JANUARY 21, 2018

“Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths,

guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” Psalm 25

Dear Parishioners and Friends;

In last weekend’s first reading, we learned all about young Samuel and the instructions he received from his teacher and prophet Eli to respond to the call of God by saying, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Young Samuel does respond to God when he hears his name being spoken by God and thus his beginning conversation takes him in a new direction. This was all part of God’s plan. Years later, God would guide the prophet Samuel in choosing, apart from his brothers, a young shepherd boy named David to be anointed as King. David became a great King and eventually also the father of the wise and legendary King Solomon. Although both had human shortcomings and sins that eventually proved quite serious, God would have his only son Jesus, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the little city of David called Bethlehem.

The Gospel writer Matthew would list the genealogy of Jesus incarnation through Mary as being of the “house” or “lineage” of David.

Turning to the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we read how Jesus passed by the Sea of Galilee and called Simon and his brother Andrew to follow him. They abandoned their nets and boats to follow Jesus. They hear and respond to the voice of Jesus and thus their life direction is forever changed. Even James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, hear this voice from Jesus and through his invitation, left their boats, nets and father Zebedee to follow Jesus.

Some questions for reflection:

Who are the voices we most listen to in life?

Do we let popular opinion, fad or beliefs dictate what we believe, or do we seek to listen for God’s voice in regular prayer, attendance at mass, and in the teachings of our Catholic faith?

Where do we find our own voice on these matters?

Would we ever consider encouraging a call from God to the priesthood within our own family, with our own son?

Would we ever support a daughter in choosing a vocation to the Religious life?

Would we ever trust God in that possibility?

George Washington Carver once said, "Be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak . . . someday in life you will have been all of these.”

May God bless you! Fr. Gonyo

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St. Rita School Celebrates “Catholic Schools Week”

Beginning Next Sunday,

January 28 to Friday, February 2

Please help us kick-off Catholic Schools Week at the 9:00am Mass next Sunday, January 28. Come to Mass and stay for Breakfast! All are invited.

All are also invited to attend our School Mass on Tuesday, January 30 at 9:15am and are welcome to come over to tour the school to see for yourself what makes St. Rita School so different from other schools. We will be giving tours immediately following the Mass.

We invite prospective families to:

“Visit our School” on Tuesday, January 30

from 10:00 - 11:30am

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year begins on Wednesday, February 1.

St. Rita School offers PK3 & PK4 (half & full day programs) and full day Kindergarten through Grade 5. We offer a Before School Care Program which is available beginning at 7:00am and an After School Care Program which is available until 6:00pm. For more information please call the School Office at 671-3132 or go on-line to our website at sritadcs@dor.org

EUCHARIST INTENTIONS

Among the intentions for those who gather for the

Eucharist this week will be

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018

8:15AM JOHN, FRANCES & TERRY LYNCH – Dick

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 8:15AM DENNIS MURTAUGH – Patty & Joe Janiak

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 8:15AM REV. MICHAEL COSTANZA – Josie Wicks

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 8:15AM CARL & HELEN KAESSER AND CHARLES & ANTOINETTE KAESSER – Children

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018

No Mass on Fridays

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 11:15AM MEMORIAL MASS FOR PHILIP TRAVIS

5:00PM FOR THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE SUTERA FAMILY – Tony & Maria Sutera

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 7:30AM DAVID VAN ATTA – Carol Van Atta 9:00AM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK KICK-OFF 10:30AM ANDREW DE MARCO – Mark DiFante

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This week the Tabernacle Light will burn in loving memory of Michael Millner

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LITURGY COMMITTEE

Was your New Year’s Resolution to become more involved in parish life?

The Liturgy Committee is looking for people who are interested in coordinating weekend and special seasonal liturgies. They meet 5-6 times a year to oversee the various aspects of our parish liturgies.

Maybe you could…….

Help change and care for banners and altar linens.

Become a weekend liturgy prayer planner.

Coordinate ministers for seasonal liturgies such as Christmas or Holy Week.

Chair the committee and oversee that all aspects of our liturgies are covered.

Why not shadow committee members during Holy Week this year to see what they do?

If you can volunteer or would like more information, contact Teri Bucks, 671-0388, tbucks@rochester.rr.com

Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm in Room 5. All are Welcome!

ST. RITA SCHOOL

Spirit of Learning Corner

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

+ Students, faculty, and staff at St. Rita School enjoyed

an extra-long weekend in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.

