From Father Steven - July 14, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • July 11, 2024

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

I came across a very interesting article about Resting on Vacations. It is often very difficult to rest properly. I hope it helps you and your family.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

————————————————-

The school holidays can often lead to conflicts within families as they struggle to balance the children's desire for fun with the parents' need for rest. This is especially true for families who cannot synchronize their vacations with those of their children. Additionally, teenagers often find their parents' plans boring and prefer to make their own arrangements. So, how can families find rest and leisure together? This article will not provide a "vacation itinerary" or suggest games or activities for children. Instead, it will draw upon the Word of God and the Magisterium of the Church to offer a teaching on rest that can provide a foundation for families to plan their own leisure time within their own realities and possibilities.

 

The need for rest is something we can all feel in our bodies and minds, but we don't always have a clear idea of what it really means to rest. Some people rest simply by sleeping, others by looking at a landscape, while others, with more active temperaments, come up with such complicated ways to rest that they end up getting more tired than before. Rest, in fact, is something that deeply touches our desire for happiness, well-being, and the restoration of the "lost paradise." In the biblical "paradise," before sin, human work meant caring for the work of creation in submission to God. We can find this call directed to us in the command: "fill the earth and subdue it" (Gn 1:28). According to the narrative of the book of Genesis, God blessed the seventh day and consecrated it, for on that day he had ceased from all the work that he had created (cf. Gn 1:3). Saint John Paul II, in the Letter "Dies Domini" (Day of the Lord), teaches that here the day of rest was created, the day set apart for the praise of the Creator.

 

Sin distorted everything! Man was called to live in an orderly way: administering the earth in submission to the Lord and, on the seventh day, resting in God. And everything he would do, both in work and in rest, would always be in honor and praise of God. Still in the book of Genesis we can read that, after the sin of man, God walked in the garden of paradise in the afternoon breeze in search of the man and the woman, who hid from him! (cf. Gn 3:8-11) - It is clear that these narratives were written in a symbolic language, to refer to much deeper realities. From the moment of sin, we would eat bread with the sweat of our brow (cf. Gn 3:19) and hide from God, avoiding walking with Him in the afternoon breeze. The meaning of work and rest was lost. However, Jesus came to redeem the true meaning of these realities. The Gospels show us in Jesus - the model of man - the order restored between work and rest; how often we see him setting aside some of his time from his intense work of healing and evangelization, of spreading and establishing the Kingdom, to withdraw and rest with his friends! Rest is not an escape from work or irresponsibility, but a need that the human being has to interrupt a series of productive activities to enjoy activities in which there is no tension for results. Leisure, therefore, is not a period of simply staying inactive, but of "occupying oneself" in activities that do not generate any of the inner demands that tire the mind and body.

 

In this way, finding the dreamed-of rest becomes not a matter of choosing the most beautiful place, the most fun companions, or the favorite games. Although all of this can even be found, true rest requires much more of an inner disposition: to abandon all the activism we have been living in our daily lives, which generates so much disunity and murmuring, to find ourselves again through loving interpersonal relationships and a true spirit of charity, which is the praise that God expects of us.

 

In light of all that we have seen, it becomes clear that families need to come together to pray and listen to what God wants to provide for them on that Sunday, on that vacation, on that holiday. This will involve giving up on each of us pulling in the direction we believe is the best leisure option. Again, in the Letter "Dies Domini," the Holy Father says that Jesus came to redeem Sunday, through our recreation as new men and women who submit their whole lives to Him and find in Him true joy and authentic rest. Here are our prayers that together, as a family, we may truly live the rest that the Lord has won for us. Let us, as families, seek to find true rest together. 

 

