JANUARY 3, 2015

“As with gladness, men of old, did the guiding star behold.

Leading onward, beaming bright; so most glorious Lord, may we lead tonight.

As they offered gifts most rare, so may we give of ourselves to you.

All our treasures do we bring, to Christ our Lord, our heavenly King.”

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and the visit of the Magi. There is a bit of mystery about the Magi,

three of whom bore the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Traveling from afar, they were knowledgeable about astronomy and knew Jewish tradition and understood the ancient predictions and prophesies that a messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a messiah who would change the world for the better. They brought gifts befitting a king, and were intent on finding the child. So disturbing was this visit of foreigners to King Herod that he plotted to end the possibility of this new king. He tried to convince the Magi to return with the news of his whereabouts. When the Magi failed to return to Herod, for they had received a vision from an angel to return by another route, he gave the evil command to his soldier to kill all the male children two and under. But no evil plan would curtail the plan of God. No man or earthly king could intentionally stop God’s plan to save humanity.

God would come to dwell among us, Jesus Incarnate, God in human flesh. We would come to know of the saving action of God through Jesus his Son. The Magi recognized through the star, that something of such great significance was taking place that they left everything and brought their most priceless treasures so that they could worship this newborn king. We, like them, recognize our greatest treasure too. Not gold, frankincense and myrrh, but Jesus himself. We kneel with the Magi to worship God among us, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

As the New Year begins, let us, for a moment, kneel with the wise Magi, who teach us that no knowledge is more important than the knowledge of Jesus His Son. Let us, with the Magi, open our hearts to receive God’s most precious gift. May we allow God space and room in our lives so that God’s plan may come to fruition in our own life and that we might offer the gentle love of Jesus through our own actions and words to our children and to each other.

“O Lord, our God, a star led the Magi to your Son. May the sound of your word and the light of your Spirit lead us today to worship before him in Spirit and in truth, bringing to him the gift of our lives, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen”

May God bless you this week, Fr. Gonyo

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CONFIRMATION REMINDERS AND UPDATES

The regular Confirmation classes continue for all students attending public schools this Monday, January 4th. All candidates, both those attending public and Catholic schools, are required to attend the Confirmation Workshop on Saturday January 30th. The program will be held in the Church starting at 2:00pm. The Confirmation Youth will also be ministering at the 5:00pm Vigil Mass. Parents are encouraged to attend the Workshop and expected to attend the Mass. If you have any questions, please contact Marie Marton.

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MATTHEW KELLY’S SUNDAY DVD PROGRAM

We will continue to present Matthew Kelly’s informative, faith-enhancing DVDs at 10:15am on Sunday mornings (5-10 minutes long). We hope you take advantage of this opportunity. The presentations scheduled are:

January 3 What Are You Doing? January 10 The Quest for Happiness January 17 Stinking Thinking January 24 Hungry for the Truth

There will be no DVD presentation on January 31

The Cathedral Community and the Rochester Chapter, National Assoc. Pastoral Musicians present

LESSONS & CAROLS Celebrating the Baptism of the Lord

Sunday, January 10, at 2:00 pm At Sacred Heart Cathedral

Join us as we conclude the Christmas Season, reflecting with scripture and music, on the promise of a Savior, His coming, and the beginning of His public ministry. Led by the Halloran-All Saints Organ and the following choirs: Our Lady of Lourdes, Peace of Christ Combined Choir, St. Louis Choir, St. Rita Choir, St. Theodore Handbell Choir and the Cathedral Choir. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Narthex. All are welcome. For more information contact the Cathedral Office at 254-3221.

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PARISH VISITATION ~ Do you have a loved one at

home, in a nursing home, or hospital that is in need of a visit? Also, please have someone let the parish office know if you or a loved one are admitted to the hospital. Please call Mary Jo DiNoto at 671-1100 ext. 13. Our pastoral staff is here for you.

J

EUCHARIST INTENTIONS

Among the intentions for those who gather for the

Eucharist this week will be

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 8:15AM DOUGLAS SINCLAIR – John & Julie Odenbach

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

8:15AM IN THANKSGIVING FOR PRAYERS ANSWERED

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

8:15AM MARTIN & MILDRED YAEGER – Robert & Roslyn Patti

9:15AM ST. RITA SCHOOL LITURGY - All are Welcome!

JOSEPH FERRARO – St. Rita School Staff

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2016 8:15AM CARL TIBERIO – Elaine & Geoffrey King

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

8:15AM FR. BRUCE AMERING – Patty & Joe Janiak

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2016

5:00PM EDWARD J. DWYER – Joseph J. Villone

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2016

7:30AM AL & MARIE LA SALLE – Daughter Barbara 9:00AM ROBERT SCHULER – Elaine & Geoffrey King 10:30AM ROBERT EPISCOPO – Jackie Eder

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This week the Tabernacle Light will burn In thanksgiving for prayers answered.

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Free presentation – All are Welcome!

