From Father Steven - March 2, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • February 28, 2025


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Church is not about “me”…it is about “us”…at least it should be. In a recent conversation this topic came up. We all know about it, however, we don’t do anything to change it. We walk into church, we smile to those around us, and we sit, we say our prayers, and leave. Maybe when we leave, we smile back at that person and that’s it. Look how many people have been sitting next to you for years and you still don’t know their names. You know who they are, but you don’t KNOW them. Isn't that true? If so, what can we do to change it? Maybe it is time to come out of our comfort zone. Maybe this would be a good Lenten practice. 


In 1979 Pope Saint John Paul II visited the US shortly after becoming pope. In one of his speeches, he said that in the modern world, especially in cities, there is a tendency to anonymity. There is no longer a community, but rather a collection of individuals. He opposed that view urging the Church to become a community where individuals are not just faceless members of society, but are known, loved, and valued by God. The only way to accomplish this is through getting to know each other. There are many new faces in the Church recently that I’m afraid are not welcomed by those sitting next to them. It is not only a matter of social ethics, but why wouldn’t we welcome someone new who comes to our house? I just hope they don’t dare to sit on your spot. But, again, why wouldn’t we give our place to someone who feels a bit lost and afraid of taking someone’s seat. Let us welcome them and help them to make IC their new home.


I would like to share a story with you of how this happened here at the parish. There was a man who always came by himself and sat at the same pew next to a couple who also came by themselves. One day this couple reached out to him and asked his name. Since then, they became “pew-mates,” and there a friendship was formed. This couple also reached out to the family sitting in front of them, and more friendships were formed. So much so, that they became almost a big family, participating in each other’s important moments. Recently, he passed away. He was not a stranger or anonymous. Them, along with a couple of other people were the only ones who showed up at his funeral. Isn’t that sad? Shouldn’t more people have participated in his life? This is one story, but I dare to assume that this is the case with most of us. 


Let this be our Lenten Mission here at IC. Let us get to know our pew-mates and beyond. Starting this week, WHEN YOU COME TO CHURCH, GREET AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO THOSE AROUND YOU even if you have to slide a couple of feet to talk to the person at the end of the pew. Let us no longer be a collection of individuals who come to the same place to do the same thing. Instead, let us become a community of brothers & sisters and not strangers. You never know what kind of friendships would be formed. Maybe you get to know a person who one day will be the governor, a nun, the pope, or even a saint. And you can contribute to their journey fulfilling their mission.


