November 23, 2025

Dear Friends, This past Tuesday I took extra time in prayer and reflection about my life as a priest. The day was my 42nd anniversary of being ordained a priest by Bishop Matthew Clark. I have been blessed in countless ways over these years of ministry. I have received endless graces from my brother Jesus and have responded to Him with the best of my abilities. The years of priesthood have been enriching, challenging, joyful, sorrowful, and always embraced; knowing, believing and feeling the love of the Lord beside me. The people I have known and met in so many circumstances of life hopefully have made me a faithful and dedicated disciple of the Lord. I am just as human as anyone and I am not perfect. Being realistic, I know not everyone may care for me. But, more importantly, I have felt the love and support of so many that I believe I am in the right place in my life in following the call of this wonderful vocation. I love what I do! Being with my sisters and brothers in so many aspects of their lives is an honor and privilege. To be with their joys is a blessing. To be alongside them in their struggles, pain, and sorrow is to witness the compassion and love of Jesus who is right there in their need. I pray to always be present among my family, dear friends and faith communities in living, sharing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ as long as I live! My theme for my ordination was taken from Psalm 139:9-10. “If I take the wings of dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast.” His right hand still remains upon me. Thank you, Jesus. My prayer and blessing to all, Father Rob

Dear Friends, I was off to Maine last weekend to attend a wedding of good friends. While I was gone, I missed the wonderful Sarah Hart concert, which close to 300 attended. I want to thank the planning team, including Pam McInerney, Michelle Lindsay, Jeff Beckett, Char Merrill, Kenneth Piazza and Laurie Cook, and the many other parishioners and staff members that helped make this a success. I am told it was a wonderful evening, and you did a superb job organizing this event. Fortunately, I was in town earlier in the week for a team building morning for our Staff. As most staff members now support both churches, our team dynamics and responsibilities have changed, and good teamwork and communication makes things run smoothly. We had fun getting to know each other better, strengthening our bonds, and creating our Halloween pumpkins. One of the blessings of travel is seeing the bulletins of other churches. Honor your departed loved ones with these November prayers, which were shared by the parish I visited this weekend. Blessings to all, Father Rob The month of November: A traditional time of prayer for our beloved dead. I believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. (The Apostles’ Creed) We Catholics pray for our beloved dead, and for all the faithful departed, in the confident assurance that we are commending them to God’s merciful love for the forgiveness of their sins, so that they may be called home to the fullness of life in heaven. “And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3) “To you, O God, the dead do not die, and in death our life is changed, not ended. Hear your prayers and command the soul of your servant to dwell, with Abraham, your friend, and be raised at last on the great day of judgement. In your mercy cleanse him/her of any sin which he/she may have committed through human frailty. We ask this through Christ our Lord.” (Order of Christian Funerals) A prayer for visiting a cemetery (from The Book of Blessings) Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that, through this mystery, your servant (Name), who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May he/she rest in peace. Amen. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen