From Father Steven - December 14, 2025

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 - April 26, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • April 23, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The fourth Sunday of Easter is known as the Good Shepherd Sunday, as we hear each year a part of chapter 10 from the Gospel of John. We all know by heart Psalm 23 that speaks of the Lord as our Shepherd. This weekend I would like to reflect on the role of this Shepherd in our lives. I don’t know if anyone grew up in the countryside or has had experience out in the fields. There are many threats to the flock or herds. They can be stolen by other shepherds, eaten by predators, or even get lost or hurt by the terrain. Therefore, it is imperative that the shepherd is watching the flock the whole time in order to protect them from these external dangers. That is why he will bring the sheep to a place that is secure and has an abundance of food and water. It is almost equally important that the shepherd keeps an eye on the sheep. They are known to be extremely docile and not very smart. They can easily be deceived and go on their own or even ignore the voice of the shepherd. Then, he constantly keeps going after the sheep that does not listen to his voice or decides on its own to venture to other places. Often, they don’t find food or water, and in that danger of death, the shepherd finds it and brings it back to the fold. In Israel, it is very hard to find sources of water and pasture. Only a well-trained shepherd knows where to find it. However, it can be an arduous journey which can also be challenging to get there. It is very similar in our lives. There are many dangers to our souls out there. Whether external by the temptation to sin, or we can also make the wrong choices. Only Jesus knows where our nourishment can be found and where we can truly rest. However, it is not an easy journey there. The path to salvation can be very difficult, but not impossible. Jesus himself encourages us to strive to enter through the gate of salvation that is small and the road is narrow. We can find it too difficult for us, we can give up very easily, especially when the road to perdition is broad and the gate is wide. When we start heading to that direction, Jesus calls us by name as we hear this weekend. His voice is very distinctive from all the other voices. But he has to respect our freedom. Then, when we decide to leave his presence to seek a mirage, he comes after us to rescue us and brings us back to the fold. It is very important to understand that. First, Christ goes ahead of us to show us the way to salvation. The cross leads to eternal life. He is the only gate to salvation. While in Israel, the shepherds were known to be dishonorable people because of their lifestyle and vices. Jesus declares to be the Good Shepherd. That is, he is not like everyone else that in front of danger, they abandon the sheep or take advantage of the sheep. He instead lays down his life for us, as we just celebrated that in Easter. I don’t know what is happening in your lives. What are the hidden struggles or challenges that you are experiencing in the silence of your hearts? However, Jesus knows! He comes this weekend to call us to follow Him. If we are away from the flock, he calls us by our names back to his presence. And if someone is lost, he leaves the 99 in the desert and comes looking for the lost sheep until he finds them. Once he finds us, he does not give us lectures or scold us; instead, with great joy, he puts us on his shoulders and brings us home. Let’s reflect on what that means in our lives. Let’s pick up the pace, for the journey to heaven can be long and hard…but possible.  As I mentioned previously, the children of the parish will be receiving their first communion this weekend and the next. Along with them, let’s prepare our souls properly through confession. Let’s approach Christ with great reverence. Let’s not forget the priceless value of communion. If someone does not have the sacrament, or is in a condition that keeps you away from communion, come talk to us. Let nothing separate us from the love of God! He loves us so much, that is He is willing to do anything to save us, as long as we allow Him! So let’s open the doors of our hearts for him. Let’s listen to His voice, and follow His way. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - April 19, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • April 17, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are having a blessed Easter season and were able to enjoy some of the beautiful weather we had recently. This week, we will be launching our annual parish raffle, as we do each year. This is one of our main parish fundraisers. Although our parishioners are always very generous, this year we have incurred unexpected expenses due to snow removal and increased utility costs. This raffle helps us cover some of those expenses. In addition to supporting our parish, the raffle also contributes to the priestly formation at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. Years ago, several pastors came together and saw this as a meaningful way to support both our parishes and the seminary. You can find more details online, but approximately 60% of the proceeds from tickets sold remain with the parish, 20% covers expenses, and 20% supports the formation of new priests for the Archdiocese of Boston. It is truly a win-win-win situation. Each ticket costs $20. The prizes include a 2026 Honda Ridgeline (pickup truck), a 2026 Honda Civic Sport, and $15,000 in cash prizes (five prizes of $2,000 and five prizes of $1,000). The drawing will take place on September 27th. The success of the raffle depends greatly on parishioners who are willing to help sell tickets to family and friends. You will have until September 13th to sell tickets and return the envelopes to the parish office. For the first time, we are offering an incentive: whoever sells the most tickets will receive a $400 prize. During the initial phase, which will take place this weekend and next, we will offer envelopes containing 20 tickets for those who would like to take them home to sell. Additional envelopes will be available at the parish office. At a later date, tickets will also be sold at Mass (before and after the summer). For those who would prefer to purchase individual tickets, they are always available at the parish office through Lee Ann. We invite you to consider helping us this year. Last year, our parish raised $18,045 in profit from the raffle. Altogether, participating parishes contributed $115,000 to support the seminary. We hope to surpass that amount this year. Please feel free to reach out if you need more information. I would like to thank you for your continued generosity to the parish, to those in need, and for all that you do quietly and faithfully. It is a privilege to witness your kindness. Additionally, I ask for your prayers for the upcoming celebrations of the sacraments. Next week, children from the Brazilian community will receive their First Communion on Saturday, followed by the Spanish community on Sunday. The English community will celebrate First Communion the following week at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Many couples will also be receiving the sacrament of marriage in the coming months. Finally, our youth will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on May 29th in Portuguese and on June 5th in English & Spanish. That same season, we will celebrate our annual Eucharistic procession on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) on June 7th. If you have never participated, I encourage you to mark your calendars and join us. Some parishioners begin preparing a sawdust carpet in the early hours of  the morning and finish just in time for the procession. It is a beautiful tradition that honors the Body and Blood of Christ. God Bless, Fr. Steven