From Father Steven - January 12, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • January 9, 2025

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the reflection below from Fr. Victor.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

_______________________________________

Dear Parishioners of Immaculate Conception,

 

BAPTISM [Lk 3:15-16, 21


We all know that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the river of Jordan. In the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, we saw the Holy Trinity active and present: the Father spoke; the Son was made known by the Father and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Though we may think at first glance that all the Gospels are the same, Luke wants to present some different and meaningful details. Let us see what he has to say about it.


 For one, Luke does not describe the baptism of Jesus. What was important for Luke was what happened immediately after his baptism. Jesus was PRAYING and he received the Holy Spirit. Prayer is one of Luke's favorite themes: For the first time, we see Jesus in dialogue with the Father. He needs to pray now that he is about to embark on his mission. So that to remain faithful to the Father, he needs to pray.


 After this, like Matthew and Mark, Luke describes the next scene: THE HEAVEN OPENS, The HOLY SPIRIT descended upon him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven:, “YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON, WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.” [Lk 3: 21f]


 What do those words mean?.


 The “heaven opens” alludes to the Old Testament. For the last centuries before Christ, the people felt that heaven was closed because of their sins and infidelities. No prophets were sent and so they prayed to God: “Do not let your anger go too far or think of our sins forever. O that you would rend the heavens and come down.” [Isaiah 64:1] It is a desperate plea to God, asking him to intervene, even to the point of tearing open the heaven to deliver them.


 Then “the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove and it rested on Jesus. Moved by the Spirit, Jesus will always approach sinners with so much gentleness as a dove. His heart is always moved with compassion as in the raising of Lazarus and the widow’s only son; feeding of the multitude; healing of the lepers and the blind men; dining with sinners; even inviting himself to Zacchaeus’ house, etc.


“You are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” “You are my Son” is from Psalm 2:7, presents Jesus as the Father’s Son, guaranteeing His presence in Jesus’ words and works. So that “to see me, is to see the Father,” [Jn 14:9]  Jesus told Philip during the last supper. In our baptism, the Father repeats the same words to us, “you are my son, you are my daughter,” and so we become God’s own children too.


The Beloved alludes to Isaac, the beloved son of Abraham. Jesus, the new Isaac, is the Father’s beloved Son who will ultimately be offered as a sacrifice for forgiveness of sins for our salvation. 


“In him, I am well pleased.” Why? Because “He comes to do the will of the one who sent him.” [Jn 6:38] He enters into the waters of Jordan ‘to wash away the sins of the world’ and to give his life “as a ransom for many.” [Is 53:11f]


Having said these, so what’s in it for me? What is the Good News?


 Jesus’ baptism not only foreshadows his own suffering, death and resurrection but also ours, if we remain in him. His descent into the Jordan River foretells the saving acts of death and resurrection. Through his baptism, we were born into the womb of Mother Church, making us adopted children of God, our Father. And victorious over sin and death, Jesus has secured for us twofold blessings: the promise of eternal life and a participation in the Triune God’s divine life.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Victor

 

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