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- June 14, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • June 12, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Every priest is called to be a man of prayer. Through ordination, we are united to Christ and configured to Him in a unique way. Therefore, when a priest prays, he not only pursues his own sanctification but also deepens his union with Jesus. Whether celebrating Mass publicly or privately, praying the Rosary, or offering short prayers throughout the day, St. Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” provides the foundation for all that we do. We all live in a world full of demands and expectations. What Frank Sinatra once called New York—the “city that never sleeps”—has, in many ways, become a description of life everywhere. There is so much happening in our lives that we can easily become like Martha in the Gospel. Some parents spend countless hours driving their children to activities and sporting events. Others have demanding jobs that consume most of their time. Still others are occupied with maintaining a household or caring for a sick loved one. Yet when do we become like Mary, who chose to sit beside Jesus and listen to Him? Martha was not doing anything wrong. On the contrary, hospitality was considered a sacred duty in her time. Nevertheless, Jesus reminds us that there is something even more important than all our responsibilities: to be with Him. When we pray, we draw close to Jesus. Suddenly, our burdens seem lighter, we become less irritable, and challenges that once felt overwhelming become manageable. Prayer is not simply a matter of reciting a few Our Fathers or Hail Marys; it is about spending time with Jesus. Next week, Fr. Gabriel and I will be away on retreat for a couple of weeks to spend time with the Lord. Although we maintain our daily prayer routines, there are moments when we need to “retreat” from the world and the busyness of parish life in order to rest our hearts and renew our souls. Fr. Fernando, who was ordained in Warsaw and is currently serving on mission in Ireland, will arrive on Friday to assist Fr. Victor in caring for the parish during our absence. We ask you to keep us in your prayers, just as we continually pray for you. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to participate more actively in spiritual activities. Whether it is joining the Cenacle Group, which meets on Mondays from 6:00–7:00 p.m. in the lower church, attending Eucharistic Adoration at least once a week, or reading a spiritual book during the summer, each of these practices can help us grow closer to Christ. In the coming months, we are planning additional opportunities to deepen our relationship with Him through retreats, talks, and other parish events. The good news is that we do not need to wait until the end of summer. In just two weeks, we will have a beautiful opportunity right here in Boston to encounter Jesus in a special way. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage carries the theme “One Nation Under God.” This is not merely a slogan—it is an invitation to realign our lives, our communities, and our country under the sovereignty of Christ. It is a call to foster unity through prayer and to allow Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, to renew and heal the heart of our nation, one soul at a time. As pilgrims on this route, we walk with Christ so that His love may draw our nation back to Him. The Archbishop has invited all the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic procession on Saturday, June 27 , beginning at Boston Common. We will follow the Freedom Trail and conclude at the Bunker Hill Monument. A bus will depart from the parish at 8:00 a.m. , and we expect to return by approximately 3:00 p.m. You can reserve your seat for $15 either online using the QR code below or by calling the parish office. Although I will not be present, I hope our parish will be well represented. This pilgrimage offers a wonderful opportunity to step away from the distractions of daily life and spend time with Jesus. Through our presence, we can also invite others to follow Him, just as the Apostles did. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - June 7, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • June 5, 2026
Car Show, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope that this title hasn’t confused your minds! How is it possible that we can put all these three things together? Very simply, those are our hidden treasures that once a year they are celebrated. Every year I have always walked down the street to the corner of Prospect and Main St. to take a peek at the cars. Last year however, after all the masses, I adventured to look at all the cars. It is amazing how cool and awesome it was. But it is also “sad” that we don’t get to see them that often riding on the streets. Some of the cars are true hidden gems that are probably guarded very safely somewhere away from the curious eyes. The same can be said about our Celebration of The Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Those are true gems that often are not seen/spoken about. This week we will be celebrating the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. In the old days we celebrated it on Thursday after Trinity Sunday, but here in the States it has moved to Sunday. For almost 1000 years, the Church has always celebrated this day with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the streets around the churches. Even before the Reformation, the Church has always believed and affirmed that “By the consecration, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: His Body and His Blood, with His soul and His divinity” (CCC 1413 quoting the Council of Trent). Unfortunately, many people nowadays do not believe in the real presence of Christ on the Eucharist. In spite of many miracles around the world and even recently, where the consecrated host became the tissue of a human heart, and the consecrated wine became real human blood, people refuse to believe in it. Recent studies have shown that even a major number of Catholics (including practicing Catholics) do not believe that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, but it’s a mere representation of him. St. Alphonsus Liguori writes in a great reflection book titled Visits to the Blessed Sacrament , “Loving souls can find no greater delight than to be in the company of those whom they love. If we, then, love Jesus Christ much, behold we are now in his presence…let us console ourselves in his company; let us rejoice in his glory and in the love in which so many enamored souls bear him in the Most Blessed Sacrament.” We are called first of all to be close to Jesus under the sacramental species, not only when he is present inside the tabernacle, but above all when he is exposed. We will have the special grace to do our own Eucharistic Procession here in the Parish. Some parishioners will be working from the early hours of Sunday creating a sawdust carpet with holy images on Prospect St., which will be closed on Sunday. After the trilingual Mass at 11am (rain or shine) all three communities will gather for a procession through downtown Marlboro. It will be our time to take our greatest gem out “from hiding” and show it to everyone!!!! Last year we had a great attendance, and I invite you to reach out to family and friends and invite them to celebrate this awesome event with us! Finally, as I mentioned before, mark on your calendars the National Eucharistic Procession that will pass through Boston as part of the 250 th of the birth of our Country. There will be events on June 26-28 in Plymouth, Freedom Trail and Lexington. God Bless, Fr. Steven