+ Thursday night was our annual Prospective Family

Information Night. There was a great turn out of parents who are interested in sending their children to our JOYful school. If you or someone you know are considering sending your child to St. Rita’s, you are encouraged to join us on Tuesday, January 30th, for our 9:15 Mass and/or for school tours from 10:00-11:30am. You will have an opportunity to see our students and classrooms in full swing. You can also call the Main Office at 671-3132 and set up another time for a private tour.

+ All students in Grades PreK3 through Grade 5

participate in Physical Education, Technology, Art (PreK done with Classroom teacher) and Music classes lead by those specialized teachers. This is an added bonus for our Prekindergarteners to be able to take part in these special classes.

+ Next Sunday, January 28th, is our annual Catholic

Schools Week Mass at 9:00 AM. Please join us in celebration for the gift of a vibrant Catholic School associated with our parish. Students from St. Rita’s will be participating and leading this very special Mass.

DID YOU KNOW?

We at St. Rita’s never want finances to be a reason you do not choose our Catholic School. St. Rita School has generous financial aid packages, multi-children discounts, an Ambassador Program which awards parents $500 for referrals of families, and other financial assistance packages. To learn more and make an appointment for a tour of the campus, please contact the school at 671-3132.

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KIDS NIGHT OUT!

Valentine’s Edition

Saturday, February 10 from 6-8 pm

Drop off your kids (ages 4 and up) at the parish center gym for some seasonal games, crafts, and activities while the adults get some free time.

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Please check our website or call the Parish Office to sign up. High school students are invited to help out by running an activity – please sign up on our website. If you have questions please contact Elizabeth at Elizabeth.kwiatkowski@dor.org or 671-1100 x 14.

PLANS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 21, 2018

SUNDAY 1/21

8:30-11:00am Breakfast Club – Gym

MONDAY 1/22 4:30-5:45pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15-7:30pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES

TUESDAY 1/23 9:00-10:00am WEROC Women’s Group – Rm 3 7:00pm Liturgy Committee – Room 5 8:30-9:30pm Women’s Basketball – Gym

WEDNESDAY 1/24 8:45am Pray the Rosary – Church 8:45am Reconciliation Available in Church 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal – Rm 3

THURSDAY 1/25 9:00-10:30pm Men’s Basketball – Gym

SATURDAY 1/27 8:15-8:45am Pray the Rosary – Church 3:30-4:30pm Reconciliation Available in Church

PARISH SUPPORT

For the Weekend of January 6 & 7

Total Budget Variance $ 13,669 $ 14,180 - $ 511

Year to Date Year to Date Budget Variance

$ 396,901 $ 393,106 + $ 3,795

For the Weekend of January 13 & 14

Total Budget Variance $ 11,615 $ 14,007 - $ 2,392

Year to Date Year to Date Budget Variance

$ 408,516 $ 407,113 + $ 1,403

(Our fiscal year is 7/1/17 – 6/30/18)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

We all grow spiritually when we share.

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2017 PARISH CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

All statements will be mailed to your home no later than Wednesday, January 31 and will include all recordable

offerings received before January 1, 2018.

Thank you all for your generosity!

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ATTENTION DAILY MASS PARTICIPANTS!

For your safety - If you see on TV that Webster Central Schools are closed due to inclement weather

our daily morning Mass will be cancelled as well.

BIBLE READINGS:

21 Sun 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jon 3:1-5,10 Ps 25:4-9 1 Cor 7:29-31 Mk 1:14-20 22 Mon Day of Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children 2 Sm 5:1-7,10 Ps 89:20-22,25-26 Mk 3:22-30 23 Tue St. Vincent; St. Marianne Cope 2 Sm 6;12b- 15,17-19 Ps 24:7-10 Mk 3:31-35 24 Wed St. Francis de Sales 2 Sm 7:4-17 Ps 89:4-5, 27-30 Mk 4:1-20 25 Thu The Conversion of St. Paul Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22 Ps 117:1-2 Mk 16:15-18 26 Fri Sts. Timothy and Titus 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1: 1-5 Ps 96:1-3,7-8,10 Mk 4:26-34 27 Sat St. Angela Merici 2 Sm 12:1-7a,10-17 Ps 51:12-17 Mk 4:35-41

