From Father Steven - February 25, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • February 23, 2024


 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Have you ever felt the burden of past mistakes weighing heavy on your heart, leading to sadness and hopelessness? Confession, also known as the sacrament of reconciliation, offers a transformative path towards healing and renewal. While some may have doubts about approaching this sacrament, I assure you, as a priest, our focus is not on remembering your sins, but on offering God's forgiveness and guiding you back to the path of light. This week, I'd like to share insights on preparing for and experiencing the profound grace of confession.

 

The first step is to recognize that Christ entrusted to Peter the power to forgive sins (Whose sins you forgive, will be forgiven them – Jn 20:23). Thus, establishing the sacrament of reconciliation (and baptism) as the means through which sins are forgiven. While some may choose to confess directly to God, it is through this sacrament that God has chosen to grant forgiveness. This authority given to the apostles was passed down to their disciples (nowadays bishops). We, priests, have the power to forgive sins, because we share in the ministry of the bishops.

 

Now that we have established the need to be forgiven through the sacrament, we move on to the practicality. In preparation to receive the sacrament, we should ask the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comforts us, dispels our fears, and gives hope as we decide to return to the embrace of our Heavenly Father, much like the prodigal son returning home. Just as sins separate us from God, the sacrament re-unites us to Him, hence the name of “reconciliation.” We begin with an examination of conscience. Prayerfully, we should reflect on our actions since our last confession. Various guides are available to assist with this process, which can be found on our website under the sacraments section. It should only be a help to remember certain things that we did and may have forgotten. Whether you reflect on the 10 commandments or the seven capital sins, what is important is that, to the best of our abilities, we remember our sins. You may write them down, just please be very careful with where you write them. While remorse for our sins is natural, we should also be grateful for the grace of recognizing them and the opportunity for God's forgiveness. With a resolve to abandon sin, we are then prepared to approach the sacrament.

 

 For those who haven't confessed in some time, I recommend scheduling an appointment to allow ample time for reflection. When confessing, begin by making the sign of the cross, and saying “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ___ amount of time since my last confession, and these are my sins.” Next tell the priest your marital status and if you have children living with you (as the priest may not know you). Then you tell the priest your sins. When confessing sins, there's no need for explicit details; simply name the sin and indicate its frequency. Once you finish confessing with the best of your ability, you may say “for these sins and the ones I don’t remember, I am sorry.” The priest may offer words of encouragement and assign a penance, designed not as punishment but as a means of spiritual healing and growth. It is a medicinal exercise to undo the harm caused by sin or to strengthen you to not fall back again into the same sins. Finally, you will be asked to say the act of Contrition (O my God, I am sorry for my sins. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin…there are many variations of it.), or the priest can ask you as well. Then, in the person of Christ, the priest will pronounce the words of Absolution to forgive your sins making the sign of the cross. He will dismiss you, allowing you to begin anew with the fire of the Holy Spirit rekindled in your heart full of joy and renewed hope, free from the weight of sins on your shoulders. Confessions are available here at the parish on Tuesdays 5-6pm Saturdays 1-3pm, or by scheduling an appointment at the office.

 

