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

Rights and Responsibilities

As we continue our journey of learning about Catholic Social Teaching, this month our focus is on the principle of Rights and Responsibilities.

This principle teaches us that, because every person, created in the image and likeness of God, possesses inherent dignity, they have fundamental rights that must be respected and protected.

These include the right to life, food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education, meaningful work, and religious freedom. These rights are not earned or granted by society; they flow directly from our God-given worth.

At the same time, rights cannot be separated from responsibilities. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that we are not isolated individuals, but members of families, communities, and a global human family. Therefore, we have responsibilities to respect the rights of others, care for the vulnerable, contribute to the common good, and act with justice and charity in our daily lives. Our responsibilities extend to our families, our workplaces, our parish, our nation, and the wider world.

Living out this principle calls us to both advocate for just structures that protect human rights and to examine our own choices and attitudes. As disciples of Christ, we are invited to promote a society where everyone’s dignity is honored and where love of neighbor guides both our rights and our responsibilities.

For more information, visit the USCCB site here.

Blessings this week,

~Deacon Jim


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Scripture

An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - April 26, 2026

“The Sheep Follow Him Because They Recognize His Voice”

Now that we are almost half way through our Easter season, our readings are beginning to prepare us for the mystery of Pentecost. It is the great enlightening that gave the apostles and early disciples the wisdom, grace, and courage to proclaim the risen Christ as the primacy of our salvation. They did this despite all manner of suffering and persecutions, following Jesus as the model.

Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:14, 36-41)is from St. Peter’s first homily at Pentecost. In it, he stressed the forgiveness that is offered to everyone through the sacraments, even “those far off” Gentiles, even those who crucified Jesus. “Repent and be baptized . . for the forgiveness of your sins”. Peter’s words had great effect, as about three thousand persons were baptized that day.

Our Epistle reading (1 Peter 2:20-25)offers Christ as the model for patient suffering as “a grace before God”. Peter’s words echoed those of the Prophet Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Is 53:4-8), “When He was insulted, He returned no insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten . . . He bore the punishment that makes us whole….”

In our Gospel reading (John 10-1-10)we hear the beginning of Jesus’ Good Shepherd Discourse. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees using a metaphor of Himself as the good shepherd and the gate. “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” In this figure of speech, Jesus is the true shepherd, who is the one who will lead us to eternal life. We are His sheep and we know His voice; we follow Him.

The lament of the Jews on hearing the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost was, “What are we to do, my brothers?” This may be our lament, too, as we recall the times we turned away from Jesus. The words of Peter should be as comforting to us. We should honor our baptism, repent, and be reconciled; believing that Jesus is the “guardian of our souls” and will forgive us and lead us “through the gate” to eternal life.

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.cfm


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© 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.