From Father Steven - September 15, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 13, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

This weekend, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, a special occasion to acknowledge and honor the vital role of catechists in our Church. It is also a moment to reflect on our own commitment to the mission of sharing and living out the faith. The United States Conference of Bishops describes Catechetical Sunday as “a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.” It’s a time for us all to renew our dedication to this mission as a community of believers. As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the significance of Baptism.

 

When a child is baptized, their parents are asked a profound question: Are you willing to accept the responsibility of training your child in the practice of faith? This question is not just a formality but a solemn promise to raise the child according to the teachings of Christ. The priest then emphasizes the duty of parents to guide their child in keeping God’s commandments, which Jesus taught us—to love God and our neighbor. Godparents also play a supportive role in this mission, reinforcing that parents are the primary teachers of their children in matters of faith. Parents are crucial in teaching their children about God’s love, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Saints, and the Gospel. They begin this education through everyday interactions—teaching their child to walk, speak, and ultimately to understand and embrace their faith. Parents teach not only through words but also through their actions and example. I recently spoke with a young father of three who shared a poignant experience. As his children grew and began asking more complex questions about Bible stories, he realized he wasn’t fully prepared to answer them. This moment of realization inspired him to study more about his faith and deepen his understanding of the Church’s teachings. This story is a reminder for all of us that the journey of faith is ongoing, and there is always an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and relationship with Christ. Whether or not you have children, this is an important moment to reflect on your own faith journey. Children who are baptized become part of the larger family of God.

 

While parents have a primary role in their upbringing, the entire Church community shares the responsibility of supporting their spiritual development. Just as we learn from our extended family members, we also learn from fellow parishioners. Many of you have formed what I affectionately call “pew-buddies”—friends you see regularly in the same pews each Sunday. These relationships can become a source of support and inspiration. It’s wonderful how friendships formed in the pews can lead to deeper discussions and shared growth in faith. These connections can be a powerful way to witness and support one another in our spiritual journeys. To support our community’s growth, we are launching a Catechesis program for Adults and Youth. This series will begin on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Hall by the parking lot. There is no need to register, and it’s free. Babysitting services will also be available to accommodate all who wish to attend. This Catechesis is an opportunity for everyone—whether you feel you need to catch up on your knowledge or are seeking to deepen your faith. It’s a chance for us to come together to learn and grow as a community.

 

