The Advent wreath in church will grow brighter with each additional candle we light as Christmas draws near.

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2 DECEMBER 2, 2018 The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: The LORD our justice. Jeremiah 33 Dear Parishioners and Friends, Happy Advent! The Advent wreath in church will grow brighter with each additional candle we light as Christmas draws near. Our parish Advent Schedule was mailed to every household this past week. Be sure to mark your calendars with the many upcoming Advent opportunities. Don't forget that next Saturday, December 8, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of obligation. We will have a Mass of Anticipation on Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm and Mass on Saturday morning, December 8 at 9:00am. (Please note there will be no 8:15am Mass on Friday, December 7.) Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction will be offered every Tuesday during Advent beginning this week from 1:00pm- 3:00pm. If you are able, take advantage of some quiet time in the presence of our Lord on Tuesdays, December 4, December 11 and December 18. On Wednesday December 12 (also the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe) we will host an Evening of Penance with individual reconciliation to help us renew our relationship with the Lord. If you have been away from the practice of reconciliation for some time, don't be worried. Nothing needs to be memorized for this stress-free experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Breakfast with Santa will be held on Sunday December 16 after the 9:00am and 10:30am Masses. Free donuts and juice will be provided. Bring the kids and Grandma and Grandpa too! If this time of year is a stressful one, don't miss the opportunity to come and listen to truly exceptional musical and vocal talent on December 16 th at 2:00pm. This is a free event of Advent and Christmas in music and prayer called "Lessons and Carols." Refreshments will be served afterwards! Please be sure to check the bulletin and our Website at for all of our upcoming events, parish news and the Christmas Mass schedule. Again this year we are offering the Little Blue Books with daily Advent reflections and we have Children s Advent materials as well. Be sure to take one with you. Thank you to Profetta Funeral Chapel and Michael Yackiw Funeral Home for their generosity in providing us with 2019 Catholic calendars again this year. My great appreciation to our Boy Scout Troop 163 for helping us put up the giant trees behind the altar in church. This was huge task. The largest 12 foot tree (trees are artificial for safety reasons) is beautiful but really heavy! These trees will be lit on Christmas Eve. May this Advent be a time to rejoice, a time of real peace, a time of hope for you and your family. May God bless you! Fr. Gonyo * * * OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION PENANCE SERVICE with Individual Reconciliation Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 pm Regular times for Confession: Saturdays from 3:30-4:30 pm and Wednesdays at 8:45am (after morning Mass) EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Will be held on Tuesdays: December 4, December 11, December 18 from 1:00-3:00pm in Church Advent is a joyful season as we await the celebration of the Lord s coming among us. Take some quiet time to spend with our Lord.

3 EUCHARIST INTENTIONS Among the intentions for those who gather for the Eucharist this week will be MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, :15AM FOR OUR JEWISH FRIENDS The Bell and Harris Families TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, :15AM LOIS SCHLOSS Kay Mowson 1:00-3:00 PM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, :15AM DOTTIE DE LANO Friends 9:15AM ST. RITA SCHOOL LITURGY All are Welcome! Rochester Early Childhood Education Ctr. Families THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, :15AM KIM O BRIEN David Herrle & Family Mass Schedule for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (A Holy Day of Obligation) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, Mass of Anticipation NO 8:15am MORNING MASS 7:00PM FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. RITA PARISH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, Holy Day Mass 9:00AM CHARLES STURM Femi Adunse Weekend Mass Schedule: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, :00PM ANNETTE DIMORA Sally Merolillo SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, :30AM JOSEPHINE MANUSE Husband & Family 9:00AM THERESA BAKER Husband & Family 10:30AM NICOLE RANALLETTA Family * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This week our Tabernacle Light will burn in loving memory of Mary Affronti COMPANIONS IN GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Thursday, December 20 at 7:00pm in Room 1 Join us for this time together before the holiday! If have experienced the loss of a friend or loved one through death we invite to attend. All are most welcome! ST. RITA SCHOOL Spirit of Learning Corner Here's What's Happening... + Where s Turkey? That s the country, not the food. Ask any Third through Fifth grader at St. Rita School and that student will be able to identify Turkey on a map, along with Algeria, Mongolia, Panama, and Canada as part of the Passport Club. Their monthly Passport check is held on the last Wednesday of each month. + On Thursday the Fourth and Fifth Grade students stretched their Geography skills by competing in the School Geography Bee. Two contestants in each class will proceed to the next level in the next month. + On Saturday, December 1 st many of our St. Rita School students and parents could be found at the Webster Holiday Light Parade showing off their school spirit on a beautifully decorated float. Parents handed out hundreds of candy canes promoting St. Rita School and our upcoming Open House in January. + Mark your calendars! Thursday, December 13 at 1:00pm and Friday, December 14 at 10:00am and 7:00pm is the annual K-2 nd grade Christmas Play The Unfriendly Beasts. This entertaining rendition of Christ s Birth is sure to put everyone in the Christmas spirit. Santa Comes to Special Event benefiting St. Rita School All are Welcome! This Friday, December 7 th at Barnes & Noble in Webster Towne Center Book Reading to the Children begins at 6:15pm Santa Claus arrives at 7:00pm to read the Polar Express Join us for a fun night, while raising money for St. Rita School. Join us for special book readings and story time. Let them know in-store that you are supporting St Rita School. 15% of sales will go to St. Rita School if you make any purchase at Barnes and Noble (including online and the Café). Can t Attend? Please visit BN.COM/bookfairs between December 7-12 to support us online and enter Bookfair ID at checkout. Bring the family and get a head start on your Christmas shopping while experiencing this magical night. Gift wrapping is available too! ATTENTION SNOW BIRDS ~ If you are heading south and wish to have parish mailings and/or your envelopes put on hold please call the parish office ( ) or send an to: karen.geer@dor.org and let us know the dates you will be away and when you will return.

