St.

Rita of Cascia

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

February 8, 2015
MASS TIMES
SUNDAYS: Sat. 5:30 pm (Vigil), 7:30 am, 10 am & 12 N
WEEKDAYS: Mon., Tues., Fri, and Sat. 8 am
(Wed. & Thurs. 8 am Communion Service)
HOLY DAYS: (eve of) 5:30 pm; (day of) 8 am & 6:30 pm

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
(Confession) Saturdays 4 - 5 pm or by appointment
DEVOTIONS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Saturday 7:50 am
ADORATION
First Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm, Rectory Oratory

Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V.F.Pastor

Deacon Manuel Valencia Deacon John Hull
318 North Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre
Mailing Address: 50 East Alegria Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Phone: 626/355-1292 FAX: 626/355-2290 www.st-rita.org

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 8, 2015

Parish Ministries and Organizations

How to Contact Us
Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.Pastor
626.355.1292 x. 228 revkrek@st-rita.org
Dcn. Manuel & Chela Valencia
deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com 355.1292
Dcn. John Hulljohnhull65@gmail.com 355.1292
Weekend Presider:
10 am MassFr. Chris Thiel, OFM Capuchin
Parish Office/Mailing Address
50 East Alegria Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am to 6pm; Sat. 9 am to 1 pm.
Office Email: ParishAdmin@st-rita.org
Director of Administration
Mary Lou Butler: mlbutler@st-rita.org 355.1292

Pastoral Council
Parish Office: 355.1292

Finance Council Chair

Bill Sullivan: 355.3707

St. Rita SchoolOffice: 626.355.6114

Principal: Joanne Harabedian jharabedian@st-rita.org

Director of Liturgy & Music

Liturgy & Worship

Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers: David & Jill Muhs
355.9810 em@st-rita.org
Altar Servers, Youth: Kathy Ganino 626.398.9302
katganino@charter.net
Altar Servers, Adult: Bill Cosso 355.5656
Eucharistic Adoration: Kathy Ganino 626.398.9302
katganino@charter.net
Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Group: Susan Day 355-3835
Sacristans: Sat. Vigil: Gary Fidone/Bill & Patti Huber
Sunday Masses: 7:30-Bill Cosso/David Banis;
10:00-David Muhs; 12N-Bernie Grace
Weekdays: John Bigley, Margaret Duran
Porter: (Evening Church Lockup) Sheila Palazzolo
Environment: Denise Villalovos/Gil Lazo gil@st-rita.org 355.1292

Ministries & Organizations

Bereavement Ministry: 355.1292 bereave@st-rita.org
Christian Family: Ana Ptasinski 355.3146
Greeters & Ushers: Erny Henry 626.289.3504 626.446.6715
Mens Club: Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net
New Members/Welcome: Contact the Parish Office
St. Rita Guild: Patty Sullivan 355.3707 psullivan514@gmail.com
Senior Ministry: Marilyn McKernan marilyn@st-rita.org
Shawl Ministry: Mary Taillac 355.3179 Marilyn Delgatto 355.8717

Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org

Other Contacts

Director of Religious Education

Cristina Cullen: 355.1292 dre@st-rita.org

Director of Youth Ministry/Confirmation

Theresa Bui Costanzo: 626.590.8828 ym@st-rita.org

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

Team: Deacon Manuel and Chela Valencia; and
Susan Blakeslee:
rcia@st-rita.org

Archivist: Marilyn McKernan marilyn@st-rita.org

Bulletin Submissions: bulletin@st-rita.org or drop off at Office
Public Relations: ParishAdmin@st-rita.org
Registration Information: rc@st-rita.org 355.1292
Webmaster: Ralph Seymour: seymour@seymourmedia.com

Let Saint Rita Be There For You . . .

Communion for Sick and Homebound Parishioners

St. Rita Eucharistic Ministers provide Communion home visits. Contact the Parish Office 355.1292 or Jill Muhs 355.9810 em@st-rita.org

Anointing of the Sick

Please notify us (355.1292) for the Anointing of the Sick, the sacrament intended for the seriously ill or dying and Our Lords special presence
and companionship in serious time of need. Anointing may take place in the home, at the hospital or elsewhere and as often as once a month.
If someone should die without anointing, remember that the desire to receive is sufficient.

If You Should Experience the Loss of a Loved One Please call us at 355.1292

If you feel you will be in need, or your loved one has passed, we will assist in making arrangements with your chosen funeral director; refer you
to our Bereavement Ministry and Music Ministry; and offer you helpful guidelines that will aid in the selection of readings for a Mass or
Memorial Service. We know this can be a tough time and we want you to know that your parish is there for you. PLEASE UNDERSTAND we
only have one resident priest; sometimes arrangements for another priest may be needed.

