Sixth

The Coronation
of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
as
Queen of Heaven

Sunday
of

A photo of the painting

displayed in the rear
of our Church.
See page 7 for the history
of this wonderful painting
and how
St. Rita Church
became the
beneficiary of it.

Easter

Happy
Mothers
Day!

St. Rita of Cascia

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

May 10, 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 OF EASTERMAY 10, 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. 9:15 am 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

Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org

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/Stephen Bollman
Sunday Masses: 7:30-Bill Cosso/David Banis;
10:00-David Muhs/Paula Garavaglia, Terri Eliassen;
12N-Bernie Grace
Weekdays: John Bigley
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 626.327.9480
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

Director of Religious Education

Other Contacts

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 and Visitors,

LOVE LOVE LOVE

In God there is no
partiality. (Peter)
Beloved, let us love one another,
because love is of God
God IS LOVE. (John)
As the Father loves me,
so I also love you.
Remain in my love. (Jesus)
So what part of LOVE dont we
get? As a matter of fact it is all over
the New Testament that God so
loved the world he sent his only begotten
Son. And if love were not enough,
we have JOY on top of it: I have
told you this that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete. Say
what you might about the '60s
hippies and their Peace, Love,
and Joy Banners, but in the end,
their claim was not completely
without foundation.
I spent the '60s in Our Lady Queen
of the Angels High School Seminary
and St. Johns College Seminary.
While we were confined to boarding
school type living arrangements and
wearing clerical garb, we were not
really sheltered from all that was going

on round us. I confess to being part

of the Im OK, Youre OK banner
crowd, but my seminarian older
brother, Bill, certainly was not. In
college he threatened to make his own
banner displaying a giant hand with a
lightening bolt in it; the banner would
read You know not the day nor the
hour! (Bill, to his advantage, took life
a little more seriously than I did in
those days.)
So, getting back to the future as
they say, what about todays
readings declaration of love and joy
for all? Perhaps we might appreciate
it in another common expression:
Love brought us here. As we
have gathered for Baptisms, First
Holy Communions, and
Confirmation, who would not make
the claim that love brought us
here? At last months Confirmation
and this months celebrations of
First Holy Communion, love and
joy were definitely in the air. This
month and next month will see
graduations at every level, the result
of untold amounts of hard work,
blood, sweat, and tears. Will the

sacrifices of those who loved

enough to help make it happen not
be proclaimed by valedictorians and
distinguished speakers at podiums
throughout the land? Will joy not be a
major part of the air that is breathed at
each commencement site?
In the Easter Season, hands down,
love and joy get the headlines. So
does sending and commissioning.
The season, after all, culminates in
Pentecost and the birth of the
Church. It was not you who chose me,
but I who appointed you to go and bear
fruit that will remain. This is the part
that comes right after the
Confirmation party and right after
all the graduates have left the gym.
It is the LIVING partthe
challenging part. Perhaps it is the
unavoidable cross that is the part of
LOVE that we dont sometimes get.
Jesus knew all of that only too well.
He also fully understood that
crosses and love are not mutually
exclusive.

Msgr. Richard

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMAY 10, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, MAY 9

8:00 AM Angelo Tarzia RIP

5:30 PM For All Parishioners

SUNDAY, MAY 10

7:30 AM Mary Irene Newell RIP

10:00 AM For All Mothers
12 NOON Mary Zuckerberg INT

MONDAY, MAY 11

8:00 AM Laura Gravitt RIP

TUESDAY, MAY 12

8:00 AM Lily Shakarian RIP

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Charlie Cahill RIP

THURSDAY, MAY 14
FRIDAY, M AY 15

SATURDAY, MAY 16

8:00 AM Bill Kelly INT

5:30 PM Noreen Kozak RIP

SUNDAY, MAY 17

7:30 AM Ken DeGrazia RIP

10:00 AM Harry James Hedrick RIP
12 NOON For All Parishioners

FEAST DAYS
TuesdaySs. Nereus and Achilleus;
St. Pancras
WednesdayOur Lady of Fatima
ThursdaySt. Matthias
FridaySt. Isadore

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingThe gift of the Holy
Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles
also (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48).
PsalmThe Lord has revealed to
the nations his saving power
(Psalm 98).

Second ReadingGod is love

(1 John 4:7-10).

GospelNo one has greater love than

this: to lay down ones life for ones
friends (John 15:9-17).

