The Church of Saint Rita
February 26, 2021 eBulletin
Celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Lent
St. Rita Church Exterior
Each Friday throughout Lent, we will host Stations of the Cross at 2:00pm. Please join us in-person or watch via live-stream on the parish website, YouTube, or on Facebook Live.

This weekend's Masses will be live-streamed at 5:00pm on Saturday and 9:30am on Sunday.
Saint Rita Parish Ministry Updates
The Rev. Richard K. Burchell Educational Fund celebrates the legacy of our fourth pastor, Fr. Burchell and his passion for Catholic education. Each year, Saint Rita Parish will award a $500 scholarship to an 8th grade student. To be considered for the Rev. Richard K. Burchell Scholarship, an applicant must be a parishioner or Saint Rita school student, a current 8th grader, and must be committed to continuing his/her education at a Catholic high school in the fall of 2021. Click the image to learn more.
Stations of the Cross for Teens

Calling all teens! Saint Rita will host a COVID-edited version of the Living Stations. We will meet one time and film on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 from 5:30pm-8:00pm in the Church. This is open to all students in grades 6-12. Please join us!

Pastoral Contact: Chrissie Cola, Jr. High Faith Formation Coordinator, ccola@stritaparish.com
Mass for Families and Children

Please join us for a Family Mass on Sunday, February 21, Sunday, March 21, and Sunday, April 25. Activities will be provided for all the children to complete at home, and pre-packaged doughnuts will be available.

In order to best accommodate most families, we kindly request you to take a short survey on the Family Mass times.
Lenten Retreat: Exploring the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Beginning Monday, February 15, 2021 and continuing through March 29, 2021, Fr. Behrend will host a weekly virtual retreat focused on Ignatian spirituality. Click here to learn more.

Pastoral Contact: Fr. Behrend, Pastor, frtbehrend@stritaparish.com
There are currently 21 homeless families living at the Family Promise shelter. Please click on the link below to sign up to donate items for the Easter baskets. Once signed-up, please bring your items to the Saint Rita Family Room 20 minutes prior or 20 minutes following scheduled mass times on Saturday, March 20, 2021 or Sunday, March 21, 2021.
Fast versus Abstinence During Lent

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.

During Lent, Catholics focus on three practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. But what does it mean to fast?

  1. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. This takes place on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
  2. Every Friday during Lent, we practice abstinence from meat. The practice of forgoing meat dates to the early Church, when meat was considered a luxury. This practice is meant to be an act of self-discipline.
  3. Fasting and abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic church from age 14 onwards.
PRAYER. As a Sint Rita parishioner, you have a complimentary account with Formed! Click the image to access Lenten Resources for the whole family.
FAST. Many parishes throughout the diocese are hosting a Lenten Fish Fry! Click the image to get a list of these parishes.
GIVE. Consider a donation to the annual Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl. Click the image to donate on behalf of Saint Rita Parish.
Meet our RCIA Candidates!

Meet Carrie! Carrie and her husband Phil are in this year's RCIA program. She has two children who are Saint Rita students (2nd grade and Kindergarten). Carrie was born and raised Lutheran. When she and Phil were looking at schools for their children, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law mentioned they were considering sending their own children to Saint Rita School. So, Carrie tagged along to information night, and the rest his history! Her daughter Lillian is currently in second grade, and announced she wanted to make her First Communion with her class. After some thought and consideration, this inspired Carrie to do the same - and the rest is history! Now, her whole family has decided to all become members, and we are so grateful to bear witness to their family journey! God Bless you, Carrie!

RCIA is the process through which adults who have not been baptized or catechized hear the message of Christ and enter into the Catholic faith. This year, we are so fortunate to have five RCIA candidates who are preparing to join our Saint Rita community!
Catholic Charities Annual Appeal
This weekend, parishioners will have the opportunity to commit to supporting Catholic Charities in 2021. For over 100 years, Catholic Charities has provided help, created hope, and served all people of every race and religion throughout the eight counties in the Diocese of Cleveland. With your support, Catholic Charities will continue to serve our neighbors in need throughout Northeast Ohio and transform the lives of more than 400,000 people annually.
Saint Rita Day School
Saint Rita School | You Belong Here
Saint Rita School is enrolling for the Class of 2030! Click below for a virtual tour of our full-day Kindergarten program.

Our Mission. Saint Rita School is Christ-centered, dedicated to academic excellence, called to service, and enriched by a caring community. 
Mass Times and Stewardship
The Church of Saint Rita | Website