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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

An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - October 19, 2025

“Be Persistent, Whether It Be Convenient or Inconvenient”

It is said that prayer is communicating with God in a relationship of love and trust. Last Sunday, our readings talked about prayers of praise and thanksgiving — our response to God’s healing touch in our lives. This Sunday’s readings focus our attention on the prayers of petition for ourselves and others, and our persistence in praying to God. If even the dishonest judge would grant the persistent widow her request, how much more then, will our God of Love and Mercy respond to our prayers.

In our first reading (Exodus 17:8:13), we hear the story of the Israelites who were fighting a battle with Amalek after being attacked at Rephidim. Only when Moses’ arms are outstretched were the Israelites successful in battle. They prevailed in their battle only because of God's mercy at the prayers and persistence of Moses.

In our Epistle reading (2 Tim 3:14-4:2), St. Paul continues to instruct his protégé’ Timothy to remain faithful to what he had learned from the Scriptures and charged him to be persistent in his pastoral duties of proclaiming the Gospel. Paul reminds us that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching.

In our Gospel reading (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus instructed His followers on the importance of persistence in prayer and faithfulness. He told them the parable of the persistent widow, who wore down the dishonest judge with her persistence. Surely God, who loves us, would do no less.

At times, we can lose heart and give up too easily in our prayer and our religious devotion, expecting results in our time and manner instead of God's. Our ultimate prayer is for salvation, and in that we must always remain steadfast and hopeful, and trust in God’s plan. May God grant us not only persistence in prayer, but also patience and trust.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101925.cfm

Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Room 1
Men's Faith Group - Monday, October 20 at 7 pm in Room 1
Free Community Dinner - Wednesday, October 22 at 5 pm
Women's Faith Sharing - Thursday, October 23 at 7 pm
The Gospel of Matthew - Wednesdays and Sundays, starting October 1

Latest News

CYO Basketball - online registration is open until October 15 for grades 3-12
Are you interested in becoming Catholic? - Contact us today!
St. Rita Business Directory - check out these businesses or add your business
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
Hands of Christ - nominate a high school senior

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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

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