4 PLANS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 2, 2018 SUNDAY 12/2 8:30-11:00am Breakfast in the Parish Center Gym MONDAY 12/3 4:30-5:45pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15-7:30pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15pm Confirmation Group B Barn 6:30pm Parish Pastoral Council Rm 1 TUESDAY 12/4 10:30-Noon Prayer Shawl Gathering Parish Office 1:00-3:00pm Eucharistic Adoration Church 4:30-5:15pm Children s Choir Rehearsal Rm 3 8:30-10:00pm Women s Basketball Gym WEDNESDAY 12/5 8:45am Pray the Rosary Room 1 8:45am Reconciliation Available in Church 2:30-3:15pm SRS Children Choir Rehearsal Rm 3 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal Rm 3 THURSDAY 12/6 9:00-10:30am WEROC Rm 1 9:00-10:30pm Men s Basketball Gym SATURDAY 12/8 8:15-8:45am 3:30-4:30pm 6:00-8:00pm Pray the Rosary Church Reconciliation Available in Church Kids Night Out Gym PARISH SUPPORT For the Weekend of November 24 & 25 Total Budget Variance $13,162 $13,247 - $ 85 Year to Date Year to Date Budget Variance $298,142 $307,155 - $ 9,013 (Our fiscal year is 7/1/18 6/30/19) THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! We all grow spiritually when we share. JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!! All are Welcome to join us each Sunday morning from 8:30-11:00am in the Parish Center for a warm delicious breakfast! Order off our full menu offering eggs (anyway), bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc. So sit back and let our Breakfast Volunteers serve you on Sunday mornings September through May! NEXT SUNDAY (December 9 th ): Team 2 s special is: French Toast served with your choice of bacon or sausage and a bottomless cup of coffee. This ministry accepts donations only which are greatly appreciated! We welcome the newest member of our parish family who was baptized this weekend: Charles Anthony Barth BIBLE READINGS: 2 Sun First Sunday of Advent Jer 33:14-16 Ps 25:4-5,8-10,14 1 Thes 3:12-4:2 Lk 21: 25-28, Mon St. Francis Xavier Is 2:1-5 Ps 122:1-9 Mt 8: Tues St. John Damascene Is 2:1-5 Ps 72:1-2,7-8, 12-13,17 Lk 10: Wed Is 25:6-10a Ps 23:1-6 Mt 15: Thu St. Nicholas Is 26:1-6 Ps 118:1,8-9,19-21, Fri St. Ambrose Is 29:17-24 Ps 27:1,4,13-14 Mt 9: Sat The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Gn 3:9-15,20 Ps 98:1-4 Eph 1: 3-6,11-12 Lk 1: Sun Second Sunday of Advent Bar 5:1-9 Ps 126:1-6 Phil 1:4-6,8-11 Lk 3:1-6 ALTAR SERVERS SCHEDULED NEXT Weekend ~ December 8 & 9 Saturday, 5:00pm: Avery VanDamme, Daniella Fico, Ben Dodds Sunday, 7:30am: Patrick Childs, Maggie Childs, Evan Tomcik Sunday, 9:00am: Francesca Kohrt, Grace Chichester, Anna Riedl, Emma Riedl Sunday, 10:30am: Michael Piersall, Liam Clark, Kateri White, Tommy White CARE FOR GOD S HOUSE: Week of December 2 LINENS: Week of December 9 Mary Ann Beikirch Pam Kunzer SAVE AROUND ROCHESTER COUPON BOOKS Good for use now through We just received a limited supply here at St. Rita Parish Office, but we can request more if needed. Proceeds from this sale also benefit St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Haiti. DAILY MASS PARTICIPANTS! For your safety - If you see on TV that Webster Central Schools are closed due to inclement weather our 8:15am morning Mass will be cancelled as well.