28 Sun 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Dt 18:15-20 Ps 95:1-2,6-9 1 Cor 7:32-35 Mk 1:21-28

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ALTAR SERVERS SCHEDULED NEXT Weekend ~ January 27 & 28

Saturday, 5:00pm: Braden Merle, Graceann Merle, Brianna Andrews, Giulia Puccio

Sunday, 7:30am: Ian Avery, Emmitt, Hunter, Lucas Wahl

Sunday, 9:00am: Catholic Schools Mass Servers

Sunday, 10:30am: Olivia Momot, Michael Piersall Blaise White, Tommy White

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CARE FOR GOD’S HOUSE: Week of January 21 Mary Ann Beikirch

LINENS: Next week January 28 Ruth Wensley

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BREAKFAST CLUB NEWS!

This isn’t a “club” you need to join – All are Welcome Sunday mornings from 8:30-11:00am in the Parish Center for a

warm delicious meal served with a smile! We offer a “Special” each Sunday but always have our full menu offering eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc.

NEXT WEEK: Team 4’s special is: EGG BAKE served with warm buttered toast and a bottomless cup of coffee. This ministry runs on donations only which are greatly appreciated!

CAN YOU HELP? WE ARE IN NEED OF A COOK FOR TEAM #4

(on the 4th Sunday morning of the month) For more information or if you can help out in any way,

please contact the parish office at 671-1100.

CATHOLIC WOMEN A Time Just for You!

5th ANNUAL ROCHESTER CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

“The Power of the Eucharist:

Glorifying God and Sanctifying the Word”

Saturday, March 10 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

(doors open at 7:00am)

Held at The Aquinas Institute ~ 1127 Dewey Ave

Conference sold out early last year so don’t wait!

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Mass with our Bishop and to hear national speakers, Dr. Edward Sri, theologian and noted author, and Danielle Bean publisher of Catholic Digest. There will be the opportunity for reconciliation, praying the rosary, perusing Catholic vendors, and connecting with other Catholic women.

Bishop Salvatore Matano will preside at morning Mass beginning at 8:00am. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. The cost is $50 for mail-in registrations and $53.00 for online registrations.

Registration forms are available in our parish office and in the greeting area in Church or you may go online to Rochestercwc.org. If you have questions, please contact Maria at rochcwc@gmail.com or stop at the table in the greeting area next weekend.

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BOY SCOUT SUNDAY MASS

Sunday, February 4 at 9:00am Mass

All Cub and Boy Scouts of St. Rita Parish are invited to attend the 9:00am Mass on Sunday, February 4 in celebration of Boy Scout Sunday.

Please meet in Room 1 by 8:30am. Dens and troops will be seated together after processing into church as a group. Please wear your full Scout dress uniform.

A reception for Scouts and their families will be held in the gym after Mass.

Scouts in the parish who have completed the requirements for the religious emblem associated with their rank and who have submitted the appropriate paperwork to the Diocese, are asked to notify Margo Chamberlain (585-265-9258) no later than January 28th so that we may recognize them during the Scout Mass.

We hope to see all Scouts from our parish on February 4th to celebrate Boy Scout Sunday!

FIESTA COMMITTEES

SEEK HELP!

Our Raffle Committee and Sponsor Committee Coordinators are in need of a few people to help on each committee. The Raffle Committee needs help coordinating ticket sales and distribution ideas and the Sponsor Team needs help renewing existing sponsors and reaching out to new potential sponsors.

The commitment is only a few hours each month leading up to Fiesta. Please contact:

Sheila Korol (Raffle Committee) sheilakorol1@rochester.rr.com

John Thomas (Sponsor Committee) jthomas10@rochester.rr.com

if you can help make this year's Fiesta a success.

REMEMBER TO SAVE THE DATES!

Our 64th Annual St. Rita Fiesta

will be held on:

Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, 2018!

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2017-2018 Catholic Ministries Appeal

(As of 1/17/18)

Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $160,859

Pledges Received to Date $127,645 _________________________

Balance $ 33,214

# of Gifts: 556 Households

We are currently at 79% of our goal of $160,859 in our Catholic Ministries Appeal. Consider making a year-end gift. We need your help!

This annual appeal allows each of us the opportunity to support real needs throughout the Diocese and to meet the challenges and opportunities of strengthening our faith. Money raised is used to fund programs and ministries. St. Rita Church directly benefits from the support of the CMA to provide services that we’d be pressed to supply on our own.

