St.

Rita of Cascia

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

Sunday
Sunday
February 15, 2015
AshWednesday
AshWednesday
February 18, 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

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 15, 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,

Jesus heals
Are you a fraud? Have you betrayed
someone you vowed to love? Have
you been the perpetrator of any
abuse? Yes? Well then, take your
clothes off, put on only a gunnysack
with holes for your head and arms,
go to the corner of Sierra Madre
Boulevard and Baldwin and, while
wearing a large sign hanging around
your neck announcing the same,
shout out for all to hear,
UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!
UNCLEAN!
Ah, lets hear it for good old public
shame. In some world cultures it is
still expected and in recent years
some of our own judges have
resurrected it from the bench. And
besides three months of public
service removing graffiti, you will
wear a sign to school that says I am
a tagger, vandal, and a thief.
I suppose that when the Book of
Leviticus called for the priests of the
temple to declare lepers unclean
and have them announce the fact,
there was a societal motive of

protectionism involved. At the same

time there was intended shame and
disgrace attached because certainly
the leper had committed some grave
sin to warrant such an awful disease.
But The Old Testament gave way to
the New and Jesus became the
fulfillment and the answer to the
prayer of the responsorial psalm: I

turn to you, Lord, in time of

trouble, and you fill me with the
joy of salvation. What joy the

former leper must have felt when

Jesus made him clean again, and no
wonder he could not remain still
about it.
Some monastic communities,
especially those that maintain a
contemplative and cloistered
environment, still hold some
modified form of what is known as a
chapter of faults. This is the
practice of willingly standing up in
front of the other members of your
community and telling your sins out
loud. (How embarrassing!) The
masters of the religious life have

always known that maintaining

community is greatly aided when the
members of the community retain an
ongoing attitude of humility.
Actually, at the beginning of Mass,
our recalling and admitting that we
have sinned is a form of public
confessiongood for the soul as
they say.
But Jesus heals (even touches and
embraces), lepers. At the heart of
the consecration of the Holy
Eucharist that we celebrate today,
Jesus will declare once again, This is
my body given for you. This is my blood
poured out for youso that sins may
be forgiven. And then he adds the
formula for acknowledging our
deepest and most profound gratitude
for our own forgiveness and healing:

Do this in memory of me.

Got lepers? Do we have anyone in

our lives that we have labeled
outcast and/or undesirable? They
might as well have leprosy as far as
we are concerned. What to do.
What to do.

Msgr. Richard

I turn to you Lord in time of trouble

Psalm 32

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 15, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16

8:00 AM Camilla Lynch RIP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

8:00 AM Frank Artukovich RIP

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

8:00 AM Ernie Nosari RIP

12 NOON Communion Service
6:30 PM Sr. Mary McCarthy, RIP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Linda Milligan RIP

FRIDAY, F EBRUARY 20
AM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21

8:00 AM Bob Alcorn RIP

5:30 PM Tom Lynch RIP

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22

7:30 AM Karin Lynch RIP

10:00 AM Edward Beaumont &
Del Rodriguez
12 NOON For All Parishioners

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

TuesdayThe Seven Holy Founders
of the Servite Order; Shrove Tuesday
Ash WednesdayFast & Abstinence
SaturdaySt. Peter Damian

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
Lisa Bowman, 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.

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingThe leper will dwell
apart, making an abode outside the
camp (Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46).
PsalmI turn to you, Lord, in time of
trouble, and you fill me with the joy of
salvation (Psalm 32).
Second ReadingDo everything for
the glory of God; be imitators of Christ

Fast &
Abstinence
Guidelines

(1 Corinthians 10:31 11:1).

GospelThe leprosy left him

immediately, and he was made clean
(Mark 1:40-45).

FastingRequires those who have

celebrated their 18th birthday and
have not yet celebrated their 59th
birthday to fast on Ash Wednesday
and Good Friday.
AbstinenceRequires those 14

years of age and older to abstain

from eating meat on Ash Wednesday
and all Fridays of Lent.

Lent, the Churchs annual

prebaptismal retreat, prepares us
to gather around the Easter font,
renew our baptismal vows, and
receive new life from the water as
the elect are plunged into Christs
death and resurrection. This core
meaning is more or less available,
depending on whether we journey
with catechumens in the parish and
on the vigor of our liturgical
celebration of the Triduum.
Some persist in seeing Lent as a
lonely journey in the wilderness; yet
this week we enter the Lenten fast
in solidarity with one another. The
smudged foreheads you will spy
throughout Ash Wednesday on
buses, street corners, and
supermarket aisles remind you that
you are hardly alone in your desire
to enact a spring cleaning regime
for your spiritual life.
Long ago, this kind of repentance
was available to Christians only
once. Ashes and sackcloth were not
raiment for a day, but permanent
habits for public sinners. Fasting
became a way of life, and if they
sinned severely again, there was no
hope of restored communion.
Happily, this system did not
endure. It produced reluctant
Christians who even held back
from baptism, like St. Augustine
did, out of fear. Today we have
recovered an ancient tradition that
conversion and repentance are
constant themes on lifes journey,
and that Lent is an annual
opportunity to revive our baptismal
identity, both as individuals and
communities.
Rev. James Field,
Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry

Together in Mission (TIM) Annual Appeal2015

EDGE Middle School Ministry

This Archdiocese of Los Angeles Annual Appeal is unique in the United States
Monday, February 16, 4-5:15 pm, Gara in that donations are used only for the support of parishes and parish
schools. All collected funds are administered through the separate Catholic
Next Youth Nite
Wed., February 25, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley Education Foundation and cannot be used for any other purpose.
Please take a moment to read the TIM flyer distributed this weekendit
provides information about the givers, the recipients, and the need. And there is
much more detail provided on the website
Confirmation Year 2
OurMissionLA.org
Saturday, March 7, 4-5:30 pm, Gara
The assessed goal for St. Rita this year is $59,200. Pledge cards were mailed to
all those who have given in the past. If you would like to join in this very
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org needed and worthwhile Appeal, please take an envelope from the Vestibule.
Confirmation Year 1
Saturday, February 21, 4-5:30 pm, Gara

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders

You can also donate electronically on the OurMissionLA.org website.

Thank you for your consideration.

Monday, February 16, 4-5:15 pm

Preschool Sunday School

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 22 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

Belated Thank You

Mea culpaWe neglected to

mention Douglas & Zook Mortuary

for their generous donation of
poinsettias for the Church during the
Christmas Season.
Thank You!

Bulletin Submissions

Annual St.
Rita Mens
Retreat
Friday-Sunday,
March 27-29
Once a year its good to slow down,
step back from the daily clamor, and
take a fresh look at life. You may
find yourself opening up to the
healing voice of God. The Passionist
Retreat Team offers inspirational
talks, as well as time for quiet prayer,
Mass, Confession, and Stations of
the Cross.

For more information visit:

Netsmartz.org/ChildrenAsVictims or
Safeguard Program Office 213/637-7227

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

St. Rita Guild

Card and Game Party!
Saturday, February 28, 10 to 3.

Deadline is Thursday 10 days before

the desired publication date.

Come and join the bridge brigade, or

bring your favorite gamealong
Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org
with your favorite players. $20,
Or bring the written information to the includes lunch.
Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary
Questions? Rosemary 355-1292 x226

Many assume that children at

risk for victimization are
neglected or from
dysfunctional homes.
However, all children, even
those from supportive families, may
be at risk of victimization. Encourage
your child to come to you immediately if
anyone makes him or her feel
uncomfortable online or makes
overtures to meet in person.

Patty Sullivan 355-3707

psullivan514@gmail.com

St. Rita Music Ministry

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

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 15, 2015 6

This Week at St. Rita

St. Rita
Capital Campaign

Hospitality after all the Masses

Hosted by: The Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts

Girl Scouts Cookies Sales

After all the Masses Thank you for your support !
Tuesday, February 17RCIA
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

February 18
Day of Fast & Abstinence
See Guidelines on page 4.

Q: I wasnt able to attend the last weeks presentation by

the Design Commission. How can I find out about the
plans for St. Rita Parish and School?

A: We have had three presentations: one for the Parish &

School Councils, one for all parishioners and one for
neighbors. All in all, about 200 people have heard and seen
the presentation. The responses have been overwhelmingly
positive and supportive. Thank you to all who have
attended and who have shared their comments and
suggestions. If you were not able to attend one of the
presentations, be assured that there will be another
opportunity in the near future. Watch the bulletin for date
and time!

8 amSchool Mass and Distribution of Ashes

NoonCommunion Service and Distribution of Ashes
6:30 pmMass and Distribution of Ashes
Thursday, February 19Liturgy of the Hours
Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory
Friday, February 20
Day of Abstinence See Guidelines on page 4.
Stations of the Cross & Soup Kitchen
Stations 6 pm ; followed by the Soup Kitchen in Gara Hall
Soup Kitchen hosted this week by: The Mens Club & The Senior Ministry

Save the Date

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

Sunday, March 15St. Patrick/St. Joseph

Annual Dinner
Watch for more information in future Bulletins.

Weekend of March 27-29Mens Retreat

See page 5 for information.

St. Rita School

Nows the time to register for
the 2015-2016 School Year!
Applications are now being accepted for Transitional
Kindergarten and Kindergarten. Registration packets
are available in the School Office.
Sara Landis landis@st-ritaschool.org 355-6114

Catholic Community
& Local Events
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
Weekend of March 6-8Ramona Convent Alumnae
Weekend. Mixer, Mass, Homecoming Luncheon, Saturday
Seminar. 1701 W. Ramona Road, Alhambra 91803.
Info: 626/282-4151 jhuntley@ramonaconvent.org
Weekend of March 13-15Worldwide Marriage
Encounter. A great time to rekindle communication and enjoy a
weekend away. Hilton Garden Inn, Monrovia.
David & Teri Muse 626/644-1775 sacramentallove.org

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Hospitality Sunday, February 8Thank you, Mens Club!

Your burrito bonanza was an unexpected and tasty treat! Thank you
for all the hard workthe crowds attested to the success of your efforts!
We appreciate your service and generosity.
Each week Hospitality is hosted by a different Parish Ministry or Group. We
hope you have been stopping after Mass to enjoy the company, to learn more about
the host organization, and to have a snack. All food, including juices and milk,
is provided by the hosting group. Coffee and paper products are supplied by the
Parish. Your donations help defray our costs.