Pastoral Messages
Together We Bring Hope
As Francis of Assisi grew in his faith but was not yet fully converted, he suffered from an extreme disgust of those who suffered from the disease of leprosy. Even seeing a leper at a distance would cause him to double over with nausea.
He would go well out of his way to avoid the places where they lived.
One day, while riding home on his horse, there was suddenly a leper in his path. The leper stood there with his hand out and with pleading in his eyes, begging for alms. Francis, made stronger than himself, got down from his horse and not only gave the man alms, but also kissed the open sores on his hands.
Francis turned and got back on his horse and when he turned back to the path, the leper had vanished.
This is my favorite story of my favorite saint. I have always loved how the Grace of God transformed Francis’ heart and made him “stronger than himself”.
Another way that God helps us to be stronger than ourselves is when we come together as a faith community.
Joyfully living the Gospel of Jesus, we can do so much more when we journey through life together. We do this as St. Rita Parish and as the Diocese of Rochester. When we realize our unity as a diocese, we are literally made stronger than ourselves. The work and love extend so much further and bear so much more fruit than we could ever hope to accomplish on our own.
Please support our parish and our diocese. Please give generously and early to the Catholic Ministries Appeal.
For six straight years, we have finished before Christmas. The CMA is important and deserves our attention and energy. But we also have other important things that God is calling us to do. So, let’s do the CMA well, complete our responsibility before Christmas, and move into the new year able to devote ourselves to other ministries.
And also, if at all possible, please increase your ongoing regular contributions to St. Rita. In your envelopes, or even better, online, support all the ministries that St. Rita is involved in. There is so much more happening and being accomplished than any of us could hope to do on our own. But it all does happen. It happens by the grace of God and because together we are made stronger than we are on our own.
Thank you for all that you do. I am so proud of the people of our parish.
Yours in Christ,
~Fr. Tim
Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - November 23, 2025
“Jesus, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom”
During this last Sunday of our liturgical year (before we begin anew with the Advent season), we are reminded of the universal sovereignty of our Lord, Jesus. This feast was commissioned by Pope
Pius XI just after World War I, in a time of increasing secularity in the world. In his encyclical Quas Primas, Pope Pius XI spoke his firm hope that this feast “may hasten the return of society to our loving savior.”
In our first reading (2 Samuel 5:1-3), we hear the story of the anointing of King David by the twelve tribes of Israel. David was the forebearer and precursor of Christ, the King. It was to David that God spoke this covenant, “I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
In our Epistle reading (Colossians 1:12-20), St. Paul offers a brief prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for our inheritance in the kingdom of His beloved son. Paul then proceeds to describe the sovereignty and majesty of our King, Jesus Christ. He is the “Image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation”.
In our Gospel reading (Luke 23:35-43), we hear of the Son of David, a completely different kind of King. This King is hung on a cross, mocked, reviled and spit upon. This is a King who reigns from the throne of the cross, with humility, compassion and love. This King has power no other earthly king could ever have, the power to save souls. In today’s Gospel, the criminal on the cross next to Jesus acknowledged his sins and simply asked Jesus, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ response was forgiveness and eternal salvation. This is similar to what happens in every Sacrament of Reconciliation as we acknowledge our sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus’ response is love, forgiveness and eternal salvation.
We are reminded in this Feast of Christ the King that our Jesus is not only King of Catholics, or King of Christians, He is King of all creation - from the beginning of time to the end of time and beyond. May we proclaim His sovereignty with our daily lives.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm
Upcoming Events
- Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Room 1
- Count It All Joy - Saturday, November 22 at 5:00 pm Mass
- Holy Beginnings - Thursday, December 4 at 6:45 pm
- Breakfast @ St. Rita - Sunday, December 7 from 8:30-10:00 am
- Lessons and Carols - Sunday, December 7 at 2 pm
- Waiting with Hope - 2 time options for each week of Advent
Latest News
- 75th Anniversary Apparel and Gifts - order now!
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What's Happening This Week
Faith at Home
- Resources for Advent - history, traditions, prayers, reflections, music, and more
- 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..."
