Church of the Transfiguration | Fr. Rob's Weekly Message

May 10, 2026

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:42:11 GMT

Dear Friends,

This is our Sixth Sunday of Easter where we continue to raise our Alleluias, acknowledging our Risen Lord! The Gospel today looks forward to the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who Jesus, ascending to His Father, promises will guide us all the days of our lives! Easter joys continue as we draw nearer to the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost!

This Sunday we also acknowledge Mother’s Day. For myself, I cannot but think of my own mother. Mom always wanted the best for her children. She did her best and much of her “best” was a gift.

Life. Isn’t that true for most of us? Maybe all of us? Not every moment may be the way we hope for, but with faith, which my parents did share with me, I can be very grateful for the person I am today because of them.

Mother’s Day is before us in many different roles, persons, thoughts, and memories.

Years ago, I came across a blessing, which I have chosen to use at prior Mother’s Day liturgies. I will do this blessing again on Saturday and Sunday. I believe it covers so many types of relationships that could describe a mother, a mother figure, and those who desire to be a mother or mother figure. We all have memories, some good, some not so good. We all have thoughts of what this role model should be, and what we hope to understand it should be. Listen this weekend to the blessing I will offer and see where you relate; fall into where your brother Jesus walks beside you this Mother’s Day.

May is the month of His Blessed Mother, Mary. Certainly, Mary is a supreme role model to contemplate and reflect upon. Do you have a favorite prayer about Mary? My mothers was the Memorare. I have always appreciated the verse that acclaims, “remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercessions was left unaided.”

Mom had this confidence in prayer.

So, if you a thought to the blessing of this “Mother’s Day”, let me know. It is miraculous how our Risen Lord wants us to be included in all His blessings, and wants us to be inclusive in sharing them among one another.

Mom, you left so early in earthly life. I continue to be grateful that Sunday morning, when Jesus said, as we heard last weekend in the Gospel, I have a place prepared for you! I saw on your face how peaceful you were after bearing so many crosses. It has been 26 years since Jesus embraced you into eternity! I am so happy for you! Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Love You!

Blessings to all,

Father Rob

May 3, 2026

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:59:48 GMT

Dear Friends,

We are still celebrating the days of our Easter! I have been blessed since our Easter Vigil, just a month ago, with so many wonderful moments to acknowledge and feel blessed because of the life of Jesus Christ!

Since I last wrote a column for our bulletin, I was at our annual Priests’ Convocation. The highlight for myself and so many of our priests was being in the presence of our new Bishop. Bishop John Bonnici was so gracious in sharing some history about himself and that he is here to walk beside us and be present to us as a brother. His words were a welcome breath of these Easter days!

This same week, I was privileged to be with Bishop Bonnici, welcoming Cardinal Tobin from the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. Cardinal Tobin’s nephew attends the U of R, and the Cardinal was a guest presider at Mass with a presentation to follow. He spoke of Pope Francis and Pope Leo. My good friend Father Brian Cool is the Chaplain for the U of R and R.I.T. Father Cool invited our support group for dinner and the evenings’ celebrations. Cardinal Tobin was as gracious and welcoming as our new Bishop! If you are not familiar with Cardinal Tobin, check out 60 Minutes from a few weeks ago and his interview with Norah O’Donnell.

This past week, on April 29th, we celebrated a great Doctor of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena. Her wisdom and witness to the Risen Lord blesses me continuously with her words, “Be everything you are meant to be and set the world on fire.” I pray that I follow our Lord in being everything He desires of me.

And this weekend, we hear in our Gospel that those who follow Jesus will do the great things Jesus did, and even greater things. Reading those words, I always marvel in the confidence that Jesus has in you and me.

We celebrate this weekend with some very special young people who are making their First Communion! How exciting to have been with 17 individuals coming into the church at our Easter Vigil and now just about a month later to be among all these young individuals saying AMEN to the Body of Christ!

Indeed, for me, Easter is still vibrant and before all of us! This Thursday, on May 7th, our young people will be coming to Sacred Heart Cathedral for the Sacrament of Confirmation. These wonderful people from our parishes will be among the first to receive this sacrament from our new Bishop, John Bonnici. The gift of the Holy Spirit will further enliven the lives of these young people. I still recall being confirmed by Bishop James Kearney, and what a special evening it was for me, my family and my friends. I pray our soon to be confirmed will have the same joys and love for the Lord as I do for this very moment.

Let us pray for our new faithful who are joining us at the table of the Lord and those who will be confirmed in the coming week! As they bless us with their witness and faith, may we bless them witnessing us being everything we are meant to be modeling Jesus Christ, our Risen Saviour!

May we keep proclaiming the Lord with our Alleluias!!!

Blessings,

Rob

April 26, 2026

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:27:40 GMT

Dear Friends,

I have been on vacation the past week, volunteering at the Boston Marathon and visiting with my Boston friends. I look forward to sharing the events of the past few weeks with you in next weekend’s column.

In this week’s gospel, Jesus talks about being a good shepherd. His sheep know his voice, follow him, and are protected and saved by him. Monday’s gospel continues where Sunday’s left off, with the most revealing verse. Jesus once again affirms his deep love for humanity by his willingness to sacrifice himself for all of us. How do we reflect that love in the actions of our daily lives? Fr. John Muir offers some inspiring words again this week.

God Bless,

Father Rob

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

My most boring job was working at an insurance company as a college student. My main task? Filing. Now imagine if I had told my supervisor, “I just want you to know, I’m willing to die for these files.” She would have called a psychiatrist — or at least security.

There is something absurd in Jesus’ words in the Gospel: “I am the good shepherd… I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) It sounds noble, until you think about it. No one dies for sheep. Not a hired hand. Not even a good shepherd. Sheep are important, sure, but not worth a human life.

And yet, Jesus insists: I will die for them. The crowd understandably responds: “He is out of his mind.”

C.S. Lewis once said that Jesus does not leave us the option of calling him merely a good teacher. If someone speaks like him, he is either lying, crazy, or telling the truth. John’s Gospel won’t let us stay sentimental. Jesus means it. He reveals a love that surpasses logic — a love that measures worth not by strength or success, but by the willingness to suffer unto death.

