From Father Steven - November 17, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • November 15, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

As we have been praying for the faithful departed and for the souls in Purgatory especially this month, I came across this article that I thought you would enjoy reading.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

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As we journey through this season of grace, it is a fitting moment to reflect on a vital aspect of our Catholic faith—our duty and privilege to pray for the souls in Purgatory. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to overlook the reality of purgation and the immense mercy of God that extends even to those who have not yet attained the full perfection necessary to enter the glory of Heaven. Yet, the Church teaches us that these souls, though assured of eternal salvation, still require our prayers, acts of charity, and offerings of sacrifice.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God" (CCC 1030). This state of purification is what we refer to as Purgatory. It is not a place of punishment, but a merciful process by which the soul is made ready to behold the face of God.

 

Why We Pray for the Dead

As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to support one another, both the living and the dead, in our shared pilgrimage towards eternity. Our prayers for the souls in Purgatory are an act of love, charity, and solidarity with those who have gone before us. The Church has always taught that those who have departed this life in grace but still require purification can be helped by the prayers and sacrifices of the living. In the Book of Maccabees, we find the example of the faithful offering prayers for those who have died, so that they might be freed from their sins (2 Maccabees 12:46). This practice has been passed down through the centuries as a sign of our communion with the saints and the faithful departed.

 

We may sometimes forget that our prayers are not just for those we knew personally, but for all souls who are in need of God’s mercy. It is a beautiful expression of our faith that we can intercede for others, knowing that God hears our petitions, and His mercy is infinite.

 

How We Can Help the Souls in Purgatory

There are many ways we can offer our prayers for the souls in Purgatory. The most powerful prayer is the Holy Mass, for in the Eucharistic celebration, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is made present to us. By offering Mass for the dead, we unite ourselves to Christ's eternal offering, bringing grace and mercy to those who are in need of purification.

 

In addition to the Mass, we can pray the Rosary, especially the prayers for the dead—such as the “Eternal Rest” prayer. Offering indulgences, fasting, and performing acts of charity can also be of great benefit to the souls in Purgatory. As St. John Paul II often reminded us, our acts of love, no matter how small, have eternal consequences, especially when offered for the sake of others. Another way to support the souls in Purgatory is by participating in the tradition of “praying for the dead” during the month of November, particularly on All Souls' Day (November 2), when the Church specifically remembers and prays for all the faithful departed. This is a time for us to recall the reality of death and the importance of our intercession.

 

A Call to Compassionate Solidarity

As we approach the end of this liturgical year, let us remember the souls of those who have gone before us and entrust them to God’s mercy. Let us also examine our own lives and ask God to purify us from any attachments to sin or imperfection, so that when our time comes, we too may be ready to enter into the fullness of His glory. It is a gift and a responsibility to be able to pray for the dead, as it reflects our deep belief in the communion of saints and the mercy of God. In this life, we are bound together in prayer, and that bond does not end with death. The souls in Purgatory are still part of our family in Christ, and they need our help. Let us not neglect them, but offer them our prayers, especially in this holy season.

 