The Pope Francis Effect

Laudiato Si Encyclical Letter on Care for Our Common Home

Speaker: V. Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Hart

Sunday, January 10 at 1:00pm St. Paul’s Church

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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Our prayer shawl group meets each month to gather and make blankets for those who need to feel the loving

presence of God and the love of our parish family. Blessed prayer shawls are given to anyone we hear of who is in need. If you know of someone that could use a prayer shawl. Please let the office know. The next Prayer Shawl gathering is:

Tuesday, January 5 from 10:30am-Noon in the Parish Office. All are welcome to come!

St. Rita School

Spirit of Learning Corner

Did you know ? . . .

We are back at school with a fresh start for 2016!

+ St. Rita School continues to collect Box Tops FOR

Education and Campbell's Soup labels. These can be dropped off in the greeting area in church in our box on the table. These labels go a long way in providing teachers with extra supplies. Thank you!

ST. RITA SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES

Tours will be given! Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 pm

St. Rita School is committed to fostering the God-given gifts of each child. In an atmosphere where faith and knowledge meet, our goal is to shepherd the spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of our students.

St. Rita School offers grades PreK3 & PreK4 (half & full day options) and

Full Day Kindergarten through Grade 5 Before and After Care Programs are available

The evening will begin with a message from the Principal, Mrs. Wagner, including a question and answer session. Then, tours of the school and all of its wonderful features will be given by its greatest advocates - the parents of the students. Clubs, activities and organizations that offer students extracurricular learning at the school will be represented in the gym along with light refreshments.

Babysitting will be available for small children as their parents tour the school campus. It is such a wonderful opportunity to share all the benefits of joining the St. Rita’s School community and family.

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LITURGICAL MINISTER’S SCHEDULE

The next Liturgical Minister schedule includes the months of February, March, and April. If there are any dates you know you are not available, please let Elizabeth Kwiatkowski know as soon as possible by calling 671-1100 x14 or emailing ekwiatkowski@dor.org.

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COMPANIONS IN GRIEF

SUPPORT GROUP

Thursday, January 21

at 7:30pm in Room 1

All who have experienced the loss of a friend or loved

one through death are invited to attend. All are welcome!

PLANS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2016

SUNDAY 1/3

8:30-11:00am Breakfast Club – Gym 10:15am Faith Presentation – Church

MONDAY 1/4

4:30-5:45pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15-7:30pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15pm Confirmation Class – Youth Center (Barn) 7:00-8:30pm Parish Pastoral Council – Rm 1

TUESDAY 1/5 9:00-10:00am WEROC Women’s Group – Rm 3 10:30am-Noon Prayer Shawl Group – Parish Office

WEDNESDAY 1/6 8:45am Pray the Rosary – Church 8:30-9:30pm Women’s Basketball – Gym

THURSDAY 1/7

9:00-10:30pm Men’s Basketball – Gym

SATURDAY 1/9 8:15-8:45am Pray the Rosary – Church

PARISH SUPPORT

For Last Weekend ~ December 26 & 27

Last Week Budget Variance $12,998 $13,746 - $ 748

Year to Date Year to Date Budget Variance

$365,591 $380,022 - $ 14,431

(Our fiscal year is 7/1/15 – 6/30/16)

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION ~ $25,581

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! We all grow spiritually when we share.

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL UPDATE!

Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $148,792

Pledges Received to Date $ 131,498

Balance $ 15,819

# of Donors 615 Households

We are currently at 89% of our goal of $147,317 in our Catholic Ministries Appeal. We need your help! Every gift – no matter the size is needed. If you have already made your gift this year, please accept our heartfelt gratitude. If you have not yet made your gift and would like to - extra pledge cards are available in Church or you can give online at www.dor.org.

Thank You, Fr. Gonyo

If you mail in your donation please indicate ST. RITA’S PARISH # 327

We welcome the newest member of our

parish family who was baptized this

weekend:

Lily Elizabeth Pettit

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BIBLE READINGS:

3 Sun The Epiphany of the Lord Is 60:1-6 Ps 72:

1-2,7-8,10-13 Eph 3:2-3a,5-6 Mt 2:1-12 4 Mon St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 1 Jn 3:22-4:6 Ps 2:

7-8,10-12 Mt 4:12-17,23-25 5 Tue St. John Neumann 1 Jn 4:7-10 Ps 72:1-4,

7-8 Mk 6:34-44 6 Wed St. Andre Bessette 1 Jn 4:11-18 Ps 72:1-2,

10,12-13 Mk 6:45-52 7 Thu St. Raymond of Penafort 1 Jn 4:19-5:4 Ps

72:1-2,14-15,17 Lk 4:14-22a 8 Fri 1 Jn 5:5-13 Ps 147:12-15,19-20 Lk 5:12-16 9 Sat 1 Jn 5:14-21 Ps 149:1-6,9 Jn 3:22-30

10 Sun The Baptism of the Lord Is 42:1-4,6-7 Ps

29:1-4,9-10 Acts 10:34-38 Lk 3:15-16,21-22

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BREAKFAST CLUB NEWS

Join us for breakfast Sunday mornings from 8:30-11:00am in the Parish Center. We offer a “Special” each Sunday as well as a traditional menu.

