JANUARY 8, 2017 "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. Matthew 2 Dear Parishioners and Friends: Due to the way the calendar falls, our Christmas season will seem a bit shorter this year as we conclude this weekend with the Feast of the Epiphany. Next weekend we will be back into the season of Ordinary Time and not the usual Holy Family Sunday. But don't despair! The green color of our Liturgical cycle of colors will bring reminders of a future spring to come. But first we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany today as we reflect on the visit of the Magi. Wanting to see this infant King, these visiting foreigners, the Magi, came bearing the unusual gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They knew that the birth of this child would be happening in Bethlehem and that it would be of great significance for the entire world. To the surprise of evil Herod, he too understood that the visit of the Magi was no ordinary visit. "Epiphany" means "revelation." Christmas is not just a memory of what happened in the sleepy town of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Christmas is a living reality about God's relationship with us today. The gift of our Catholic faith is worth far more than frankincense, myrrh and gold. That fact is indeed an Epiphany! God is constantly revealed to us in our relationships with family, work, and people around us. We know the joys but also the deeply painful moments of life that leave us grieving. Still, through it all, we can find Jesus. Our Good Shepherd is also the suffering Messiah who enters into the very mysteries of human suffering. Jesus helps us remember to look up and see how God walks with us through our own human experiences. Part of the beauty in the story of the Magi is that they, and us, are forever changed because we are in the presence of Jesus. As we gather today for the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist, let us rejoice! May God bless you! Fr. Gonyo * * * * * * * * * * * COMPANIONS IN GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Thursday, January 19 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! 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 8:45-9:45pm in the gym for some basketball fun. All skill levels are welcome we are in it for the fun and health benefits! Join our email list for weekly updates by sending a note to Elizabeth at ekwiatkowski@dor.org. 2017 MARCH FOR LIFE BUS TRIP We are now taking reservations for the 2017 March for Life Bus Trip to Washington, DC (leaves January 26 at 9:00pm). If you would like to attend please send a check for $45.00 per person ($40.00 for students), payable to Holy Spirit Church - note March for Life in the memo. Mail to: The Committee for Life, c/o Gerry Sander, 1477 Chigwell Lane N. Webster, NY 14580, and include your phone number and email address. For more information call Gerry Sander at 585-503-3256 or email us at committeeforlife@yahoo.com. St. Rita School... Where Faith and Knowledge Meet! St. Rita School invites you to our PROSPECTIVE FAMILY INFORMATION NIGHT Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 pm Tours will be given 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 PK3 & PK4 (half & full day options) and full day Kindergarten through Grade 5. We offer a Before School Care Program which is available beginning at 7:00am and an After School Care Program which is available until 6:00pm. We are Common Core Compliant and Middle States Accredited. Check out our NEW St. Rita School WEBSITE stritawebster.org/school
EUCHARIST INTENTIONS Among the intentions for those who gather for the Eucharist this week will be MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 8:15AM KATHY DEWEY Mario Provenzale TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 8:15AM CHRIS SALBER The Sisters at St. Rita WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017 8:15AM ANNA & FRANK COSTANZA Daughter 11:00AM MASS AT BAYWINDE Sage Harbor THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 8:15AM OWEN WAYNE BRACKEN Barbara Collins FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017 8:15AM MARILYN MURRAY Betty Wahl SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017 5:00PM PEG MORLEY Ellie Breen SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 7:30AM CATHERINE & PATSY GERMANO Mr. & Mrs. John Lawlor 9:00AM SR. MARION RAPPL, RSM The Sisters at St. Rita Convent 10:30AM JOHN PARSONS Sonja Goodman * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This week the Tabernacle Light will burn in loving memory of Edward Geier * * * * * Bishop Barron s Catholicism Church of the Holy Spirit (on Hatch & Plank Roads) is hosting two 10-week sessions of Bishop Barron's Catholicism from January 10 - March 15. You can join us for the morning sessions on Tuesdays 10:00-11:30am or the evening sessions Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm. Register for free at Holy Spirit office (671-5520) or online at www.churchofholyspiritwebster.org/life-long Thank You.... I want to say a special THANK YOU to the many parishioners of St. Rita s who sent me cards and greetings for this Christmas season. I also send my thanks to those who sent special gifts of various kinds. By the time of this bulletin (January 8), I hope to have sent a thanks and acknowledgement for such generous gifts to everyone, However, since gift tags sometimes get lost or misplaced, I have missed someone so I take this time to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who sent me such generous gifts. A Blessed New Year, Father Shatzel St. Rita School Spirit of Learning Corner Here s what s happening! + It seems like Christmas Break was over in the blink of an eye! Classes resumed on Tuesday and our diligent students were eager to get back to work, though! + Mrs. McEneany's Third Grade prepared our monthly School Liturgy on Wednesday. They did a wonderful job leading us all in song and prayer! + We have a Special Lunch program available to all students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade and any extended day Pre-Kindergarten 4 students. Two parent volunteers coordinate the special lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Mondays are always Pizza Day whereas Wednesdays and Fridays have a delicious rotation of items from places such as Burger King, DiBella s, and Wegmans. + We are always collecting empty ink jet cartridges to be recycled. Please place any used cartridges in the shiny box in the greeting area at Church. Thank you for your support! PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY NEWS! Flu Facts We are now in the midst of flu season with confirmed local cases increasing every day. Getting an influenza vaccination is still the best way to prevent the spread of this viral illness. Authorities report that the flu virus is more likely to spread with children returning to school this week after the holiday break. The symptoms of the flu include fever, cough and lots of body aches. The elderly and children are more likely to run into problems with secondary infections such as pneumonia. Protect yourself and those you love - practice good hand hygiene and get a flu shot! Want more information? Pick up a CDC hand out available in the greeting area. NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE November 16-18, 2017 in Indianapolis Have you been Called? This is an exciting, three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic high school students. It includes concerts, inspiring musicians, exhibits, speakers, large group Eucharistic celebrations, and an interactive theme park. NCYC is open to those in grades 9-12 as of September 2017 and to chaperones over age 21. NCYC is more than a weekend trip. It is an amazing opportunity to become connected with a small group of other high school students through a year of activities in preparation for being a pilgrim. For more information or to sign up for this adventure, contact Elizabeth Kwiatkowski at ekwiatkowski@dor.org or 671-1100 x 14, or stop by after Masses the weekend of February 4/5.
