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 - March 1, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • February 27, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This week we will hear how Jesus goes up the mountain and is transfigured before His apostles. God also wants us to be transfigured according to His image and likeness. However, how far are we willing to go? This weekend, we will see Archbishop Henning urging us to participate in the mission of the Church. It is not only a matter of helping financially, but also of serving with our own hands and feet. The Archdiocese supports the work of parishes in many ways. It also helps us priests in various times of need. Furthermore, it carries out many initiatives to serve the people of God, including the deaf and mute ministry, immigrants, seminarians, and those seeking a declaration of nullity (also known as annulments). Our contribution goes a long way. We are all called to be part of the mission of the Church. We are also encouraged, at the local level, to help in whatever ministry God calls us to—whether St. Vincent de Paul, one of the pregnancy help centers in the city, the community cupboard, or the bereavement ministry. It can be something as simple as inviting people back to church, bringing their prayer intentions to Mass, or helping those around you, beginning in your own home. The transformation that God wants to accomplish in us also affects our spiritual lives. Helping others is certainly a great start, but we also need help ourselves. God is a jealous God, as we hear many times in Scripture. He will not allow us to forget Him. Nor will He allow us to continue living in sin and vice. However, He cannot act unless we give Him permission. He wants to purify us from every stain of sin that may affect us. A little bit of pride, envy, laziness, or resentment cannot remain. Every sin is serious. It kills the divine life within us. It separates us from the love of God. As Jesus goes up the mountain, He reveals the glory that will be given to Him. However, this glory will come through His painful Passion. Are we willing to be purified through a similar purification? How far are you willing to allow God to transform your life? It is never too late to begin living with God. Perhaps we say our prayers and consider ourselves good people, yet we are not willing to go deeper. The Lord is patient and persistent. There are times when we feel called to go to confession, to attend adoration, or to participate in one of the Church’s activities, but we resist. It is time to let the Lord enter fully into our lives. As Pope Saint John Paul II said at the beginning of his pontificate, “Do not be afraid to open wide the doors of your heart to let Him enter.” We have about 30 people, between teenagers and adults, who will be baptized in our parish this Easter. Others will be receiving First Communion, and still others will be received into full communion. For one reason or another, they fell off the path and are now returning. There are also a good number of couples getting married who have lived together for many years. God is also calling us to follow His path. It is different for each one of us. So let us pray during this time and ask the Lord what He wants us to do and how to love Him with all our hearts. And let us not be afraid—He has conquered all our fears. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - February 22, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • February 20, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, We begin this holy and wonderful time of Lent with the image of the desert, as we will hear in the Gospel. The time of Lent is like a desert, or like the exodus of the people of Israel passing from the slavery of Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land. The image of the desert is very important for the people of Israel. In the Scriptures, it is a privileged place to meet the Lord. There is no food, no comfort, no distraction—only sand and more sand. It is in the desert that God reveals Himself. He speaks to the people. In the Hebrew tradition, it is in the desert that God marries His people. In our daily lives, we get lost with so many worries, projections, and expectations. In the desert there is nothing. We are forced to depend on God, even though we do not like to depend on others. We prefer to be independent. There, either you trust God, or you die. In this strange place, God provides food (manna and quails), shelter (the cloud that accompanied the people), and water (from the rock). As in marriage the couple becomes one, so it is with the Lord, who wants to be one with us. The time of Lent is a spiritual desert. We do not eat meat on Fridays, we fast, we abstain from electronics, we give up activities that we like, we become poor by giving alms—and only then can we see God more clearly. However, if we do not empty ourselves this Lent, we will not see the Lord, much less listen to Him. Like the people of Israel, we will be circling around for a long time. We began Lent with the imposition of ashes. We were reminded that we are dust and that we need to convert. Through vices, sins, and bad habits, we are not as free as God wants us to be. At times we do things only to please others, out of social pressure, or to keep up an image. In this way (and in other ways), we are enslaved in order to fit in. We are incapable of loving with 100% of our hearts. This Lent, God wants to make the journey of exodus with us. For that, we need to begin in Egypt. As Moses listened to God and did His will, so we are called to do the same. Therefore, we will need to silence the noise and the distractions around us. Like in the episode of the burning bush, we are called to draw closer to the Lord and “see the marvelous sight.” That is called prayer. It is not a matter of only reciting words; it is a dialogue with God. Which means that as we speak, we also need to listen. Today, no one teaches us how to contemplate what God is doing in our lives. Stop for 20 minutes each day and think or contemplate what graces you have received recently, what difficulties God has helped you overcome through these years. What is going to be the next step on your journey? In which direction is God pointing you? What will be your next mission? Unless we stop and simply listen to Him, we will be deceived by our own thoughts and by temptations, like Adam and Eve. We will also have a great opportunity to listen to Him during the one-day Lenten Mission that Sister Olga will lead for us on February 28th. She is a very inspired woman. It is a great privilege for us to be able to host her. It will be free, but we do ask you to register so that we can have an idea of how many people will attend. That morning, she will also have a special time with the women. Do not miss this opportunity. Last but not least, like last year, we will be giving out Lenten boxes to help us give alms. As Jesus says, “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” All the money collected will be given to St. Vincent de Paul to help the poor of the parish and of the city of Marlboro. Additionally, if you give up coffee or soda during Lent, put in the box the money that you are not spending. Be aware that there are a lot of people who need help, more than ever. So if you would like to make an additional contribution, you can use the poor boxes located at the exit of the church. May the Lord assist you in this holy campaign of Christian service as we take up the battle against spiritual evils, and may we be armed with the weapons of self-restraint. God Bless, Fr. Steven