Dear Friends,
The richness of our spiritual journeys with the Lord are the moments of grace that bring change to our lives. Change is not always easy or welcomed as we have often encountered in our sacred scriptures. Just recently in our daily mass, Simon, answered Jesus’s question, as to who he thought he (Jesus) was.
Simon got it right and Jesus changed his name to Peter. Then, right after that positive affirmation, Peter, tells Jesus he will not let Him die as he reveals. Suddenly, the faith declaration is tarnished by the will of a man and not God.
Change and new ways are not always what we might want to accept and embrace.
Changes are happening in our faith communities among our Parish Pastoral Staffs.
I have been so blessed to work, pray and celebrate with three wonderful people. Laura Cutter, Vicky Wejko and Kathy Shon have been blessings to me and our faith communities! Each of them are now on a new journey and path starting in September.
Laura, our Business Manager, who I have been blessed to know since meeting her as a child at Saint John of Rochester, ( a “few” years ago) has been such a gift to me in being reunited with her as Pastor at the Church of the Transfiguration! Laura, her husband, Clyde, her parents, Jim and Pat, her son Ben, daughter in-law, Jen and beautiful grandchildren, Carson, Lucas and Matthew, are all such gifts to our church! I love them all! Laura is well deserving of saying that now is her time to retire, live, pray and play as she would like. I cannot thank her enough for all her support, love and prayer as we have shared these past several years with one another.
The good thing is, Laura will still be with us as a friend and parishioner! I thank the Lord for her and our continuing faith journey with one another. I will miss you and pray for blessings over you, Clyde, and your family!
Vicky Wejko, our Director of Communications and Evangelization, has had a phenomenal opportunity given her! Vicky, who lives in Weedsport, NY has traveled all seasons to faithfully be present to our church! Vicky, who is so talented, just led our fabulous Vacation Bible School. She has accepted a new position in Faith Formation at Saint Mary’s in Skaneateles. Her hour plus drive to us will be reduced to twenty minutes to her new parish. Vicky deserves this moment in her ministry as much as I am going to miss her and all the vibrancy and spiritual gifts she has put before my ministry and our parishes. She will be blessing more of the flock. Jesus even said when folks didn’t want Him to leave them, He must move on to continue to share the Good News.
Vicky, wish you’d stay, but I hear the Lord, and so have you. All the best to you, my friend!
And, Kathy Shon! Like Laura, Kathy and I had a previous parish experience. We both were members of Saint Patrick’s in Macedon and on the Pastoral Staff together. Kathy and her husband, Mike, joined Saint Catherine’s several years ago. Last year, I asked Kathy if she would be interested in being the Liturgical Coordinator of the parish. After some prayer and discernment, to my joy, she said yes! Kathy, in the youthfulness of her life, has decided to retire. She has been a gift to the parish, our Staffs and will still be with us, like Laura, in a new way, volunteering and bringing her gifts to our parish! I am so grateful for what has been and what will be in the days ahead. Blessings always to you, Kathy!
So, change happens and we move ahead with our faith and the grace and guidance of the Lord Jesus!
Please know, the Parish Staff is addressing where we are heading and we are confident by our faith and love of the Gospel, our Parish Mission will continue to thrive. Keep Laura, Vicky, Kathy and your Parish Staff in prayer.
Together, with prayer and our faith in following Jesus, we will continue to have two great places, Saint Catherine of Siena and the Church of the Transfiguration, for worship and serving Jesus Christ!
Yes, we will be “everything we are meant to be, and set the world on fire” (Saint Catherine of Siena) and we will always know, “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Mt. 17)!
God Bless all of us,
Father Rob