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

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

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 

Dear Friends, I pray each of you survived the extreme heat and humidity of last week. Looking around our nation and world, many suffered from the heat and flooding. May we keep all those who lost their lives in our prayers, as well as their families and friends. Those who lost homes are in our thoughts and prayers as they seek recovery. The holiday week brought two funerals before me. Betsy Brent and Bill Bertram were celebrated well last Thursday and Friday respectively. Both Betsy and Bill had strong faith and loved their church. I have no doubt they are eternally rejoicing in the kingdom of our Lord! July Fourth began with pouring rain (I was up at 5 AM) but the day brought a joy because I had the opportunity to celebrate Mackenzie Lill and Jack Rumble’s wedding! Both are delightful individuals. Jack was fully initiated at this past year’s Easter Vigil. What a gift for both of them to know embrace another sacrament, Marriage! God bless them both. This weekend’s Gospel is Matthew 13:1-9. Jesus shares the parable of the Sower and the seed. These hot days where we need to be attentive to our gardens and plantings may keep us particularly attentive to the parable and apply to ourselves applicably. I can across a reflection that I would like to share with you addressing this parable. “There are so many obstacles that can prevent the word from taking root in us: the enemy, tribulation, persecution, our anxieties, and desires. Where do we recognize ourselves in this parable? Our answer may be different every day. How can we be more receptive of the Word of God? Every gardener knows the answer: by preparing the soil, watching the growth, nurturing the plant. By opening our ears, preparing our hearts, and keeping the Word alive through reflection and prayer, we can bear fruit in love.” Lord God, may the good seed you have sown in us take root and grow, that we may bring forth an abundant harvest in works of justice, love, and peace. Keep us close to your Word and cleanse our hearts so that your fruit may take root within us. Blessings to all, Father Rob

Dear Friends, This is the Fourth of July weekend but let me begin by acknowledging this is the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Our Gospel this weekend I am sure is very familiar to most of us. It is from Matthew, Chapter 11. “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Many of us can identify with this proclamation from Jesus. There is so much going on in our personal lives, our nation, and our world. It may be summer, a time to “relax”, “slow down”, and “enjoy” a new season. But, for many it isn’t all sunshine. A friend shared the following prayer with me, and I would like to pass it along to those of you who might benefit from it. An Anxious Person’s Prayer O Holy Spirit, give me stillness of soul in you. Calm the turmoil within, with the gentleness of your peace. Quiet the anxiety within, with deep trust in you. Heal the wounds of sin within, with the joy of your forgiveness. Strengthen the faith within, with the awareness of your presence. Confirm the hope within, with the knowledge of your strength. Give fullness to the love within, with an outpouring of your love. O Holy Spirit, be to me a source of light, strength, and courage so that I may hear your call ever more clearly and follow you more generously. William Browning, CP This Fourth of July, acknowledging 250 years of our nation, I thought these following prayers are appropriate. This a prayer from the Roman Missal: Father of all nations and ages, We recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN. A prayer from the Notre Dame Sisters of Omaha, Nebraska: Loving God, We greet this Fourth of July with grateful hearts as we call to mind the vision of freedom and justice for all upon which our country was built. We give thanks for those who imagined this vision. We are grateful to those who continue advocating for and pursuing a land of peace, liberty, and equity for all. We realize it is still being created, however, as we witness the divisions, prejudices and injustices that plague us. May we hold fast to the dream and vision of unity within our country. May we dedicate ourselves to living as brothers and sisters, respectful of one another’s dignity and need for equity. May we also realize the importance of reverencing our earth which provides for and sustains much of our lives. We give glory and praise to our God and pray that we may always live in harmony as one family. AMEN. And, one more from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being. Help us to continue a good work begun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: that only in human solidarity will we find liberty, and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth. Turn our hearts toward the family of nations: to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship, and to find safety only in the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. Prayer is powerful. May you know that your prayer is always heard by our Lord. May our prayers this Fourteenth Weekend of Ordinary Time, this holiday weekend, and all we offer each day of our lives, bless us and draw us closer and closer to our brother, Jesus Christ! Blessings to all, Father Rob

Dear Friends, Both of our parishes are very generous in reaching out to others who are not as blessed as ourselves. Countless collections and asks are before us year-round, reminding us of how much our God blesses us daily. Your response of generosity was evident again with the HELP UKRAINE appeal! The overwhelming generosity of sleeping bags, socks, underwear, diapers, wipes, walkers, crutches, canes and wheelchairs were a sight to see. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and delivered your offerings at Saint Catherine’s. When everything was boxed and gathered together, your donations went to a former Xerox warehouse in Webster. I was told it was so amazing to see how much had been gathered by various churches and other organizations. May we keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers for their returned peace and for peace for all our sisters in brothers throughout the world who are facing war, strife, and conflicts. I often mention, from the Nicene Creed, the four traditional marks (or essential characteristics) of the Christian being “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” Someone suggested I might share their meaning in my bulletin article. So I will. These four descriptors define the foundational identity and mission of the faith: ONE: The Church is unified as a single body under one head, Jesus Christ, reflecting the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. HOLY: The Church is consecrated by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its members are called to live holy lives, set apart for God’s work. CATHOLIC: Originating from the Greek word katholikos, meaning “universal” or “according to the whole”. It signifies that the Church is meant for all people, in all places, at all times, without exception. APOSTOLIC: The Church is rooted in the foundational teaching of Jesus’s original apostles and is tasked with continuing their mission to proclaim the Gospel. May we all strive in praying the Nicene Creed our intent to live our Baptismal life before everyone. As I mentioned above, one powerful way is when we are generous in sharing our blessings with others, here in our own community and throughout the world. With faith and blessings, Father Rob

