Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Every year in the city of Marlborough, we hold a vigil in observance of the International Overdose Awareness Day. Unfortunately, the opioid crisis in the country and around us continues to grow and claim more and more victims. It is important for us Christians to help one another regardless of the nature of our problems, whether it is depression, loneliness, substance addiction or something else. St. Paul calls us to "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." (Rm 12:15). 

The Candlelight vigil is an event organized by Kathy Leonard, who every year along with a group of people sets up purple flags in front of the walker building in memory of those who passed away because of drugs. Whether someone in your family or close to you suffer with substance abuse or not, we need to support each other. Last year I participated for the first time. It is very moving to see how many people come to support each other and celebrate the lives of those who passed away. It is a beautiful celebration that brings hope and healing to many people. I would like to invite the whole parish to take part of the vigil.
 
If someone is not able to attend, or for whatever reason is not comfortable attending, let us pray for each person who lost their lives because of drug addiction.  Let us also pray for their families, and all those who struggle and suffer with addiction.
 
We pray to God that He may strengthen them and help them one day at a time. For those who have died, may their souls through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace.
 
God bless,
Fr. Steven
​
INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
 
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
(Rain Date is Thursday, August 29)
Frank D. Walker Building/Front Lawn
255 Main Street   Marlborough, MA  
 
Guest Speakers will include:
Chris Sullivan, former professional football player for the New England Patriots, who will share his message of hope
Franklin Cook, of Unified Community Solutions, Peer Grief Support Specialist
 
This event is free and open to the public
Memorial Slideshow, Speakers, Candle Lighting
    
In memory of those lives lost to overdose in Massachusetts in 2018, 
2,033 purple flags will be placed on the front lawn of the Walker Building.
For more information, contact Event Coordinator, Kathy Leonard, at drummerinheaven@gmail.com

​Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Last summer, the Church saw the urgent need to create ways to hold bishops accountable for their actions as well as ways to investigate allegations against them. The Bishops of the Boston province (Dioceses from MA, NH, VT, and ME) have agreed to make a reporting system available now in the wake of Pope Francis’ landmark Vos estis letter and the nearly unanimous response to that letter by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2019. Together, they have launched a third party, independent system to report abuse by Catholic bishops. Please read their statement below.
 
God bless,
Fr Steven
 
August 14, 2019
 
On May 9, 2019, Pope Francis promulgated a Motu Proprio, entitled Vos estis lux mundi, that identifies substantive measures to respond to the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Church. This includes requiring all dioceses in every country to establish a public, accessible and reliable system for reporting crimes of clergy sexual abuse and any cover-up of abuse by May 31, 2020. It also requires the estaAblishment of new procedural norms for investigating crimes by bishops and supreme moderators of religious institutes, including both allegations of sexual abuse and any cover up by way of actions or omissions intended to conceal information or to interfere with investigations. 
 
At the June 2019 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, a measure was approved to establish a third-party national reporting system for allegations or complaints involving bishops in the United States. The system will be designed to receive, via phone or email, confidential information reporting possible violations by bishops. This vote was taken following guidance articulated in Pope Francis Vos estis lux mundi. 
 
Vos estis lux mundi allows until May 31, 2020, for the development of local systems to receive such reports. With the understanding that the implementation of the national system is months away, the bishops of the Boston Province agreed to join a program already established by the Archdiocese of Boston through an independent EthicsPoint tm website. The Province includes the Archdiocese of Boston (MA), Diocese of Fall River (MA), Diocese of Worcester (MA), Diocese of Springfield (MA), Diocese of Burlington (VT), Diocese of Manchester (NH) and the Diocese of Portland (ME).
 
Much has been accomplished over nearly two decades to address the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, including instituting mandatory reporting to civil authorities, protection and prevention training, and pastoral support and outreach for survivors, among other steps. However, more is required to ensure that there is an effective and independent system in place to report misconduct by bishops.  
 
Those who were sexually abused by clergy, along with their families and loved ones, must always be the central focus of our ongoing response to the sexual abuse of minors. There is no doubt that they have suffered greatly. In order for the Catholic Church to continue to restore trust and credibility, leadership must be committed to transparency and accountability. We hope and pray that this effort will further strengthen the work begun nearly two decades ago to offer healing.
 
