Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Rev. Steven McClernon is settling into a new community and a new role in Lynbrook, where he recently became pastor of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church — his first leadership position since being ordained a priest three years ago.
Just over a month ago, the 34-year-old McClernon arrived at the Lynbrook parish after spending three years as an associate pastor at Beach Catholic in Long Beach. The move marks a significant step in his ministry as he takes on responsibility for leading a parish of his own.
McClernon was assigned to Our Lady of Peace this summer by the Most Rev. John Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, following the semi-retirement of the parish’s longtime pastor, the Rev. Richard “Father Rick” Stelter.
Although becoming a pastor after only three years as a priest is relatively uncommon, McClernon said priests ultimately go where they are needed. At Our Lady of Peace, he now oversees the parish with the assistance of Deacon Kevin McCormack and other associates.
For McClernon, the location may have changed, but the purpose of his ministry has not.
One Bible passage that continues to shape his approach is Romans 12:4, which describes the Church as one body with many members, each contributing unique gifts.
“Different gifts, one Church, one body,” McClernon said. “God made us all different with different gifts and abilities, and when I see people using them, it’s inspiring. That verse, I’ve always loved because it talks about the uniqueness of everyone.”
A Holbrook native, McClernon did not enter the seminary immediately after graduating from Sachem North High School. After earning his college degree, he spent two years teaching in the Connetquot School District and at Eastern Suffolk BOCES before entering the seminary in 2016.
He completed his studies in Douglaston, Queens, and Yonkers before serving for six months as a deacon at St. William the Abbot in Seaford, one of the required steps before becoming a priest.
McClernon was ordained in 2023 in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and his first assignment brought him to Beach Catholic in Long Beach, where he quickly immersed himself in parish life.
In addition to celebrating Mass, McClernon trained altar servers, coached students at Long Beach Catholic School and became a familiar face at parish events, from the annual summer dance to the Christmas tree lighting. Those everyday interactions, he said, were among the most rewarding parts of his first years in ministry.
When asked about one of the highlights of his time in Long Beach, his answer came quickly.
“The beach Mass,” McClernon said. “I loved my time in Long Beach. It’s a great place.”
The outdoor Sunday evening service is an annual summer tradition, with worshippers gathering on the sands of Ocean Beach Park.
Those experiences now follow McClernon into the next stage of his ministry in Lynbrook, where he is settling into his new parish and preparing for the return of students this fall.
Pastoral assignments typically last six years, McClernon explained, though they can change depending on the needs of the Diocese. As he begins building relationships with parishioners at Our Lady of Peace, he said he remains grateful to the community where his priesthood began.
“I loved my time in Long Beach,” McClernon reiterated. “It was a great place to begin.”