The Good Shepherd’s madness is mercy. His cross makes no earthly sense and yet it makes divine sense. He lays down his life not for kings or saints but for sheep — for the ordinary, the unworthy, for you and me.

Think of someone who may feel unworthy of love. Do something simple and generous for them, not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did the same for you.

— Father John Muir ©LPi

April 19, 2026

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:14:14 GMT

Dear Friends,

Alleluia, He is Risen! But that doesn’t mean He has left us. Do you recognize Jesus’ presence all around you? He is here, in the beauty of our planet, in the person sitting next to you at church, in the people we help through our outreach ministries. Please enjoy this reflection from Fr. Muir on our Gospel readings this week.

I will be away for a few days as I volunteer once again at the Boston Marathon.

God Bless,

Father Rob

When I first read Homer’s Odyssey as a teenager, one scene captured my imagination: Odysseus finally returning home after 20 years, yet no one recognized him. Disguised as a beggar, he speaks with his wife, his son, and even his enemies. He is fully present, yet hidden. Only at the right moment does he reveal himself, and everyone realizes he has been with them all along. I was struck by the mystery that he could be so close to his loved ones, and yet they simply could not identify him.

A similar mystery is at the heart of today’s Gospel. Two disciples walk the road to Emmaus with Jesus, but “their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:16) He listens, teaches, and eats with them, yet they remain blind until he breaks the bread. Suddenly their eyes are opened — and at that very moment, he vanishes. His disappearance is not absence. Rather, it is revelation. The Risen Lord is now present in a new way, in the breaking of the bread and in the life of His Church.

Faith is this shift of vision. Instead of searching for a visible Jesus as if he were absent, we learn to recognize him unveiled in hidden ways — in Scripture proclaimed, in the Eucharist, in the sacraments, in the very life of the Church.

And what is true of him is true of us. Just as he disappears into the mission of his Body, we too are meant to be hidden in him. When we live hidden in Christ, we are seen for who we really are.

— Father John Muir ©LPi

April 12, 2026

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:28:29 GMT

Dear Friends,

I hope this Octave of Easter has been days of continuing joys of our Risen Lord in your lives!

This past Lent/Holy Week and Easter has been one of my best. The many services throughout Lent offered me many things to reflect upon with our theme “Change of Heart.” Holy Week was one gift after another with the Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and a ever so joyful Easter Vigil! Coming home after the Easter Vigil I was so pumped up by the prayerful experience and seeing the faces of our Elect so radiant.

These individuals bring much with them to enrich our parishes. I pray that we will do the same in offering our prayer and support to them not only through the Easter Season, but always.

Continue to bring to your prayer Ellen, George, Jack, Katie, Lila, Vance, Quinn, Rosemary, Shauna, Abigael, Haleigh, Josh, David, Michael, Jack, Sarah, and Devon! How blessed we have been to share their happiness in following the Holy Spirit and their desire to be one with us in our church!

God bless them and all of you as we sing our Alleluias ,

Father Rob

April 5, 2025

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:36:27 GMT

Dear Friends,

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!!

What a gift we celebrate in returning to song and uplifted prayer with our Alleluias, commemorating Jesus’ triumph over death and His resurrection.

I am so grateful for everyone who was able to join our services this past Holy Week.

I am very thankful for all those who helped prepare our services, for our music ministries, liturgical ministers, arts & environment ministries, and everyone who pitched in when a call for assistance was asked.

On behalf of the Parish Staff, we wish everyone a blessed, holy, joyful, and prayerful Easter Season!

May the experience we shared in a “Change of Heart” over these past six weeks keep us proclaiming Jesus Christ’s Good News!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

Father Rob

March 29, 2026

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:00:23 GMT

Dear Friends,

The two Gospels for this Palm Sunday certainly evoke reflections on the “Change of Heart” theme for us. The two Gospels go from shouts of praise and triumph, to calls for crucifixion and death. Gathering around Jesus, folks go from wanting to be in his presence, to desiring his presence be eliminated in their lives. These are individuals who let their hearts know Jesus for who he is, but become individuals persuaded by outside forces to deny Jesus for who he is.

These sacred texts are food for thought for us. Might we ask ourselves, have we possibly been fickle about our own relationship with Jesus? Have we had moments of yes, I do know the Lord and believe in him totally, to moments of doubt, despair, and questioning just where is he in my life? Do I welcome his presence? Do I ever walk away from his presence?

This Holy Week who do we identify with? Are we shouting praises or calling out to death? Who is in our crowd that we associate with? Is the crowd of this earthly world or of the eternal world?

In the coming days we will be with many different people in our scriptures. There will be Pilate, Peter, Mary of Magdala, soldiers, bystanders, Judas, Veronica, Simon of Cyrene, Mary the mother of Jesus, the women at the tomb, and others. Is there someone we may identify with, whether we want to admit it or not? Is there more than one person in whose shoes we may have walked?

Change of heart is a reality for all of us. Hopefully, we are working our hearts in the direction of being more like Jesus. Let’s pray for one another this Holy Week that we will be fully ready to say yes, alleluia to our upcoming Easter.

We have several opportunities for reflection on our invitation to a “Change of Heart.”

Holy Tuesday, the Chrism Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 6 PM. This very evening our newly installed Bishop John Bonnici will bless the sacred oils. These oils are the Sacred Chrism (a perfumed oil, consecrated for confirmation, ordination, and dedication), Oil of Catechumens (used for baptismal candidates), and Oil of the Sick (used for the infirm).

Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum. It commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist. Here we hear the commandment to love and serve. The celebration will begin at 7 PM at Saint Catherine’s. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be in the chapel until 10 PM.

Good Friday, we come together again at Saint Catherine’s at 3 PM, commemorating the crucifixion, suffering, and death of Jesus on Calvary. At Transfiguration, Simple Stations of the Cross will take place at 7 PM.

Holy Saturday, at 8 PM, we will gather at Transfiguration for the most solemn celebration in the Christian liturgical year, marking the transition from mourning to the joy of Christ’s resurrection. During this most beautiful celebration our Catechumens and Candidates will be welcomed into the church. I hope you will come, support, and welcome them into our faith family.

