Father Steven Clemente

Dear Friends,

Let me say first, welcome to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. We have a long presence in our community of standing over for over 150 years as a Catholic presence in southwest Florida. In the past, we have served as a mother for all the parishes in Lee County and beyond. Our present goal is very much the same, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others who long to hear the message of truth. We hope and pray that you would join us in this endeavor.

Let me begin with something important and, I hope, reassuring. I am deeply grateful that Bishop, and you have placed in me as I remain fully committed to you, my spiritual family.

It is an invitation to deepen our shared mission, to strengthen leadership, and to ensure that our parish continues to engage people in the life of Christ. There are many who are searching-some who have drifted away, and others who have never truly encountered Him. By working more intentionally together across our parish, we have the opportunity to serve more people and to bring more people into a living relationship with Christ.

Rest assured that my main goal is to listen, learn, and evaluate how our community can best work in engaging others in helping to build that faith. This will not be about simply repeating what we are already doing, but about discovering how the unique strengths of the people in our parish can grow, deepen, and multiply.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to our parish leaders, and our staff. Together, over these past years, you have helped build a culture of evangelization, accompaniment, and service that has truly taken root here at Saint Francis Xavier. What has been growing among us is something real, and it is bearing fruit-not only in numbers, but in changed lives.

In the days and months ahead, together with parish leadership, we will work carefully to ensure that our parish is well served-with strong leadership, clear communication, and a continued focus on our mission. We will also look for intentional ways to collaborate, so that this partnership can strengthen our community and extend our impact across the area.

Please know that I am grateful for you, and I remain committed to walking with you as your pastor.

You are in my prayers, and I would be grateful for yours as well. Again, welcome to St. Francis Xavier, I look forward to meeting and praying with you.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Steve Clemente