February 15, 2026

February 11, 2026

Dear Friends,

 

This fresh New Year has certainly given us a winter season we haven’t experienced in quite some time. Hopefully, everyone kept warm, comfortable and safe last weekend. We speak about how cold it is and how we are cold but let’s be grateful we have appropriate clothing to put on, warm homes, schools, places of work and places we frequent.

 

I am mindful, as all of you are, of our sisters and brothers who are not as fortunate as ourselves. Thank you for your donations of winter clothing, food donations and monetary support to the wonderful services in our area who attend to those living on the streets and those in residence at our warming shelters like the House of Mercy and Open Door Mission.  May we continue to support these needed shelters and the great folks who attend to the vulnerable in our communities.

 

Last weekend the Msgr. Schnacky Players put on their final performances of this year’s Melodrama, “The Last Curtain Call.” The production was written by our own parishioner Patrick Ashley. Patrick had the support of other parishioners and folks from the wider community to offer this play.

 

Some members of our Parish Staff, including myself, attended last Friday night’s play. The weather challenged some to attend and others not to come out. This was on top of many who wanted to be there but were sick with colds, the flu, etc.  Nevertheless, those of us who were in the audience had an enjoyable time.

Thank you to Patrick and all those who came together to make the 45th production such a great success!

 

This coming week we will begin a new liturgical season. Ash Wednesday is just around the corner. The theme for this year is “Change of Heart.” As you look and pray over the next six weeks of Lenten Scriptures you will understand the theme. The scriptures place before us words to contemplate like hardness of heart, compassion, temptation, sin, hardship, seeing God as our rock of life, living water, moving from darkness to light, graves opening up, and so much more.

 

As we come together in prayer and our liturgical celebrations may these coming weeks bring us to the fullness of life preparing for Easter.

 

Please check our bulletin, website, and weekly emails for the services offered Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent.

 

May we pray for each other that we may examine in our personal lives where a “Change of Heart” will deepen our relationship with Jesus.

 

Blessings,

Father Rob

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

October 4 2026

September 29, 2026
Dear Friends, I was delighted that our faith communities came together last Saturday to welcome Bishop John Bonnici! It was a prayerful time to come together, meet one another and celebrate mass. The time with one another was delightful and filled with joy! I want to thank everyone who helped in preparing this special moment. First of all, thank you to Bishop Bonnici for sharing his presence with us. Thank you to Father Aaron Kelly for assisting all our liturgical ministers at mass. The music was inspirational and kudos to Pam McInerney, Sue Wallace, and all our vocalists and musicians for bringing their gifts to our liturgy. Much appreciation to our phenomenal Altar Servers, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who gave of themselves to make everyone comfortable and welcome at Mass. I want to express my gratitude to all who served at Mass on Saturday. To Chuck Reinke, who coordinated our ushers and greeters. To Bob Goldbach and his band of volunteers who helped with parking and assisting everyone arriving for Mass. AND, to Julie Reinke, our star photographer, for capturing these sacred moments we had with one another. AND, to Charlene Merrill, for the fabulous reception she coordinated with so many others that provided a delightful gathering after Mass. AND, one more AND, being trinitarian, I want to acknowledge our Parish Staff, who assisted me in so many ways. Bless you! Everyone, thank you for being such wonderful stewards! Our Catholic Ministries Appeal is underway! Did you receive your letter about the appeal from Bishop Bonnici and me? This year, beginning with our new bishop, the theme is “ALL THINGS NEW, Embracing Our Mission in Christ.” I pray we will be supportive and successful in stewardship towards this years appeal. We experienced full support from so many of you last year and Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration made our goals. Thank you to those made this happen. I am confident we can succeed again with our prayer and stewardship. Like every diocese who has a similar campaign, your goodness keeps our diocese and parishes vibrant through serving people in need through Catholic Charities, providing diocesan-wide services to our parishes and institutions, educating youth in Catholic faith, supporting our Seminarians, Deacons,, and Pastoral Leaders, funding the ministries of Pope Leo and Bishop Bonnici, funding our Pastoral Center Operations & Support Services, and for the CMA Campaign. All donations are used only for the programs, services, and ministries I just mentioned. I hope and pray you will make a pledge with me for this year’s appeal. If you have any questions, please ask me, anyone on Parish Staff, and the Diocese of Rochester. Blessings to all, Father Rob

September 27, 2026

September 22, 2026
Dear Friends, This past week, on September 24th, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, was beatified in Saint Louis. From December of 1966 to October of 1969, he was the Bishop of Rochester. Bishop John Bonnici will be present for the beatification. On September 29th, Bishop John Bonnici will receive a relic of the Archbishop during Mass at 7 PM at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria will present the relic. Everyone is invited to attend this special moment. We will be blessed between the beatification and receiving of the relic to have Bishop John Bonnici with us this very weekend. He will preside at Mass on Saturday at 5:30 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena. A light reception will follow this celebration. May we offer our new Bishop a warm welcome and join him in celebrating Mass with one another! How blessed we are to have these final days of September to celebrate our faith! I am looking forward to seeing you this Saturday. Blessings to all, Father Rob

September 20, 2026

September 15, 2026
Dear Friends, I want to thank all the generous stewards who prepared our Parish Ministry Fairs at Saint Catherine’s and Transfiguration last weekend! Those who made the time to visit all the ministry tables, thank you. AND thank you to all who expressed an interest in being part of our ministries and signed up to join or receive more information. Our two parishes are blessed by the goodness and involvement of so many making our communities vital to our professed Gospel! Next weekend, Bishop Bonnici will be with us! He asked to preside and preach at our 5:30 mass on Saturday evening at Saint Catherine’s. We hope you will come and worship with him and our brothers and sisters. There will be no 4 PM mass this day. A light reception will follow mass, perhaps outside, weather permitting. Otherwise, we will come together in Legacy Hall. I do hope you will welcome our Bishop and his secretary, Father Aaron Kelly! Bishop Bonnici has asked that our parishes do something very special to recognize the beginning of October. For our Universal Church this is Respect Life Month. Bishop Bonnici will preside at a Diocesan Holy Hour and Rosary for Life at Sacred Heart Cathedral, October 3 , from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Everyone is invited to join him at Sacred Heart. He also asked if our diocesan parishes might offer the same Holy Hour and Rosary for Life in our parishes at the same time. We invite our parishioners and others, who may wish to join us, for this opportunity at Saint Catherine of Siena’s Chapel. It will be October 3rd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. As of this writing, Ben Cutter and I will lead this special time of prayer. Please join Ben and me in this moment. Hope everyone is doing well and know you are always in my prayers and thoughts! Blessings, Rob