December 7, 2025

December 3, 2025

Dear Friends,

 

I still have a handwritten calendar. I have an iPhone that I still could learn about its functions. I still have deadlines that come at me quickly, particularly this time of year from bulletin publishers and others. I never wanted to be a proofreader. As a Staff, everyone is given the opportunity to proofread the communication that is forthcoming from our office, me included. Oh, I cringe at that task.

 

So, I was ahead of myself by a week and didn’t catch it (nor did any proofreaders) that I was ahead of myself with last week’s bulletin, parish email, etc.

 

It’s Advent. I love this liturgical season and I try to slow down, encourage others to do the same in the midst of what these four weeks ( if actually we get a full four weeks) to just “be” and prepare for what is most essential, the celebration and recognition of what it means to have the Son of God come into our midst.

 

With deadlines, and other responsibilities, I said I wasn’t going to be with you the First Sunday of Advent.

Update, I was and I am not with you this Second Sunday of Advent.

 

This weekend we focus on peace. I need it. I’m going to go all out and think you need it as well.

Yes, the Peace of Christ that brings to the world relational peace to all.

 

SO, please bear with me and I will repeat what I shared in the last bulletin.

 

“This very weekend I will be presiding at the funeral of my dear friend, “brother,” Jerry Koen. Friends and family will gather at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Beverly, Massachusetts. This is where I met Jerry, his beloved wife, Sally, and their five sons in 1981. God blessed us with forty plus years of friendship, being family to one another and all those moments every family experiences. These days and years have all gone by too quickly for me. They are filled with gifts of love that I will be ever grateful for today and for as long as I might live.

 

Many years ago, a very dear friend gifted me with a book I have never forgotten. It is entitled, 
“The Precious Present.” It is a good reminder along with this weekend’s scriptures (Week Two is as relevant as Week One was) to keep ourselves focused and present to the precious present of this day. Jerry and Sally have given me this even having me “live in their home” (me casa, su casa) for decades. They and our faith in Jesus have blessed us to know our eternal home is where one day we shall reside forever. God’s peace to you Jerry as you are now reunited with Sally. Thank you for all your love.”

 

Once in a while some things are worth repeating. I hope those of you who are reading this message understand my repetition.

Love does bear repeating when you have been blessed by unbelievable people in your life. 

 

I am blessed. You are too!

Father Rob

 

You might also like

Father Rob's Weekly Message

August 2, 2026

July 29, 2026
Dear Friends, One of the most wonderful things about our parishes are the many opportunities offered to bless our spiritual journeys. Morning mass and weekend mass are certainly at the top of our opportunities to enrich and enliven our growth as Catholic Christians. This summer we had a phenomenal Vacation Bible School that was exuberant with the voices of our young people, echoed by our enthusiastic volunteers and led by, I am prejudiced, by the greatest Parish Leaders, Karen Luke and Anne Gallagher. This past week, Anne gathered some of our best youth for a week of generous stewardship volunteering with our Sisters of Saint Joseph. The group spent the week residing on Gregory Street and going out to various missions each day! I had the honor of joining them for dinner on Tuesday evening. What a joy to be in their company, hear their stories, and to witness the love of Jesus working through their lives. September will come all too, too, quickly but spiritual journeys will come forth with the Annual Men’s Kentucky Retreat, the Women’s Bible Study, and a Directed Silent Retreat. Do check our website and parish email for all the important information addressing these great offerings. I would like to mention something dear to my heart and soul. Are you aware of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises? I am almost positive if you are not, you may know someone who has been part of this most blessed gift. OK, I am one of them. If you know anyone who has participated, then you know someone whose spiritual life has never been the same! Ask the person you know. Ask them if their time was well spent in growing as a fully engaged Christian. This experience is one of the most wonderful decisions I made. At first, many firsts, could I make the commitment. Well let me tell you, when it was coming to ending, I could not believe how quick it went by and how sad I was to say it was ending. But of course, when you experience this gift, it never ends! I hope you have been following the bulletin and emails about this experience. If not, check out the information by contacting Bob Muhlnickle at rlmuhlnickel@gmail.com or me. I hope you will prayerfully pray about being part of this years, Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. You will not be disappointed. Nor will the Lord, who will be pleased you are giving Him this time! Blessings, Father Rob

July 26, 2026

July 17, 2026
Dear Friends, Really? This is the last weekend of July? The days are going by quickly and I keep reminding myself, when I am blessed to wake up to another morning, to be grateful for the present moment. Our Sacred Scriptures have been sharing several parables lately. This weekend Matthew tells us the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in the field. Where is your field? On the Fourth of July weekend we were asked where is our allegiance, to the kingdom of this earthly world, or the kingdom of God? Ultimately, though I won’t speak for everyone, where is our allegiance? Are we committed to the life of Jesus Christ, his call to being responsible to the least of our sister and brothers, proclaiming His kingdom, and loving God, and our neighbors, as ourselves? And so, in conclusion from reflecting on this weekend’s Gospel, I share: By using a variety of images, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what the kingdom of heaven will be. Its discovery is a sudden joy; it takes a person by surprise; it happens in secret. But simply discovering the kingdom is not enough: the treasure buried in the field and the pearl of great price must be possessed at any cost. And it costs everything one has to obtain the pearl. Do we understand? Are we ready for the discovery of the kingdom? More importantly, once we have found it, are we willing to make everything we own on it? Everything??? I am praying on this. What about you? Blessings and Joys, Father Rob

July 19, 2026

July 15, 2026
Dear Friends, This past week one of my favorite individuals had a birthday! My mother’s sister, Marilyn, my aunt, my Godmother, and a woman I admire so much was blessed acknowledging a new year! I am going to say it because I am proud of her and she looks fabulous! On July 16th Marilyn turned 93 years old! If I can say so myself, you would never know it. You may not have had the pleasure of meeting my aunt so far, but to give you an idea of her youthfulness and pizzaz, she and Sister Barbara Moore are college classmates and friends. Whatever happened the year these two distinguished women were born, there was some special grace blessing them both! My biological family is not strong in numbers but strong in love for one another. I am so grateful for Marilyn. Marilyn’s faith is strong and she has had crosses to bear but has always know the Lord’s words as we have recently heard, “Come to me all you who labor and burdened…” Marilyn’s life has had many blessings and joys and I wanted to acknowledge how grateful I am for her!!! To everyone enjoying a July birthday or perhaps like myself, you know someone who is having one, celebrate them and let them know how much they mean to you! Marilyn, Happy Birthday and God Bless you! Love, Rob