For Information about the Sacraments

BaptismPlease contact the Parish Office for further information on the Baptism process and requirements.
Reconciliation and First EucharistPreparation for children who have attained the age of reason (usually during 2nd grade) is
arranged either through the Office of Religious Education or St. Rita Elementary School.

MatrimonyContact the Parish Office upon engagement; at least six months is needed for preparation of this joyous sacrament!
ConfirmationA two-year program for freshman/sophomore age teens. Apply through the Office of Youth Ministry.

SAINT RITA

OF

CASCIA CHURCH

REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG

Dear Parishioners,

Jobs True Message

As our world insists on becoming
increasingly a messy, even frightening
place to live, the Prophet Jobs
question becomes more than ever
our own:

message is: You are in relationship

to God the Almighty and that is all
that you need. The message IS
NOT:
Hang in there and
everything will turn out alright.

Is not mans life on earth

a drudgery?

Why is getting Jobs true message so

important?

Indeed it is.
And Jobs fabled
patience is needed in heavy doses.
The news of escalating persecution
of faith professed is heart wrenching;
downright discouraging is the
awareness that prejudice of every sort
still has a hold on us; and that
devaluation of human life actually
has growing legislative lobby power
is most disheartening.
So lets take a closer look at good old
Job and his story. First off, we must
know that to arrive at the end of
Jobs book in its present form is to
witness Jobs complete salvation and
restoration; by Gods love and
generosity, his family and his
property are restored. Job rides off
into the sunseta happy ending!
But what if I were to tell you that the
happy ending is not the original
ending to the book and that in the
original composition he is left
destitute? Well, sorry to report, that
IS the truth. The epilogue, say the
scholars, is awkwardly inserted and
distracts from the true meaning and
conclusion of the story of Job. The

It is extremely important because we,

who would strive to do all that we
can to pull our world back from
potential undoing and disaster, need
to realize that Gods indwelling (that
is, our communion with him in Jesus,
his Son, and by power of His Holy
Spirit) is all that we needactually all
that really matters! Remember Jesus
question: What does it profit a man
to gain the whole world, but at the
same time lose his very soul? There
are those in the world who survive
horrendous challenges, against all
odds; and then there also those in the
world (sometimes just living next
door to the lucky ones) who, like
Job, lose every thing they have ever
known and loved on this earth. In
the end, Jobs hard lesson learned is
that life lived here is not about here,
but about being in relationship to
God, our Salvation, in order to one
day get thereGods perfect heaven.
For those who see it otherwise, that
prayer and patience should guarantee
a happy sunset to ride off into, there
could be as a resultant an attack on

personal faith or, worse, an abiding

anger at God, which may also
produce a profound despair. Why
did THEY (of all people) get their
house back and we didnt, when we
have kept Gods commandments,
gone to church regularly and used
our envelopes?!
Finally, the Gospel of Jesus
proclaims his desire to cure. Well,
why not cure this mess this world is
in? Again, that would be a cure on
earthly terms. Gods cure comes
when the faithful and willing to
show others the power of love to
bring about peace, when members
of a faith community love enough
to feed the hungry and clothe the
naked. For the true Christian, no
matter the injustice or the pain,
only the promise of heaven is
requiredtough enough to accept
sometimes, but true. The ultimate
prize is never restored goods (all
your land, your goats, and your
children) or even your health; the
ultimate prize must always be
GodGods self. This is our Faith
and we are proud to profess it in
Jesus our Lord!

Msgr. Richard

Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.

Psalm 147

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 8, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

8:00 AM Brady Family INT

5:30 PM Ken Kenny RIP

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

7:30 AM For All Parishioners

10:00 AM Rosina Padilla RIP
12 NOON Janeen Wetzel RIP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

8:00 AM Marcie Johnson INT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

8:00 AM Linda Milligan RIP

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Luisa Claro RIP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
FRIDAY, F EBRUARY 13
AM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

8:00 AM Brian Eliassen INT

5:30 PM Alberto Vejar RIP

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

7:30 AM Phil Huddleston RIP

10:00 AM For All Parishioners
12 NOON Janeen Wetzel RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

TuesdaySt. Scholastica
WednesdayOur Lady of Lourdes
SaturdaySt. Cyril and St. Methodius

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingJob finds life on earth
to be drudgery; he is filled with
restlessness (Job 7:1-4, 6-7).
PsalmPraise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted (Psalm 147).
Second ReadingWoe to me if I do
not preach the gospel. I have become all
things to all, to save at least some

