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 - May 17, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • May 15, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend we celebrate the ordination of Father Javier! It is always a great privilege for us to witness the transformation of a young man into a priest, a servant of God configured to Christ. This weekend, I would like to reflect with you on the different vocations to which God calls His people. The first vocation, as we see in the Book of Genesis, is matrimony. We hear that God created man and woman to complement one another. “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Therefore, it is natural for a man and a woman to be united in marriage. However, marriage is not about seeking the satisfaction of one’s own needs in another person. Rather, the sacrament of matrimony is a sacrament of self-giving and service. Husband and wife are called to serve one another in love. Matrimony is defined as “the covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, and which is ORDERED TOWARD THE GOOD OF THE SPOUSES and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament” (Canon 1055 §1). Marriage, then, is a path by which God sanctifies us through self-giving love, just as Christ gave Himself for us. Spouses become a gift to one another, and it is in this gift of self that true joy is found. Some people receive a different call. If it is natural for a man and woman to be united to one another, then it is supernatural for a person to be united entirely to God. The religious vocation anticipates the reality of heaven by seeking union with God already in this life. One can be called to become “eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven,” living celibacy for the love of God and His Kingdom. This includes consecrated virgins who live in the world while dedicating their lives entirely to the Lord and those who do not get married. Others are called to religious life as sisters, nuns, brothers, or monks. There are many religious communities and institutes through which a person is consecrated to God according to a particular charism or mission. Some are called to serve through teaching, serving the poor, caring for the sick or children, immigrants, or those most in need. There are also contemplative communities whose principal work is prayer and total dedication to the Lord, often lived in cloistered monasteries. Finally, we also have the priestly vocation. This call invites men to act in the person of Christ the Head ( in persona Christi capitis ) in the world. Through ordination, a man is configured in a profound way to Jesus Christ. This does not mean that the individual ceases to be himself; rather, by the grace of God, he is united to Christ in a unique and sacramental way. The priesthood is not only for a select few. Many saints throughout history have spoken about how God calls many men to this vocation. Sometimes there is hesitation because a person feels unworthy or inadequate. Yet throughout Scripture we see that God often chooses ordinary people with weaknesses and imperfections. The Apostles and the saints were not extraordinary because of their own abilities, but because they allowed God’s grace to work through them. As the saying goes, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. As you can see in Fr. Gabriel, Fr. Victor, and myself, we are very ordinary and imperfect men. It is the grace of God that enables us to do what we do. A man may feel incapable of becoming a priest or discouraged by his sins and limitations. Yet, just as Peter told Jesus, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man,” we remember that it is not we who choose Christ, but Christ who chooses us. Ultimately, our primary vocation is holiness. We are all called to become saints. The particular path we take—whether marriage, religious or single life, or priesthood—is secondary to the greater call to holiness. Those called to matrimony are called to holy matrimony, to become holy husbands and holy wives. Those called to religious life are called to become holy sisters, brothers, monks, and consecrated virgins. Those called to the priesthood are called to become holy priests. Each vocation is not an end in itself, but a path by which we are led to heaven and united more fully with God. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - May 10, 2026

By Father Steven Clemence • May 8, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Since leaving high school, I do not think I had ever opened the Britannica Encyclopedia again. Yet while preparing for this weekend’s theme, I came across a very interesting entry: Mother’s Day. I had never really wondered how this celebration began. After doing some research, I discovered how it developed through different cultures and times, including a tradition in England when the faithful would visit the church where they had been baptized — their “mother church.” The modern observance of Mother’s Day traces back to Anna Jarvis, who honored her mother, Anna Jarvis, in 1908. After the Civil War, Anna Jarvis promoted reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans. One day, she offered a prayer during Sunday school that her daughter never forgot: “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial Mother’s Day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life.” Those words remained deeply in her daughter’s heart. After her mother’s death, Anna Jarvis began advocating for a special day dedicated to honoring mothers. In 1908, the first Mother’s Day service was held at her mother’s church in West Virginia. A few years later, every state celebrated Mother’s Day, until President Wilson declared it a national holiday. In many ways, the figure of a mother resembles Christ Himself, who “came not to be served, but to serve.” Mothers are often behind the scenes, taking the last place and putting the needs of others before their own. Much of their hard work and countless sacrifices may go unnoticed, yet God, “who sees in secret, will repay you.” Certainly, it feels good to receive recognition and praise, but our first calling is to please God. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us, and He says nothing about seeking recognition. In fact, throughout the Scriptures, Jesus repeatedly avoids drawing attention to Himself. Many times, He even tells people not to speak about what He has done. In our digital age, when people often share everything publicly, Jesus reminds us of the beauty of doing good quietly and humbly. The Gospel also tells us that the Son of Man came to serve and “to give His life.” In a similar way, mothers are constantly giving their lives for others. The sacrifice of self-denial is among the greatest acts of love. Just as Christ died so that we might live, mothers often deny themselves so that others may flourish. Whether it is caring for the home, cooking, cleaning, gardening, helping the children, finding everything for everyone, or all of the above, their daily sacrifices make an enormous difference, even when they go unnoticed. Therefore, regardless of our age, let us take a moment to reflect on how often our mothers denied themselves for our sake. Let us remember all they have done in loving service to us. They may not have been perfect, but in most cases, they gave us way more than their best. Today, inspired by Anna Jarvis, let us honor mothers “for the matchless service [they render] to humanity in every field of life.” To all mothers — those here on earth and those already in heaven — THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.  God Bless, Fr. Steven