From Father Steven - December 21, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • December 19, 2025

 HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

Trees have always had a great importance for primitive men: they signaled the presence of water, offered shadow, were used for tools, used for fire, gave fruits for nourishments... For this reason, trees became religious objects, they were worshipped not for what they are but for what they revealed: the divinity of a God.

 

It is next to oak adored by pagans that the first Christmas tree is born in the 8th Century thanks to the missionary work of St. Boniface. Saint Boniface was a bishop and Apostle in Germany and in those lands he had converted many pagan tribes. His work was not easy and even if they converted, many times they faith was weak and they would fall back into old customs. During the Christmas night of 724, Boniface went to the Oak of Thunder of Geismar, which was adored by the pagans as an image of the God Thor. They would offer human sacrifices next to the oak to gain benevolence by the God. Boniface stopped this barbaric act and took an ax and started cutting down the oak tree. At that point, a strong wind started blowing and the tree fell and broke in 4 parts. Behind the oak there was a fir tree (Christmas tree). Therefore, Boniface began a simple catechesis for these men who lived their lives at the rhythm of nature and announced to them Jesus Christ: his birth, his death, and his resurrection out of love for man. He told them that among the trees that are dead because of the loss of leaves, the evergreen fir tree was the image of Christ, the living. This tree full of light was the symbol of him who is the light of the world and with his birth leads us to God who dwells in light. In the end, he invited them to put candle lights on that tree in honor of the birth of Christ and with the wood of the fallen oak tree he made them build a chapel in honor of St. Peter.

 

Years later, this tradition crossed the border of Germany and reached the royal palaces of Austria, France, England, and even Russia. The Christmas Tree and the Nativity scene were very common in all of Europe until the protestant reformation. Lutherans forbid the use of sacred images and the nativity scene was suppressed. The Christmas tree became more and more widespread. That’s why for Catholics the tree was a protestant innovation. Only at the beginning of the 1800 Catholics began to use the Christmas tree again. 

 

In the Vatican, beginning in 1982, the Christmas tree has always been next to the Nativity scene. John Paul II on December 19 2004, during the Angelus, said: “Next to the crib, as in St Peter’s Square, we find the traditional Christmas tree. This too is an ancient tradition that exalts the value of life, for in the winter season the evergreen fir becomes a sign of undying life. Christmas gifts are usually placed on the tree or arranged at its base. The symbol thus also becomes eloquent in a typically Christian sense: it calls to mind the tree of life (cf. Gn 2: 9), a figure of Christ, God’s supreme gift to humanity. The message of the Christmas tree is consequently that life stays evergreen if we make a gift of it: not so much of material things, but of life itself: in friendship and sincere affection, in fraternal help and forgiveness, in time shared and reciprocal listening.” Address of his holiness benedict xvi to pilgrims from Walloon, Belgium who had come to bring as a gift to the holy father the Christmas tree which will decorate St. Peter’s square in the Christmas season - clementine hall Friday, 18 December 2009.

 

“In the forest the trees are close to each other and each one contributes to making the forest a shady and sometimes dark place. And here, chosen from among a multitude, the majestic fir that you are offering me today is lit up and covered with sparkling decorations like as many marvelous fruits. Having abandoned its somber dress for a scintillating splendor, it is transfigured and becomes the messenger of a light that is not its own but bears witness to the true Light that comes into this world. This tree’s destiny is comparable to that of the shepherds: while they were watching in the shadows of the night, here they are illumined by the Angels message. This tree’s destiny is also comparable to our own, for we are called to bear good fruits to show that the world has truly been visited and redeemed by the Lord. Standing beside the crib, this fir, in its own way, demonstrates the great mystery that was present in the simple, poor place of Bethlehem. To the inhabitants of Rome, to all the pilgrims and to all who will visit St Peter’s Square through the television images broadcast across the world, it proclaims the coming of the Son of God. Through this tree, the ground of your land and the faith of the Christian Communities of your Region greet the Infant God, the One who came to make all things new and to call all creatures, from the humblest to the most exalted, to enter into the mystery of Redemption and to be associated with it.”