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
Theresa Morcos, Ernest Kopka, Vera
Delgatto, JF Mahoney, Kelly Solomon,
Linda Theriault, Heather Hagan, Mike
Wolf, Jean Wood, Jos Colayco, Mario de
la Torre, Barbara Vanni, Freya Sheasby
Bailey, Anna Schube, Aubrey Randolph,
Joseph Malvin, Madeleine Loera, Randy
Graff, Toni Navarro, Susan Watson, Molly
Lynch, Juanito & Marilou Pe, Willard
Bochte, Joann Ruggles, Margaret Duran,
Lori Ann Little, Guia Canizales, Anne
Frealy, Eva Shammon, Margie Schubert,
Mary Zuckerburg, Emily Young, JoAnn
Douglass, Mary McColl, Evelyn Tres,
Barbara Hester, Phil Huddleston, Gerald
Drean, Charlotte Bollman Fuchs,
Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr.,
Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Susan
Skousen, Brooke Manning, Arthur
Contreras, Jr., Robert Quinonez, Richard
Krier, Patsy Starkey, Jean Mansour, Jacob
Bigley, Maria Carmen Marti, Clare
Marquardt, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja
Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Jackie
Bagnuolo, Mary Ellen Isoard, Rose Mary
Taquino, Paul Viger, Hal Finney, Ailey
Gardner-Ybarra, Eva Bernejo, Edith Olah,
Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Alex
Arranaga, Joseph Moore.
Noreen Kozak
(wife of Kenneth)

(1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23).

GospelJesus cured many who were

sick with various diseases (Mark 1:29-39).

New Years Resolutions*

Take care of your relationships with
others, transforming your faith into
life and your words into good works,
especially on behalf of the needy.
*Pope Francis,
speaking to Vatican employees,
Christmas 2014

Feast of the
Week

Our Lady
of
Lourdes
On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius
IX proclaimed the dogma of the
Immaculate Conception. A little
more than three years later, on
February 11, 1858, a young lady
appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.
This began a series of visions.
During the apparition on March 25,
the lady identified herself with the
words: I am the Immaculate
Conception.
Bernadette was a sickly child of
poor parents. Their practice of the
Catholic faith was scarcely more
than lukewarm. Bernadette could
pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary
and the Creed.
When questioned, Bernadette gave
an account of what she saw. It was
something white in the shape of a
girl. She used the word aquero, a
dialect term meaning this thing.
It was a pretty young girl with a
rosary over her arm. Her white
robe was encircled by a blue girdle.
She wore a white veil. There was a
yellow rose on each foot. A rosary
was in her hand.
Through that humble girl, Mary
revitalized and continues to
revitalize the faith of millions of
people. People began to flock to
Lourdes from other parts of France
and from all over the world. In
1862 Church authorities confirmed
the authenticity of the apparitions.
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
became worldwide in 1907.
AmericanCatholic.org

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Congratulations, Dave Loera!

Youth Ministry

Sierra Madres 2014 Citizen of the Year

EDGE Middle School Ministry

Monday, February 9, 4-5:15 pm, Gara

On January 31, a recognition dinner was held to

honor Dave. We know him at St. Rita as the Mens
Club President, as well as being involved in other
Ministries. Dave is also well known in Sierra Madre
for his leadership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Kiwanis; Little League & Pony Colt baseball; and
AYSO soccer. He also serves on several committees
for State Congress and Assembly members.

Next Youth Nite

Wed., February 11, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders

Mens Club Meeting

Monday, February 9, 4-5:15 pm

Tuesday, Feb.10 7 pm OMalley

Preschool Sunday School

Our Meeting begins with a Social at

6:30. We will be discussing upcoming
events: hosting the Lenten Soup
Kitchen (Friday, February 27); our
St. Pats Dinner (Sunday, March 15);
and the Fun Run (also Sunday,
March 15).

During the 10 am Mass every Sunday

for children ages 3-5. Above Gara Hall
in the Pre-K Classroom. No
registration is necessary.

Childrens Liturgy of the Word

February 8 during the 10 AM Mass

Ideal for 1st-3rd graders. The children

leave the Mass for their special, ageappropriate scripture readings and
discussion. They return to the Church at
the Offertory to sit with their families.

Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

City of Sierra Madre

Town Hall Meeting at St. Rita
Do you plan to spend your Senior
Years in Sierra Madre? What
does Sierra Madre need for
Seniors?

We welcome all men over the age of

18 to join us and help plan and
become part of our Mens Club
activities.
Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net

St. Rita Guild

Next meetingthis Friday,
February 13 at 9 am in the Parish
Office meeting Room. Plan to join us!
Card and Game Party!

Saturday, February 28, 10 to 3.

Come to the City Town Hall

Meeting, This Wednesday,
September 11, 4 pm in OMalley

Come and join the bridge brigade, or

bring your favorite gamealong
with your favorite players. $20,
includes lunch.

Info: Marilyn McKernan

355-1292 marilyn@st-rita.org

See flyer insert in this Bulletin for

reservation form and more details!

