Jesus Christ is the one who calls men and women to give up everything to follow Him as a priest or religious. Ordained in June 2023, Father Steven McClernon is now the Associate Pastor of Beach Catholic (St. Mary of the Isle Long Beach, St. Ignatius Martyr, Long Beach and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Point Lookout).
Father McClernon grew up in Holbrook and he and his family worshipped at Good Shepherd Church. As many of our young people do, Father McClernon drifted away from the faith during his high school years, but with the influence of a priest mentor, he had a reversion back to the Church and fell in love with Catholicism all over again. “I tribute my decision to become a priest because of the influence of the wonderful priest mentors I met and the desire to serve other people,” said Father McClernon.
Through much prayer, especially before the Blessed Sacrament, he knew that he wanted to become a priest. “I was inspired and directed to discover what my talents and skills were and to learn how to best use them to serve God and His people.” As a priest it is his goal to bring people closer to our Lord, especially in the Blessed Sacrament, to be a witness of hope for people who have lost hope and to revitalize the faith of this beautiful barrier island community.
Father McClernon is so thankful to the people of Long Island for their support. “The CMA has been influential in my life. One of the ministries it supports is the Holy Hours for Vocations at the Seminary. We gather a lot of people across the island to hold Eucharistic Adoration. During my college years, this experience was a big part of my faith and my decision to become a priest. The Catholic Ministries Appeal has helped foster my vocation to the priesthood.”
He said, “It is important to support the CMA by giving our time and treasure to help those in need. We are one body of faith in Christ, and we are called to use our talent and treasure to serve those in need, Catholics and non-Catholics. The CMA allows us to live out the gospel and to bring people closer to Him. This year’s CMA theme is Revitalizing our Faith — Renewed by the Eucharist relates to my vocation and as it was fostered through Eucharistic Adoration. I see the people of God revitalized and renewed in their faith when I celebrate mass. I see how people really love receiving the Eucharist. During Covid when we were separated from receiving the Eucharist, it was a challenging time for many. Now seeing the people back to church, and receiving the Eucharist, I am renewed in my faith, and I know God’s people are revitalized by the true presence of God in the Eucharist.”
Thanks to your support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal, men like Father Steven McClernon are supported through discernment and formation to the priesthood.
For more information and to donate to the Catholic Ministries Appeal visit https://www.catholicministriesappeal.org/