5 ADVENT SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Sunday, December 16 at 2:00pm in Church All of our music groups and choirs participate! This service shares short scripture readings from the old and new testaments, which tell the prophecy and events leading up to Christ s birth with our adult choir, children s choir, contemporary group, lite choir, and soloists. The highlight of the service is all the wonderful seasonal music that helps to enlighten the stories. The songs are classical, traditional, and contemporary. There are Advent and Christmas texts, arranged with joyful rhythms and melodies. Why not take out a little time this season to listen to the story again in word and song. Many have said, I look forward to this every year, and This is my Christmas gift to myself. Come and enjoy with your friends and family! Refreshments will be served. Men s Faith Group December Meeting Please join us! Monday December 10 Time: 6:30pm 8:00pm For our December gathering instead of meeting at St. Rita we will be meeting at a member s home instead. Even if you haven t been a regular or ever attended we d love to have you join us! This is a great opportunity to hang with a bunch of guys that are working on being better. Feel free to invite other men too. All are welcome! Please contact James Elliott for the address and further details at (585) or him at jwelliott71@gmail.com. St. Rita School Christmas Play All are invited to share the true meaning of Christmas! Our St. Rita School Kindergarten, First and Second Graders present The Unfriendly Beasts Thursday, December 13 th at 1:00 pm and Friday, December 14 th at 10:00am and 7:00pm All are invited to see our youngest God Drops in this entertaining performance. This is their special gift to their families, and the St. Rita Community. Please join us! We hope that all will be truly inspired with the real spirit of the season. Our St. Rita Society is hosting a Christmas Party All Are Welcome!! Women, Men, Friends and Families!! Musical entertainment provided by our Children s Choir from St. Rita s School This Thursday, December 6 at 1:00pm in the Parish Center Join us for delicious holiday treats and live entertainment featuring Christmas medleys by our Children s Choir. Members are asked to please Christmas cookies to share with our guests. Also, for anyone who is able to help at this gathering we collect unwrapped health care products (shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc.) that will be donated to those in need in shelters and nursing homes. Sign Up to LIGHT THE ADVENT WREATH Anyone wishing to light the Advent wreath at any of the weekend Masses should sign up on the bulletin board in the greeting area. Families, couples, singles and friends are all welcome to sign up! ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR A VISIT FROM SANTA! Sunday, December 16 After BOTH the 9:00am and 10:30am Masses Stop down to the Parish Center to visit Santa! ENJOY SOME TRULY TASTY TREATS! Bring the whole family! (Our Breakfast Club will be still serving from 8:30-11:00am as usual if you would like to come for a complete breakfast!)

