From Father Steven - December 25, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • December 23, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

As we approach the joyful season of Christmas, we are invited to pause and reflect on the great mystery of God becoming man. Saint John Paul II reminds us that "Christmas is not merely a day of festivity and rejoicing. It is a day of reflection and renewal, a day in which we should re-examine our lives and strengthen our faith.” The Feast of the Nativity is not just a historical event; it is the very heart of our faith, where heaven and earth meet in the person of Jesus Christ. In this holy season, we celebrate the incredible love God has for each one of us, a love so deep that He sent His only Son to live among us, suffer for us, and redeem us.

 

As we gather with family and friends, sharing meals and exchanging gifts, we are reminded that Christmas is more than lights and decorations. It is about the light of Christ, the true Light that "shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). This is the Light that guides us through life's challenges, offering us hope, joy, and peace. In the words of St. John Paul II, "The birth of Christ is the beginning of the fullness of time. We are called to live in this fullness, in the light that comes from Bethlehem."

 

It is easy, especially in the busyness of the season, to forget that the true gift of Christmas is not found under the tree, but in the manger. In this season of giving, we are invited to remember that God gave us His Son as the ultimate gift. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son," (John 3:16), so that we might have life and have it abundantly. The Catechism reminds us that "the Son of God became man so that we might become God" (CCC 460). This is the true miracle of Christmas: that God, in His infinite love, wants to share His divine life with us.

 

Yet, in our busy lives, it can be easy to forget this profound truth. In a world that often emphasizes materialism and fleeting pleasures, we can lose sight of the eternal gifts that come from Christ alone—peace, hope, and everlasting joy. Christmas calls us to refocus our hearts on these divine gifts, and to rekindle our relationship with the Lord.

 

St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Christmas is a time to remember our shared bond as members of the Body of Christ. It is a time to heal broken relationships, extend forgiveness, and embrace the love that Christ has shown us. We are reminded that the Christ Child came not only for us individually but for all of humanity. In the spirit of Christmas, let us open our hearts and hands to those in need, whether through material help or spiritual support. Let us remember that in serving others, we serve Christ Himself.

 

In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let this joy overflow from our hearts. Even amidst trials, let us remember that we are never alone. The God who became a child in the manger is with us always, and His love will never fail. It is this love that will carry us through every difficulty, every trial, and every moment of doubt.

 

This Christmas, let us also remember that our faith is not just for the Christmas season, but for every day of the year. The infant Jesus calls us to live out His love every day, to witness to His truth, and to serve those around us with compassion and mercy. The Catechism reminds us that the Christian life is a call to "love one another as I have loved you" (CCC 1825). This love is not just for our family and friends but for all people—especially those who are lonely, hurting, or far from the faith. In this season, let us rekindle our zeal to live as disciples of Christ and to share the light of His love with the world.

 

As we approach the manger, let us all ask ourselves, “What can I give to the Christ Child?” The answer is simple—our hearts. In giving Him our hearts, we are also giving Him our lives. This Christmas, let us renew our commitment to live the Gospel with joy and to carry the light of Christ with us into the New Year.



May the peace, joy, and love of Christ fill your hearts and homes this Christmas and always.


Merry Christmas

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