Pastoral Messages
Why We Give
Thank you to all who have responded to our United in Faith and Community initiative! If you have not responded yet, we encourage you to take time to prayerfully consider your offertory gift to Saint Rita and then complete the blue Response Card and return it by May 8. You may drop it in the collection basket, the donation slot in the Narthex, at the Parish Office, or complete it online.
“Why we give … St. Rita Church and School have been such an integral part of our lives for over 25 years. We are truly grateful for the staff and many caring individuals that have and will continue to support our faith journey. We have been blessed in so many ways and recognize the importance of sharing our gifts with those in need and to support St. Rita parish. In the grand scheme, what we offer is small relative to what we receive from our Lord on a daily basis.”
How can we help to build our community of faith at St. Rita?
Here are a few suggestions for helping to grow Mass attendance, ministry participation and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ’s saving grace:
1. We can talk to others about the importance of the Mass / Eucharist in our own lives.
2. We can contribute to making Saint Rita a warm, friendly welcoming environment to all.
3. We can reach out to others and make a personal connection and let our witness and joy do the “talking”.
4. We can be attentive to the needs of those who have either left Saint Rita Church or are unchurched.
Here is something to think about … If you went to an amazing restaurant where the food and service were the best you ever had and the price was very reasonable – do you tell anyone else about it or keep it to yourself? Most likely you are happy to bring it up in conversation with others. Now how about applying that logic to the Eucharist (the absolute BEST meal on earth)?
Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 5, 2024
“This I Command You: Love One Another”
In today's scripture readings, the person of God is clearly defined for us. In each of our readings, we hear an aspect of God's boundless love for all humanity; all saying the same
thing: God is Love! And Jesus commands us to be in God’s image, that is, to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48), we hear about Peter visiting the home of Cornelius, the (Gentile) Centurion who was nonetheless a God-fearing person. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening. Thus, it was clear to Peter and to those with him that "God shows no partiality". This action of the Holy Spirit convinced Peter that the Gentiles were to be included in God’s holy kingdom and all believers were to be baptized, Jews and Gentiles alike.
In our Epistle reading (1 John 4:7-10), St. John describes God as being Love itself. It is not just one of God’s attributes, it is who God is—the core of his being. There is no better or clearer description of who God is. It is this Love that sent his only son as "expiation for our sins."
In today's Gospel reading (John 15:9-17), we hear a continuation from last Sunday’s Gospel reading on the vine and the branches. It was Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper. In this segment, Jesus described what love is and who the Father is (Love). Jesus reminded them, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you." And then, Jesus’ final command to his disciples—”Love one another.”
Consider this personal reflection on what it means that God is Love: All the many ways that we refer to God are anthropomorphic in nature, meaning they are human characteristics we assign to God in an effort to better understand what is beyond our understanding, except one - Love. Love is not a human characteristic we assign to God, it is God's character that he assigns to us. To love is to be like God; it is how we are in the image of God. Anyone who has ever loved another person so completely as to sacrifice everything for the good of that person, has seen God.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050524.cfm
Upcoming Events
- Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 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
- St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center Drive - thank you!
- Parish Council - nominate someone today!
- Vacation Bible School - registration now open!
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..."