October 26, 2025

October 24, 2025

Dear Friends,

 

We are in a season of harvest and that season is expressed in many ways. One way is in the asking of support.

 

You and I are asked often and in so many ways to give support. It is often in monetary asks. Sometimes it may seem to never end. It’s been discussed among the Parish Staff and every once in a while, one of the parishioners may express that to us as well.

 

This time of year, the asking seems accelerated with the holidays quickly approaching. Recently, we have been asked to reflect on our stewardship for Unbound, Giving Trees, Food Collections, Clothing Collections, CMA, and of course our Parish Support to keep our churches vital and supportive of its ministries.

 

I am sure like me, you have also been asked to give to organizations we have already supported in the past and to consider new ones. How many envelopes, emails, etc. have you already received in asking to consider a donation?

 

Last weekend our scriptures talked about being persistent in prayer. I think of Matthew 7:7-12 where we are invited to be persistent in asking, seeking, and knocking. It shows that prayer involves different actions: making requests (asking), searching for God’s will (seeking), and persistently approaching God even when it seems difficult (knocking).

 

I believe that those asking for our support are seeking to follow God’s desire that we care for all our sisters and brothers. I realize each of us can only do so much and at times we would like to do more but it may be difficult due to personal circumstances.

 

This is why we pray. We pray to discern where we best can respond to the asking before us.

 

This is Respect Life Month. All life deserves respect and with our prayer, may we give where the Lord directs us to be merciful and kind. Every organization is hopeful their pleas will be heard.

 

Perhaps this following prayer of hope, may help each of us to respond to others where we can.

 

A PRAYER FOR HOPE

Heavenly Father, in the sacrament of Baptism, you have given us the gift of new life. Through your son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you have made us your own.

Help us to recognize the gift of human life as a sign of hope in our world.

Reveal to us places where your precious gift of life is most in need of protection and strengthen us to defend life in all stages and circumstances, from the child in the womb to the elderly and dying.

Guided by your Holy Spirit, guard us from discouragement and give us the grace to be messengers of hope, filled with confidence that nothing can separate us from your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen (USCCB)

 

Thank you for all you do and the support you give to our sisters and brothers.

 

Blessings,

Fr. Rob

 

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Father Rob's Weekly Message

October 4 2026

September 29, 2026
Dear Friends, I was delighted that our faith communities came together last Saturday to welcome Bishop John Bonnici! It was a prayerful time to come together, meet one another and celebrate mass. The time with one another was delightful and filled with joy! I want to thank everyone who helped in preparing this special moment. First of all, thank you to Bishop Bonnici for sharing his presence with us. Thank you to Father Aaron Kelly for assisting all our liturgical ministers at mass. The music was inspirational and kudos to Pam McInerney, Sue Wallace, and all our vocalists and musicians for bringing their gifts to our liturgy. Much appreciation to our phenomenal Altar Servers, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist who gave of themselves to make everyone comfortable and welcome at Mass. I want to express my gratitude to all who served at Mass on Saturday. To Chuck Reinke, who coordinated our ushers and greeters. To Bob Goldbach and his band of volunteers who helped with parking and assisting everyone arriving for Mass. AND, to Julie Reinke, our star photographer, for capturing these sacred moments we had with one another. AND, to Charlene Merrill, for the fabulous reception she coordinated with so many others that provided a delightful gathering after Mass. AND, one more AND, being trinitarian, I want to acknowledge our Parish Staff, who assisted me in so many ways. Bless you! Everyone, thank you for being such wonderful stewards! Our Catholic Ministries Appeal is underway! Did you receive your letter about the appeal from Bishop Bonnici and me? This year, beginning with our new bishop, the theme is “ALL THINGS NEW, Embracing Our Mission in Christ.” I pray we will be supportive and successful in stewardship towards this years appeal. We experienced full support from so many of you last year and Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration made our goals. Thank you to those made this happen. I am confident we can succeed again with our prayer and stewardship. Like every diocese who has a similar campaign, your goodness keeps our diocese and parishes vibrant through serving people in need through Catholic Charities, providing diocesan-wide services to our parishes and institutions, educating youth in Catholic faith, supporting our Seminarians, Deacons,, and Pastoral Leaders, funding the ministries of Pope Leo and Bishop Bonnici, funding our Pastoral Center Operations & Support Services, and for the CMA Campaign. All donations are used only for the programs, services, and ministries I just mentioned. I hope and pray you will make a pledge with me for this year’s appeal. If you have any questions, please ask me, anyone on Parish Staff, and the Diocese of Rochester. Blessings to all, Father Rob

September 27, 2026

September 22, 2026
Dear Friends, This past week, on September 24th, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, was beatified in Saint Louis. From December of 1966 to October of 1969, he was the Bishop of Rochester. Bishop John Bonnici will be present for the beatification. On September 29th, Bishop John Bonnici will receive a relic of the Archbishop during Mass at 7 PM at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria will present the relic. Everyone is invited to attend this special moment. We will be blessed between the beatification and receiving of the relic to have Bishop John Bonnici with us this very weekend. He will preside at Mass on Saturday at 5:30 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena. A light reception will follow this celebration. May we offer our new Bishop a warm welcome and join him in celebrating Mass with one another! How blessed we are to have these final days of September to celebrate our faith! I am looking forward to seeing you this Saturday. Blessings to all, Father Rob

September 20, 2026

September 15, 2026
Dear Friends, I want to thank all the generous stewards who prepared our Parish Ministry Fairs at Saint Catherine’s and Transfiguration last weekend! Those who made the time to visit all the ministry tables, thank you. AND thank you to all who expressed an interest in being part of our ministries and signed up to join or receive more information. Our two parishes are blessed by the goodness and involvement of so many making our communities vital to our professed Gospel! Next weekend, Bishop Bonnici will be with us! He asked to preside and preach at our 5:30 mass on Saturday evening at Saint Catherine’s. We hope you will come and worship with him and our brothers and sisters. There will be no 4 PM mass this day. A light reception will follow mass, perhaps outside, weather permitting. Otherwise, we will come together in Legacy Hall. I do hope you will welcome our Bishop and his secretary, Father Aaron Kelly! Bishop Bonnici has asked that our parishes do something very special to recognize the beginning of October. For our Universal Church this is Respect Life Month. Bishop Bonnici will preside at a Diocesan Holy Hour and Rosary for Life at Sacred Heart Cathedral, October 3 , from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Everyone is invited to join him at Sacred Heart. He also asked if our diocesan parishes might offer the same Holy Hour and Rosary for Life in our parishes at the same time. We invite our parishioners and others, who may wish to join us, for this opportunity at Saint Catherine of Siena’s Chapel. It will be October 3rd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. As of this writing, Ben Cutter and I will lead this special time of prayer. Please join Ben and me in this moment. Hope everyone is doing well and know you are always in my prayers and thoughts! Blessings, Rob