From Father Steven - October 27, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • October 25, 2024


 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

This weekend we honor Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley on our front cover as he finishes his assignment as the Archbishop of Boston. On November 1st we will have the installation of Bishop Richard Henning as the new Archbishop. I ask you to keep Cardinal Sean as he retires in your prayers as well as our new Bishop takes on his new mission as our Shepherd. This week we will also be celebrating All Saints and All Souls’ day on Friday and Saturday. Due to the importance of these feast days, I would like to share a reflection of these days with you.

 

As the Catholic Church approaches the solemnity of All Saints on November 1 and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls) on November 2, it is essential to understand the significance of these days in our liturgical calendar. While it may seem unusual to celebrate two major observances back-to-back, both days serve as profound reminders of our faith, community, and the eternal journey of souls.

 

All Saints' Day is a holy day of obligation where the Church honors all saints, both known and unknown. The roots of this celebration trace back to the early Christians, who honored martyrs annually on the anniversary of their deaths. This practice began as a way to remember those who courageously witnessed their faith, especially during periods of persecution, such as under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

 

The Church recognized the growing number of martyrs and saints and the need for a collective celebration. By the fifth century, it became customary to honor all holy individuals in a single feast. The transformation of the Pantheon in Rome into a Christian church dedicated to the martyrs in 609 AD by Pope Boniface IV marked a significant moment in this tradition.

 

In 735, Pope Gregory III further formalized this observance by dedicating an oratory in St. Peter’s Basilica to the saints, establishing November 1 as the feast of All Saints. The observance spread throughout the Latin Church and was declared a holy day of obligation by Pope Gregory IV in the 9th century. Today, All Saints' Day serves as a day to celebrate the lives of all saints who have attained the beatific vision, uniting the Church on Earth with the Church in Heaven.

 

Following closely is All Souls' Day, observed on November 2, which focuses on remembering and praying for all the faithful departed. This practice has ancient roots, as evidenced in the Old Testament with references to prayers for the dead, such as in the Second Book of Maccabees. The early Christian community continued this tradition, with inscriptions in catacombs requesting prayers for deceased loved ones.

 

The formal establishment of All Souls’ Day is credited to St. Odilo of Cluny in the early 11th century, who encouraged prayers for those in purgatory—the state of purification for souls who have died in God's grace but still need to be cleansed before entering Heaven. This observance reminds us of our responsibility to care for the souls of those who have passed away. On All Souls’ Day, the Church emphasizes the importance of praying for the deceased, highlighting our belief in purgatory and the interconnectedness of all souls. It encourages us to lead lives that strive for holiness, knowing that our prayers can help those who are awaiting the joys of heaven. During this time, the faithful engage in various acts of remembrance, such as visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, displaying pictures of loved ones, and having Masses said for the departed. This active remembrance not only honors those we have lost but also fosters a spirit of hope and renewal in our own lives. Here in our parish we put out a book by the altar of St. Joseph where you can write the name of your deceased loved ones.

 

