From Father Steven - September 15, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 13, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

This weekend, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, a special occasion to acknowledge and honor the vital role of catechists in our Church. It is also a moment to reflect on our own commitment to the mission of sharing and living out the faith. The United States Conference of Bishops describes Catechetical Sunday as “a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.” It’s a time for us all to renew our dedication to this mission as a community of believers. As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the significance of Baptism.

 

When a child is baptized, their parents are asked a profound question: Are you willing to accept the responsibility of training your child in the practice of faith? This question is not just a formality but a solemn promise to raise the child according to the teachings of Christ. The priest then emphasizes the duty of parents to guide their child in keeping God’s commandments, which Jesus taught us—to love God and our neighbor. Godparents also play a supportive role in this mission, reinforcing that parents are the primary teachers of their children in matters of faith. Parents are crucial in teaching their children about God’s love, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Saints, and the Gospel. They begin this education through everyday interactions—teaching their child to walk, speak, and ultimately to understand and embrace their faith. Parents teach not only through words but also through their actions and example. I recently spoke with a young father of three who shared a poignant experience. As his children grew and began asking more complex questions about Bible stories, he realized he wasn’t fully prepared to answer them. This moment of realization inspired him to study more about his faith and deepen his understanding of the Church’s teachings. This story is a reminder for all of us that the journey of faith is ongoing, and there is always an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and relationship with Christ. Whether or not you have children, this is an important moment to reflect on your own faith journey. Children who are baptized become part of the larger family of God.

 

While parents have a primary role in their upbringing, the entire Church community shares the responsibility of supporting their spiritual development. Just as we learn from our extended family members, we also learn from fellow parishioners. Many of you have formed what I affectionately call “pew-buddies”—friends you see regularly in the same pews each Sunday. These relationships can become a source of support and inspiration. It’s wonderful how friendships formed in the pews can lead to deeper discussions and shared growth in faith. These connections can be a powerful way to witness and support one another in our spiritual journeys. To support our community’s growth, we are launching a Catechesis program for Adults and Youth. This series will begin on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Hall by the parking lot. There is no need to register, and it’s free. Babysitting services will also be available to accommodate all who wish to attend. This Catechesis is an opportunity for everyone—whether you feel you need to catch up on your knowledge or are seeking to deepen your faith. It’s a chance for us to come together to learn and grow as a community.

 

 As followers of Christ, we are called to be the “Light of the World” and the “Salt of the Earth.” To live out this calling effectively, we need to deepen our understanding of Christ and His teachings. Jesus, who is “the Word made flesh,” is present among us and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. This Catechesis will provide a valuable opportunity to explore both the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of our faith, helping us better understand who Jesus is and how He calls us to live. This may be the moment you’ve been waiting for to strengthen your faith journey. Whether you are new to the faith, have been practicing for years, or are simply curious, you are invited to join us. Let this Catechesis be a time of renewal and growth for us all as we strive to be more faithful disciples and witnesses of God’s love. We look forward to embarking on this journey of faith with you. Let us come together, support one another, and grow in our knowledge and love of Christ.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

