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


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Father Rob's Weekly Message

November 15, 2026

November 11, 2026
Dear Friends, Last week I shared with you Bishop Bonnici’s desire for us to really reflect on the Vocation of Priesthood. He has asked us to pray about who we might think would be a possible candidate for this vocation. A program entitled Called by Name has been initiated in our parishes and universities this November. Reflecting on the Gospel for this weekend about the parable of three men who received money from their master and how one of them did not use the money well, makes me think about my own path to priesthood. As a young person growing up I attended parochial grammar school. My family were church attendees though we were not an overly religious family. I think everyone who attends a parochial grammar school thinks about his or hers thought of possibly having a religious vocation. I remember different individuals coming into our classroom every once in awhile trying to place the idea of a vocation in our lives. When high school came I was pretty sure what I wanted to do with my life. I had my heart set on an art career, a family, and what I hoped for: a great life. My faith was still before me and important. I attended church, youth group, and was involved in various activities with my parish. Never was I thinking of becoming a priest. College came and my goals were still focused on an art career, a family, and enjoying a good life. I commuted to R.I.T. so I was still involved in my home parish. I even was on our Parish Council. During this time I met two great men who were deacons in my parish. Peter Clifford and Jim Sauers were great individuals and while they prepared to become priests you could see their joy and enthusiasm about their faith, love of the Lord, and joy in anticipating being ordained to the priesthood. All that being said I began to wonder if I was on my right path. Today’s parable in the Gospel makes me think about taking a chance and not always playing it safe. The person who didn’t use his money well played it safe. He didn’t take a chance. Was I being called to take a chance? Next week I will continue with my story.  Think and pray about someone you think would be a possible candidate for the priesthood. Blessings, Father Rob

November 8, 2026

November 5, 2026
Dear Friends, This month Bishop Bonnici, in collaboration with the Diocesan Vocation Awareness Team, is initiating the Called by Name program. Bishop Bonnici has a major priority to increase vocations to the priesthood. Called by Name addresses the need of priesthood vocations. He has asked the priests of the diocese to share our joy of our priesthood when we are preaching on a weekend. He is also asking all of us, everyone ,to think about who we may know as a candidate for priesthood. Please join me in prayer in contemplating who we may encourage to think about this wonderful vocation. The last weekend of the month, on the Feast of Christ the King, cards will be made available in our churches for our recommendations. The filled out cards will be sent to the Bishop right away. Bishop Bonnici will be contacting each name submitted to ensure them of his prayers and to invite them to consider joining himself and the Vocation Awareness Team for several upcoming discernment events. I will be sharing about my vocation in the bulletin and at my homily on the Feast of Christ the King. Again, please join me in prayer thinking of who we may know that would be a good priest.  Blessings from a joyful priest, Father Rob

November 1, 2026

October 27, 2026
Dear Friends, We are entering our November this very Sunday. It begins recalling all the Saints of the Kingdom of God. The following day, All Soul’s Day, we remember all the faithfully departed. Both days remind us of our call to follow the Lord Jesus faithfully, and that one day, we too will be part of this eternal kingdom! November brings us our holiday of Thanksgiving. It reminds me of all we have to be thankful for, not only on the holiday, or the month of November, but every day of our lives. God is so good to us and present with us in every moment of our lives. I think of one of my favorite scripture passages, John 15:11. Jesus spoke during the Last Supper to those with him, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus wants us to know his joy, and desires we may acknowledge joy in our days. I am blessed by the grace of God to realize this joy in so many ways. Some are profound and some are very simple. Some of my realized joys begin with simply waking up each day and thanking the Lord for another opportunity to serve him. At the end of my day, I thank him for all I encountered, and anticipate where God will lead me tomorrow. Joy comes in walking the halls of the hospitals. I thank God for my health and pray for those I have come to visit and for all those who I pass their rooms as I walk the floors. I pray that the healing presence of the Lord may comfort those in residence. Joy came with one of my Goddaughters recently being married. What a joy to see her in great love with a wonderful man. Joy came as my second cousin became a father for the first time. Seeing this beautiful new girl coming into a wonderful world of parents who will do all they can to make her life blessed and joyful! Joy was overwhelming in seeing once again the great generosity of our parishioners thinking of others and donating coats for our sisters and brothers in need. Joy was being in the company of our brothers on the Men’s Retreat and sharing their great love for Jesus. Joy comes in being able to acknowledge family, friends and some of you reading this celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, and other special occasions that touch our hearts. Joy was hearing the good news about Pope Leo and not needing any further treatment. Joy is being part of a phenomenal Parish Staff working together for the life vitality and ministries of our two parishes. Joy is seeing the stewardship of so many giving their time, talent and treasure to our parishes, communities, and world. Joy is the moments when someone tells me they are remembering me in prayer. JOY is the one who bears this name and I see her great faith and love for the Lord! I never tire of acknowledging the joy God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit brings to me day after day. I pray you can see all the joys before yourselves. It is a great gift to behold. Another favorite scripture passage of mine is from Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” And did. And I pray I will be able to rejoice in his joy as long as I can!  Blessings and JOY to all, Father Rob