From Father Steven - November 15, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 12, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we approach Thanksgiving, it is more important than ever to be aware of the graces that God has given us and how much we give back. By this, I refer to everything: our lives, time, talents, and treasure. Before we speak about giving, let us reflect on receiving. What do we have that has not been given to us? When we are born, we literally have nothing of our own. Everything is given to us, namely, love, care, clothing, food, shelter, etc. Maybe we have not received what we wanted, or even what we should have received, but rather what was possible. Our parents may not have been the best parents, but they gave their best to us, according to their capacity. Analogously, we can also say that God did not always give us what we wanted, but rather what was necessary for us to discover Him. Even in times of lacking or precariousness, God was always there to help us. Throughout our lives, there have always been people next to us who gave their best. Some have even given us the clothes off their backs. Whether we were aware of it or even acknowledged it, there has been a lot of support that has helped us become who we are. This weekend's Gospel invites us to reflect on the parable of the talents. Not all received the same amount, but each received according to their capacity. God has called us to a special mission which, among the 8 billion people in the world, only we can fulfill. Therefore, it is important to discern, to "investigate" according to God's will, what that call is. Certainly, it is based on the love of God and neighbor, as we recently heard at Mass. The harder question is: How can I love? To love God means, first and foremost, to be grateful for what He has given us, for the many opportunities, forgiveness, and graces that He has bestowed upon us. Therefore, as we pray at every Mass, "it is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give thanks" to God. The Mass itself is the greatest act of thanksgiving that we can offer to God. Then, once our hearts are full of grace, we can go out and share those graces with others. Not all of us have received the same amount or the same kind of graces. Each of us has our own special gifts, even if they have not yet been discovered. Therefore, we need to pray and reflect, both individually and collectively, on what God is calling us to do. We may say that we are already doing something, but are we called to do more or even to change what we are doing? Soon, we will have different opportunities to serve and to give. Technically, we already have opportunities to give to different needs. At each exit of the church, we have the poor box, which helps St. Vincent de Paul assist those in need. Recently, we held a drive to benefit Birthright. There is also First Concern Pregnancy Help, which needs our support to continue its service. I would also like to announce that the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which formed the three of us priests and where our seminarians are currently in formation, is in serious need of financial assistance. The seminary lives entirely on donations from people. It is also building a larger chapel, which is in dire need of financial support. Moreover, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday, an initiative that encourages people to help others financially. Some companies even match your donations. Therefore, we should take advantage of these opportunities to do good and share the blessings that God has given us. Lastly, I would like to point out that at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24th, we will have a special Thanksgiving prayer service. Our music director, Gabriella, is helping prepare a special moment to praise God through music and prayers. Finally, on Black Friday, we have made a change here in the parish: it will be Adoration Friday. Instead of making it a day to go out looking for special savings, we are called to look for the One who saves us, which is the best bargain that exists. Please join us! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven- November 8, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • November 6, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Last week we were reminded that our call is towards Holiness. This week, in case it was not clear enough, the liturgy will point out that our lives were made for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, God needs our internal disposition, our desire, acceptance, and readiness to enter this Kingdom. We live in a world full of distractions, which each day they are more appealing. Whether TV shows, youtube videos, social media, our lives are more and more are behind a screen. There are numerous psychologists alerting to the danger that simple tasks are no longer enough to make a person happy because of the overdose of dopamine. The human body is not used to the amount of stimulation as given by the electronics (screen). Then, simple tasks, such as praying, can become boring, unpleasing, lacking the necessary stimulus. How then are we going to be ready for the Kingdom of God if we spend a good amount scrolling through the phone or channels? Human interaction in New England is already limited. After Covid, it became almost nonexistent. Nowadays, we limit our conversations to emojis, or if you come out of the house and see another human being, a simple nod or a half smile. Gone are the days that people talk to each other. Then, let’s begin a new culture, as Pope St. John Paul II would often exhort the youth. Pope Francis in a World Youth Day called those in attendance to dictate their own lives, instead of following what the world tells them to do. As St. Teresa of Calcutta says, we cannot do great things, but small things with great love.” Another element present, which we don't often speak about, is the adversary whose mission is to condemn us. Since the day he opposed God and his loving plan of redemption of man, he seeks to destroy the image of God, which is us. He speaks to us through thoughts (temptations). He can throw darts of false desires into our hearts. It is important to understand that these inclinations are not ours. They come as suggestions as if whispered in our intellects which we can agree or reject them. Taking the passage of the Gospel, maybe the Virgins were alerted to go out to get more oil to wait for the groom, but then the temptation of laziness, pride, or presumptuousness came and suggested them not to come. It is important to learn the strategies of our enemy in order to be alert and counterattack them. This is another way for us to fight for the Kingdom of God. In Theology we say that the spiritual beings (angels and demons) are much more intelligent than us. It can be compared to the difference between an adult and a toddler. Then the enemy can easily deceive and distract us of what is important as children do. That is why we invited Fr. Carlos Martins next Monday (11/16) to explain to us better what the spiritual world is and how to fight. We do not need to fear these things. They can do nothing without our consent. Like a barking dog on a leash cannot bite us, so the spirits cannot hurt us unless we get close to the dog. Finally, I would like to say a word about our fellow brothers and sisters who have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed much serving in the military. Our dear Veterans, whose day we observe on Wednesday, are an example of selfless action that we should imitate. Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend (Jn 15:13). These countless men and women have sacrificed their lives. They set a great example to be followed. This is still part of what we need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, I invite you to say a Rosary on Wednesday praying for the Veterans in thanksgiving for their service, especially those who are struggling because of their time in the military. God Bless, Fr. Steven