On Easter Sunday, we are blessed to have two masses at each of our churches. They will be at 8:45 AM and 10:45 AM.

My dear friends I will be holding you in prayer and hope you can join me in these sacred liturgies.

Blessings ,

Father Rob

March 22, 2026

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:45:17 GMT

Dear Friends,

For three weekends now we have been engaged in the Gospel of John, reflecting upon the Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, and this weekend, Jesus raising Lazarus!!! These three passages from sacred scripture are some of my most beloved.

To drink the water Jesus offers and to have never to thirst again…I pray to accept His gift. To reflect and pray our Lenten theme, “Change of Heart” and recognize where I need to continually open my eyes, widen my vision, and become more like my Lord among the people I live among, …is the sight I desire. To know the life I seek is the journey with Jesus that leads me to salvation…is a grace that encourages my mind, heart, and spirit to keep the pace with Himself who walks beside me.

How far have you and I come since Ash Wednesday? How are your “hearts” doing? Any hardness becoming softer? Any realizations where we can love more?

A week from now we will be taking steps alongside Jesus into His/Our Holy Week. I hope you will plan on joining our parishes for all the liturgical opportunities planned. Check your postcard mailed to you before Lent began, our website, weekly email, and bulletin for times and locations of our services.

And do pray for our Catechumens and Candidates that will be fully received into the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. I really hope you will come to the Easter Vigil and support these wonderful individuals.

Blessings to all,

Father Rob

March 15, 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:12:00 GMT

Dear Friends,

Our parishes have a wonderful group of individuals who are well on their way to be fully accepted into the Catholic Church at our Easter Vigil. These individuals recently went to Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate the Rite of Election. During this celebration of prayer Bishop Matano acknowledged each Catechumen and Candidate.

Last weekend these sisters and brothers of ours celebrated their First Scrutiny.

For parishes, like ours, who have candidates for the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) and OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) there are three Scrutinies as part of their prayerful preparations. All three Scrutinies are connected to the weekend Gospel.

The purpose of these Scrutinies is to purify the hearts and minds of the Elect, helping them to turn away from sin and toward a deeper, more intimate union with Christ. These are moments of intense prayer for protection and spiritual strength.

The Third, Fourth, and Fifth weekends of Lent, our liturgies are tied to specific Gospels that highlight Jesus’ power to heal and transform. Last weekend we met the Samaritan woman at the well. She encountered Jesus as Living Water. This weekend, we have the healing of the man born blind. This Gospel proclaims Jesus as Light of the World. Next weekend, we witness Jesus raising Lazarus from death. Here Jesus is recognized as Resurrection and Life!

All three of these Scrutinies are not only meant for the Elect, but also for us as well. We are invited to participate in these rites to reflect on own life-long need for conversion and to renew our commitment to living a Christian life. This is a prayerful and blessed time to have a “Change of Heart” in preparing for Easter!

May we continue to pray for our OCIA and OCIC sisters and brothers in their final preparations: Jake & Kate DiOrio, Devon Forrest, Ellen & George Gardiner, Lila & Vance Gilroy, Rosemary Kinney, Abigael & Haleigh LaRocca, Josh Miller, Sarah Moore, David Rivera, Quinn Thrash and Michael Soltow. And, let us remember one another too in prayer as our family of faith grows!

Blessings to everyone,

Father Rob

March 8, 2026

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:41:53 GMT

Dear Friends,

Reflecting upon, and examining our lives, we are now into our third week of Lent addressing where a change of heart is being invited of us.

Two Sundays ago, we encountered the devil tempting Jesus in the desert. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. The Spirit of God remained with Jesus for these forty days.

The devil tempts Jesus, but the Lord will let anything come between him and his father.

Last Sunday we had the passage close to our hearts of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This “mountain top” vision was a powerful prayer experience for Peter, James, and John. These invited men coming to this moment have now seen Jesus for who He really is! It makes me recall what “mountain top” experiences have I seen? How has my vision been able to see the Lord for who he really is and bring it to the depths of my existence?

This Sunday, our first reading from the Old Testament has the Israelites in their desert complaining because they do not have water to drink. Grumbling to Moses they question, where is God in all this?

Moses calls out to God and God provides. He instructs Moses to go strike the rock and water will be provided. Indeed, it comes forth, God is ever present to the people. Their hearts will change for the time being.

And on this very weekend we meet the Samaritan woman at the well. There Jesus sits and waits for this individual. Jesus speaks to her with kindness and patience. She listens to him, asks questions, and responds to his invitation to drink the water he’ll provide that will never make her thirsty again. She was ready to move from material needs to spiritual (Change of Heart).

The third week of Lent is before us. How have you been doing with temptations, prayer on mountaintops and knowing God is present to you providing what is lasting, Have you been seeing changes in your heart for the good? Are you feeling and recognizing a deeper invitation to be closer to Jesus?

Moses struck a rock and water came forth. How is God striking our hearts this lent. What is coming forth from ourselves? Is there life giving water that satisfies our spiritual thirsts? Is there still any hardness of our hearts attached to material temptations that we really need to address and be honest about with God?

We still have weeks ahead of us before Holy Week. Let us pray together that we will make the most of this time for a blessed Easter.

I ask you in your prayer to also remember our sisters and brothers who will become one, holy, catholic, and apostolic among us at the Easter Vigil! They are a beautiful group of people. How blessed we are to have them share faith among us and for us to do the same for them.

To a “Change of Heart” and continued blessings,

Father Rob

March 1, 2026

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:04:14 GMT

Dear Friends,

This weekend presents to us, in our Gospel, the Transfiguration. Matthew 17 is particularly poignant as one of our parishes is named after this event. It is also important for all of the faithful to reflect upon as we go forth seeking hopefully a “Change of Heart” this Lenten season.

The custom of reading this gospel passage near the beginning of Lent may have come from the ancient tradition which held that the transfiguration of Jesus took place forty days before Good Friday. The response of “It is good for us to be here” carries right to this present moment for you and me. It is good that we gather together to reflect on the word of the Lord and be nourished with the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself.