Bishops of the Boston Province
Massachusetts                                                         New Hampshire                                   
- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap.                   - Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci
  Archbishop of Boston                                                Bishop of Manchester
- Most Reverend Robert J. McManus                        Vermont
  Bishop of Worcester                                               - Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne                        
- Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski                         Bishop of Burilngton
  Bishop of Springfield                                               Maine
- Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, SDV               - Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley, JCD          
  Bishop of Fall River                                                   Bishop of Portland

​Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
I hope you have been enjoying this beautiful summer with your family and friends and enjoying all of God’s blessings!  Fr. Gregory has written a letter to update you of his situation.  Please read 
below.
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Many of you may be wondering "Where is Fr. Gregory?"  As you are aware, I was recently diagnosed with stenosis.    Fortunately, my recent surgery freed me from back pain, but the condition remains and has progressed.  It has become a challenge to get my legs to cooperate with my body!   In light of my limited mobility, Cardinal Sean has granted me senior priest status.  This means that effective August 1st I am officially retired and will no longer be assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish.   Mentally, I feel I had so much more to offer and give to the parish,  but regretfully, I am physically no longer able to serve in ministry to the level of clerical assistance this parish needs.   
 
I thank God for the opportunity to return to Marlboro and serve you.   As I reflect on my years of service, I take with me so many treasured memories of people, children, families, classes, events and sacraments shared with you.   It is difficult to express the joy I found in trying my best and giving 110%  to provide the best pastoral care possible to you and our parish.  I am blessed to have worked with so many phenomenal staff members, parishioners, and volunteers. Your talent, commitment and dedication inspired me!   
 
I would like to express my gratitude to the parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish.  You have touched my heart and my life more than you will ever know.  I hope in some small way, I have done the same for you.  I treasure the friendships I've made.   My life has been blessed by so many wonderful people who have graced my life.  It has been an honor and privilege to minister with and serve you.   Thank you for all you have done for me.   I will keep you and the parish in my prayers.   
 
God Bless you! 
Fr. Gregory 
**********************
We have been so blessed to have Fr. Gregory at Immaculate Conception Parish over the years and would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for all he has done for our Parish and School community.  Please join us in keeping Fr. Gregory in your hearts as we pray to the blessed Mother to accompany him in his retirement.
 
God bless,
Fr. Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
This weekend we welcome Fr. Joseph Alakun from the Archdiocese of Tororo Uganda.  Fr. Alakun will be talking about the needs they have and how we can help them.  Please see his letter below.
 
God bless,
Fr. Steven
*************************************************************
Dear People of God,
 
I bring you greetings from the Arcdiocese of Tororo. My name is Fr. Joseph Alakun, a diocesan priest from the Archdiocese of Tororo, in Uganda in East Africa. Uganda is a small country with a population 44 million people (refer to our website arcdioceseoftororo@gmail.org for more information about us).
 
I am grateful to the Archbishop of Boston for giving us a chance to preach mission appeals here, to the Pastor, Rev. Steven Clemence and you all for allowing me speak with you.
 
I am a pastor of St. Joseph Parish, a small parish with 16 sub-churches, 9 primary schools, 3 pre-primary schools, and one secondary school. We  have 16 catechists (6 of who have basic training), who help in teaching the Christian faith to both the children and adults in the villages and schools, visit the sick, among others.
 
BENEFITS OF APPEAL SO FAR
We have trained over 20 priests over the last ten years, renovated many rectories, constructed many classes for study, trained many catechists, dug many wells for our Christians in the villages to get clean water among others.
 
CURRENT NEEDS: Construction of churches in sub-churches, formation of priests, training of catechists, provision of clean water, provision of means of transport for newly ordained priests and catechists.
 
Note that $100 will pay for a catechists training for a whole year, pay for tuition for a seminarian's tuition for a month;
- $ 100 will also buy a bicycle for a catechists transport;
- $ 3,000 will buy a motor cycle for a newly ordained priest;
- $ 10,000 will construct four classrooms, dig four wells, or even construct a descent village Church
 
POSITIVE RESPONSES
- James and Christina Newville from Arlington, and Fr. Kelley of St. Joseph in Arlington, Texas support education in St. Joseph Parish in the Archdiocese of Tororo;
- David Manning of Quincy Adams gave a one time offer to contribute to education of Girls in St. Josephs Parish
 
I invite you all to pray for the growing church in Tororo Archdiocese and to support it financially within your means.
 
Below are the contacts:
1) Fr. Deogratious Ekisa PO Box 850195, New Orleans LA 70185, Tel. 1-504-261-7888 or 1-914-514-0183.
2) Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo A J, PO Box, 632, Tororo-Uganda, Tel. +256-754-488012
 
Thank you all for your prayers and generosity. 
Fr. Joseph Alakun /150- 455- 36924 or 256- 758-033747. fatheralakun@gmail.com
​