Dear Friends,
May continues to bring before us many things to celebrate in this Holy Season of Easter!
As I mentioned last week, our young people from our two parishes were confirmed at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The cathedral was filled with families and friends who came to support these fine people. It was an exciting gathering to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. All the comments that followed the ceremony were of pleasure and happiness. Then, we gathered with our children from both parishes on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate First Holy Communion. Both days offered sunshine and very happy girls and boys coming to receive the Lord for the first time in this most sacred gift. It was a joy to see so many smiles and exchange my own with our blessed and faithful communities.
This weekend is Mother’s Day. Like myself, I am sure you join me in thinking about our own mothers and all the other individuals who have been like “mothers” to us. May we thank the Lord for them and remember them in our hearts and prayers. God bless all the mothers who join us these days to celebrate the Eucharist. We love you and are so grateful to share our faith with you.
For several years now, the restaurant Benucci’s has set aside a day where 20% of all their profits would be donated to a fundraiser called “Family Promise of Greater Rochester.”(formerly RAIHN) This organization supports families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. What a great gift Benucci’s is offering. As you can see with the picture printed in the bulletin several of us came together for fellowship, great food and to help support “Family Promise of Greater Rochester.”
Our Easter days are moving along and on Thursday, May 18th, we will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. There will be mass in the morning at 9 am at Saint Catherine’s and an evening mass at 7 pm at Transfiguration. We hope you will be able join us at one of these masses as we acknowledge this most sacred day.
Moving from the month of May to August. I would like to share if you already do not know that the Church of the Transfiguration will celebrate it 40th Anniversary on Sunday, August 6th! That weekend we will change our mass schedule up a bit and have mass at 10:45 am at Transfiguration. This will accommodate a jubilant mass and reception/picnic to follow on the church grounds. So, mark your calendars today and save the date! Many more details will be upcoming and shared. There will be an 8:45 am mass at Saint Catherine of Siena.
Hope your Easter days are continuing to be blessed! Enjoy all the pictures of great happenings in our spiritual journey with one another!
With faith and prayer,
Father Rob