From Father Steven - September 29, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 27, 2024


 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

We wanted to share with you the importance of St. Vincent de Paul to our personal faith journey and to our community. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a world wide group with over 850,000 members in 153 countries around the globe. Almost all of their work happens in parish based groups, called Conferences, like the one here at Immaculate Conception.

 

Their mission is to serve those in need: people without jobs, the hungry or unhoused, the working poor, or sometimes families that have just had a hard time. They bring them the love of Christ and hope. They go to them two by two, they listen, pray with them, and try to help them in the best possible way.

 

One family they visited recently was getting by, living paycheck-to-paycheck. Their newborn baby started having seizures and was hospitalized at Children's Hospital in Boston for two weeks as doctors ran tests. The extra cost (gasoline, tolls, and parking) of driving to Boston every day to be with their baby put them behind in paying other bills. As a result, the family incurred late fees on their bills, which just put them further behind. It started a vicious cycle. Sometimes, that is all it takes.... circumstances beyond our control can put them in a position where they just need a little help. Through your generosity the Immaculate Conception conference of St Vincent de Paul was able to assist this family, helping them to avoid further late fees and regain control of their budget.

 

Stacey Militello, our St. Vincent de Paul President, said she has had the opportunity to grow in her faith by serving our friends in Marlborough who have reached out to St. Vincent de Paul. Each call is a chance for her to serve Christ and share the gifts God has given her and the gifts of Immaculate Conception. She often shares with her friends that our Church is open every day for quiet reflection and prayer. God is always there, especially when we feel lost. Stacey is thankful that she answered (with some hesitation) Christ’s call when St. Vincent de Paul was re-started here at Immaculate Conception 8 years ago.

 

I am asking for your support of St. Vincent de Paul in two ways this weekend. First, our annual Friends of the Poor Walk is being held on Saturday, October 5th! The walk begins at 10:00 am in the Meehan Hall parking lot. You can register starting at 9:30 am at Meehan Hall on the day of the walk, or visit www.icfopwalk.org. If you would like to sponsor the IC Walkers instead of walking yourself, please use the QR code to make a donation. This fundraiser walk along the Assabet River Rail trail raises money for the Immaculate Conception and St. Matthias St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.

 

Secondly, we are in need of more individuals that want to grow in their faith and are willing to share their love of Christ with others in the Marlborough community as members of St. Vincent de Paul. We are asking you to walk two by two with us and enrich your faith journey by answering Jesus’ call. You can learn more about becoming a Vincentian at https://catholic.lpage/face-of-christ/.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact St. Vincent de Paul at icmarlborosvdp@gmail.com or 978-763-0578 if you have questions about the Walk, joining St. Vincent de Paul or if you are in need of support.

 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - December 14, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • December 12, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… I hope the nativity scene, the trees, the lights, the gifts, and the Christmas carols are helping you prepare for the big day! If not, hurry up with your preparations! This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday , which translates to “ Rejoice Sunday .” This expression comes from the Introit (entrance antiphon) of the Mass: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” The priest wears rose (not pink!) as a sign of the sun that is just about to rise on the horizon, representing the imminent coming of Christ. Although we are living through one of the darkest times of the year, we know that the Light is coming. Sin and suffering have an end. We are almost there. The first reading speaks of how everything dead, feeble, or broken will be transformed—and will rejoice. St. Paul cautions us to be patient. The Lord is near, but not yet. We are very close, and if anyone is not ready, there is still time! A couple of weeks ago, we heard St. Paul’s exhortation: “It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Rom 13:11–12) However, not everyone rejoices at this time of year. I want to acknowledge all those who struggle during this season. For some, this will be the first Christmas without their father, mother, husband, wife, child, sibling, or another loved one. Whether they are far away, estranged, or have been called home to the Lord, not being able to celebrate such an important moment with them is very hard. Instead of laughter, there may be tears. Instead of a house full of people, there may be only a few—or no one at all. There are also people who must be away from their families this Christmas. I ask each of you reading this letter to say a prayer for them this weekend. In your Christmas gatherings, when you pray or say grace before the meal, remember them. If you know someone who has recently lost a loved one or is separated from their family, please be especially considerate. A small gesture can go a very long way. I also want to take this opportunity to publicly thank all the people who worked so hard these past days with the Novena, the Consecration to Mary, and the celebrations of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. They did a fabulous job organizing everything, decorating, and cleaning up. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! And thank you as well to all of you who participated in these events—it would not have been the same without you. Finally, next week we are preparing for our Immaculate Conception Christmas Concert! It will be an opportunity for the whole parish to come together and celebrate each other’s cultures. Children and adults from all three communities are preparing to share their Christmas joy with us. I invite you all to come. It will take place Sunday, December 21 at 3 PM . Feel free to bring others as well. We will have refreshments afterward.  …and don’t forget to keep Christ in Christmas!!! 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