May 10, 2026

May 5, 2026

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

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

August 2, 2026

July 29, 2026
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

July 26, 2026

July 17, 2026
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

July 19, 2026

July 15, 2026
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