From Father Steven - June 9, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • June 7, 2024

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the letter below from Fr. Gabriel.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Leading up to my ordination, I was thinking back to my earliest memory of me ever considering the priesthood. I was probably no older than five or six and my father was asking my brothers and I what we wanted to be when we grew up. When it was my turn to respond, among wanting to be an astronaut, an artist and a pilot, I said I wanted to be a priest and to also get married. My Father then explained to me that I couldn’t become a priest and get married, but that if I did become a priest I would have many spiritual children in the Church. And now here I am some twenty years later, a newly ordained priest.

 

This memory and the last months in the seminary led me to reflect on the fatherhood of St. Joseph and his parallels with that of the priest. He was called to be a father who lived in continence and his child would not be of his own flesh and blood, but his fatherhood was nonetheless very real. And it doesn’t stop there, but as Saint Bernadine of Siena says, “he was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife.” And so too the priest is entrusted with God’s greatest treasures, Christ in the Eucharist and the Church as a spouse, of whom Mary is the greatest image.

 

But thinking about this, rather than leaving me afraid of this responsibility, consoles me, because what also comes to mind is that even though he was not born without sin as were Mary and Christ, the Lord chose St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family. Was God being irresponsible, could he not have fashioned someone faultless to do the job? But here we touch the mystery of God’s love; He entrusts us with precious gifts even when we are undeserving of them to discover that He loves us in spite of our sins. And by discovering his mercy, generosity and just how precious are the treasures He gives us, we are compelled to turn away from whatever keeps us from Him.

 

This leads me to see the priesthood as God’s way of sanctifying me. That as God led St. Joseph to holiness through his unique role as a father, the Lord desires to do the same with me by taking the Church as my spouse, with all of her children as my own through the priestly role as father. I cannot help but hear the words of the angel who spoke to St. Joseph as if they were addressed to me, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.”

 

Although it has been only two weeks since I’ve been ordained, I have already been met with incredible warmth and gratitude. I am deeply grateful to all of you here at IC for your gifts, prayers and support. I have been moved by everyone’s excitement. But above all I am moved by what it stands for. It is evident to me that your happiness, more than simply being for my new life, comes from seeing my vocation as a testimony to the fact that God has not abandoned us. On the contrary, He continues to bring us his salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Your joy that has been expressed in heartfelt greetings, smiles and applause, I believe, really comes from knowing that Christ is still among us, shepherding his flock and leading it to heaven through the gift of the priesthood. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and prayers. I look back with fondness at my diaconate year and look forward with eagerness to starting here as a priest.

 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Gabriel Malachi Hanley

 

