From Father Steven - February 2, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • January 31, 2025

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the letter below from Father Gabriel.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

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Hello Parishioners, 


Last week I had the opportunity to accompany 49 youth from our parish to the March for life in Washington D.C. While making our way down, we visited the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia where the remains of Saint Katherine Drexel are kept. There was a particular instance in her life that stood out to me. Once, while visiting St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, she was enchanted by a painting of the Virgin Mary. While kneeling in reverence to the image, she suddenly had this sense that Our Lady was speaking to her, inaudibly she received the message: “Freely give to others what you have received.” It resonated with me, because my initial calling shares something similar, I had an experience of an inaudible voice that compelled me to leave everything behind to follow Christ, and though I did not hear a thing, this voice was more compelling than any physical voice, it cried out to me in my innermost being. 


Reflecting on Mother Drexel’s call, my own, and all of this in the context of the March for life led me to remember how the Lord, slowly but surely, softened my heart to heed this call which I initially ran away from. I began to remember my formators at the seminary preaching that there were many people that the Lord had appointed for us to reach in due time. Those words frustrated me then, I felt pinned between a rock and a hard place, wanting to leave behind the seminary, but knowing that if I did I’d be lying to myself. Nevertheless, this last pilgrimage made it apparent that in the youth that we took to the March, I was with those very people that my formators once spoke of. But far from frustrating me now, it was with great joy that I accompanied them. I was elated to see how they were moved by the experience, from the life of Mother Drexel, to the time in confession and Adoration, to the March itself. It was all impactful one way or another, and the Lord allowed me to be an instrument to bring this joy to these youth.


This experience brought me even deeper, because I also remembered that much of my resistance towards the vocation sprouted from my unmet desire to have a family of my own. I had felt that the Lord cheated me out of that life by sticking me with a vocation to the priesthood. However, on the pilgrimage to the March for Life, by ministering to these youth who received so much joy, I witnessed for myself the realness of spiritual fatherhood, and the fruitfulness of a celibate life, which is no less fruitful than that of married life. It brought me to see openness to life is not just a matter for those with a vocation to marriage, because when I was resisting and saying no to the Lord’s will before, I was saying no to the gift of life that would come in the form of those spiritual children that the Lord desired to entrust to me. I was refusing to lead these youth to happiness. This realization to some degree is painful, but also encouraging, because by seeing the abundance of grace that has come forth from trusting the Lord a little, it readies me to be less resistant and more eager to do His will in the future, even when I may not understand it.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Gabriel

 

From Father Steven - July 27, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • July 25, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please see the letter below from Janet, one of our parishioners, who is a missionary teacher in the Caribbean. God Bless, Fr. Steven ============================ Hello! My name is Janet, I’m 31 years old, and I’ve been serving as a missionary teacher in the Caribbean for the past two years. As I now prepare to begin my third year, I’ve been reflecting deeply on this journey—one that has transformed my life in ways I could never have imagined. Before I answered the call to mission, I was in a season of searching—trying to find myself, questioning what my purpose was, and wondering what God wanted from my life. I felt like I was drifting, unsure of what direction to take. I had desires for meaning, for adventure, for something bigger than myself, but I didn’t quite know how to find it. It wasn’t until I took the leap of faith to serve in mission that things began to change. Coming to the Island, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know how I’d adjust to a new culture, to a simpler lifestyle, or to relying entirely on the providence of God. But I was willing to try. And it’s in that surrender that I found everything I didn’t even know I was looking for. In teaching children and sharing the faith with them, I discovered my vocation. There is something so powerful and humbling about watching young hearts come to know God, and knowing He is using me—just as I am—to help plant those seeds. Every classroom moment, every CCD class, every small conversation has become a sacred opportunity to witness God's love and truth. Mission life is not without its challenges. We live simply, depending on the generosity of others and trusting that God will provide for our needs. And He always does—but not always in the way I expect. Through this dependence, I’ve learned to see God in everything: in a donated meal, in the smile of a student, in the quiet strength that gets me through long days. I’ve learned that God’s plans are always better than mine, even when they take me far from what feels comfortable or easy. The past two years have brought me a joy I didn’t think was possible. Not a fleeting kind of happiness, but a deep, steady joy that comes from knowing I am exactly where God wants me to be. I’ve grown spiritually, emotionally, and in my identity as a daughter of God. I’ve learned to let go, to trust, to live in the present, and to love more fully. As I enter this third year of my mission, my heart is filled with gratitude and excitement. I know there are still challenges ahead, but I also know that God's grace will carry me through, just as it has from the beginning. This mission has become more than just something I do—it has become part of who I am. Please keep me, the children I teach, and all missionaries in your prayers. May we all continue to say "yes" to God's call, whatever and wherever it may be.  With love and joy, Janet

From Father Steven - July 20, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • July 18, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you are having a wonderful summer—visiting family and friends, enjoying beautiful places, and, above all, continuing your prayerful life with the Lord. It can be challenging at times to maintain our spiritual routine while on vacation. St. John Bosco exhorted young people to make time for recreation , not relaxation —there is a difference between having moments of fun and letting our guard down. Remember, the devil never rests; he is like a lion looking for someone to devour. A balanced life is always best: a little bit of work, a little bit of fun, and a little bit of prayer. Indeed, we should take advantage of the summer to do things we often don’t have time for during the rest of the year. On a separate note, in case you were not here last weekend, I announced that our Archbishop, Richard Henning, has extended my term as pastor for another six years. He is very pleased with what he hears about the parish, which is a reflection of your efforts and your prayers. I must confess that I, too, am very pleased to see the work that God is accomplishing in our community. There are many graces that God has bestowed on our people—many stories of individuals returning to the Church, receiving the sacraments after many years, and much more. One of the greatest privileges I have is witnessing God at work in people’s lives. Of course, we also share in the sorrows and struggles of our parishioners. But after these years, I can say that, counting both the joyful and the difficult moments, I am very happy to be your pastor. My primary duties are to teach, sanctify, and govern the parish. I have done my best to fulfill these responsibilities. I know I don’t have much to offer, so I kindly ask for your patience with my limitations. I too walk alongside you on this path of growing closer to the Lord. Mistakes have been made in the past, and there may be more in the future—hopefully fewer. Please continue to pray for me and for all priests. We truly need all the prayers we can get. Next week, I will accompany a group of 51 young people on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. Fr. Gabriel will also be going, although with a different group. Fr. Victor will remain here with you, along with Fr. Cássio Dalpiaz, a longtime friend of mine from Brazil. He is a priest from Brasília and will soon be going to Portugal to complete his doctoral studies on the connection between Literature and Theology (he has done extensive work on the theology behind Tolkien’s writings). He speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Some of the youth going to Rome are children of immigrants who faced difficult times not long ago. Thank God their situation has improved, though some families are still dealing with immigration-related issues. These young people are struggling to cover the full cost of the trip, so they will be asking for donations after Mass. Lastly, I’ve invited some parishioners to share their testimonies in the upcoming bulletins. I hope these stories help convey some of the beautiful things happening in our parish and in the lives of our people. Let us continue to pray that more souls may choose the “better part”—that is, to love and serve the Lord. God Bless, Fr. Steven