily events of our life. The book of Revelation presents this very well. ‘He is outside, knocking at the door of our heart, if we let him in, he will come and dine with us.’ What a gift, to be graced by the presence of our Lord. This year 2025, Advent coincides with the feast day of St. Andrew, November 30. Each week has its theme: the anticipation of Christ’s second coming - the first week; then John the Baptist tells us “prepare the way of the Lord.” on the second Sunday; then we switch to a joyful note, the Gaudete Sunday for the Lord is to come; and the fourth Sunday, Mary & Joseph leading us up to the nativity. The date when Advent was first observed is hard to determine as this evolved over time in several places. In its earliest form however, it may be traced back to the church in France in the 4th century. It was a time of preparation for the Feast of the Epiphany when converts were baptized. In the 5th century it was officially introduced into the church calendar. But its character was similar to Lent but later became more joyful in anticipation for the birth of Christ. The Advent we know today began in Rome. Pope Gregory I in the late 6 th and early 7th century, composed many prayers, psalms, and themes. And by the 10th century the season of Advent included 4 Sundays & weekdays leading to Christmas as we have today. Like Lent, Advent has some elements of penance in preparing, quieting and disciplining our minds & hearts for the full joy of Christmas. Its liturgical color is purple, except on Gaudete, meaning “rejoice” Sunday, where the priest may wear the rose color vestment. The late Pope Francis reminds us: “Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem,” and that memory directs us with eager longing for the second coming of Christ at the end of time.” Advent comes at the dark[est] time of the year, when the day is short and night is at its longest. Yet it is during this time when Jesus Christ, the true light comes to cast away our darkness. Truly advent is a hopeful season that keeps pointing towards the eternal light that shines in the ‘night of our life’ to show us our way back home to the Father. God Bless, Fr. Victor