As Saint Augustine said, “may we become what we receive.”

How is your Lenten journey going so far? What is happening in the interior of your lives and within your heart?

Jesus often referred to individuals with “hardened hearts.” He cited scribes, pharisees, and even His own disciples. Some of these moments occurred when He healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5), after walking on the water (Mark 6:52), and His post-resurrection appearances (Mark 6:14)

Are we possibly discovering any hardness of hearts in relationship to belonging to Jesus? After all, if we belong to Jesus, we are to love as He loves. How are we doing with loving as Him? Are there any issues we need to address honestly? Is He telling us something we need to address in the interior, depth of our very self, soul, and heart?

Jesus is addressed in the New Testament as the rock, our spiritual foundation. Like in the Old Testament when Moses addressed the grumbling Israelites thirst in the desert, striking the rock as directed by God to satisfy their thirst, so too we read in 1 Corinthians 10:4, that the people ”…drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

Jesus is the spiritual life and foundation of faith. Jesus as our “rock” is a prominent metaphor for His strength and protection. When we accept Jesus as our secure refuge and foundation, we better understand and address where we need changes of our own hearts.

May we take time to in our personal prayer and communal prayer these remaining weeks of lent to prepare well what it means to belong to Jesus. May we drink from the “spiritual rock”, our foundation in Him, and continue journey alongside our brother to Jerusalem.

Let us know indeed it is good for us to be here with one another and prepare for the eternal life that lies ahead.

With faith and blessings,

Father Rob

February 22, 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:24:53 GMT

Dear Friends,

Our Lenten journey began this past Wednesday.

So many of us gathered at our masses and services to mark our foreheads with ashes.

These ashes remind us of our mortality and to renew our lives by repentance and living/embracing the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Indeed, our six weeks of preparation leading us to another Easter Sunday invite us to a “Change of Heart.” The scriptures we heard on Ash Wednesday, the ones that are placed before us this weekend, and all the sacred texts leading up to Easter invite us to reflect on our Baptismal lives. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting us to go deep inside our very hearts and souls to address a necessary “Change of Heart?”

This Sunday we heard a call out asking the Lord to be merciful for we have sinned. Jesus, sinless, had temptations in the dessert wilderness. The devil presented several temptations before the Lord, but He did not submit to them, Jesus had the strength and prayer to keep God the Father before all else.

You and I have constant temptations placed before us. How many times in our lifetime have we fallen prey to them, the ways of the world and have let decisions and choices be embraced over choosing the ways of Jesus?

What temptations can we honestly see before us right now that are interrupting our full commitment in following Jesus? Addressing them is to focus on how we will have a “Change of Heart.”

I hope you can set yourselves aside for personal prayer, worship in our faith communities and avail yourselves to reconciliation in the coming days. Also, check our websites, weekly emails and bulletins for special Lenten opportunities our parishes are offering. You also should have received a postcard listing several of the offerings we have leading up to Easter Sunday.

May we keep one another in prayer these next several weeks that our lives will be deeper in faith with Jesus.

Blessings,

Father Rob

February 15, 2026

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:04:46 GMT

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

February 8, 2026

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:15:04 GMT

Dear Friends,

Do any of you remember the call out expression, “What would Jesus do?”

This very moment, in your life and my own, do we reflect and live what we can honestly acknowledge, what would Jesus do? Are we honest with what Jesus has revealed to us?

Let’s look at the Ten Commandments. Let’s look at the two greatest: “Love your God with your whole heart, soul, and being” and “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Neighbor. Hmm. Are you thinking of the story of the Good Samaritan? What about Jesus telling us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors?

Last weekend, our Gospel was Matthew 5:1-12. Folks love the Beatitudes and I certainly believe we can not reflect on them enough. How about, “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God.” Are you a peacemaker?

We are in the midst of very troubling times , not only in our world, but right here in our nation. Do you want peace? The Peace of Jesus? Another saying in my memory bank is, if you want peace, work for justice.

WOW! Justice. Peace. Love. No one should lose their life living for justice, peace and love in the image of Jesus Christ.

We live in a nation and world of diversity. And diversity is good when we, like Jesus, are open to seeing the goodness and blessings in all people. Jesus started out in a small circle but expanded it by saying I need to move on to others, all people.

Today, yesterday, and so many yesterdays in the past, people have brought their prejudices to alienate, persecute, and hurt the Body of Christ. In Jesus’ own day, he was confronted by His faith and politics. He ended up on the cross because of His viewpoints. We talk about separation of church and state, but let’s face it, if we are truly living our Catholicism, there is no separation. Do we not base our lives totally on the Gospel as we profess?

We are called to be disciples of faith living the justice, love and peace of our Lord. Not every moment is so peaceful. Look at the scriptures. Jesus challenged injustices. Jesus spoke out and Jesus gave His life for the salvation of all his beloved sisters and brothers of all races and nations.

We have been challenged, have we not?

All life is sacred, Yes! From the womb to the tomb. All life is sacred and no one, should be assassinated because of their ideologies: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy, Archbishop Oscar Romero, Charlie Kirk, Renee Good, Alex Pretti and so many others we hold in our prayers and thoughts.

This is a time where we as church have been called out by leadership of Cardinal’s Blasé Cupich of Chicago, Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., and Joseph Tobin, of Newark, New Jersey, and Pope Leo to be voices who speak up for the dignity and blessings of our sisters and brothers who live rightly in our nation and world.

Please check out these Cardinal’s words if you have not already. May our hearts be open and not hardened to where we are to love everyone. Yes, everyone.

Blessings,

Father Rob

February 1, 2026

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:53:30 GMT

Dear Friends,

Thanks to Father Rob for lending us his bulletin article this week!

We were recently blessed to accompany fifteen of our parish teens to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, where we spent three days with 16,000 other Catholic teens and an hour in conversation with Pope Leo! If you were blessed to attend Mass at our parishes this weekend, you got to hear the witness of some of our amazing youth and catch their contagious spirit.

