May 3, 2026

April 28, 2026

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

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

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 

July 12, 2026

July 8, 2026
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