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO REQUEST
OUR PRAYERS
Celia Merritt, Garvin Stanislawski, Gary
Inocente, Ethan Sandoval, Adam Throop,
Janet Watson-Contreras, Barbara Jean
Wood, Arthur Little, 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, Randy Graff, Toni
Navarro, Susan Watson, Juanito &
Marilou Pe, Margaret Duran, Guia
Canizales, Anne Frealy, Eva Shammon,
Margie Schubert, Mary Zuckerburg, Emily
Young, JoAnn Douglass, Mary McColl,
Evelyn Tres, Barbara Hester, Gerald
Drean, Charlotte Bollman Fuchs,
Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr.,
Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Susan
Skousen, Brooke Manning, Arthur
Contreras, Jr., Robert Quinonez, 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, Eva
Bernejo, Edith Olah, Fred Mycroft, Joseph
Moore.

Victoria Kandalaft
Mother of Naji (Katherine) Kandalaft

New at St. Rita

Bereavement Support Group
First MeetingSunday, May 17
4 pm - 5:15 pm
Parish Office Meeting Room*
This 6-week series presents an
opportunity for those who would like a
chance to hear some good thoughts,
share some feelings of loss, and be with
a group of others walking the same
path. The Facilitators will be Deacon
John Hull, our Bereavement Ministry
Leader, and parishioner Kelli Artinian,
a member of the Bereavement Team.
We encourage you to attend and
perhaps find hope and strength as you
continue life without your loved one.
Information:
Deacon John Hull 355-1292
johnhull65@gmail.com
* Subsequent meetings will be in OMalley Hall.

Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center

Presents

Living with the Wounded

and the Weak
This Tuesday, May 12, 9 am - 4 pm

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Wednesday, May 13
In 1917, three childrenFrancisco,
Jacinta, and Luciareceived
apparitions of Our Lady near Fatima, a
city 110 miles north of Lisbon,
Portugal. Mary asked the children to
pray the rosary for world peace, for
the end of World War I, for sinners
and for the conversion of Russia.
To read more about Our Lady of Fatima
and the three secrets she gave to the children,
access
americancatholic.org
and select saints by date.

This day-long retreat is for those who

are living with or caring for someone
who is developmentally disabled,
someone who is elderly or frail, has
dementia or Alzheimers, or any
condition that requires significant
personal care. Dr. Michael Downey will
lead you through this day of
replenishment for your spirit.
$65/person, includes lunch.
Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center
700 N. Sunnyside Ave., Sierra Madre
Register online at materdolorosa.org
or 355-7188

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry

Mens Club Meeting

EDGE Middle School Ministry

Monday, May 11, 4-5:15 pm, Gara

This Tuesday, May 12

7 pm in OMalley Hall

We begin with a social at 6:30 with

refreshments provided. At the
Meeting, we will be discussing the
The Edge Ministry will lead this Retreat
events of the year 2014-2015. We
for all eighth graders of St. Rita Parish,
welcome all men over the age of 18
regardless of where they attend school.
who would like to be involved and
participate in the Mens Club activities.
Next Youth Nite
Wed., May 13, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley
Check us out! Make new friends!
Eighth Grade Retreat
Friday, May 29, 9 to 3 pm, at St. Rita

Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders

Monday, May 11, 4-5:15 pm, Gara

Preschool Sunday School

During the 10 am Mass for children

ages 3-5. Above Gara Hall in the
Pre-K Classroom. No registration is
necessary.
Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Young Adult Ministry

A new Ministry for adults between 18
and 35, single or married. We have lots
of activities planned. Contact us for
more information.
Priya Tharayil trosep84@yahoo.com

Bulletin Submissions
Articles are due by Thursday, 10 days
in advance of publication weekend
desired. Be sure to send pictures
(jpeg format) from your events also!
You may submit your information
either to the Parish Office or send to
bulletin@st-rita.org

Questions? Please contact

Rosemary Hagerott
355-1292 x226

Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net

St. Rita
Senior Ministry
Presents a
Summer Luncheon
Saturday, June 13 at Noon
Informative speaker, excellent salad
lunch, and door prizesall for the
amazing price of $10!
Watch for an insert with a reservation
form in a future Bulletin.

5
We Need
Your Help

On Friday, May 22, St. Ritas

Feast Day, at the Sales Table for

religious items. We need helpers

from 9 am until 6:30 pm, working 2hour shifts. The tables will be in the
shade and we have chairs for rest
times. Please let us know if you will
be able to help us.
Rosemary & Cheryl
355-1292 x226 rc@st-rita.org

Help the Girl Scouts

On Sunday, May 31, the Girl Scouts
will be outside of Church collecting
used items to make pet toys for the
homeless animals at a local shelter.
Most needed: old t-shirts, old tennis
balls, jump ropes, socks, etc. More
information in future Bulletins.
Sponsored by St. Rita Cadette Troup 5361.