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven- November 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we were reminded that our call is towards Holiness. This week, in case it was not clear enough, the liturgy will point out that our lives were made for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, God needs our internal disposition, our desire, acceptance, and readiness to enter this Kingdom. We live in a world full of distractions, which each day they are more appealing. Whether TV shows, youtube videos, social media, our lives are more and more are behind a screen. There are numerous psychologists alerting to the danger that simple tasks are no longer enough to make a person happy because of the overdose of dopamine. The human body is not used to the amount of stimulation as given by the electronics (screen). Then, simple tasks, such as praying, can become boring, unpleasing, lacking the necessary stimulus. How then are we going to be ready for the Kingdom of God if we spend a good amount scrolling through the phone or channels? Human interaction in New England is already limited. After Covid, it became almost nonexistent. Nowadays, we limit our conversations to emojis, or if you come out of the house and see another human being, a simple nod or a half smile. Gone are the days that people talk to each other. Then, let’s begin a new culture, as Pope St. John Paul II would often exhort the youth. Pope Francis in a World Youth Day called those in attendance to dictate their own lives, instead of following what the world tells them to do. As St. Teresa of Calcutta says, we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” Another element present, which we don't often speak about, is the adversary whose mission is to condemn us. Since the day he opposed God and his loving plan of redemption of man, he seeks to destroy the image of God, which is us. He speaks to us through thoughts (temptations). He can throw darts of false desires into our hearts. It is important to understand that these inclinations are not ours. They come as suggestions as if whispered in our intellects which we can agree or reject them. Taking the passage of the Gospel, maybe the Virgins were alerted to go out to get more oil to wait for the groom, but then the temptation of laziness, pride, or presumptuousness came and suggested them not to come. It is important to learn the strategies of our enemy in order to be alert and counterattack them. This is another way for us to fight for the Kingdom of God. In Theology we say that the spiritual beings (angels and demons) are much more intelligent than us. It can be compared to the difference between an adult and a toddler. Then the enemy can easily deceive and distract us of what is important as children do. That is why we invited Fr. Carlos Martins next Monday (11/16) to explain to us better what the spiritual world is and how to fight. We do not need to fear these things. They can do nothing without our consent. Like a barking dog on a leash cannot bite us, so the spirits cannot hurt us unless we get close to the dog. Finally, I would like to say a word about our fellow brothers and sisters who have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed much serving in the military. Our dear Veterans, whose day we observe on Wednesday, are an example of selfless action that we should imitate. Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). These countless men and women have sacrificed their lives. They set a great example to be followed. This is still part of what we need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I invite you to say a Rosary on Wednesday praying for the Veterans in thanksgiving for their service, especially those who are struggling because of their time in the military. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 1, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • October 30, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we observe All Saints Day, and on Monday we will remember all the faithful departed (All Souls’ Day). It is important for us to understand the relationship we have with the saints and the dead. First of all, it is crucial to know that the saints are great examples of our faith. They are to be venerated, not worshipped, and serve as role models for us. Their lives show us a path that can lead us closer to God. In a similar way that Tom Brady, Larry Bird, and Big Papi inspire young people around here to become professional athletes, the saints do the same for those who want to be part of Team Jesus. We not only look up to them, but we can also model our lives according to their practices of faith. Secondly, not all the saints lived perfect lives. Some had very troubled pasts, others were known for their vices, and still others converted near the end of their lives. What is important is how they responded to God's grace and surrendered their lives to Him. St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Charles de Foucauld all experienced periods in their early lives when they were far from the holiness they later embraced. St. John of God was admitted to a psychiatric hospital before fully embracing his mission after his conversion. St. Bartolo Longo became involved in satanism before turning to Christ. St. Dismas, the Good Thief who was crucified alongside Jesus, was not a follower of Christ during His public ministry. Yet, at the very end of his life, he professed his faith in Jesus and received the promise of paradise. Therefore, our past does not have to define our future. What matters is whether we turn to Christ, repent of our sins, and accept His forgiveness and the salvation He offers us. Finally, the saints want us to be with them in heaven. Therefore, we can ask for their help and intercession, especially for spiritual goods that will help us conform our lives to Jesus. Getting to know the saints and their lives is extremely rewarding. I personally read the description of the saint of the day every day. Do not treat them like the genie in the lamp, asking for mundane favors or help finding lost objects. Of course, they can also intercede for us in our daily needs as a sign of their love for us. But imagine asking Tom Brady to come here to the parish to help us find our keys! It would be a waste of his time. This weekend, all the relics we have will be exposed in the church, with a brief description of each, for veneration after Mass. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask the saints for a special spiritual favor that will help you get to heaven. On Monday, we will pray for all the faithful departed. We believe that those who die face the particular judgment of God. At that moment, their eternal destiny is determined: those who die in God's grace and friendship and are fully purified enter heaven; those who definitively reject God separate themselves from Him forever in hell. Those who die in God's grace but still need purification before entering heaven undergo that purification in purgatory. Our prayers cannot change the fate of those who are in hell, and the saints in heaven do not need our prayers. However, the souls being purified in purgatory can benefit from our prayers. We can offer prayers, sacrifices, and indulgences for them. That is why we pray for the souls in purgatory and for all the faithful departed. We do not know with certainty whether a particular person is in heaven or hell, unless the Church has declared someone a saint. Therefore, it is always good to pray for those who have died. We have a book in which you can write the names of your deceased loved ones, and we will pray for them throughout the month of November. Lastly, and briefly, Fr. Carlos Martins, who has a special ministry, will be coming to our parish on Monday, November 16, to host a “Night with an Exorcist.” He will give a talk to clarify some of the misleading information about spiritual warfare circulating on social media. It is important to hear how the Church understands evil and how we can protect ourselves spiritually. Save the date on your calendars! God Bless, Fr. Steven