Pastoral Messages
United in Faith and Community Update
Let’s Continue to Make St. Rita Parish Stronger
Saint Rita parish has grown in many positive ways over the past year. Mass attendance is up, the number of students in our school and faith formation has increased, sacramental preparation and celebrations abound, service to others remains strong with programs like COME dinners, Thanksgiving and Christmas Angel Projects, and we developed our new mission statement to serve as a continued guide for the parish.
One of our goals has been to increase family participation in Eucharistic celebrations and engage more youth in parish activities. We have made some nice inroads in this area with our monthly children’s Mass, monthly family activity nights, and youth group.
Our collections have also increased, which has allowed us to take care of campus improvement projects that had been sidelined for more than five years.
So let’s continue to build our community of faith through our welcoming of others of all ages. Please continue to encourage Mass attendance and invite families, friends and neighbors to join our parish activities.
Additionally, I am asking for your ongoing financial support to help us keep up with parish expenses. Shortly, parishioners will be receiving a letter in the mail from me requesting your help to increase regular offertory collections. I fully recognize this is a challenge for each of you, but appreciate your prayerful and generous response.
Peace,
Fr. Tim
Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 18, 2025
“I Give You A New Commandment: Love One Another”
In our readings for this Sunday, Paul’s first missionary journey comes to an end with great success. Elders are appointed in each of the new churches. In the book of Revelation, John assures us again—”God’s dwelling is with the human race and He will wipe away every tear”. In our Gospel reading, Jesus issues a new commandment -to love one another as He has loved us—an old commandment with a new twist. In doing so, He underscores His unity with the Father (only God can issue a commandment).
Our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 14:21-27) is evidence that the apostles took Jesus' new commandment of love to heart. Today, we hear about the end of Paul’s fist missionary journey to the Gentile world. Paul and Barnabas went from city to city, over great distances and enduring great hardships and persecutions, bolstering and sustaining their fledgling new communities of love. They appointed elders (priests and bishops) in each church. They were living examples of Jesus' selfless love.
In our second reading (Revelation 21:1-5), John describes his vision of the end times with a “new heaven and a new earth” and the old heaven and earth would pass away. At this time, all of our suffering, tears, and trials will be wiped away. This is the time when the New Jerusalem will be like a “bride adorned for her husband . . . God Himself will always be with them as their God.”
In our Gospel reading (John 13:31-35), we listen in near the end of the Last Supper. This is the beginning of Jesus’ farewell address to His disciples. Jesus knew what the others did not; His betrayal and impending death was to be His glorification. His teaching to His apostles at this moment was to give them a new commandment - a new way of living the mission. They had heard “love one another” before, but the new twist—”As I have loved you” was added. That’s not an easy commandment to live, and yet they did—many of them to their deaths.
Today's Gospel passage is a wonderful opportunity to practice meditating on God’s word. So consider this challenge: read today's gospel passage multiple times, each time meditating more deeply on its meaning in your life. What does it mean to love one another as Jesus has loved you?
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm
Upcoming Events
- Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Room 1
- Men's Faith Group - Monday, May 19 at 7 pm in Room 1
- Women's Faith Sharing - Thursday, May 22 at 7 pm
- Feast of Saint Rita Ice Cream Social - Thursday, May 22 at 1 pm and 6:30 pm
- Fiesta - May 30 and 31
- 75th Anniversary - Potluck Picnic on June 1
Latest News
- Join the Events team - we need your help!
- Introducing OCIA - Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- 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
- Vacation Bible School Registration Now Open - ages 4-10; volunteers entering grades 7-12
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..."