In case you missed it, please check out the livestream recording of their Mass talks on our website. And if you’d like to hear even more from our NCYC teens, this week’s episode of our Faith Break podcast is devoted to interviews with our group. They have many beautiful stories to share about how they saw God during our pilgrimage and deeply desire to make the love of God they felt at NCYC real to everyone back home.

NCYC can make a huge impact on the faith life of young people, as our parishes have seen over the many years we have participated. Thank you so much for supporting our teens and providing the opportunity for them to have this life-changing experience. It’s not only an investment in the future of our church, but it is bearing great fruit in our parish family today.

In Gratitude for Many Blessings,

Karen Luke and Anne Gallagher

January 25, 2026

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:27:30 GMT

Dear Friends,

Well last Saturday, even with some sunshine, cold wind and snow these moments did not drive out the hearty Western New Yorkers to Mass. What drives folks out to Mass?

Priorities???

The 4 PM Mass was so much lighter in attendance than usual. The 5:30 PM Mass which is not always heavy in attendance had 30 people coming together in worship. Note the photograph of these faithful 30 individuals.

SO, I understand the drive of the loyal fans for the Buffalo Bills. I also understand that we hoped they be the winners of this high altitude game. They weren’t. I have said over and over again when you play these games, any game, there is a winner and, yes, a loser. No one wants to be the loser. But that is the reality.

My friends who are more versed on football rules and such have made endless comments about the loss for the Bills.

I wish they won but they didn’t. This past Sunday a parishioner wore a shirt that said continue to “BILLIEVE in the Bills.”

I shared at the end of Mass, pointing out this shirt, let us, the faithful of Jesus, put as much energy and faith in continuing to believe in our Lord.

There’s a place around the corner from our church, that I often refer to as the new mega church. It’s not a church but a sports arena. I refer to it as a new “church” because that’s where many folks now “worship.” Yep, the times are different.

SO, I thank all of you who come to worship alongside me, our Parish Staff and fellow parishioners. We always refer to our faith as a mystery. It is for sure. I do believe, and yes, BILLIEVE, that miracles can happen.

But please join me in believing in the miracles of being present to Jesus Christ, our brother. You may desire to always win. That’s understandable, but know when Jesus is your “quarterback” , you will be winning in the glory of your baptism!

Blessings and Joys,

Father Rob

January 18, 2026

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 23:27:26 GMT

Dear Friends,

On the actual Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th, I had arrived around 5:45 AM to celebrate the 6:45 AM Mass at Transfiguration. While I was preparing for Mass I received a text from a dear friend who shared we have a new Bishop. I thought, is she serious? I knew she was awake, so I called her.

Yes, she was right! We have a new Bishop as everyone knows at this time. The Most Reverend John S. Bonnici is our bishop-designate.

For so long folks have been asking me when will we have a new bishop. Well, I can say our new bishop will be installed as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester on March 19th, the Feast of Saint Joseph.

Our new Bishop is succeeding Bishop Matano. Bishop Matano came to Rochester in November 2013 after Bishop Matthew H. Clark retired. We certainly thank Bishop Matano for his presence these 16 years for dedicated service to our diocese. Our prayers will continue to support him. Bishop Matano has shared he will continue to live in our beloved diocese.

Our new Bishop is a native of New York City. His parents, were immigrants to the United States. His father, John, was from Malta. His mother, Gertrude, was from Romania. After World War II , his parents left and came to this part of the world. They met, got married, settling in Toronto, then they and his sister moved to New York City, where he was born.

It is an exciting time and we can only imagine what is going through the mind, heart, soul, and prayer of our new Bishop.

May we keep Bishop Bonnici in our prayer as we prepare to welcome him to our diocese and also keep in our prayer Bishop Matano, for his years of dedicated and prayerful leadership.

I have known five Bishops in my lifetime. They are Bishop Kearney (who confirmed me), Bishop Sheen (who I was an altar boy with), Bishop Hogan, Bishop Clark ( who ordained me), and Bishop Matano. I look forward to the days ahead of getting to know Bishop Bonnici!

Blessings to all,

Father Rob

January 11, 2026

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:49:58 GMT

Dear Friends,

I’m thinking of a song Carol Burnett sang to close her weekly television show. Part of the song would go like this, “it seems we just got started and before you know it, comes the time to say so long.”

The Christmas season comes to a liturgical end this weekend. For me, it does seem like we just started and here we are ending the season celebration with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

This weekend at our masses we will renew our own baptismal promises and be blessed with Holy Water. As the baptism of the Lord is noted in each of the Gospels, it signifies the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. For you and I this weekend, it is a time to acknowledge our own baptism and how we share the Good News of Jesus Christ by our “public ministry.”

How do we live out our baptismal commitment in witnessing to the faith we profess? What do we acknowledge in the life of Jesus? What do we take hold of and live out as He did among all people?

I received many Christmas cards and well wishes these past few weeks. I am grateful for all your goodness to me, your prayers and support as we share our faith with one another. One card I received expressed these words, “Every time a hand reaches out to help another…that is Christmas. Every time someone puts conflict aside and strives for understanding… that is Christmas. Every time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other… that is Christmas. May this Christmas bring our world

closer to a spirit of caring, closer to the blessing of peace.”

These words remind me of what it is to live our Baptism among one another

We will conclude the Christmas season and begin the rest of the liturgical year. May we go forth living the life of Jesus Christ and find we desire being one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

Again, thank you for all your cards, gifts and most importantly, living our faith joyfully among each other.

Blessings,

Father Rob

January 4, 2026

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:56:27 GMT

Dear Friends,

We are exiting the Christmas season with the Epiphany of the Lord. Next week we will celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, and then return to Ordinary Time.

Ordinary. What does that mean to you? Does it mean something that is plain and simple, something you experience every day? We are bombarded by so much, good and bad, in our fast-paced society; do we seek out what is ordinary and good in this extraordinary time we live in? Do we see the divinity of Jesus in the people we meet in our ordinary life?

Wise Men and Women See God in the Simple Things

If you’re on social media, you have probably seen a meme going around that features this quote: “God has a plan for your life. The enemy has a plan for your life. Be ready for both. Just be wise enough to know which one to battle and which one to embrace.”

