From Father Steven - September 29, 2024

Father Steven Clemence • September 27, 2024


 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 

We wanted to share with you the importance of St. Vincent de Paul to our personal faith journey and to our community. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a world wide group with over 850,000 members in 153 countries around the globe. Almost all of their work happens in parish based groups, called Conferences, like the one here at Immaculate Conception.

 

Their mission is to serve those in need: people without jobs, the hungry or unhoused, the working poor, or sometimes families that have just had a hard time. They bring them the love of Christ and hope. They go to them two by two, they listen, pray with them, and try to help them in the best possible way.

 

One family they visited recently was getting by, living paycheck-to-paycheck. Their newborn baby started having seizures and was hospitalized at Children's Hospital in Boston for two weeks as doctors ran tests. The extra cost (gasoline, tolls, and parking) of driving to Boston every day to be with their baby put them behind in paying other bills. As a result, the family incurred late fees on their bills, which just put them further behind. It started a vicious cycle. Sometimes, that is all it takes.... circumstances beyond our control can put them in a position where they just need a little help. Through your generosity the Immaculate Conception conference of St Vincent de Paul was able to assist this family, helping them to avoid further late fees and regain control of their budget.

 

Stacey Militello, our St. Vincent de Paul President, said she has had the opportunity to grow in her faith by serving our friends in Marlborough who have reached out to St. Vincent de Paul. Each call is a chance for her to serve Christ and share the gifts God has given her and the gifts of Immaculate Conception. She often shares with her friends that our Church is open every day for quiet reflection and prayer. God is always there, especially when we feel lost. Stacey is thankful that she answered (with some hesitation) Christ’s call when St. Vincent de Paul was re-started here at Immaculate Conception 8 years ago.

 

I am asking for your support of St. Vincent de Paul in two ways this weekend. First, our annual Friends of the Poor Walk is being held on Saturday, October 5th! The walk begins at 10:00 am in the Meehan Hall parking lot. You can register starting at 9:30 am at Meehan Hall on the day of the walk, or visit www.icfopwalk.org. If you would like to sponsor the IC Walkers instead of walking yourself, please use the QR code to make a donation. This fundraiser walk along the Assabet River Rail trail raises money for the Immaculate Conception and St. Matthias St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.

 

Secondly, we are in need of more individuals that want to grow in their faith and are willing to share their love of Christ with others in the Marlborough community as members of St. Vincent de Paul. We are asking you to walk two by two with us and enrich your faith journey by answering Jesus’ call. You can learn more about becoming a Vincentian at https://catholic.lpage/face-of-christ/.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact St. Vincent de Paul at icmarlborosvdp@gmail.com or 978-763-0578 if you have questions about the Walk, joining St. Vincent de Paul or if you are in need of support.

 