From Father Steven - November 16, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • November 14, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, As we continue honoring the faithful departed during the month of November, I would like to speak about something that can sometimes feel uncomfortable or awkward—but is also very necessary: funerals. This week, I read an article in the National Catholic Register titled “Why Are Fewer Catholics Having Church Funerals?” It noted that over the past 20 years, the number of Catholic funerals in the United States has dropped by about 30%. The article went on to explain that many families now prefer holding funeral services at funeral homes rather than having a funeral Mass in church. One of the main reasons for this shift, according to the study cited, is that families of the deceased are often no longer religious. They may feel uncomfortable going to church, or they may not see the need for it. At times, the person who passed away was a faithful parishioner who attended Mass regularly. Yet when the moment of loss comes—with the grief, family tensions, and emotional exhaustion that follow—families often choose a simpler service rather than a funeral Mass. It is important, however, to understand the deep value of offering a Mass for someone who has died. From a psychological standpoint, it provides closure as we entrust the soul of our loved one to God. There is a beautiful prayer of commendation at the end of the funeral Mass, in which the priest commends the soul of the deceased into the hands of the Father. On a spiritual level, the value is even greater. The sacrifice of Christ made present on the altar has immeasurable power. To offer a Mass for the soul of a loved one has a profound effect—especially after death. In every Mass, Christ offers Himself for the salvation of souls. While a Mass cannot change the free choice of someone who rejected God, it can assist souls in purgatory on their journey to heaven. For that reason, it is vital that we not only pray for our departed loved ones but also have a Mass offered for them. Additionally, the graces of a funeral Mass extend to all who attend—especially to the family and friends who gather in faith and hope. A funeral Mass does not need to be complicated. In fact, simplicity often brings greater peace and focus. It is even recommended that each person plan his or her own funeral Mass in advance—choosing the readings and hymns, and letting loved ones know their wishes. This both expresses the person’s faith and eases the burden on the family, especially if they are no longer active in the Church. Our parish office can help you choose readings and music and answer any questions you may have. I would also like to mention that, technically, the words of remembrance is not part of the funeral liturgy. While the Archdiocese allows something brief at Mass, it is not preferable. The Mass is primarily an act of prayer and intercession for the soul of the deceased, rather than a time for praise or personal remembrance. Lastly, a quick word about cremation. Until relatively recently, the Church discouraged cremation because it could obscure the sign of our belief in the resurrection of the body. Although cremation is now permitted, the Church still requires that the cremated remains be properly buried. The same article I mentioned earlier noted the growing practice of scattering ashes or keeping them at home. While these gestures may come from love or sentiment, our faith teaches that the remains of the deceased should rest in consecrated ground—together with others who “sleep in Christ,” awaiting the resurrection. The word cemetery itself comes from the Greek koimeterion , meaning “dormitory”—a place of sleep, not of death. If you have the ashes of a loved one at home, please contact us; we will gladly assist you in arranging a proper burial. Here in our town, we are blessed to have three excellent funeral homes with compassionate and capable staff who can help you with any questions and guide you through the process. I hope this reflection helps you better understand the beauty and meaning of the funeral Mass—a sacred act of love, faith, and hope in the resurrection. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 9, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • November 7, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This week, I would like to talk about a sensitive topic: food insecurity and the stigma that comes along with it. We were raised saying that we should be self-sufficient and independent, but at times God has other plans. Most parents wish that their children may have a good education, health, and a successful life. However, how do we measure success? Is it by the size of the house, the bank account or the 401K, or other accomplishments in life? None of the above! God measures us by humility, faithfulness to the sacrament, love! God’s only desire for us is salvation of our souls, that is, our holiness. It is important to set the parameters before we continue. It is not the first time that our country faces a difficult economic situation. I still remember the crisis of 2008. So many people were unemployed. Many families were unable to pay rent or mortgage, losing their houses. Many also did not have enough money to buy food. However, this reality is not part of a crisis, this is an ongoing issue that affects many families here and around the globe. Regardless of the reason for the financial instability, the point is that we always have had families that struggle to get to the end of the month. These families are not just those from Boston, downtown Worcester, or from another unprivileged condition. At times, they are people sitting next to us at mass, the parents of our children’s friends, or even someone who works, but does not get enough to sustain their families. It does not matter the reason for their struggle, what matters is that, this gives us an opportunity to help Jesus. You may remember the passage in which Jesus says that every time we clothe the naked we clothe him, and every time we feed a hungry person, we feed him. We do not know how much longer the government shut down will continue. We know that currently it is affecting families who are enrolled in food assistance programs. However, even if this gets resolved, we know that the struggle will continue. Therefore, what can we do? I will list a few ways in which we have to support one another. St. Vincent De Paul is a group from the Parish that assists people in various needs. They have boxes located in the exits of the church. By placing money in the poor boxes, we assist them in helping those in need. Here in town, we have the food pantry that also feeds many families. Although we can donate food to them, I was told that, if we were to donate money, they will be able to get even more food. I was told that the city, through the Mayor’s office, he is also able to provide some support. Here at the Parish we also have the community fridge located on the main street side of the church. There we can donate food. I’ve seen people who have cooked a meal and put it in several containers so that it’s easier for more people to have access to it. These are just a few ways to help those in need. You also can put money in an envelope and give it to the Parish office. We in turn will see who would be in the greatest need and give it to them. Jesus in the gospel teaches that when we give, we do not blow the trumpet. Instead, when we give we do it in secret, without letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. God, who sees what we do in secret will reward us. Furthermore, we always give without counting the cost. Hasn’t God being generous to us? Let us then imitate our heavenly father. “Love one another as I have loved you.” This weekend we would like to thank all the men and women who serve our country: those who are serving and those who have served. Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers as we commemorate Veteran’s Day. God Bless, Fr. Steven