Mass Times: Saturdays at 5:00 pm;
Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
Mon, Tues, Wed* (*Communion service),
and Fri at 8:15 am;
Thurs at 6:00 pm.
St. Rita Roman Catholic Church
1008 Maple Dr., Webster, NY 14580
585-671-1100
 

The Parish Office is open from 9 am to noon, Monday through Friday.  Stop by or give us a call at 671-1100.

Pastoral Messages

Eucharistic Communion and Seeing Those in Need

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that receiving the Eucharist “commits us to the poor” (1397). Why is this so?

Receiving the Eucharist means that we enter into union with the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. And being in Holy Communion with Jesus himself means something profound. Let’s consider one facet of this great mystery.

The Eucharist is Jesus himself. He is the Eternal Word, living in Trinitarian communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit. But out of love for us, in order to save us from sin and death, the beloved Son of the Father chose to take upon himself a radical poverty: the weakness of the human condition of his beloved creatures.

Continue reading this article by Dr. James Pauley here.


Read more

Scripture

An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - September 14, 2025

“He Humbled Himself, Becoming Obedient To Death, Even Death On A Cross”

This Sunday's scripture readings ask us to contemplate the divine paradox of Jesus subjecting Himself to the most horrible death conceived by mankind in order to bring forgiveness of sins and salvation to humanity. Gazing upon this torturous instrument is what will lead us to Christ.

Our first reading (Numbers 21:4-9), is the story of the serpents afflicting the Israelites in the desert. They were ungrateful for the food and water and freedom from slavery that God had provided.In response, God sent serpents among them to bite them so that many of them died. They repented and upon God’s command, Moses erected a bronze serpent on a pole and lifted it high so that anyone who had been bitten and gazed upon it would be healed. This serpent on a pole is the same one that Jesus referred to in today’s Gospel reading.

In our Epistle reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:6-11)), St. Paul describes the humility and obedience with which Jesus accepted “death, even death on a cross”, so that all humankind would be freed from their own sins. “Because of this, God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name . . .”

In our Gospel reading (John 3:13-17), Jesus establishes that He, “the Son of Man” has indeed come down from heaven and yet, while stressing His divinity, He must suffer, die and be held up high on the cross, just as Moses held the serpent up in the desert (see today’s first reading). This is so that all humanity would be healed. John’s Gospel puts it so clearly in this famous passage (John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. “

This is a strange comparison that Jesus makes in today’s Gospel reading, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up . . .” The first is a type or foreshadows the second. Both were terrifying instruments of death, and yet, it was in both instances what God chose for His people to gaze upon to know healing and salvation. So now, the Cross of Jesus, exalted in today’s liturgy, is embraced and revered by those who love and believe in Jesus.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm


Read more

Upcoming Events

Latest News

What's Happening This Week

Facebook

Faith at Home

Help



© 2014 St. Rita Roman Catholic Church - Last updated 2022-09-13 21:11:10
Mass Times: Saturdays at 5:00 pm;
Sundays at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
Mon, Tues, Wed* (*Communion service),
and Fri at 8:15 am;
Thurs at 6:00 pm.