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 - September 14, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • September 12, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Saint Augustine defines sacraments as visible signs of an invisible reality. We have all heard about the sacraments and we know them, but we do not always fully understand what they mean. This week, I would like to reflect with you a bit more on the sacraments. God has chosen specific ways to share His divine nature with us. There are concrete actions which, when carried out with the right intention and proper form, bring about special graces for the recipient. The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the definition of a sacrament as “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions” (1131). That is a lot to take in, but each term is important. Let us begin with “efficacious.” It means that each sacrament has an effect on the recipient. We may not feel the effects immediately, but they are always there. Perhaps you have heard someone say they walked out of Mass the same way they came in. That is impossible! Even if we do not see or feel them, special graces are at work in our souls. Each sacrament imparts different graces. The seven sacraments were instituted by Jesus and entrusted to the care of the Church. No one has the power to change or modify them, not even the Pope; they are Christ’s gift to us. The sacraments are regulated by the Church in terms of who may minister them, how, and where they are celebrated. Their effectiveness does not depend on the personal holiness of the minister, but on the action itself and the openness of the recipient. As the Church teaches: the grace of the sacrament works by the action performed, not by the performer. This means our openness to sacramental grace is essential for the sacrament to bear fruit. If we close ourselves off, God respects our freedom. That is our greatest danger—that we can reject God’s grace. For example, when a couple chooses not to marry in the Church, they ultimately refuse the graces God desires to give them. Similarly, when someone sins and refuses to go to confession, God cannot forgive them, because they have chosen to remain apart from the sacrament of reconciliation. I do not intend to enter deeply into sacramental theology here, but I want to share these key ideas with you. This is also the time when our parish begins sacramental preparation. Whether a person is a child, a youth, or an adult, everyone can receive the sacraments with the proper preparation and instruction. Recently, our Archdiocese made a change regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation for teenagers: it is now offered in 7th grade. For younger children, we provide a two-year program for sacramental preparation. Our goal is not simply to “sacramentalize,” but to truly catechize—to form them in faith. The sacraments are the way to salvation. They make present here on earth the invisible reality of heaven that God longs to share with us. Therefore, if you or someone you know has not yet received one or more of the sacraments—Baptism, Eucharist (Communion), Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Reconciliation (Confession), or, for those in danger of death, Anointing of the Sick—this is the time to consider it. If someone is not Catholic but wishes to receive the sacraments—that is, to become Catholic—we also form a group each year for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly known as RCIA). Please see the religious education section of the bulletin for more information. Catechetical instruction is a volunteer based initiative. We are always in need of volunteers to help us. If you feel called to help in this important ministry, please call the office and let us know. Finally, we are resuming our Jubilee Talks after the summer break. They are offered every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., following Adoration. Let us take advantage of the opportunities God places before us, and let us not refuse the graces that prepare us for heaven. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - September 7, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • September 5, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Next Monday, 9/15, the Church will celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. In this jubilee year, we are called to console the sorrowing. The intention of our 7:30 a.m. daily Mass that day will be for all who are in need of consolation. Loss is never easy. If a dollar slips from our pocket, we feel upset—more so if it is $20 or $100. When what we lose carries emotional value, the pain is even deeper, because it cannot be replaced. Those are only objects, yet they can cause sadness. How much more difficult it is to lose a loved one. Even when illness makes death seem inevitable, it remains painful. Sudden loss is harder still. Moments of grief can weigh heavily, like a storm cloud blocking the sun. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, shared a profound bond between her Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of her Son. She shared His joys, but also His deepest sorrows as she witnessed His suffering. I once read an exhortation on the EWTN website that said: “If you are enduring intense sorrow, flee to our Blessed Mother. Take refuge in her Immaculate Heart, and implore her maternal consolation and guidance. For she who endured unspeakable grief will never fail you as your spiritual mother. As St. Louis de Montfort said: If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart, it would not equal the love of Mary’s Heart for her children.” Here in our parish, we will begin a bereavement ministry on October 14. Meetings will take place Tuesday evenings (time to be announced) in the lower church. Using a Scripture-based program, we will encounter the healing power of God’s Word. We invite you—or someone you know who is grieving—to come and be consoled by the Lord. Humanity has reached the moon, explored the depths of the sea, and advanced technology beyond imagination. Yet we still have no human answer to death. Only Christ holds that answer. We must listen to Him, encounter the Risen Lord, and discover that death is not the end. I also recommend My Son Carlo by Antonia Salzano Acutis, the mother of Saint Carlo Acutis. She testifies to the power of Christ and how He sustained her through the sudden loss of her son. I have only read the first chapter, and it is already inspiring. Whatever pain of loss you carry, God desires to console your heart and strengthen you to endure the storm. We never fully “get over” a loss, but we learn to live with it. Yes, it is hard, but not impossible. Please join us for the special Mass on Monday, 9/15, for all who need consolation. And remember, you are welcome to speak with one of the priests if you would like to share more about your loss. God Bless, Fr. Steven