There were certainly two competing plans for the Magi: God’s and Herod’s. And, wise as they supposedly were, it wasn’t entirely easy for the Magi to discern which was which.

After all, Herod posed as a friend. He offered the Magi hospitality and kindness. Though the Gospel doesn’t say so, he probably flattered them and appealed to every moral weakness he could observe in them. In his palace, they must have felt great physical comfort — rest and tables of plenty on what was an otherwise long and treacherous journey.

But if the Magi were honest with themselves, I’ll bet they would have admitted that, regardless of Herod’s charm, they felt a gnawing sense of doubt while in his presence. When they looked upon the Christ Child, born in a stable without any of the comforts of the world or protections of wealth, they probably felt the opposite. They probably felt safe.

The Magi were lucky enough to have the right plan spelled out for them in a dream, but for the rest of us, it’s enough to remember this: God’s plan is often the one that leads us to places of great simplicity, great humility and great love. Let’s have the wisdom to view power with suspicion, and innocence with admiration.

Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi

I hope you continue to find the love and peace of Christ in our ordinary days!

Blessings,

Fr. Rob

December 28, 2025

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:58:05 GMT

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your loved ones had a beautiful Christmas celebration and continue to experience joy during these 12 days of Christmas through the Epiphany of our Lord.

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. What memories do you have of your childhood and the challenges your family faced? What memories and traditions might you be creating with your children over the holidays and every day? I thought you would enjoy this reflection from Fr. John Muir on his family, the Holy Family and perhaps your family.

When I was ten, my dad gathered our family around the table in small-town Vermont and told us we were moving to the big desert city of Phoenix, Arizona. We were leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar. None of us knew what to expect.

But something beautiful happened. As we made the move together, our family grew closer. In retrospect, I’m amazed at my parents’ courage to go on that adventure. Even as a kid I realized our family found, in that challenge, a deeper unity and mutual love.

In today’s Gospel, Joseph is told: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee…” (Matthew 2:13, 20). First to Egypt, then later to Israel. The Holy Family is frequently challenged to move and change, to adapt to God’s will for them, in order to find safety in the midst of threat. It’s not just an idiosyncratic story about survival. It’s a spiritual pattern for all of us. Every Christian family is called to be a kind of sanctuary, especially in a world full of noise, busyness, and fear.

May I make a practical application for us? The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is perhaps the most practical way we imitate this dynamic we see in Joseph and his family. Sunday is not meant to be just like every other day, filled with errands and stress. It’s meant to be a day set apart; a holy “escape” into rest, worship, joy, and peace. A day to rise, take your family, and flee, into God’s presence. — Father John Muir ©LPi

May we all flee into God’s presence at Mass, whether it is the weekday or weekend. I wish all of you a happy and healthy New Year.

Blessings,

Fr. Rob

December 21, 2025 and Christmas

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:43:51 GMT

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We all pray that your Advent has been full of faith and HOPE , and that you have found PEACE along the way despite the busy pace of the season. We are filled with JOY from being your staff members, and LOVE working with each other and serving the needs of our parishioners and our community.

May the joy and wonder of Christmas be with you all year. We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2026.

God Bless!

Rob, Mike, Jeff, Margie, Eric, Ben, Anne, Shauna, Bob, Dan, Meg, Karen, Pam, Katie, Nancy and Sue

December 14, 2025

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:56:06 GMT

Dear Friends,

The third weekend of Advent is referred to as Gaudete Sunday! This Sunday is a day of rejoicing within the penitential season of Advent, named from the Latin word for “rejoice.”

Our celebration will be marked with the lighting of the pink candle on our Advent wreath, which signifies a foretaste of the joy of Christ’s coming at Christmas and His second coming.

The day’s readings and themes emphasize hope and joyful anticipation, even amidst life’s challenges.

Isaiah the great prophet sets out our hope in the one who is coming. James counsels patience in the face of delay, offering us a spirit of waiting and expectation. Matthew proclaims how John the Baptizer is praised by Jesus for his way of life and focus on the message of God, which allowed him to be seen as the forerunner of Jesus’ own message.

Our beautiful season of Advent is coming soon to a close. May we all take time amid all we have to do and want to do to prepare for acknowledging the true meaning of Christmas. I know I must remind myself, like each of you, to take a breath with all the demands upon us and center on the birth of our Lord.

I look forward to celebrating with you these last days of Advent and the Christmas season!

Blessings,

Father Rob

December 7, 2025

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:41:23 GMT

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

November 30, 2025

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:29:05 GMT

Dear Friends,

This very weekend we begin with one another a new liturgical year with the Season of Advent!

Our themes traditionally celebrated each Sunday of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love! This Sunday we focus on Hope anticipating Jesus’s coming and the hope he provides. The readings call out to us to be ready to meet the Lord! He may come when we least expect so let’s not put off to tomorrow what we should be addressing today! Most of us express how quickly time passes and certainly these four weeks of Advent will pass all too quickly (at least for me ) and Christmas Day will be right before us. Our days are shorter, and night comes before us so fast.

Let us acknowledge this time of change, a new season of Advent, and the Christmas Season around the corner not miss what we have right before us in the present moment. May we pace ourselves, best we can, to appreciate the prayerfulness and wonder of these Advent days.

All parishioners should have received by now a postcard from your Staff highlighting Advent opportunities being offered by our parishes. I hope you can take advantage as many of these sacred moments possible to make these days blessed in your journey to the birthday of our Lord.

So, we begin on a note of Hope! The next three weekends we will reflect on the Peace of Christ that that brings to the world relational peace to all, Joy focusing on the birth of Jesus, and Love, centering on God’s love for all humanity and our responsibility to show love to others.

I will be away this first Sunday of Advent. 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 Parish in Beverly, Massachusetts. This is where I met Jerry, his beloved wife Sally, and 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.

Like my reflection above about Advent, 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, another 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 to keep ourselves focused and present to the precious present of this very day. Jerry and Sally have given me this even having me “live in their home” (mi 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.

Friends, enjoy your “Precious Present”.

Blessings,

Father Rob

November 23, 2025

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:36:39 GMT

Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the last Sunday of the liturgical year.

