May 31, 2026

May 26, 2026

Dear Friends,

 

I hope you were able to enjoy last weekend and remember all the gifts of life; given for democracy for our nation, and nations throughout the world. God bless all the veterans who sacrificed their lives so you and I might live freely this very day.

 

It seems many believe the season of summer begins with the arrival of Memorial Day. Officially, I know the season begins in June. Nonetheless, we look forward to days of warmth, and planning for graduations, end of school years, being able to take time away from work, perhaps a wedding or two, new life being born into our world, and joyful surprises we are not even aware of at this moment.

 

Your Parish Staff is not only looking to summer ( “I have a lot of PTO coming”, who might they be?), but we are planning the parish calendar for the remainder of this year and the coming year. It is such a reminder of how fast time passes.

 

For several years now many of our Parish Staff have been coming together to keep our two parishes, Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration, vibrant and vital for the future. That is our vision and mission.  My goal is to support the mission of our parishes, and the Parish Staff, to be prayerful in becoming what the Lord is calling us to be, “ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC”.

 

Our Parish Council is addressing this vision and mission. The Parish Staff, is committed to serve as the Gospel of Jesus calls us to serve in following Him. You will see things unfolding in our Parish Staff and visions of your Parish Pastoral Council. Our future looks and will be bright!

 

I am so happy for the response of individuals willing to serve on Parish Pastoral Council these coming years. 

I want to thank Bob Ciccone, Tom Cincebox, Rebecca Hartman, Michael Musa, and Charlene Weeks for serving the council these past years. You have been a gift as we bring our two councils and parishes together! You are a remarkable piece of history!

 

I also want to welcome our newly chosen members, Keith Bock and Christine Spring from St. Catherine, and Tom Kilian and Kevin Marren from Transfiguration. Your presence will be a breath of fresh life and blessing as we grow together as “ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, APOSTOLIC” faith community!  Thank you also to our alternates, Bill Hulbert from St. Catherine, and Dade Kelly from Transfiguration.

 

So, I am blessed by many around me who love the church, and are visionary, and are seeing where the road ahead of us is leading. Please continue to keep all of us in prayer, as we do all of you.

 

Blessings,

Father Rob

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

May 24, 2026

May 19, 2026
Dear Friends, As we’ve recently heard in our scriptures, “REJOICE, I SAY AGAIN, REJOICE”! We have arrived at our Pentecost this Sunday! The word Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentēkostē, which means “fiftieth”. The term was originally tied to Jewish tradition, as the event occurred during the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot (also called the Feast of Weeks), which was celebrated 50 days after Passover. For ourselves. Pentecost is a major Christian holiday that celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early followers of Jesus. Celebrated 50 days after Easter, it marks the liturgical end of the Easter season and is widely recognized as the “birthday” of the Christian church. According to the New Testament book of Acts (Chapter 2), the followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem when a violent wind filled the room and “tongues of fire” rested upon each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in different languages, enabling them to communicate the Christian message to the diverse crowds visiting the city. I can imagine the excitement and fervor of this sacred moment. This event represent the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send an Advocate to guide and empower His followers to spread His messages. You and I are included in the reception of this Advocate, the Holy Spirit of God. You and I are called to receive this Holy Spirit, acknowledge and respond to the Holy Spirit, and, like the first recipients, to share the Christian message of our brother, Jesus Christ, to do the same! It has been an overwhelming Easter for me. I have been so blessed by so many this year. Particularly, by the witness of our sisters and brothers during Holy Week who came into the church. The baptismal waters of our font, and being able to go into those blessed waters with our Elect, will be with me forever. And our other blessed sisters and brothers who fully came into the church, that will be a grace remaining in my heart and soul forever as well. Then to add to my joys, the First Communicants and Confirmands. What a gift of faith they hold that they have shared with me. Yes, I really echo our Sacred texts in wanting to REJOICE, AGAIN and AGAIN! So thank you to all these wonderful individuals who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation during these days of Easter. I also am grateful to our wonderful Parish Staff, our Faith Formation Leaders, and each of you, parent, God-parent, grandparent, friend, and member of our two fabulous faith communities that have brought us to this moment! God bless each and every one of you! You may have noticed, and I pray you have, many generous stewards have been attending to Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration properties. Spring cleanup has been a gift of stewardship from: Phil Alvaro, Lukes Carter, Ben Cutter, Clyde Cutter, Scott Ellis, Kathy & Bob Goldbach, Steve Hellems, Charlene Merrill, Bob Muhlnickel, Leon Rogers, Glenn Stewart, Scott Tubbs, Nancy & Rick Wahl, and Mark Wright. When you see these individuals, please thank them for their gift of stewardship. Easter may be liturgically ending, but Easter is 24/7, 52 weeks a year, and within the faithful for eternity! Rejoice, I say it again Rejoice! Alleluias to all, Father Rob

May 17, 2026

May 12, 2026
Dear Friends, Oh…Alleluia, Alleluia and praise the Lord! I am still reveling in a wonderful Easter moment! Please bear with my joy and enthusiasm with the exhilarations of our Easter Vigil, to our recent celebrations of our dear ones for their First Communions. And, of course, the joy of our beautiful young people who were recently confirmed at Sacred Heart Cathedral! This is the best Easter Season I can recall where my heart and soul are so abundant in the love and presence of our Risen Lord! I know our Easter is not just 50 days but year-round, 24/7, 52 weeks a year, every day we are blessed to have a breath of life! Yes, Alleluia! I need and desire to thank once again our wonderful Anne Gallagher, Karen Luke, Pat Gacioch, parents, and all of you out there in our faith community who encourage and prepare our young people for the gifts of faith! You ARE the best and I thank the Lord for each of you! We are nearing the birthday of the church, Pentecost. I have been so blessed to see an early Pentecost in our Easter Vigil, First Communicants, Confirmands, and to all of you who faithfully join me in worship of our Risen Lord week after week! Please, don’t mind me, but as scripture asks, let us REJOICE, I SAY AGAIN, REJOICE! We have so much to rejoice in this Easter time! Love and Joys to you, Father Rob

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