God Bless, 

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - September 13, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • September 11, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The other day, I was talking with a priest about the need to evangelize within the parish. Usually, when we speak about evangelization, we imagine going out to reach people who are not coming to Church. Besides that, there is also a need, at times, to catechize the folks who are already in the Church. The primitive Church, especially during the first centuries, lived among small communities. For a person to be baptized, there was a long and serious period of preparation and training in the faith. However, with Constantine coming into power and Christianity becoming recognized by the Roman Empire, the Church became full of people who received the sacraments but were not necessarily deeply initiated into the faith. They were “sacramentalized,” but not necessarily catechized. In other words, people were initiated into the Church, but did not necessarily have deep roots in their faith. This reminds us of the parable of the Sower (Mt 13:18-23). When people receive the Kingdom of God, there are different reactions. One does not understand it; another receives it with great joy, but when trouble or persecution comes, quickly falls away. Still others hear the word, but worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit. Finally, there are those who hear the word and understand it, bearing much fruit—thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. Maybe those first reactions are familiar to you. Then one can ask himself: If you are not part of the last group, then, How can you be in it? Please understand that this is not simply a matter of the moral character of each person. Rather, it has to do with the type of soil and the surroundings that can either help or kill the Word of God in one’s heart. Therefore, we might need help cultivating the seed that we have all received in Baptism and protecting it from the dangers that can prevent it from growing. Sometimes I get asked: Where should a person who is rediscovering the faith, or someone who is new to the Church, start? There is so much material out there. Even for those who stopped their faith formation at the age of 15, with Confirmation, where can one continue their Christian formation? The Catholic Church has approved an itinerary of Christian formation that is focused on this. Pope Saint John Paul II called it “valid for society and for today’s times.” The world has changed dramatically in these past decades. Many of the values that we grew up with have been put aside and ignored by many. Besides relativism, one of the greatest dangers that we are facing is individualism, especially with the development of cellphones, screens, and social media. The Virgin Mary has inspired this Christian initiation to be lived as a group, as a community of people coming together—not online, but in person—as we have always done since the very beginning of the Church. Technically, even before that, the people of Israel came together under the tent in the desert. On Monday the 21st, we will begin this Christian initiation with catechesis for adults and youth (13+) on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at the building by the parking lot, Meehan Hall. Everyone is invited to come. We will have babysitters available to help for free. One does not need to register or to come to all the sessions. Since the catechesis are independent from one another, if someone can only make one of the days, that is also okay. Even if you are not interested, or you are already engaged in another activity in the parish, maybe you know someone who could benefit from it. The presenters will be parishioners, together with myself. So please, pray for us!!! You know I need lots of help. The final consideration I invite you to reflect on is whether this comes from God or not. If it does, then the invitation is not just from me, but from God. How many times do we not want to do something? Here, it is not about what we want or do not want. Rather, it is about asking what the will of God is for us. You may have seen the cards or the banner with the picture of the Annunciation. Today, God also comes to you, inviting you not to be afraid and to allow Christ to be born in you. Maybe this is the time to take another step in your faith. Maybe this is the time to allow the seed that was planted in you at Baptism to grow deeper roots. Do not be afraid. Come and listen. Come and see what God may be preparing for you.  Please pray about it, and I hope to see you there. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - September 6, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • September 4, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I hope you had a good, restful, and joyful summer. Unfortunately, it's over, so it's time for all of us to get back to our regular schedules — including our spiritual routine. I often recommend going to confession after the summer. Whether there was a Mass that was skipped, some feathers that got ruffled, or our tongue got a little too sharp, it's always good to go to confession. Another way to think of it: it's time for an oil change — but instead of oil, it's our sins that get removed, and new graces are put into our souls. God has prepared many wonderful graces for us this coming year, beginning with the Labor Day Parade. On Monday, the Lord is calling as many of us as possible to make His presence visible in town. As every year, IC Church will have a float to show everyone that God and the Church are very much alive. But if only a few of us show up, it defeats the purpose. You may have heard before about a person who came back to church because of the joy he saw among our people. This year's theme is the Eucharist. The Spanish community has prepared a float displaying a monstrance, with children dressed in white (some as angels). We urge as many people as possible to join us in this procession of our faith. Next Saturday, Richard Kerns, a longtime parishioner, will be ordained a permanent deacon at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I've mentioned before how our parish is bearing much fruit through different vocations and missions. I invite those who are able to come and accompany him at this important moment in his life, and in the life of our parish. Then, on Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, he will serve and preach for the first time. There's no excuse not to be there to witness this special gift to our parish. Light refreshments will follow in the Hall. Also next Saturday, the Brazilian community will hold their annual festival in the parking lot in the late afternoon. There will be traditional food, entertainment for the children, and lots of fun. Since we are one parish, this isn't just their feast — it's ours too. They use a ticket system for food and children's activities, and there will be a booth at the entrance selling tickets. The following weekend, we will begin a series of talks for youth and adults. For many people, religious instruction stopped at Confirmation, and they haven't received any further formation in the faith since. These talks offer an opportunity to continue growing in faith through a itinerary of Christian formation. I will be leading the group this time, along with a team of parishioners. The talks will take place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Hall.  Last but not least, the following weekend we will hold our annual Friends of the Poor Walk, sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul. This is their major fundraiser to help those in need in our parish and in the city of Marlboro. IC's group will be joined by St. Matthias' group for this event. It is not only our duty to help the needy, but a privilege to be part of it. With rising rent, utility, and living costs in Massachusetts, more families are in need of help — families that could be sitting next to you, your neighbor, or your children's friends. I invite anyone looking to help to join a group; this is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action. God Bless, Fr. Steven