Bulletin Submissions

Patty Sullivan 355-3707

psullivan514@gmail.com

Deadline is Thursday 10 days before

the desired publication date.

Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org

Together in Mission 2015
Or bring the written information to the
Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary
Announcement Sunday
Questions? Rosemary 355-1292 x226

February 14 & 15

Annual St. Rita

Mens Retreat
Friday-Sunday, March 27-29
Beginning March 27the weekend of
Palm Sundayyou are invited to a
Retreat at nearby Mater Dolorosa, in a
comfortable and inspiring setting.
Through guidance from the Passionist
Team, you will return home with a
new outlook on life. Space is limited;
make your reservation now.
For more information
Bill Cosso 355-5656 Dave Muhs 355-9810
Dave Banis 355-2012 Gary Miller 355-6440
Duncan MacGillivray 355-0762
Rich McCoppin 355-2871
Rudy Van Cleef 355-8169
Pat Wickhem 416-8824

Sing Joyfully to The Lord

Our choir needs men, women, and
teenagerswhy not talk to our Music
Minister to see if your voice might be
a fit. Rehearsal is held on Thursday
evenings, from 7 until 9 pm in the
Church. Currently we need more
voices for both the 5:30 pm Saturday
Vigil and the 10 am Sunday Mass.
Information
Paul Puccinelli 355-1292 x231
mm@st-rita.org

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 8, 2015

This Week at St. Rita

St. Rita
Capital Campaign

This Sunday at St. Rita

Hospitality after all the Masses
Hosted by: The St. Rita Mens Club

Girl Scouts Cookies Sales

Support our St. Rita Scouts Troops and
satisfy your sweet tooth too!

Baptisms
1:30 pm In the Church
Presentation of Design Plans
for St. Rita for All Parishioners
1:15 pm OMalley Hall
Monday, February 9Design Plan Meeting
for St. Rita Neighbors
Parishioners also welcome! 7 pm OMalley Hall
Tuesday, February 10Mens Club Meeting

Q: When will the parish get to see what the

Design Commission has been working on?

A. TODAY! Sunday, February 8All parishioners

are invited to a special presentation in OMalley Hall at
1:15 p.m. At this presentation, you will see and hear
the plans that are the results of seven months of
intense work by this distinguished group of volunteers.
And you will have the opportunity to offer your
comments and feedback.
NOTE: If you are unable to be present for our
Sunday afternoon presentation, you are welcome to
join us at a special presentation for our neighbors on
Monday, February 9th, at 7 pm, also in OMalley Hall.

See page 5 for information.

Tuesday, February 10RCIA

7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Wednesday, February 11City of Sierra Madre

Town Hall Meeting at St. Rita
See page 5 for information.

Thursday, February 12Liturgy of the Hours

Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory
Friday, February 13St. Rita Guild Meeting
See page 5 for information.

Save the Date

Saturday, February 28St. Rita Guild
Card & Game Party
See page 5 for information.

Weekend of March 27-29Mens Retreat

See page 5 for information.

If you would be
loved,
love and be
lovable.
Benjamin Franklin

Catholic Community
& Local Events
February 9-11Assumption Parish Mission. Twin
brothers, Fathers Dick and Bob Gielow, Vincentian Priests from
the Midwest, will give this mission. Each evening begins with
Mass at 7 pm, followed by a topic focusing on Pope Francis.
Reception follows. Assumption of the BVM, 2640 E. Orange
Grove Blvd., Pasadena 91107.
February 13-15Grief Recovery Weekend. At the Holy Spirit
Retreat Center, Encino, for those who have experienced loss of a
spouse through death or divorce/separation. $250 shared room/
$325 private room. Includes materials, lodging and 5 meals.
Info: Peg Setti 818/767-1007 Brenda Mikhail 818/352-5265
Beginningexperience.org
Ash Wednesday, February 18St. Lucys Benedictine
Guild Retreat. 9 am until 1:30 pm. Bring a sack lunch;
beverages are provided. Free will offering. St. Lucys Priory,
19045 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Glendora 91741.
Ellen Carlson 909/624-2058

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Hospitality Sunday, February 1What a delight!

W
E
L
C
O
M

Thank you Margaret Fullinwider for your table dcor and

for coordinating the donations of baked goodies!

Some of the bakers and workers for Hospitality Sunday

Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, and Environment Ministry members
thank you one and all!
Thanks Sheila Palazzolo & Terri Eliassen for taking the pictures!

We encourage you to stay after Mass for a cup of coffee or juice, a

light snack, and to learn more about the Ministry(s) sponsoring
hospitality. Meet up with friendsand make new ones!
All food, including juices and milk, is provided by the hosting group. Coffee and
all paper products are supplied by St. Rita Parish. Your offerings help defray
our costs. Thank you!