From Father Steven - June 29, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • June 27, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I was deeply edified to see all three of our communities come together to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi! It was an amazing day—celebrating Mass as one family and processing shoulder to shoulder behind our Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. The beautiful carpet prepared for the Lord’s arrival at our church was truly astonishing! Many of our parishioners came at 3:30 a.m. to begin working on it. Needless to say, the dyeing of the sawdust alone took days of effort by many dedicated people. Seeing everything come together left us speechless. If you missed it, mark your calendar now: next year’s celebration will be on June 7th, 2026 (rain or shine)! This week, we had another wonderful experience: an appreciation dinner for all our catechists. Over 70 people from all three communities joined us once again. When we say “it takes a village,” it truly does. During the dinner, we presented highlights from all the events that took place at IC over the past year. Our Faith Formation program served 402 students, and 39 adults received sacraments—bringing the total to an incredible 441 people! Speaking of sacraments, we celebrated 74 First Communions and 81 Confirmations this past month. Nearly 20 retreats were held over the course of the year. At our Lenten retreat for children alone, we had 242 attendees ! Our Jubilee Talks—currently on pause for the summer—had an average weekly attendance of 155 people across three nights: Tuesday in Spanish, Wednesday in English, and Thursday in Portuguese. We also had an average of 250 people coming to confession each week. Offering confessions daily has truly been a blessing for our parish. If you haven’t come yet, there is still time. We will continue offering daily confessions! This year, in honor of the Jubilee Year , and because we believe God wants to pour out many blessings on all people, we are excited to host a new event for the entire parish—and for the greater Marlboro community: CATHOLIC FEST ! This all-day event will feature delicious food, games for children, and a powerful talk by Sean Forrest , an incredible speaker and musician with an inspiring conversion story. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. , and everyone is welcome ! Believe it or not, many people in town still don’t know where the Catholic Church is—we have a real opportunity to open our doors and show God’s love to our neighbors. Food and entertainment will be ticketed, but we’re working hard to keep everything affordable. We’re currently seeking event sponsors—if you own a business or your family would like to help, please contact the parish office. Yes, we know it’s summer and you may already have plans. But consider adding Catholic Fest to your summer schedule. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to come together as a community and be inspired. Finally, as we wrap up the year, I want to thank all our countless volunteers who make everything happen. Some may not be “official volunteers,” but they contribute greatly—whether by maintaining the parish, supporting various ministries, or praying faithfully for our community. Nothing can be done without love and the help of God. Please continue to pray earnestly that our parish may fulfill its mission to be the light of the world . God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - June 22, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • June 20, 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This week we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly known as Corpus Christi. This feast is a longstanding tradition of the Church, which began in the 13th century in Italy following the Eucharistic Miracle of Orvieto. On this special occasion, I would like to reflect on the Real Presence of Christ in the consecrated host. Fr. Peter of Prague, a German priest, was on a pilgrimage to Rome. While celebrating Mass in a small chapel in Bolsena, he began to doubt whether Christ was truly present in the consecrated Bread. As he pronounced the words of consecration—“Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you”—the host began to bleed. Unsure of what to do and aware that Pope Urban IV was nearby in Orvieto, Fr. Peter brought the matter to his attention. The Pope listened to the priest’s account, granted him absolution, and sent emissaries to investigate. Once the facts were confirmed, the Pope ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring the consecrated Host and the linen cloth, now stained with blood, to Orvieto. In a solemn procession attended by archbishops, cardinals, and other Church dignitaries, the Pope received the relics and placed them in the cathedral. The linen corporal, still bearing the bloodstains, is reverently enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto to this day. Interestingly, Pope Urban IV had been involved in the Eucharistic Revival in Liège, Belgium, twenty years earlier—where the first celebration of Corpus Christi was ever observed. One year after the miracle of Bolsena, the Pope commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to compose special prayers and a Mass for the feast and instituted the Solemnity of Corpus Christi for the entire Church. Inside our church over the next few weeks, we are displaying information—in all three languages—about other Eucharistic miracles from around the world. These accounts can deepen our faith and help us to better appreciate the mystery of the Eucharist. “A Christian is not obliged to believe in Eucharistic miracles,” As Monsignor Raffaello Martinelli explains. “However, Eucharistic miracles can encourage us to understand, appreciate, and love the Eucharist… They can help a person discover the mystery, the beauty, and the richness of the Eucharist. We must never forget nor fail to mention that the Eucharist is the true, great, inexhaustible daily miracle. It is indeed true that the most important and astounding miracle is the one that takes place whenever the Eucharist is celebrated, during which Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and incomparable way. He is present in a true, real, and substantial way—with His Body and Blood, with His Soul and Divinity. In the Eucharist, therefore, Christ is present sacramentally, under the appearances of bread and wine, whole and entire: God and Man (Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 282). In making His Sacrifice on the Cross present and actual, He becomes our food and drink—uniting us with Himself and with one another, and becoming our viaticum on our earthly pilgrimage toward our eternal homeland.”  As we celebrate Mass this weekend, I invite you to reflect on the importance of what happens at Mass—and on the Mass itself. If what we believe is indeed true, then we are called to approach the Eucharist with deeper reverence and preparation. Let us consider arriving a bit earlier, taking time to meditate and prepare spiritually, dressing appropriately, and maintaining a posture of reverence during the liturgy. One essential way to prepare is through the Sacrament of Confession. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church §1385 teaches, anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must receive sacramental absolution in Confession before receiving Holy Communion, because receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is a sacrilege. May this celebration be a true Eucharistic Revival—for our parish and for each of us personally. God Bless, Fr. Steven
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