 As followers of Christ, we are called to be the “Light of the World” and the “Salt of the Earth.” To live out this calling effectively, we need to deepen our understanding of Christ and His teachings. Jesus, who is “the Word made flesh,” is present among us and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. This Catechesis will provide a valuable opportunity to explore both the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of our faith, helping us better understand who Jesus is and how He calls us to live. This may be the moment you’ve been waiting for to strengthen your faith journey. Whether you are new to the faith, have been practicing for years, or are simply curious, you are invited to join us. Let this Catechesis be a time of renewal and growth for us all as we strive to be more faithful disciples and witnesses of God’s love. We look forward to embarking on this journey of faith with you. Let us come together, support one another, and grow in our knowledge and love of Christ.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - July 6, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • July 3, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we celebrate the Independence of the United States of America. With this Jubilee year that we are currently celebrating one can’t help but think that the following year the United States will celebrate a jubilee of its own, 250 years! Let this earthly liberation remind us of a much older spiritual liberation that took place some 2,000 years ago with the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the Fall of Adam and Eve we were at the mercy of the world, and the prince of this world who is Satan. The title prince comes from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John to reference the real but limited power the devil has over this world and us who dwell in it. Christ, however, won us back through the shedding of his blood. Even when he was still with his disciples, already the kingdom of darkness was being destroyed as we hear in today’s Gospel, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.” “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Col 1:13) Just in our parish alone we are from many different countries but we all belong to the same heavenly kingdom by virtue of the Lord’s crucifixion. Let this weekend remind us that we should always keep our eyes fixed on this heavenly Kingdom because ironically, although the war has been won, the battle is still very much present in our own lives. That is why St. Peter exhorts us, “stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.” Today, July 6th is the memorial of St. Maria Goretti. Although the Sunday takes precedence over her feast day, nevertheless we can see someone who was solid in her faith. Born in 1890 Corinaldo, Italy, Maria was the third of seven children. When she was just eleven years old a man named Alessandro made advances on her but she refused. As a result of her unwillingness to sin she was stabbed fourteen times. On her death bed, Maria said that she forgave Alessandro, “I forgive him, and I want him with me in heaven!” Alessandro was sentenced to thirty years in prison and after several years in a dream he saw Maria handing him lilies. It was at this moment that he realized that he could be forgiven. Knowing that Maria forgave him, he began to accept the forgiveness of God. After twenty-seven years in prison he was released and went directly to Maria’s mother. To his astonishment, Maria’s mother forgave him and she said that it was because her own daughter had forgiven him. Alessandro became a Franciscan where he remained for the rest of his life. Maria was canonized in 1950 in the presence of her family and Alessandro. As we can see, we are still in the midst of a battle where the devil can lead us to sin. However, God’s mercy and love is far greater than what we can imagine and he can lead us from slavery to sin to the freedom belonging to the children of God. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - June 29, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • June 27, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I was deeply edified to see all three of our communities come together to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi! It was an amazing day—celebrating Mass as one family and processing shoulder to shoulder behind our Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. The beautiful carpet prepared for the Lord’s arrival at our church was truly astonishing! Many of our parishioners came at 3:30 a.m. to begin working on it. Needless to say, the dyeing of the sawdust alone took days of effort by many dedicated people. Seeing everything come together left us speechless. If you missed it, mark your calendar now: next year’s celebration will be on June 7th, 2026 (rain or shine)! This week, we had another wonderful experience: an appreciation dinner for all our catechists. Over 70 people from all three communities joined us once again. When we say “it takes a village,” it truly does. During the dinner, we presented highlights from all the events that took place at IC over the past year. Our Faith Formation program served 402 students, and 39 adults received sacraments—bringing the total to an incredible 441 people! Speaking of sacraments, we celebrated 74 First Communions and 81 Confirmations this past month. Nearly 20 retreats were held over the course of the year. At our Lenten retreat for children alone, we had 242 attendees ! Our Jubilee Talks—currently on pause for the summer—had an average weekly attendance of 155 people across three nights: Tuesday in Spanish, Wednesday in English, and Thursday in Portuguese. We also had an average of 250 people coming to confession each week. Offering confessions daily has truly been a blessing for our parish. If you haven’t come yet, there is still time. We will continue offering daily confessions! This year, in honor of the Jubilee Year , and because we believe God wants to pour out many blessings on all people, we are excited to host a new event for the entire parish—and for the greater Marlboro community: CATHOLIC FEST ! This all-day event will feature delicious food, games for children, and a powerful talk by Sean Forrest , an incredible speaker and musician with an inspiring conversion story. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. , and everyone is welcome ! Believe it or not, many people in town still don’t know where the Catholic Church is—we have a real opportunity to open our doors and show God’s love to our neighbors. Food and entertainment will be ticketed, but we’re working hard to keep everything affordable. We’re currently seeking event sponsors—if you own a business or your family would like to help, please contact the parish office. Yes, we know it’s summer and you may already have plans. But consider adding Catholic Fest to your summer schedule. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to come together as a community and be inspired. Finally, as we wrap up the year, I want to thank all our countless volunteers who make everything happen. Some may not be “official volunteers,” but they contribute greatly—whether by maintaining the parish, supporting various ministries, or praying faithfully for our community. Nothing can be done without love and the help of God. Please continue to pray earnestly that our parish may fulfill its mission to be the light of the world . God Bless, Fr. Steven
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