6 Catholic Ministries Appeal 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 services and support of the CMA. Every gift is needed and important. If you did not receive a mailing from the Diocese, information is available in the back of Church. You may go online to the Diocesan website to view this year s video at and to make your donation. You can make your gift by credit card if you like. If you have changed parishes please be sure to indicate St. Rita Church #327. Thank you all for what you ve done to help make our wonderful St. Rita Parish a vibrant faith community. Thank you for your prayers and support! CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL UPDATE: (as of 11/28/18) Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $160,859 Gifts Received to Date $104,957 Balance $ 55,902\ Number of Gifts: 402 Households Thank you for your generosity to the appeal! Whatever you decide, know that I am personally grateful for your prayers for the success of our appeal. Fr. Gonyo 2018 HOLY CHILDHOOD ORNAMENTS Ceramic angels and wooden crosses made and packaged by the School of the Holy Childhood are available for $8.00. Each year there is a new angel to add to your collection. The proceeds are donated to St. Damien Pediatric Hospital (Haiti s only pediatric free hospital). They are available now at St. Rita s Parish Office during the week. 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. KIDS NIGHT OUT! (Ages 4 and Up) This Saturday, December 8 from 6:00-8:00 pm Drop off your kids (ages 4 and up) at the parish center gym for some seasonal games, crafts, and activities while adults get a chance to do some shopping, wrapping, or just have a couple of quiet hours to themselves. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Please go to our website at to register or call the Parish Office ( ) to sign up. Adults and 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 x 14. Catholic Courier's online Advent Calendar! Opening the windows or doors of Advent calendars is a long-standing tradition for many families. Start a new tradition with your children, grandchildren or students with the Catholic Courier's online Advent Calendar! Filled with multimedia treats, the calendar is designed to help families and individuals prepare for the birth of Christ. Visit each day beginning December 2 at Looking Ahead... LECTORS LEADERS USHERS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS and ALTAR SERVERS!! We Need You! If you are able to serve at any of our Holy Day, Christmas or New Year s Masses please sign up on the bulletin board in the greeting area! CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve ~ Monday, December 24 3:00 pm ~ 5:00 pm ~ 10:00 pm Christmas Day ~ Tuesday, December 25 9:00 am and 10:30 am THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY ~ A Holy Day of Obligation ~ New Year s Eve ~ Monday, December 31 at 5:00 pm New Year s Day ~ Tuesday, January 1 at 9:00 am

7 CHRISTMAS ANGEL PROJECT All gifts are due back by Sunday, December 9 th You may also drop your gifts off at the Parish Office Monday through Thursday 9:00am 4:30pm and Friday from 9:00am to Noon As we celebrate the birth of Our Lord, may we share with others the love He brings. You are our CHRISTMAS ANGELS! We are hoping you will help again this year to provide a Happy Christmas for those families who appreciate and need our help. Please stop in the greeting area in Church at our special table to pick up an Angel Gift Tag which will be available after all Masses for the next three weekends ALL GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE CHURCH OR PARISH OFFICE. BY NOON ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 th ORANGE TAGS are for the residents of the Rochester Psychiatric Center. GREEN TAGS are for the children at Creative Beginnings Child Care. Orange and Green Tags have requests for specific gifts and should be UNWRAPPED. Please attach the gift tag and return it in a gift bag or plastic bag. PINK & BLUE TAGS are marked with an age and gender. Pink and Blue tagged gifts should be UNWRAPPED with the tag attached. These will be delivered to the following agencies: HOPE House House of Mercy Community Clothing Center Wolcott Women s Care Center Mary s Place Birthright Williamson Come-Unity Center Please only donate NEW items. We cannot accept used toys or used clothing Gifts will be collected in the Greeting Area in Church Through Noon on Sunday, December 9 th Thank you for your generosity!!

8 VISIT WITH SANTA! Sunday, December 16 after the 9:00 and 10:30am Masses Come down to the Parish Center after Mass to visit with Santa! Tasty treats will be served. Holiday Gift Wrapping Friday, December 14 Too busy to wrap? Get tangled up in ribbons? Let our holiday elves help! Drop off your unwrapped presents in Room 1 between 5:30 and 7 pm on Friday, December 14 along with a roll of wrapping paper (any design we can mix and match) and recipient tags (extras will be available). Wrapped presents must be picked up by 8:30 pm. Want to help with the wrapping? Contact the parish office at A wrapping tutorial will be provided at 5:30 pm. (Ages 4 and Up) Saturday, December 8 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the parish center gym Drop off your kids (ages 4 and up) for some seasonal games, crafts, and activities while adults get a chance to do some shopping, wrapping, have dinner, or just have a couple of quiet hours. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Please check our website at or call the Parish Office to sign up. Adults and high school students are needed to help out by running an activity please sign up on our website. If you have questions, please contact the office at CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS Sunday, December 16 at 2:00pm in church, followed by refreshments Treat yourself to this festive service that celebrates in word and music the story leading up to and including the birth of our Lord. CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH IN GRADES OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK!

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