Conclusion

The observances of All Saints and All Souls Days offer a unique opportunity for reflection on the lives of those who have gone before us and our own spiritual journeys. They remind us of the communion of saints and the ongoing relationship between the living and the dead in Christ. As we celebrate these solemn days, let us unite our prayers for all the saints in heaven and all the souls in purgatory, allowing their examples to inspire us to lead lives of faith and virtue. In conclusion, as we gather for Mass on these holy days, may we find comfort in our shared beliefs and the assurance of eternal life, praying with sincerity for the souls of the departed: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - June 8, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • June 6, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. We often associate this great solemnity with the coming of the Holy Spirit, the apostles gathered in the cenacle, and the tongues of fire descending upon them. While all of that is true, there is much more depth to this feast. To better understand its significance, we must first look back to the Old Testament, in the Book of Exodus, and then reflect on how this celebration speaks to each of us personally. The Feast of Shavuot—also known as the Feast of Weeks—commemorates the manifestation of God at Mount Sinai, where He gave the Law to the people of Israel. Through the Ten Commandments, God handed them a Way of Life . According to Jewish tradition, this was an expression of God’s love for His people. The Law was never meant to limit us with a list of do’s and don’ts, but rather to guide us toward true happiness and eternal life. However, due to Original Sin, we often mistrust God’s ways. We see anything that restricts our desires as a burden, leading to thoughts like, “I have to do this,” or “I should do that, but I can’t.” The reality is quite the opposite: every law of God should be interpreted as, “This is what will make me happy.” Take for example: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Only by living this way can we be truly happy and saved. The Prophet Jeremiah foretold that, when the Messiah comes, God would reveal Himself again—not by writing the Law on tablets of stone, but by writing it on our hearts (Jer 31:33). And that is precisely what happened in Christ: the Law of God is now written by the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, who speaks directly to our hearts. Jesus promised that the Spirit would remind us of all He taught (John 14:26), and the heart of His teaching is love—for God and for our neighbor. The Holy Spirit gives us God’s love . This love, revealed in Jesus Christ, is new: it does not resist evil, but forgives; it prays for those who persecute; it loves those who are hard to love. On our own, we cannot love this way. At best, we can tolerate those who hurt us. But forgiveness? That’s divine. True forgiveness is not simply “letting go,” but praying for those who wound us—just as Christ did on the Cross: “Father, forgive them.” The Holy Spirit comes to give us this love. If we want to be Christians—Christ-like—we desperately need the Holy Spirit. On our own, we cannot love like this. St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, recalls Psalm 44, saying that we are like sheep led to the slaughter. And in truth, this happens every day. We all face moments, big or small, that cause us suffering. In those moments, we need God’s love, because we cannot carry the cross on our own. That’s why it is so important to ask for the Holy Spirit! St. Paul also writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed... struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:8–10). In other words, this Pentecost , God wants to manifest His love for the world through us . So I invite you: ask for God’s help. Welcome the sweet Guest of our soul. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth through love. Ask for His fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, modesty, and chastity. Only with His help can we become holy .  God Bless you all, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - June 1, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • May 30, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, You may have seen news reports about immigration officers arresting immigrants in Martha's Vineyard. This is happening across Massachusetts, including here in Marlborough. While I do not wish for this letter to be political or to focus on what is right or wrong, I do feel compelled to share with you what is happening to some of our parishioners here at IC. Initially, immigration officers (ICE) were arresting immigrants with criminal records or those involved in criminal activity. Many people in the Metro West area, including Marlborough, were affected. When ICE arrived to arrest these individuals, anyone undocumented in the household was also detained. These additional arrests were referred to as "collaterals"—unintended, but still a reality. Then, around Easter, a troubling shift occurred: individuals with no criminal record, nor deportation orders, began to be arrested. Multiple parishioners, who have families, pay taxes, and have never even received a parking ticket, were taken into custody. This triggered a wave of fear within the immigrant community. People began fearing deportation to their home countries. Good, hardworking individuals—some of whom may have sat next to you at Mass, sang at the trilingual Masses, or volunteered to help with church repairs—started to panic. Daily videos of arrests began circulating within the community, only deepening their fear. Some lost their jobs out of fear of leaving their homes; others lost employment because their employers were detained. Many now work with the constant fear that they could be pulled over and never return home. As a consequence of the fear, the Brazilian Festival that we have every year, with 10,000 people coming last year, is uncertain. I want to emphasize again that this letter is not a critique of the current administration, nor is it about politics. My intention is to share the current state of some of our people. Numerous families have reached out to the parish seeking letters of recommendation, legal assistance, financial support, and moral encouragement. After being detained for up to three weeks, some were granted a court hearing where they were able to post bail and regain their freedom. Others remain detained. This is an incredibly difficult time for our immigrant community. Many left their countries seeking refuge from hardship, with the hope of building a better future for their families. I hope you read last week's bulletin, where Archbishop Henning spoke about the positive contributions of the Portuguese community in the United States. The same can be said about our Latino population. I ask for your prayers and support for these families. We do not know how long everything will last, and Marlborough in particular, but they are here nearly every day. I know some of the parishioners who have been detained, and I can assure you that they have done nothing wrong—other than trying to build a better life, just as many immigrants have done throughout the history of this country. As Christians, we are called to care for the poor, the orphan, and the alien. The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us of our duty to help those in need. As a parish, we are working to provide resources to support those who come to us. Along with St. Vincent de Paul, who have always assisted those in need, we also need financial help to support these families. One case involves a person who was detained, leaving behind a wife who is 32 weeks pregnant, along with their 6-year-old son. Several parishioners have already stepped forward to help this family, but it takes a village. When you come to Adoration, whether in the morning (6:30–7:30 a.m.) or in the evening (6:00–7:00 p.m.), please pray for these families. When you pray your Rosary, remember those who are incarcerated. When you come to Mass, pray for those sitting next to you. Besides prayer, if anyone is also able to contribute to the costs of supporting these families, please contact the parish office. As Christ loved us to the end, let us also love one another. God Bless,  Fr. Steven
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