March 1, 2026

February 24, 2026

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 

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

October 6, 2026
Dear Friends, I hope that you are enjoying these early days of October. The beauty of autumn is unfolding before us with the changing colors of the trees, pumpkins, cornstalks, and so much adding to the beautiful landscape around us. How blessed are we living in this beautiful area to see God’s gift of creation before our very eyes! This year’s Catholic Ministry Appeal’s theme is ALL THINGS NEW, Embracing our Mission in Christ. It reminds us that through faith, generosity, and hope, God is continually renewing His Church and calling us forward together. By now, all registered parishioners should have received a letter asking you to prayerfully support the appeal. If you haven’t received a letter, please call the Parish Office and let us know. I, for one, as of this writing, did not receive my own. I am very grateful to all who have supported the CMA in the past years and helped us make our parish goals. Your prayerful considerations, your generosity, and your faithful witness always bless our parishes and diocese. May we be as blessed this year with both parishes succeeding in our goals. God bless everyone who has supported this important appeal in the past and all who will offer their support this year!  With faith and prayer, Father Rob
September 29, 2026
Dear Friends, I was delighted that our faith communities came together last Saturday to welcome Bishop John Bonnici! It was a prayerful time to come together, meet one another and celebrate mass. The time with one another was delightful and filled with joy! I want to thank everyone who helped in preparing this special moment. First of all, thank you to Bishop Bonnici for sharing his presence with us. Thank you to Father Aaron Kelly for assisting all our liturgical ministers at mass. The music was inspirational and kudos to Pam McInerney, Sue Wallace, and all our vocalists and musicians for bringing their gifts to our liturgy. Much appreciation to our phenomenal Altar Servers, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who gave of themselves to make everyone comfortable and welcome at Mass. I want to express my gratitude to all who served at Mass on Saturday. To Chuck Reinke, who coordinated our ushers and greeters. To Bob Goldbach and his band of volunteers who helped with parking and assisting everyone arriving for Mass. AND, to Julie Reinke, our star photographer, for capturing these sacred moments we had with one another. AND, to Charlene Merrill, for the fabulous reception she coordinated with so many others that provided a delightful gathering after Mass. AND, one more AND, being trinitarian, I want to acknowledge our Parish Staff, who assisted me in so many ways. Bless you! Everyone, thank you for being such wonderful stewards! Our Catholic Ministries Appeal is underway! Did you receive your letter about the appeal from Bishop Bonnici and me? This year, beginning with our new bishop, the theme is “ALL THINGS NEW, Embracing Our Mission in Christ.” I pray we will be supportive and successful in stewardship towards this years appeal. We experienced full support from so many of you last year and Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration made our goals. Thank you to those made this happen. I am confident we can succeed again with our prayer and stewardship. Like every diocese who has a similar campaign, your goodness keeps our diocese and parishes vibrant through serving people in need through Catholic Charities, providing diocesan-wide services to our parishes and institutions, educating youth in Catholic faith, supporting our Seminarians, Deacons,, and Pastoral Leaders, funding the ministries of Pope Leo and Bishop Bonnici, funding our Pastoral Center Operations & Support Services, and for the CMA Campaign. All donations are used only for the programs, services, and ministries I just mentioned. I hope and pray you will make a pledge with me for this year’s appeal. If you have any questions, please ask me, anyone on Parish Staff, and the Diocese of Rochester. Blessings to all, Father Rob
September 22, 2026
Dear Friends, This past week, on September 24th, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, was beatified in Saint Louis. From December of 1966 to October of 1969, he was the Bishop of Rochester. Bishop John Bonnici will be present for the beatification. On September 29th, Bishop John Bonnici will receive a relic of the Archbishop during Mass at 7 PM at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria will present the relic. Everyone is invited to attend this special moment. We will be blessed between the beatification and receiving of the relic to have Bishop John Bonnici with us this very weekend. He will preside at Mass on Saturday at 5:30 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena. A light reception will follow this celebration. May we offer our new Bishop a warm welcome and join him in celebrating Mass with one another! How blessed we are to have these final days of September to celebrate our faith! I am looking forward to seeing you this Saturday. Blessings to all, Father Rob