November 9, 2025

November 7, 2025

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

 

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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