From Father Steven - September 8, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 6, 2024

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

While I was away, besides resting and praying, I spent a lot of time thinking and contemplating what the next steps should be for us here at IC. I asked the Lord multiple times, and the answer was always the same, namely, be patient! As you know, I’m not patient at all. Then what shall we do?


We will hear in the first reading this weekend the promises of the Lord to the people of Israel. When He comes, “the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing….”. There are moments when we expect things to happen faster. However, the ways of the Lord are not the same as ours. Maybe the Lord will not give us what we want at all. There were a few projects and ideas that we tried to implement here in the parish, and it did not come to fruition. At least not now. Now, does it mean that we fail? Not at all. It means that the Lord had other plans. Maybe the Lord wants to reinforce what we already have in the parish. We have Saint Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, Youth Group, the Cenacle, Bible Study, Neocatechumenal Way, Adult Choir, Companions on the Journey (book club), and the Eucharistic Ministers that visit the homebound, not counting the CCD program. Soon our bereavement ministry will start along with a ministry to those retired, widows, and anyone who would like to join. The arrivals of Fr. Victor and Fr. Gabriel will also help us to be able to offer more as well. We already began talking about having some formative talks, retreats, and more. Having said this, we need to be patient to see when and how the Lord wants to act.


In the meantime, I invite all of you to pray. Ask the Lord where he is calling you to participate in the parish with what we currently have. It is also important to ask what He calls us to do. Whether to say the rosary at least once a day, read the bible for 15 minutes, visit the Blessed Sacrament more often, attend confession every month, pick up a book of a saint, or something else. It is interesting to note that Christ is always on the move in the Gospel. Very seldom you see him still, and if you do, it is only to start moving again. However, in our lives, we like to settle down, rest, and be comfortable where we are. I assume (and hope) that each of you already have your devotions that you pray daily, the sacrifices that you make secretly, the religious books that you read. Maybe it is time to start moving again, to try different things, to come out of our comfort zone. I like very much when the people who are in need bother Jesus in the most annoying way. The blind man continued to scream even after Jesus had passed. The Canaanite woman was relentlessly asking Jesus to cure her daughter. None of them were doing what they wanted, but what they needed. Then we ask ourselves again, what does the Lord want to give to us at this moment? How far are you willing to give another shot?


I noticed this past week that we have some new people coming to mass. It would be important to welcome them with a smile, introducing yourself to them. Maybe there are people that sit next to you that you never asked their name. Before moving forward, it is also important that we cover our bases first. You can also invite people in your lives to come back to Church. Why not? Maybe this is what the Lord invites us at this moment. Let us grow closer to the people that are already here. Then we will be ready to move to deeper waters. Please keep us in your prayers as we discern where the Lord wants us to go. 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven


From Father Steven - November 9, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • November 7, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This week, I would like to talk about a sensitive topic: food insecurity and the stigma that comes along with it. We were raised saying that we should be self-sufficient and independent, but at times God has other plans. Most parents wish that their children may have a good education, health, and a successful life. However, how do we measure success? Is it by the size of the house, the bank account or the 401K, or other accomplishments in life? None of the above! God measures us by humility, faithfulness to the sacrament, love! God’s only desire for us is salvation of our souls, that is, our holiness. It is important to set the parameters before we continue. It is not the first time that our country faces a difficult economic situation. I still remember the crisis of 2008. So many people were unemployed. Many families were unable to pay rent or mortgage, losing their houses. Many also did not have enough money to buy food. However, this reality is not part of a crisis, this is an ongoing issue that affects many families here and around the globe. Regardless of the reason for the financial instability, the point is that we always have had families that struggle to get to the end of the month. These families are not just those from Boston, downtown Worcester, or from another unprivileged condition. At times, they are people sitting next to us at mass, the parents of our children’s friends, or even someone who works, but does not get enough to sustain their families. It does not matter the reason for their struggle, what matters is that, this gives us an opportunity to help Jesus. You may remember the passage in which Jesus says that every time we clothe the naked we clothe him, and every time we feed a hungry person, we feed him. We do not know how much longer the government shut down will continue. We know that currently it is affecting families who are enrolled in food assistance programs. However, even if this gets resolved, we know that the struggle will continue. Therefore, what can we do? I will list a few ways in which we have to support one another. St. Vincent De Paul is a group from the Parish that assists people in various needs. They have boxes located in the exits of the church. By placing money in the poor boxes, we assist them in helping those in need. Here in town, we have the food pantry that also feeds many families. Although we can donate food to them, I was told that, if we were to donate money, they will be able to get even more food. I was told that the city, through the Mayor’s office, he is also able to provide some support. Here at the Parish we also have the community fridge located on the main street side of the church. There we can donate food. I’ve seen people who have cooked a meal and put it in several containers so that it’s easier for more people to have access to it. These are just a few ways to help those in need. You also can put money in an envelope and give it to the Parish office. We in turn will see who would be in the greatest need and give it to them. Jesus in the gospel teaches that when we give, we do not blow the trumpet. Instead, when we give we do it in secret, without letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. God, who sees what we do in secret will reward us. Furthermore, we always give without counting the cost. Hasn’t God being generous to us? Let us then imitate our heavenly father. “Love one another as I have loved you.” This weekend we would like to thank all the men and women who serve our country: those who are serving and those who have served. Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers as we commemorate Veteran’s Day. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 2, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • October 31, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This weekend is a special one as we honor the Communion of Saints. We ask for the intercession of the Triumphant Church in heaven and pray for the Suffering Church in purgatory, especially as we celebrate All Souls’ Day. The Second Vatican Council teaches that the Church exists in three states: the Militant (or Pilgrim) Church on earth, the Triumphant Church in heaven, and the Suffering Church in purgatory. United in the Communion of Saints, the Triumphant Church intercedes for us, while we are called to pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in purgatory, helping them complete their purification and enter into the presence of God. Catholic theology teaches that when a person dies, he or she does not become a star or an angel, nor does the soul enter heaven immediately. Each person faces a particular judgment, which determines whether the soul goes to heaven or hell. Those who have loved God and their neighbor, dying in a state of grace—that is, remaining faithful to God until the end—are saved through Christ and destined for heaven. However, some souls must first undergo a period of purification before they can behold God face to face. I often explain it this way: when children play outside, they must wash their hands before sitting at the table. Sometimes the dirt requires extra scrubbing to be completely clean. I remember as a child my mother once used a brush so strong that it almost felt like my skin was coming off—it was painful. In a similar way, the souls in purgatory are cleansed from the remaining effects/consequences of sin. Some mystics describe this purification as a fire consuming their souls. This is why it is so important that we pray for the souls in purgatory and for our loved ones who have passed away. The greatest gift we can offer them is a plenary indulgence, which may be obtained each time we visit this parish, designated as a Jubilee Church. Another powerful act is to offer a Mass for their intention. The Sacrifice of Christ made present on the altar is the most effective prayer for the departed. You may contact the parish office to schedule a Mass intention. We ask for a $15 donation, allowing us to unite our prayer with a personal sacrifice—just as St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary offered two turtle doves at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. We can also visit cemeteries and pray for the departed. In the United States, we honor the deceased on Memorial Day, but as Catholics, we especially remember the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day. Other ways to assist them include praying the Rosary, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, and offering other devotional prayers for their intentions. We are also introducing the opportunity to honor the faithful departed (or the living) by offering liturgical memorials. Each weekend, the bread and wine, candles, and sanctuary lamp used in our liturgies may be offered for your chosen intention. A $50 donation is requested for each of these three memorials. Many parishes provide this beautiful opportunity, and we believe it will help strengthen our community’s prayer for the deceased. Additionally, we continue to keep the Book of Remembrance by St. Joseph’s Altar, where all submitted names will be remembered in prayer. However, nothing compares to the grace of offering a Mass or obtaining a plenary indulgence on their behalf. Some saints have said that when we help release a soul from purgatory, that soul will intercede for us before God for the rest of our lives. Let us, then, dear brothers and sisters, make it our mission to help as many souls as possible reach heaven. Each time we come to IC, let us take advantage of the plenary indulgence available during this Jubilee year. Remember, by going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, we may obtain one plenary indulgence per day for eight days as long as we and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father and visit the parish each day. In other words, with one confession and communion, you can receive multiple indulgences. As so many saints have interceded for us, let us now help the future saints—the souls in purgatory—on their journey to eternal joy. God Bless, Fr. Steven