January 25, 2026
January 20, 2026
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
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Father Rob's Weekly Message
Dear Friends, We are entering our November this very Sunday. It begins recalling all the Saints of the Kingdom of God. The following day, All Soul’s Day, we remember all the faithfully departed. Both days remind us of our call to follow the Lord Jesus faithfully, and that one day, we too will be part of this eternal kingdom! November brings us our holiday of Thanksgiving. It reminds me of all we have to be thankful for, not only on the holiday, or the month of November, but every day of our lives. God is so good to us and present with us in every moment of our lives. I think of one of my favorite scripture passages, John 15:11. Jesus spoke during the Last Supper to those with him, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus wants us to know his joy, and desires we may acknowledge joy in our days. I am blessed by the grace of God to realize this joy in so many ways. Some are profound and some are very simple. Some of my realized joys begin with simply waking up each day and thanking the Lord for another opportunity to serve him. At the end of my day, I thank him for all I encountered, and anticipate where God will lead me tomorrow. Joy comes in walking the halls of the hospitals. I thank God for my health and pray for those I have come to visit and for all those who I pass their rooms as I walk the floors. I pray that the healing presence of the Lord may comfort those in residence. Joy came with one of my Goddaughters recently being married. What a joy to see her in great love with a wonderful man. Joy came as my second cousin became a father for the first time. Seeing this beautiful new girl coming into a wonderful world of parents who will do all they can to make her life blessed and joyful! Joy was overwhelming in seeing once again the great generosity of our parishioners thinking of others and donating coats for our sisters and brothers in need. Joy was being in the company of our brothers on the Men’s Retreat and sharing their great love for Jesus. Joy comes in being able to acknowledge family, friends and some of you reading this celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, and other special occasions that touch our hearts. Joy was hearing the good news about Pope Leo and not needing any further treatment. Joy is being part of a phenomenal Parish Staff working together for the life vitality and ministries of our two parishes. Joy is seeing the stewardship of so many giving their time, talent and treasure to our parishes, communities, and world. Joy is the moments when someone tells me they are remembering me in prayer. JOY is the one who bears this name and I see her great faith and love for the Lord! I never tire of acknowledging the joy God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit brings to me day after day. I pray you can see all the joys before yourselves. It is a great gift to behold. Another favorite scripture passage of mine is from Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” And did. And I pray I will be able to rejoice in his joy as long as I can! Blessings and JOY to all, Father Rob
Dear Friends, Like so many of your personal experiences, many things have been happening that make the days go by all so quickly. October is quickly passing by and there is much to address. First off, our parishes will be welcoming Rev. M.S. Raj next weekend to address the annual Propagation of the Faith Mission Appeal. Father Raj is from the Diocese of Kumbakonam, India. Each year we learn about worldwide missionary ministries and next weekend will be no different. I ask for your hospitable welcoming of our brother and your prayerful considerations in supporting his mission appeal. Fish Bowls will be out at each of our churches to accept your donations. If you would like to write a check, please make it out to either Saint Catherine of Siena or The Church of the Transfiguration. Thank you for your consideration. This same weekend we will remember in prayer those who have died in the past year and whose funerals were celebrated in our parishes. Saturday morning, at 10 AM, we will have a mass at Transfiguration and that evening at Saint Catherine of Siena during the 5:30 PM and Sunday morning at the 10:45 AM mass, our beloved will be remembered. I hope you can join me as we celebrate our great faith with Jesus welcoming the faithfully departed to join Him in eternal life. Monday, November 2nd is the Feast of All Souls. This sacred occasion in our faith will be marked with an All Souls Day Supper and Prayer Service held at Saint Catherine of Siena. This is part of our ongoing Faith Community Nights. Everyone is welcome to participate. Dinner is at 6 PM in the Parish Center and the Prayer service will follow at 7 PM in Church. If you can make the dinner please contact Anne Gallagher, Karen Luke or our parish offices to let us know so we can make arrangements. Children are welcome and we have great parish leaders who will care for them during dinner and during the service if you wish. Our gathering will be another opportunity to remember our beloved who have died. I hope you will be able to join us for these special remembrances of our beloved! And, you like myself, are consistently praying for our family members, friends, and others in need of our prayer for healing. May we continue to lift up Pope Leo for his healing and recovery. I continue to fervently pray for Mary, Jeanne, Clarence, Steven, Natalie, and so many others I know and love, and those some of you have asked me to intimately remember in my prayers and masses. The power of prayer is amazing and I never doubt what we can do together as a prayerful community of believers. May we never stop in calling upon our Divine Brother, Jesus, to accompany our beloved in their need. May we pray for each other to bless our lives, our health, our stewardship, and to support our two wonderful communities of faith! Joys to you, Father Rob
Dear Friends, This very weekend men from both Saint Catherine of Siena and Transfiguration parishes are on retreat. The retreat is taking place at Notre Dame Retreat House overlooking beautiful Canandaigua Lake. It is a perfect setting for spiritual reflection, prayer, relaxation, good food, and often being led by a wonderful speaker. Indeed these men will be led by a wonderful speaker, our very own Deacon Mike Piehler. How blessed we were last weekend to have Mike preach. He always has an inspiring message to share. He has a way to break open the word of the Lord and leave us with much to reflect upon. This past weekend was no different as he guided in deeper understanding about the story of the wedding feast and the man not dressed properly. Taking Mike’s opening and closing of his homily, “It counts”, left me with much to keep reflecting upon in my own life. That being said, our men on retreat are being led by Mike. His theme for these gentlemen is “Where Is The Good News?” I am confident our brothers will bring Mike’s words into their hearts and souls. Let’s keep Mike and everyone joining him in our prayers. God bless these days with the Holy Spirit enriching each one’s spiritual journey. This Sunday is World Mission Sunday. Thank you to all who will make a donation. As Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God, your donations help bring that same Good News throughout the world today! Our sisters and brothers who offer their lives as missionaries are successful because of the work of the Holy Spirit and your support. Again, thank you for your prayers, support, and goodness! Our Catholic Ministries Appeal is off to a good start. “All Things New, Embracing Our Mission In Christ” is a perfect theme this year. A few examples where our participation supports this theme follows: Our participation brings the Mission of Christ with new life in educating our youth and young adults in Catholic faith. It prepares and continues to enrich our Deacons and Pastoral leaders. It supports our seminarians who will hopefully one day be present to serve our parish communities. Thank you to those who have already responded to this year’s CMA. To those who haven’t made a pledge as of today, please prayerfully consider one and join myself and those who have done so. Together, I am sure our parishes can have another successful year! Blessings to all, Father Rob