Our masses come together to acknowledge Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

The sacred texts for this feast begin with 2 Samuel and in Hebron, David being hailed as the king of all the tribes of Israel. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is anointed king on the wood of the cross, a sign of paradox, of defeat yet final victory. Through his cross we have passed from darkness into the kingdom of light.

Within this text we meet the “good thief.” He recognizes the innocence of Jesus and moves from his own personal darkness to the welcoming kingdom of light Jesus offers. Jesus assures this “good thief” that he will be with him in paradise.

Reflecting on the scriptures and particularly the Gospel, let us rejoice and have the same boundless confidence of the good thief, even in the face of our own sins and weaknesses. If our response to Christ is receptive, humble, and repentant, then we will not hesitate to seek his mercy and forgiveness so that we, too, might come to share his glory in paradise!

This Thursday, November 27th is our Thanksgiving Day. We will celebrate mass at 10 AM at Saint Catherine of Siena this year.

Perhaps we might consider and pray these few days before Thanksgiving to set aside deeds of charity and pray for economic justice for all our sisters and brothers.

Let’s make time on Thanksgiving to come together and thank the Lord for all our blessings.

Please know I conclude you in my blessings and prayers,

Father Rob

November 16, 2025

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:35:08 GMT

Dear Friends,

This past Tuesday I took extra time in prayer and reflection about my life as a priest.

The day was my 42nd anniversary of being ordained a priest by Bishop Matthew Clark. I have been blessed in countless ways over these years of ministry. I have received endless graces from my brother Jesus and have responded to Him with the best of my abilities.

The years of priesthood have been enriching, challenging, joyful, sorrowful, and always embraced; knowing, believing and feeling the love of the Lord beside me. The people I have known and met in so many circumstances of life hopefully have made me a faithful and dedicated disciple of the Lord. I am just as human as anyone and I am not perfect. Being realistic, I know not everyone may care for me. But, more importantly, I have felt the love and support of so many that I believe I am in the right place in my life in following the call of this wonderful vocation.

I love what I do! Being with my sisters and brothers in so many aspects of their lives is an honor and privilege. To be with their joys is a blessing. To be alongside them in their struggles, pain, and sorrow is to witness the compassion and love of Jesus who is right there in their need.

I pray to always be present among my family, dear friends and faith communities in living, sharing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ as long as I live!

My theme for my ordination was taken from Psalm 139:9-10.

“If I take the wings of dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast.”

His right hand still remains upon me.

Thank you, Jesus.

My prayer and blessing to all,

Father Rob

November 9, 2025

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:23:01 GMT

Dear Friends,

I was off to Maine last weekend to attend a wedding of good friends. While I was gone, I missed the wonderful Sarah Hart concert, which close to 300 attended. I want to thank the planning team, including Pam McInerney, Michelle Lindsay, Jeff Beckett, Char Merrill, Kenneth Piazza and Laurie Cook, and the many other parishioners and staff members that helped make this a success. I am told it was a wonderful evening, and you did a superb job organizing this event.

Fortunately, I was in town earlier in the week for a team building morning for our Staff. As most staff members now support both churches, our team dynamics and responsibilities have changed, and good teamwork and communication makes things run smoothly. We had fun getting to know each other better, strengthening our bonds, and creating our Halloween pumpkins.

One of the blessings of travel is seeing the bulletins of other churches. Honor your departed loved ones with these November prayers, which were shared by the parish I visited this weekend.

Blessings to all,

Father Rob

The month of November: A traditional time of prayer for our beloved dead.

I believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. (The Apostles’ Creed)

We Catholics pray for our beloved dead, and for all the faithful departed, in the confident assurance that we are commending them to God’s merciful love for the forgiveness of their sins, so that they may be called home to the fullness of life in heaven.

“And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3)

“To you, O God, the dead do not die, and in death our life is changed, not ended. Hear your prayers and command the soul of your servant to dwell, with Abraham, your friend, and be raised at last on the great day of judgement. In your mercy cleanse him/her of any sin which he/she may have committed through human frailty. We ask this through Christ our Lord.” (Order of Christian Funerals)

A prayer for visiting a cemetery (from The Book of Blessings)

Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that, through this mystery, your servant (Name), who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May he/she rest in peace. Amen. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen

November 2, 2025

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:26:10 GMT

Dear Friends,

We begin a new month this weekend. We are nearing the end of 2025! November 1st is the feast of All Saints. Because it falls on a Saturday this year it is not designated as a Holy Day of Obligation.

Nonetheless, every day of life from God is a Holy Day for each of us. It is good for us to remember and reflect on the Saints.

Many are well known and infamous like Catherine of Siena, Francis of Assisi, Peter and Paul, John Fisher, Ignatius of Loyola, Thomas Aquinas and those who are special in your own journey of faith. Let us not forget one of our latest canonized saints, Carlos Acutis, who is an inspiration to our young people and people of all ages. If you are not familiar with him, google him and be inspired.

There are many Saints that are known only to us. They may be our parents, a brother or sister, or a dear friend. They are someone we have recognized by the life and faith they lived, and fall into the category of what we believe a Saint is!

Who are these Saints in your heart and soul?

The Gospel for All Saints is the very familiar passage from the Gospel of Matthew, The Beatitudes. Many people choose this Gospel passage in celebrating their beloved’s funeral mass. I would like to share with you a reflection on this passage that I came across in my prayer.

“The powerful promises Jesus makes can get lost in the poetry of the Beatitudes. Think for a moment what it means to be comforted, satisfied, shown mercy, called children of God, to inherit, to see God. The first half of each Beatitude is a challenge to be sure. Each one could be the fruit of the slow steady work of a lifetime of prayer and practice. The second half, though, invites us to fall on our knees in gratitude. Who might we become, if we allow ourselves to be held so close to the heart of God that we know these things in our bones? Learning to accept this incredible love and mercy may just be the secret of the saints.’

Let us celebrate these beloved individuals and continue to strive to be among them one day in the Kingdom of our Lord!

Blessings to all,

Fr. Rob

October 26, 2025

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:23:45 GMT

Dear Friends,

We are in a season of harvest and that season is expressed in many ways. One way is in the asking of support.