Congratulations to the St. Rita Religious

Education children who received their
First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 9
Thank you to the parents, our Religious Education
Teachers & Team, and our Pastor for helping
the children prepare for this Sacrament.
Evan Armstrong
Sophia Astacaan
Giovanni Augustyn
Phoenix Benedetti
Nathan Callaway
Marisol Cowles
Andrew Cullen
Elijah Descallar
Brook-Lynn Easter
Christine Ellis
Paul Gowen
Clara Lobo

Eugenia Lobo
Grace McClosky
Sophia Perry
William Perry
Jade Rodriguez
Ashley Savage
Tiara Schmid
Juliette Serrano
Jonah Slattery
Leila Spencer
Julia Vazquez
Victoria Zamora

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMAY 10, 2015

Capital Campaign

This Week at St. Rita

This Sunday

It is with much gratitude and much pleasure that we

take this opportunity to thank those who have pledged
or donated to our St. Rita Strengthen Our Holy
Communion; Growing Faith, Hope, and Love Campaign.
Please see todays Bulletin insert for donors names.

Remember to pray for your mothers, living or deceased.

Your Spiritual Bouquet cards have been placed on the Altar.
Tuesday, May 12Daytime Retreat for Caregivers
At Mater Dolorosa
See page 4 for more information.

Thursday, May 14Liturgy of the Hours

Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory
Friday, May 15May Crowning by St. Rita School
In the Church at 9 am All are welcome!

Save the Date

Sunday, May 17Pacific Islanders celebrate
the Feast Day of St. Rita
At the Noon Mass Luncheon following in OMalley Hall
Sunday, May 17Grief Support Group
A newly offered 6-week program here at St. Rita.
See page 4 for more information.

Friday, May 22 is the Feast of our Patroness

St. Rita of Cascia
Plan to attend one of the many activities that day,
which begins with Mass at 8 am and concludes with
Benediction at 7 pm. If you have never attended our
Feast Day observance before, give yourself a present
and come for some part of the day. See the Bulletin
insert for more details of all the events.

Monday, May 18Baptism Preparation Class

Please contact the Parish Office in advance to register.
Parish Office Meeting Room 7-8 pm
For June 7 Baptisms

Catholic
Community
Weekend of May 15-17Worldwide Marriage Encounter. This
weekend will give you the gardening tools you need to help your
marriage grow and blossom. At the Hilton Garden Inn in Arcadia.

Information: David & Teri Muse 644-1775

Sunday, May 31Hospitality After All the Masses
Weve been taking a break due to events and holidays.
May 31 sponsored by: St. Rita Girl Scout Cadettes

Saturday, June 13Summer Luncheon

Sponsored by the St. Rita Senior Ministry and open to all.
See page 5 for more information.

Friday, May 29Fingerprinting. At St. Elizabeth of Hungary,

1879 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena 91001.
12 pm - 3:40 pm and 5 pm 7:20 pm.

Must call for an appointment: 626/797-1167

June & July Summer CampsFamily Camps & Girls Camp.
Sacred Heart Retreat Camp, Big Bear Lake. Your donations to help send
needy children to camp are also requested.

For information:

909/866-5696 Sacredheartretreatcamp.com

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary As Queen of Heaven

(depicted on this weeks Bulletin cover)
We deliberately chose this Mothers Day weekend to feature this most wonderful gift bestowed upon our Saint Rita
Parish. No better month could have been chosen since May is already Marys Month celebrating the gift of her as
Mother to us all; and it is also our Patronal Feast Day Month celebrating St. Ritas saintly motherhood. May it truly be a
special occasion and grace for all of our Mothers living and deceased this day!
Frank (now deceased) and Ilona Van Dongen, owners of the former Harlequin Gallery in Sierra Madre, were the
wonderful donors of this priceless gift to our parish. We pledge our prayerful gratitude!

History and Interpretation

The Heavenly Coronation is oil on woven material and estimated to be 16th Century Peruvian. The artist is unknown,
and that fact is not a surprise since it was very much the piety of the time not to sign ones art, so that all glory and praise
might be given to God only. The depiction of the Most Holy Trinity as identical in appearance was a common way of
expressing faith in the Triune Godhead revealed by Jesus as Three Equal PersonsOne God. They appear in the
painting as Jesus to the left (wounds in hands), the Holy Spirit in the middle; and God the Father to the left. These Three
in One then join in placing the crown on
She who was found to be blessed among all women.

Happy Mothers Day!

Note: The Heavenly Coronation is displayed in the back of our church, on the left side if you are facing the Altar. Frank and his
associates painstakingly restored the painting over a years time, very carefully retaining the original quality of the burlap-like fabric used by
the Peruvians to carry their harvested vegetables.