Lastly, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the upcoming Jubilee talks we will have this upcoming year. We will begin on Wednesday March 12th 7-8pm. Check the website for more updates! We will have a tab with the information about Jubilee activities. 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - July 5, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • July 2, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, I would like to reflect with you on the words, “One Nation under God.” I am not sure how much these words have meant in your life. They can be one of those expressions that we hear all the time but never stop to reflect on their meaning. I confess that I did not have time to research their historical origins as I usually do. However, these words have always impressed me because they are proclaimed publicly as part of the foundation of this country. To be ONE nation requires a unity that does not come from men alone. Unfortunately, because of original sin, there is always mistrust among people. There is also the temptation to take advantage of one another for personal gain. God inspired the Founding Fathers to live the apostolic life, that is, in communion with one another. Only Christ is capable of changing the human heart so that we may truly love one another. Therefore, whenever suspicion arises, only love can overcome it. It is the love of Jesus, who, though He is God, made Himself the Lamb in order to give us His life. He taught us that the true way is not to reign through power. Rather, true victory comes through the humility and love manifested on the Cross. While hatred and jealousy condemned Christ to the Cross, His love forgave and redeemed us. Finally, if we are to be ONE nation, love must reign in our hearts. At this moment, when politics and ideologies have polarized and divided our people, we are called to be signs of Christ's love, like the Lamb who is capable of uniting one person with another.  The second part of the sentence is also very important. To be “under God,” we must submit ourselves, our plans, and our expectations to Him. The moment we surrender everything we have to God, He can transform it according to His design of mercy. As much as we may desire holy things, God says through the prophet Isaiah: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8–9). Yet, there are times when we hold on to our own plans for dear life. We believe that we know what is best for ourselves and for those around us. How many discussions have we heard in which people passionately defend what should or should not be done? And how many conversations have we heard about people sincerely discerning God's will and asking Him for wisdom to understand and accept His plans? I do not mean any disrespect, but even Jesus, in His humanity, struggled to accept the plan of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet, in the end, He desired not His own will but the will of the Father. The Lord invites us to love Him with ALL our heart, strength, and life. In other words, He invites us to live under God with everything we are and everything we have. As Americans, we are also called to entrust our country and everything that is happening to God. Only He knows what is best for us in the long run. Only He sees the whole picture of what lies ahead. Therefore, He alone can prepare us for what is to come, so that His love may reign forever and His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, beginning with us. As the Gospel tells us this weekend, we are also called to be grateful and thankful that God has revealed His mysteries to us, the little ones. If today you feel burdened and tired by everything that is happening in the United States—and throughout the world—then listen to His voice: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Finally, let us learn from Him, who is meek and humble of heart. If anything is ever going to change, let it begin with us! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - June 28, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • June 26, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are doing well in these beautiful summer days! Please see the letter below from Fr. Victor about his experience here at Immaculate Conception. God Bless, Fr. Steven ============================== It is hard to believe that 24 months have already passed since I arrived here in Marlborough. Transitioning from a small but active parish in the Virgin Island to this huge and multi-cultural community was a “big & holy” shock for me. Life on the island moved with a gentle rhythm, but not here in IC. What impressed me right on my first day was the daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament , an hour before the Mass. That means people start to come around 6:30 in the morning. It is not just a handful of 5-10, but an average of 30-50 people gathered every single morning is incredible. Even at the height of winter, maybe a third, but they still come. Again, astonishing are the number of couples receiving the sacrament of Matrimony . I am so happy & delighted to witness many weddings every month in our church. When I first arrived, the sacrament of confessions was 3 days a week. But last year during the Jubilee, the frequency was increased to 6. The schedule was adjusted after Easter, it is daily except Fridays & Sundays. Where are those penitents coming from? Being a multicultural community, we have Masses in English, Portuguese and Spanish. It is a great joy to be working with Stephen Hanley in OCIA [Order of Christian Initiation for Adults]. Through this ministry, I am reminded that everyone has their own unique faith experience and conversion stories to tell. I am so privileged to be a part in preparing them for the reception into the Catholic Church as well as the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist and Matrimony. Truly, the Holy Spirit moves . I bring Holy Communion to our homebound brothers and sisters and administer the anointing of the sick when requested or necessary. Being with the sick together with their families reminds me what it means to be a shepherd with his flock through every season of life. Periodically, I also celebrate the Mass at five nursing and assisted living homes. This ensures our beloved elderly, isolated and frail residents are provided spiritual nourishment, strength and healing. I am grateful for our pastor’s vision of deep understanding of our community’s needs particularly to our seniors. Thus, the “Friends in Faith” was formed. Very grateful, as it came with 4 ladies: Margaret, Christine, Nancy and Delma equipped with their kindness, generosity, knowledge and expertise we began to “navigate” our way. We meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month. Activities vary, from getting to know the saints to topics that will enrich our faith. But most important of all is that we are able to interact with one another, build friendships, find some sense of belonging and family , and time to pray with someone and for one another. So far, we had 2 field trips, like a “mini-pilgrimage.” Last September Stephen H. organized an enriching trip aimed at tracing the early beginning of the Catholic Church in Boston. We visited many historical places and ended at the Holy Cross Cathedral. This June, we went to St. Benedict Abbey at Still River in Harvard, MA. Their collection of relics of saints is something to behold. It was like being “ in heaven while on earth,” surrounded by hundreds of saints. On both occasions, we concluded with the celebration of the Mass as our expression of praise & thanksgiving to God. I am always excited to see our diverse community gather together for a big feast as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi , the Body of Christ. The colorful sawdust carpet by our talented parishioners in front of our church, is not only a labor of love but a testimony of creativity . It was simply awesome! Our tri-lingual Mass in English, Spanish & Portuguese, followed by the Eucharistic procession ended at the foot of Immaculate Conception Church. The procession spoke beautifully, yet boldly of our core belief that Jesus Christ is truly present in that “small piece of host” - body, blood, soul & divinity. Jesus has kept his promise, “I will always be with you.” This very act reminds me of our spiritual journey towards our true home with God. For all these immense gifts, I bless God. Likewise, no word is enough to express my gratitude to all of you, truly our God is amazing! God Bless, Fr. Victor