Every gift is needed and important. Pledge forms are available in the back of Church or please go on-line to www.dor.org (you can also make your gift by credit card if you like). Be sure to indicate: St. Rita Church #327. Thank you all for what you’ve done to help make St. Rita Parish a vibrant faith community and thank you for your prayers and support!

News from Your Parish Health Ministry!

FLU UPDATE

It is reported that the flu is now designated as an epidemic, with cases being reported in every state in the country. Some deaths have also been reported. The flu is characterized by a high rise in temperature.

If you have not had your flu shot yet it is not too late to get one. Check with your doctor or pharmacy to arrange for it.

You have probably heard that the vaccine this year is not 100% effective but it does provide a certain amount of protection. Some is better than none. Also, remember good hygiene practices - wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer; do not sneeze or cough into your hands, rather, use a tissue or handkerchief. And, stay home if you have cold/flu-like symptoms.

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OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAY THE ROSARY TOGETHER

All are welcome to join us in praying the rosary:

Every Wednesday morning that school is in session at 8:45am. We meet in the chapel following the 8:15am Daily Mass.

Every Saturday morning at 8:15am.

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PICTORIAL DIRECTORY UPDATE

We are currently waiting for Lifetouch to send us back a formal “copy” of our directory which we will need to proof to be sure they have the correct names with photos. Once we proof this copy and return it, the book will be submitted for printing. The final books should arrive to us in a few months - we will let you know when they arrive.

Note – If you had your photo taken by the photographer here at Church, but did not order any prints, your free 8 x 10 photo was sent to the parish office. You can pick it up at the parish office during the week – or wait until your book comes in.

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Thank You . . .

To everyone who supported the Annual Christmas Angel Ornament Sale. Ornaments were handcrafted and gift packaged by St. Michael's Woodshop and The School of the Holy Childhood. Together with other NY & PA churches $63,870 was raised to ease the suffering of thousands of Haitian children and in support of the efforts of parish friend Priest and Physician Fr. Rick Frechette at St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Port-Au-Prince.

Thank You from MEG’S Gift!

It is with great enthusiasm that we give thanks to the generous parishioners of St. Rita Church. With the help of your generosity, in 2017 Meg’s Gift awarded $55,000 in support of mental health awareness, education, and intervention for our most valuable assets, our children. The presence of Meg’s Gift as a champion in our local community for mental illness awareness and advocacy is gaining traction. We have heard repeatedly that Meg’s Gift has become a beacon, shedding light for those in the darkness of mental illness.

The major portion of the 2017 proceeds were donated to support the work of the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), as well as Monroe County’s Consortium on Trauma, Illness, and Grief (TIG). Both organizations focus on the emotional health of children, and have strong track records in educating teachers, students, parents/guardians, and peers to identify children and adolescents at risk. This includes intervening appropriately with the intent to prevent more serious mental health problems from occurring. We have learned that negative life experiences at an early age may lead to depression, anxiety, and drug abuse, self-harm and even suicide.

News of the 2017 awards as well as pictures of the event can be found on our website at: http://www.megsgift.org. In addition to AFSP and TIG, Meg’s Gift also supported events at East House, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Veterans Outreach Center, all of whom support our mission of mental health advocacy and wellness.

The Shadow Lake facility which hosted the 2017 golf outing, silent auction and dinner will again be the venue for this year to be held August 11, 2018. But the work of Meg’s Gift is much greater than this single event. Our Leadership Team is busy year-round with publications, radio and television interviews, education events, fundraising, and support for those suffering from mental illness. But the real credit for our ability to reach out and assist those most in need goes to you, our sponsors, and supporters. Many thanks for your warm and caring spirit and your generosity.

It has been almost four years since our Megan went home to the Lord. We know that she is now with the angels guiding our organization to demonstrate through word and deed, the compassionate and giving spirit shown throughout her life. May God bless you all as we look forward to seeing you on August 11th at Shadow Lake and as always, to borrow Meg’s words: “(We) love you from the top, middle, and bottom of (our) heart!”

-- Deacon Ray & Kathy Garbach

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DID YOU KNOW? Some of our newer parishioners may wonder why we kneel after the recessional hymn at the end of Mass. It is a tradition at St. Rita Church to take a moment to say three Hail Mary’s for the next person from our parish who will join the Lord in heaven.