Pastoral Messages
United in Faith and Community
What is St. Rita “United in Faith and Community”?
United in Faith and Community is a multifaceted initiative at St. Rita to strengthen our parish. The primary goals of this initiative are to increase Mass attendance, ministry participation, regular financial support, and to ensure the continued long-term growth and success of St. Rita church and school.
Why is St. Rita undertaking this initiative?
Over the past five years, we have all been through some challenging times – the Global Pandemic, the Diocese of Rochester bankruptcy, economic and other changes. St. Rita Parish is bouncing back from these tough times with a renewed faith and vitality. Engagement in our ministries is growing again, opportunities for education of all ages and fellowship have increased significantly, we have started five new ministries for education, hospitality and service, our school enrollment is up by 36%, and we are starting to see a slight uptick in Mass attendance.
While there are many positive signs at St. Rita, two areas, Worship Attendance and Offertory Collections have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. United in Faith and Community is the initiative to communicate and address these concerns while encouraging our parish community to join together in faith and fellowship and to especially experience the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass.
What are the goals of “United in Faith and Community”?
Increase our average weekend worship attendance by 200 people and our average weekly offertory collections by $2,500.
How can you help us reach these goals?
Help us also to build our community of faith. Please invite your families, friends, and neighbors to join us at St. Rita for Mass, for fellowship, for spiritual support, for education (adult and youth) and for service.
Please prayerfully consider your offertory giving and return your Response Card (sent to parishioners in the mail or available in the Narthex) by May 8, 2024. You can also fill out a response card online here and see additional information about the initiative.
Thank you for your support of this important initiative!
Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - April 21, 2024
“I Am The Good Shepherd, And I Know Mine and Mine Know Me”
The fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. This is a time for us to ponder the great love that God has for us and the special
relationship we have with Jesus and with the Father through him. The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his son.
Our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12) is a continuation of the events following the healing of the crippled man at the temple gate by Peter and John (Acts 3). Now they have been arrested by the Sadducees and brought before the Sanhedrin and questioned. Peter spoke boldly and with the authority given to him by Jesus as he proclaimed the resurrected Christ as the only source of salvation.
In our Epistle reading (1 John 3:1-2), St. John reminds us of our special relationship with the Father through Jesus. John speaks of the beatific vision when he proclaims that when “it (Christ) is revealed”, we shall be like him and we shall see him as he is.
In our Gospel reading (John 10:11-18), Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. He contrasted himself with the hired man, who runs away when the wolf comes because his sheep are not his. Jesus also proclaimed that he will gather “the other sheep” (the Gentiles) into one flock. The relationship between sheep and shepherd has always been a great metaphor for describing our relationship with our Lord (See Ezekiel 34). Notice the contrast between the Good Shepherd (Jesus, the great gatherer), the hired man (corrupt leaders of Israel) and the wolf (Satan, the great scatterer). We follow the one whose voice we know, the one who loves us and lays down his life for us.
Our readings today are about relationship - with Jesus and with our Father. Our first reading tells us it is through Jesus alone that we find salvation. He is the cornerstone of our lives. Our Epistle reminds us that we are God's children and God is our Father. In time, we will clearly see him as he is. Our Gospel reading describes Jesus as our Good Shepherd. He will gather us all into one flock, one Church. We know his voice and we follow him. He lays down his life for us.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042124.cfm
Upcoming Events
- Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
- Count It All Joy - Saturday, April 20 at 5:00 pm Mass
- Spring Square Dance - Saturday, April 27 from 6-8 pm
- Lifespan Info Session - Thursday, May 2 at 11 am
- Topics with Fr. Tim - Easter Edition - Mondays, April 15-May 13 at 9:30 am or 6:30 pm
- Altar Server Training - May 19 and 20
- The Chosen Season 4 - Thursdays at 12 pm or 7 pm, May 23-June 13
Latest News
- St. Rita Business Directory - add your business today!
- Liturgical Ministers - schedules and info here
- Beware of Scam Requests - if you recently received a text or email from Fr. Tim asking for gift cards or a favor, please be aware that this did not come from Fr. Tim
- Parish Council - nominate someone today!
What's Happening This Week
Faith at Home
- 3 Minute Retreat - from Loyola Press; take a short prayer break right at your computer by spending some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage
- The Family Zone - a weekly Family Zone Newsletter, provided by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Rochester
Help
- How Can We Help You? - let us know!
- Helping Those in Need - "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters..."