From Father Steven - May 31, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • May 29, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This year our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. Many celebrations have been taking place throughout these past months and will continue in the months ahead. The Catholic Church is also organizing events to mark this important milestone. A National Eucharistic Pilgrimage began in St. Augustine, Florida, and will travel through several cities significant to the history of the United States. Boston will host three days of the National Pilgrimage. On Friday, June 26, there will be celebrations in Plymouth. On the following day, there will be a Eucharistic Procession along the Freedom Trail, beginning at Boston Common at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass at 4:30 p.m. at the Cathedral. On the final day, there will be Mass, Adoration, and a procession in Lexington. We would like to organize a group from the parish to participate in some of these events. We will publish more information at a later date, but you may also find details online. Another important event will take place on Friday, June 12 . All the bishops of the United States have decided to dedicate our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Following their call and the encouragement of our Archbishop, we will also consecrate our parish and ourselves to the Sacred Heart. To prepare ourselves for this consecration, we will pray the Novena to the Sacred Heart in all three languages. We will pray the first day together on Wednesday, June 3 , after Benediction at 7:00 p.m. (The novena prayers will be available at the entrances of the church beginning this weekend.) We will conclude the novena and make the Act of Consecration on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, June 12 , also at 7:00 p.m. It will be similar to the consecration to Mary that we made last December. Although many people have seen the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus—such as the statue to the left of the main altar—some may not be familiar with the devotion itself. In 1673, during a time when the world had grown cold and had forgotten the tenderness and mercy of Christ’s love, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque on the feast of St. John in Paray-le-Monial, France. He revealed to her His Heart burning with love for humanity. In these visions, Jesus asked her to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart and instructed her on how the devotion should be practiced. The devotion as we know it today is largely based on these revelations to St. Margaret Mary. Jesus’ profound love for us is demonstrated through His willingness to sacrifice His life for our sake. The love flowing from His Heart motivated all His actions—His inner life manifested in His virtues, compassion, and sacrifice. Yet this great love is often met with indifference and ingratitude, even among the faithful. The purpose of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to focus our hearts on receiving and returning His love with gratitude—with all our heart, soul, and strength—so that He may be glorified. From a theological perspective, consecration is not considered magic, protection from all hardship, or a guarantee of prosperity. Rather, its purpose is surrender, transformation, and the alignment of our lives with Christ’s love by becoming more patient, forgiving, compassionate, and self-giving toward others. On a different note, NEXT SUNDAY we will celebrate our annual trilingual Corpus Christi Mass at 11:00 a.m. There will be no 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Mass that day. We will gather outdoors in the parking lot—rain or shine—to celebrate the greatest gift: the true Body and Blood of Christ. After Mass, we will process with the Blessed Sacrament through downtown Marlborough, singing and praising God. This year the procession will coincide with the car show, so please plan ahead and arrive early to find parking. Hopefully, as in past years, we will have a large crowd. If there are volunteers who would like to help with the sawdust carpet, please arrive around sunrise. God Bless you all, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - May 24, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • May 22, 2026
A Call to Pray for Priests Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This weekend, as we celebrate Pentecost, we are all called to be with the Virgin Mary and the apostles praying in the Cenacle for the revelation of God through the Holy Spirit. A long-time parishioner has asked me to share with you a letter she wrote about a special ministry that she is promoting here in the parish. Please read her letter below. God Bless, Fr. Steven =============================== How privileged we are as a parish to have celebrated recently the ordination of Father Javier. What a joy and gift a priest is to God’s people! Priests accompany us at some of the most intimate, joyful and difficult moments of our lives. These self-sacrificing shepherds, our brothers, carry not only the full weight of our burdens but their own as well….please pray for them. We parishioners have a great privilege and duty, out of love, to pray for priests, especially those who serve us so tirelessly and unselfishly here at Immaculate Conception Parish. We all need prayer. It is the start of holiness. No one can become a saint without praying. Our priests need prayer too! They are our brothers along with us on this path to holiness, all as members of The Body of Christ with Jesus as the Head. On Friday, June 12th, the Church will celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. How grateful I am for this day to remind us to pray for our priests. Recently I was introduced to a beautiful apostolate dedicated to praying for priests: The Seven Sisters Apostolate. The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a call to strengthen the Church by ensuring that a Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week for the sole intention of a specific priest or bishop, a “holy wasting” (cf. Mt. 26:10) or lavishing of prayer for his deeper conformity to Christ. Seven women each commit to one holy hour a week on a specific day, praying exclusively for a particular priest and his priesthood for one year: A Seven Sister, One Holy Hour, One Day, One Priest, Each week, One Heart of Prayer. Since its founding in 2011, Seven Sisters has established sisterhoods praying for bishops and priests worldwide. The ultimate goal is for every priest and bishop in every diocese to have a sisterhood covering them in prayer. Each group is started by an Anchoress who recruits members, passes on needed information, and communicates the existence and intentions of the group to the particular priest. There are also opportunities for men to support this apostolic work by substituting for Sisters to make a holy hour and also by fasting on one given day a week for the priest. I have always prayed for priests but not in this particular way. I think my attraction to the Seven Sisters Apostolate is the fruit of my prayers and nudges from the Holy Spirit during the many hours of Adoration and opportunities for confession I have enjoyed here in our parish. Everyone can pray for priests. You do not need to belong to any kind of group or apostolate, although that is an encouragement for keeping one’s commitment to pray. Keep on with your prayers without ceasing. Pray every day for God’s priests who suffer the same struggles, temptations, discouragements and sorrows that we all do. Wrap them in your prayers, fasting, and sacrifices. Beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to keep them pure and holy for her son, Jesus Christ. You only need to do it.  There will be a Q&A meeting for those interested on Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00pm in the Upper Church. If you would like to find out more about The Seven Sisters Apostolate visit their website: www.sevensistersapostolate.org or email Christine Lehane: cmolehane@gmail.com .