Dear Friends, Already halfway through this wonderful month of June and I am saying, Rob, if you can, slow down and enjoy the present moment. This past Friday we recognized “Juneteenth.” We certainly need to recognize this federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. This day marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and freed the last enslaved people in the United States. This tragedy of our history of slavery brings me to tears. How human beings can be so cruel to others who are created in the image of God, like ourselves, baffles me. My tears, also bring me grief when I think of the inhumanity of Jesus’s crucifixion and others who were sentenced to such a demeaning death. Guilty or not, the sacredness of human life is before me. I pray we all respect the life of all our sisters and brothers. And the arrival of June 21st! Well, it is Father’s Day and the beginning of our summer solstice! I recall my own father this day. He was a good man and faithful to his Lord. There is no doubt in my mind that dad is in his eternal kingdom with Jesus. That is peace to me, and I hope for many of you this day thinking about your fathers who have experienced the fullness of their baptism. Blessings to all our dads, and those who live as dads with us for our liturgies! AND summer is officially beginning (It’s not Memorial Day). May our summer be good to all and may we be very good to all people in our world. I share this prayer as we begin our summer days with one another. Creator of all, thank you for the warmth of the sun and the long, bright days of summer. As the pace of life slows, grant us the space to refresh our minds and bodies, warm our souls with the awareness of your presence, and teach us how to dwell wholeheartedly in the gift of this season. God bless our coming and going. God bless our love of sunlight and the gentle, cooling breezes. May our days be filled with the joyful laughter of loved ones, and our nights be brightened by the starry sky. May we find wonder in the world around us and rest in the peace of this season! AMEN. My blessings and joy to you, Father Rob

Dear Friends, June is a month that has many of us involved in several types of celebrations. I shared that last weekend I was blessed to be with my friend, Father Clarence Rumble, to join in mass and celebration of his 40th anniversary to the Ordination of the Priesthood. We have been blessed friends for 49 years and I am so grateful! This past week, on Wednesday, we welcomed our new members to join our Parish Pastoral Council and bid with deep gratitude to those whose term has ended. Joining us in the coming three years are Keith Bock, Christine Spring, Tom Kilian, and Kevin Marren. Their alternates are Bill Hulbert and Dade Kelly. We will be excited to welcome Matteo Smith as our Youth Representative. How blessed we are by all these six individuals willing to be servants for our Parish Pastoral Council. I am also grateful to all those who were willing to be candidates for our council and were not selected this time. I pray they will continue to be present to our parishes serving with their compassion and love. I am also very grateful for the council members completing their terms: Tom Cincebox, Charlene Weeks, Bob Ciccone, Rebecca Hartman, and Michael Musa. Each of these individuals have brought blessings to us in their years of service. God be with them now and forever. The days are blessed with many graduations. I’ve had a preschooler at morning Mass share with me his excitement about graduation! For him, our kindergarteners, grammar school and middle school graduates, our high school graduates, our college and university graduates, and those preparing to take exams for their doctoral dreams, God Bless each and every one of you! I am grateful to know the blessings, from our precious preschoolers, to those who are preparing to make our society and world better with their visions and gifts! God is so good and how fortunate I am to see this goodness in our young people! June is here and gifting us with so much to celebrate and appreciate from our Lord! You are in my joy and celebration of faith! Thank you for being present to me and our sisters and brothers! Blessings to all, Rob

Dear Friends, This weekend our church celebrates the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Many of us will recall this day was often referred to as Corpus Christi Sunday for years. We are so fortunate to have the joy of our faith, and celebrating the sacred liturgy of the Mass, to receive in the Eucharist the Body and Blood of our Lord! My very dear friend, Father Clarence Rumble, will be celebrating on Sunday his fortieth anniversary of Ordination. Clarence and I met in 1977 while at the Becket Hall Seminary. We quickly became friends and so did our parents, Kate, Clarence, Betsy and Paul. They had a great bond and the four of them had a great sense of humor, joy, faith in the church, and of course in their sons. Our parents celebrated with one another many joys, some heavy heartaches, and as the years moved ahead, the funerals of one another. Clarence and I were blessed with so many years our parents had time with one another and us. I’ll be forever grateful. Clarence is a priest in the Diocese of Syracuse and is Pastor of Holy Family Church in Endwell and Maine (not the state, but Maine, New York). He is a fabulous man of faith and has led his parishes with great his faith, love, devotion and living the Gospel as a priest. This is a perfect weekend to celebrate Clarence’s priesthood because he faithfully brings the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus to so many people. I am blessed to call him my friend for almost 50 years. He is my brother. I will be with Clarence for this weekend. Please say a prayer for him, for our church, for the future of vocations, and that we might all realize what a gift we have in the Body and Blood of Jesus! Blessings to all, Father Rob