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - October 5, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • October 3, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, From time to time, it is good to pause and reflect on all that God is doing in our lives. This is what I would like us to do together this weekend. In our personal lives, God pours out countless graces upon us each day—some we recognize, others we may overlook. But when we take a moment to reflect, we can clearly see His hand guiding and sustaining us in so many ways. Looking back on our past, how many blessings has He given us? How many gifts have we received from Him? The same is true in our parish. Before the summer break, our Director of Faith Formation, Cecilia Melo, presented me with a report of all the activities that took place this past year. It was truly moving to see the abundance of retreats, pilgrimages, and sacraments celebrated in our community. Cecilia highlighted the growth in Mass attendance and in the number of children enrolled in CCD. Last year alone, we welcomed 441 students into our program, along with 39 adults in the OCIA (formerly RCIA). Throughout the year, about 10 retreats were offered for children, youth, and adults. In addition, we launched two new ministries: the Friends of Faith group and the Bereavement Ministry . Since January, we have also received the immense grace of being named a Jubilee Parish. This has allowed us to expand opportunities for confession and adoration. Now, confessions are offered almost daily (except Sunday), and adoration is available both mornings and evenings. Each week, Jubilee talks are held in our parish communities, drawing an average of 50 participants per night. If you have not yet attended, I encourage you to join us. Upcoming topics include “Consecrated Hope” by Sister Bernadette (10/8) and “Walking through Loss with Hope” presented by members of our Bereavement Group (10/15). As part of our Jubilee celebrations, we have also hosted major events such as 24-hour Adoration, a Mass with Bishop Reed, a Mass at the Cathedral followed by a Blessed Sacrament procession through the streets of Boston, two Ordinations, Catholic Fest, the Corpus Christi Procession, and more. These are just a glimpse of the many graces God has poured into our parish life. Behind each event are beautiful stories that cannot be measured, and more blessings are still to come. Of course, with so many wonderful things happening, a few inconveniences may arise—such as crowded parking, long lines for confession, or limited meeting spaces. But aren’t these good problems to have? Another challenge is that at times it may seem the priests are not available. In truth, that is usually because we are ministering to those most in need. Still, we are here for you, and most of the time we are available. Please never hesitate to reach out. I do ask one special favor: if you or a loved one becomes sick, hospitalized, or faces difficulties, please let us know. We already pray for all of you daily, but knowing your needs allows us to pray more specifically and serve you more directly as your priests. There is so much good happening in our parish and in our lives. Let us not get discouraged by small inconveniences or daily irritations. Instead, let us keep our eyes fixed on heaven. As our newest Saint, Pier Giorgio Frassati, used to say: “Verso l’alto—towards heaven!” God is good, all the time. Let us never forget that! God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - September 28, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • September 26, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, Believe it or not, it’s almost October already! We see the leaves changing colors, apple-picking season beginning, and pumpkins already appearing. We also know that October is the month of the Rosary (and of Pro-Life as well). The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, on October 7th, is one of the most important celebrations we have in October. Since the Rosary is so central for us Catholics, this day is very special. This week, Pope Leo XIV has asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary daily during the month of October for peace. “I invite everyone, each day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace—personally, in the family, and in community,” he said. Here in the parish, we will have a day of prayer for harmony in our nation and peace in the world on Wednesday, October 22nd 7:00am—7:00pm in the Upper Church. We will have a period of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and conclude with praying the rosary together. In the midst of so much senseless violence here and abroad, we must turn to Christ. During His time, Israel was occupied by the Romans. There was much tension, conflict, and animosity. In the midst of all that, Jesus told his disciples, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). He did not command us to take up arms or to respond to violence with more violence. Love is the only response to evil. In WWII, and throughout history, we saw testimonies of thousands of martyrs who chose love over their own lives. Only love can change the heart of man. Much can be said and argued in the polarized world we live in, and in the face of so many inequalities. If God makes the sun rise over the good and the wicked, and the rain fall on the just and the unjust, why should we not do the same? If we are children of God, we are called to be like our Father (Mt 5:45). This is His will: to love one another as He has loved us (Jn 13:14). October is also the month of Pro-Life. As I write every year, to be Pro-Life does not mean to care only for babies. It is not merely an anti-abortion movement either. As the term itself says, Pro-Life means to be in favor of LIFE. It does not matter when or who…life is life. There is a phrase we often use: “from conception to natural death.” It means that we are all called to care for each other from the time we are conceived until the Lord calls us to His Kingdom. Yes, it includes fetuses, babies, children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and the elderly, from all financial, racial, and cultural backgrounds. In short, we are called to LOVE ONE ANOTHER PERIOD! There are no but’s or if’s. The call to love does not mean that we have to like others or even agree with their positions. Love means love. And in case someone still wonders about the true meaning of love, just look at a crucifix, or reflect on everything God has done for us.  This month, we will have a bassinet at the entrance of the church to support Birthright. This non-profit group offers love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Birthright is interdenominational and is not involved in any political activities or lobbying. Its focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope, and ensuring she is not alone. They provide information about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, community programs, and childcare. They also offer referrals for public assistance, medical support, financial resources, housing, legal aid, and social services. Finally, they provide free pregnancy tests and maternity and baby items. The bassinet will be there if anyone would like to donate diapers, baby items, most needed items include “onesies”, sleep and play outfits (size 0-9 months) snowsuits, jackets, sweaters, receiving blankets, diaper bags and crib sheets. Birthright is located across the street in the Victoria building. You can also visit their website to learn more about their mission. Many of their volunteers are our parishioners, and they make a huge difference in people’s lives. As Saint Mother Teresa says, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” So let us love greatly…and pray the Rosary so that more people may know this love! God Bless, Fr. Steven