You and I are asked often and in so many ways to give support. It is often in monetary asks. Sometimes it may seem to never end. It’s been discussed among the Parish Staff and every once in a while, one of the parishioners may express that to us as well.

This time of year, the asking seems accelerated with the holidays quickly approaching. Recently, we have been asked to reflect on our stewardship for Unbound, Giving Trees, Food Collections, Clothing Collections, CMA, and of course our Parish Support to keep our churches vital and supportive of its ministries.

I am sure like me, you have also been asked to give to organizations we have already supported in the past and to consider new ones. How many envelopes, emails, etc. have you already received in asking to consider a donation?

Last weekend our scriptures talked about being persistent in prayer. I think of Matthew 7:7-12 where we are invited to be persistent in asking, seeking, and knocking. It shows that prayer involves different actions: making requests (asking), searching for God’s will (seeking), and persistently approaching God even when it seems difficult (knocking).

I believe that those asking for our support are seeking to follow God’s desire that we care for all our sisters and brothers. I realize each of us can only do so much and at times we would like to do more but it may be difficult due to personal circumstances.

This is why we pray. We pray to discern where we best can respond to the asking before us.

This is Respect Life Month. All life deserves respect and with our prayer, may we give where the Lord directs us to be merciful and kind. Every organization is hopeful their pleas will be heard.

Perhaps this following prayer of hope, may help each of us to respond to others where we can.

A PRAYER FOR HOPE

Heavenly Father, in the sacrament of Baptism, you have given us the gift of new life. Through your son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you have made us your own.

Help us to recognize the gift of human life as a sign of hope in our world.

Reveal to us places where your precious gift of life is most in need of protection and strengthen us to defend life in all stages and circumstances, from the child in the womb to the elderly and dying.

Guided by your Holy Spirit, guard us from discouragement and give us the grace to be messengers of hope, filled with confidence that nothing can separate us from your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen (USCCB)

Thank you for all you do and the support you give to our sisters and brothers.

Blessings,

Fr. Rob

October 19, 2025

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:08:12 GMT

Dear Friends,

I am traveling to attend a friend’s wedding, so in lieu of my usual column, I am sharing with you some words of wisdom as we enjoy the season of autumn.

Blessings,

Father Rob

Sparking Holiness

As the seasons change, a lot of us like to clean out our homes and unload some of the junk we’ve acquired over the summer. One trendy approach to decluttering is the Marie Kondo method, named after the author who popularized it. Overly simplified, it’s a process that compels you to go through your closets, your garage, your basement — all the places you collect the dreaded “stuff.” As you do so, you hold up the items and ask yourself: “Does it spark joy?”

It’s a question that is bold in its simplicity. In answering, you’re supposed to go with your gut. If it’s a quick “Yes, it sparks joy,” the item should be kept. If the answer is no, it gets tossed. (Fr. Rob here—donate or recycle first!).

There are people in life who will support our efforts to do God’s will. There are those who will, as Paul says, “convince, reprimand, (and) encourage,” unafraid of the reaction we give them. There are those who will shore up our defenses when the battle goes longer than we thought.

The same goes for hobbies and pastimes. There are those that will ennoble our minds and bring us closer to God. And there are also those that will drain our funds and our free time, with nothing to show for it.

During these autumn months, don’t just declutter your basement in preparation for the hauling out of the Christmas ornaments. Take stock of the people and pursuits that make up your life. With each one, ask yourself: “Does it spark holiness?” If the answer is yes, thank God that our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to declutter.— Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi

October 12, 2025

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:34:53 GMT

Dear Friends,

As our Catholic Ministries Appeal is underway, I am very grateful to those who joined me in making a pledge so far! By now, I hope every registered parishioner received their letter addressing the CMA. This year’s theme, “Together We Bring Hope…and Hope does not disappoint” continues our history as a diocese in serving the poor, supporting education and formation, strengthening parish life, and bringing HOPE to those who most need it.

If you haven’t made a pledge, please carefully pray about what you will do this year to support your parish of Saint Catherine of Siena or the Church of the Transfiguration. Every pledge strengthens our parishes, one another and the HOPE we bring to those who most need it most. Thank you for your support and stewardship!

Soon and very soon, on Saturday, November 1st, our Music Ministries will be bringing Sarah Hart to us for a fabulous concert! Sarah Hart is the product of a musical and faith filled upbringing in Southeastern Ohio. Sarah fell in love with melody, harmony and the written word from a young age. As a child and teenager, watching the ways that music ministered to the hearts of people – not just in church, but in all settings – impacted her greatly, and set her heart on a journey.

Sarah’s enthusiasm about all things creative means that her resume is extensive and varied. A GRAMMY nominated songwriter/composer, producer, recording artist, author, speaker, workshop educator, and worship leader, Sarah brings the joy of her faith into all her endeavors.

Tickets for General Admission are $20 and $15 for Seniors/Students. Tickets may be purchased at https://saintcath.seatyourself.biz or go to the EVENT page under RESOURCES in this website.

The concert begins at 7PM at Saint Catherine of Siena. Hope you can join Sarah and this special evening.

Praying your October days are colorful and bring some joy into your lives!

Blessings,

Father Rob

October 5, 2025

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 19:31:38 GMT

Dear Friends,

This weekend we begin a new season of our Diocesan Catholic Ministries Appeal.

The theme of the 2025 – 2026 CMA is “TOGETHER WE BRING HOPE …and HOPE does not disappoint.”

Last year both our parishes made their goals through the prayerfulness and dedication of our parishioners,

It would be wonderful, if everyone who is a parishioner would be supportive of this annual appeal.

Every pledge is gratefully appreciated and shows how our faith communities support each other in continuing to be prayerful, vital and supportive of its ministries .

I invite you to check our diocesan website to see all the benefits that come from supporting the CMA. Go to www.dor.org to view a video and see how the funds are distributed.

I have already made my pledge along with several other parishioners. To all who have made a pledge, thank you so very much.

To everyone who is a registered parishioner of either Saint Catherine of Siena or the Church of the Transfiguration, please support me and your parish in making a pledge.

Blessings to all,

Father Rob