Next Week - Team 2’s Special is: Western Egg Bake served with warm buttered toast and a bottomless cup of coffee. Our ministry runs on donations only which are greatly appreciated.

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CARE FOR GOD’S HOUSE:

Week of January 3 Dawn Clark

LINENS: Week of January 10 Cindy Wahl

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ALTAR SERVERS SCHEDULED NEXT Weekend ~ January 9 & 10

Saturday, 5:00pm:

Christopher Mraz, Giana Lombardo, Tosh Flaherty

Sunday, 7:30am: Ashley, Justin & Lindsey Coumou, Ian Avery

Sunday, 9:00am: Olivia Mabe, Riley Stuver, David Kraft, David Tomer

Sunday, 10:30am:

Allie Colicchio, Michael Messineo, Megan Springer, Payton Wallace

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Happy New Year!

HANDS OF CHRIST AWARD 2016

Please consider nominating a high school senior from the graduating class of 2016 for the diocesan Hands of Christ Award.

The Hands of Christ is a recognition program to assist parishes in affirming their high school seniors who have been the “Hands of Christ” in their church, home, school and community.

A nominated senior needs to meet the following criteria:

+ Demonstrate a Christian attitude by word & example

+ Be actively involved in their parish as well as their school community.

+ Be a positive role model for their peers.

+ Is a participating Roman Catholic in a parish in the Diocese of Rochester.

+ Is currently a High School Senior.

All nominations are due by Monday, January 25

To nominate a Senior, please send a nomination form or letter stating examples of the above criteria including the nominee’s name, address, phone number and school to: St. Rita’s Church ~ 1008 Maple Dr., Webster Attn: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, Youth Minister. Nomination forms are also located in the greeting area of church, at the parish office, or online at www.saintritawebster.org

(Youth Programs page)

We have many great seniors in our parish and it is important to recognize all of their hard work and dedication to our church and the community. Any Questions? Please call Elizabeth at 671-1100 x 14 or e-mail: ekwiatkowski@dor.org

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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Are you looking for a fun activity to get you moving this year? All women ages 18 and up are welcome to join us on Wednesday evenings from 8:30-9:30pm in the gym for some basketball fun. No experience is necessary. Not into basketball? Join our email list for additional activity options by sending a note to Elizabeth at ekwiatkowski@dor.org.

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MARCH FOR LIFE ~ TRIP TO WASHINGTON

We are now taking reservations for the 2016 “March for Life” Bus Trip to Washington, DC (leaves January 21st). If you would like to attend please send a $40.00 check payable to Holy Spirit Church with a notation “March for Life” on the memo line. Please send it to: The Committee for Life, c/o 1477 Chigwell Lane North, Webster, NY 14580, and include your phone number with your correspondence. For more information call 503-3256 or email us at committeeforlife@yahoo.com.

2016 DEACON INFORMATION SESSION

Interested in learning more about becoming a Deacon?

Holy Spirit Church is hosting an information session on Thursday, January 14 at 7:00pm. An overview of the 5- year application and formation process, time commitment, and opportunity to answer questions will be provided. An eligible applicant for permanent deacon formation is a man of strong and active faith, single or married, must be at least 35 years of age and no more than 62 years of age at the time of ordination. Interested men and their wives are encouraged to attend. For more information please contact Deacon Ray at the Parish Office at 671-5520 or email rgarbach@dor.org.

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ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH?

To St. Rita Parish Community!

We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with us and hope that your time with us will be prayerful. Here at St. Rita we encourage everyone to participate as fully as possible in our Liturgical celebrations as well as in the ministries of our parish. If you would like more information about St. Rita Church please go to our website at www.saintrita.org. If you would like to

register with us please stop at the parish office and pick up a Welcome Packet. Feel free to call the parish office 671-1100 at any time if you have questions. We are happy to have you with us!

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Pray the Rosary on Saturdays at 8:15 am

Saint Rita Church is hosting a Rosary prayer session every Saturday morning from 8:15 - 8:45 am to pray

for persecuted Christians around the world and especially for those in the Middle East and Africa. We gather in the Chapel in Church. What a powerful reason to get out of bed on a Saturday morning.

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2015 PARISH CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

Diocesan Guidelines require that contribution statements be mailed directly to homes by first class mail.

All statements will be mailed no later than Friday, January 29 and will include

all recordable offerings received before January 1, 2016.

Thank you all for your generosity!

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PRESENTING THE GIFTS AT MASS ~ If you are

attending a Mass that you had offered for a friend or loved one, please tell the ushers before Mass that you are present so you may carry the gifts up at the offertory. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated by the ushers.

Diocese of Rochester

Senior High Retreat

Grades 9-12

WHEN

January 23-24, 2016

1:00P.M.-4:00P.M.

WHERE

Camp Stella Maris 4395 East Lake Rd, Livonia, NY 14437

COST - $65

3:00 P.M. Holy Mass All Families are invited!

Let Go of Stress Let Go of Anxiety

Let’s Go together!

Turn Ahead!

Into a Great Weekend

Click here to register