PLANS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 8, 2017 SUNDAY 1/8 8:30-11:00am Breakfast Club Gym MONDAY 1/9 4:30-5:45pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15-7:30pm FAITH FORMATION CLASSES 6:15pm Confirmation Class Youth Room (Barn) 7:00-8:30pm Parish Pastoral Council Rm 1 TUESDAY 1/10 9:00-10:00am WEROC Women s Group Rm 3 WEDNESDAY 1/11 8:45am 8:45am 8:45-9:45pm THURSDAY 1/12 9:00-10:30pm SATURDAY 1/14 8:15-8:45am 3:30-4:30pm Pray the Rosary Church Reconciliation Available in Church Women s Basketball Gym Men s Basketball Gym Pray the Rosary Church Reconciliation Available in Church PARISH SUPPORT Regular Collection for Last Weekend December 31 & January 1 Last Week Budget Variance $ 18,007 $ 15,634 + $ 2,373 Year to Date Year to Date Budget Variance $ 378,529 $ 379,080 - $ 551 (Our fiscal year is 7/1/16 6/30/17) Christmas Collection ~ $21,530 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! We all grow spiritually when we share. CARE FOR GOD S HOUSE: January 8 LINENS: Next week January 15 The Tehan Family Noreen Nier * * * * * ALTAR SERVERS SCHEDULED NEXT Weekend ~ January 14 & 15 Saturday, 5:00pm: Sofia Bosco, Makenna Curry, Braden Merle, Graceann Merle Sunday, 7:30am: Brennan Quatela, Lauren Quatela Sunday, 9:00am: Connor Burdick, Riley Stuver, Emily Tytler, TJ Tytler Sunday, 10:30am: Emma Spagnola, Julia Spagnola, Joey Baller, Kristina Baller We welcome the newest members of our parish family who were baptized this weekend: Briella Nicole Vogt Calvin Edward Rizzolo * * * * * BIBLE READINGS: 8 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 9 Mon The Baptism of the Lord Is 42:1-4,6-7 or Acts 10:34-38 Ps 29:1-4,9-10 Mt 3:13-17 10 Tue Heb 2:5-12 Ps 8:2,5-9 Mk 1:21-28 11 Wed Heb 2:14-18 Ps 105:1-4,6-9 Mk 1:29-39 12 Thu Heb 3:7-14 Ps 95:6-11 Mk 1:40-45 13 Fri Heb 4:1-5,11 Ps 78:3-4,6-8 Mk 2:1-12 14 Sat Heb 4:12-16 Ps 19:8-10,15 Mk 2:13-17 15 Sun Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 49:3, 5-6 Ps 40:2,4,7-10 1 Cor 1:1-3 Jn 1:29-34 * * * * * BREAKFAST CLUB NEWS Join us for breakfast Sunday mornings from 8:30-11:00am in the Parish Center. We offer a Special as well as our traditional menu with items such as eggs (any way you like em), bacon, sausage, pancakes, etc. Next Week Team 2 s Special will be: French Toast served with your choice of bacon or sausage and a bottomless cup of coffee. Our ministry runs on donations only which are greatly appreciated. * * * * * Raised in Christ CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL UPDATE: Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal $155,109 Pledges Received to Date $128,141 Balance $ 26,968 # of Gifts: 569 Households The Catholic Ministries Appeal affords each of us the opportunity to meet real needs throughout the Diocese. We are currently at 83% of our goal of $155,109. Every gift, no matter the size, is needed. If you have made a gift this year, please accept my gratitude. If not, there are pledge cards available in Church or you can give online at www.dor.org (make your gift by credit card if you like). Please indicate St. Rita Church # 327. Thank you for your generosity to the appeal! Know that I am personally grateful for your prayers for the success of our appeal. Thank You, Fr. Gonyo