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
A Catholic A Catholic A Catholic
Faith Community Faith Community Faith Community
Since 1908 Since 1908 Since 1908

September 7, 2014 September 7, 2014 September 7, 2014
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 7, 2014 2



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
Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org
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

How to Contact Us
Parish Ministries and Organizations

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
Rosary 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

Other Contacts
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 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 2
nd
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 3

REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG
PASTORS CORNER
Below is my homily of September 4,
2005. I was just in my second year as
pastor and, after keeping my promise
not to change anything for one year,
was inviting parishioners to participate
in a special survey that would guide us
for the next five to ten years. This
Sunday I will be making reference to
this time in our parish journey together
and to a renewal of our commitment as
Stewards of Christs Mission on Earth.

For where two or three are
gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.

[from September 4, 2005]
Dear Parishioners,
What more encouraging words from the
Gospel could we ask for as we launch our
Parish Synod Process? Today we embark on
a spiritual and ecclesial journey worthy any
faith community, indeed any Roman Catholic
parish such as ours. We call it A Parish
Synod for the Formulation of a Mission
Declaration and Pastoral Plan, which is
meant to guide and direct the parish life and
ministry of Saint Ritas Church, School, and
Organizations over the next five-to-ten years.
For me, as your pastor of just one year, I
cannot stress enough the importance of a
Parish Synod as a way to bond with you and
to be on the same pages of parish life and
ministry with you. Our Parish Synod and
especially the Synod Survey Process is nothing
less than the call to BE CHURCH.

The members of the Pastoral Council and I
invite you young or older, new or seasoned,
over-involved or estranged, to be heard and to
be counted! We, for our part, pledge to you a
serious, prayerful, and professional follow-
through to the formulation of our Parish
Mission and Pastoral Plan.

That was then. This is now. We have
been l i vi ng our mi ssi on and
implementing our 2007 Pastoral Plan
for seven years and all the while
believing and trusting in the Lords
promise that where two or three are
gathered in his name there he is in our
midst. I am often pointing out these
days that since 2007 we have added 14
new ministries to our parish life here at
St. Rita; with the beginning of our
Young Adult Ministry, you can make
that 15 (and counting). None of this
means anything if it does not mean the
many ways one can encounter Christ at
St. Rita.

As we prepare to hold our St. Rita
Annual Ministry Fair at the end of this
month, I am reminded of a book titled
CHRIST AMONG US: A MODERN
PRESENTATION OF THE CATHOLIC
FAITH. The author, Anthony
Wilhelm, must have been thinking of
todays gospel passage from Matthew
when he chose that title. As pastor, I
am excited to journey with you as we
lay a sure foundation for the vital and
vibrant future of St. Rita Parish. And
we know there will be challenges
aheadthere always arebut as long
as we are conscious and aware of
CHRIST AMONG US, we will have all
of the strength and graced needed for
the journey. In the meantime, plan to
visit the St. Rita Ministry Fair, after all
of the Masses September 27-28, and
enjoy seeing all of the wonderful,
wonderful ways Christ walks among us
here at St. Rita!

Grateful pastor, Msgr. Richard
Dear Parishioners,
~ OUR MISSION ~

WITH HUMILITY BEFORE GOD
WE, THE PEOPLE OF SAINT RITA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA,
AS AN ESTABLISHED PARISH OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES AND ITS SAN GABRIEL PASTORAL REGION,
UNITE OURSELVES TO OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS, TO OUR ARCHBISHOP, JOS GOMEZ,
TO OUR EPISCOPAL VICAR, MSGR. JAMES LOUGHNANE, AND TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF GOD
IN CONTINUING THE REDEMPTIVE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST.
BAPTIZED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST, CONFIRMED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND
NOURISHED BY THE WORD AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST,
WE SHARE IN CHRISTS MISSION OF PRIEST, PROPHET, AND SERVANT KING.
THEREFORE WE OFFER PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY IN ITS MANY FORMS,
WE PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO
BUILDING UP THIS COMMUNITY OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.
WITH CHRIST WE COMMIT TO BRINGING GLAD TIDINGS TO THE POOR, AND
TO DO OUR PART TO ELIMINATE PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AND MORAL POVERTY.
WE ARE CALLED TO UPHOLD THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE AS GODS CREATION AND
TO PROMOTE GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF ALL OF GODS CREATION.
FINALLY, WE COMMEND OUR MISSION TO THE PATRONAGE OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,
A MODEL CHRISTIAN WOMAN, WIFE AND MOTHER, AND VOWED RELIGIOUS.
Knit for Kids Program
Wed., Sept. 10, 1-3 pm

This Program sponsored by World
Vision provides handmade sweaters,
using a very simple pattern, to
children in our country and around
the world.

If you havent worked on this
project before and are interested in
learning more, join our group in the
Parish Office Meeting Room.

Ana Ptasinski 355-3146

MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
8:00 AM Eileen Walsh RIP
5:30 PM Marie Elvia de Piedrahita INT
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
7:30 AM Mandy & Gigi Paggao INT
10:00 AM Norma Pontello RIP
12 NOON For All Parishioners
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
8:00 AM Claire Jones INT
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
8:00 AM Rev. Rodolfo DAgostino RIP
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
8:00 AM Communion Service
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
8:00 AM Communion Service
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
8:00 AM Milagros Solis Viterbo RIP
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
8:00 AM Rosemary Hagerott INT
5:30 PM For All Parishioners
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
7:30 AM Maxima Limtiaco RIP
10:00 AM Chris Olsen RIP
12 NOON Stanley Ptasinski RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

MondayNativity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
TuesdaySt. Peter Claver
FridayThe Most Holy Name of Mary
SaturdaySt. John Chrysostom

TODAYS READINGS

First ReadingWarn the wicked and
try to turn them from their ways
(Ezekiel 33:7-9).
PsalmIf today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts (Psalm 95).
Second ReadingOwe nothing to
anyone, except mutual love
(Romans 13:8-10).
GospelIf two agree about anything
for which they pray, it shall be granted
to them (Matthew 18:15-20).
















TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 7, 2014 4

PLEASE PRAY FOR
THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS

Madeleine Loera, Randy Graff, Toni
Navarro, Susan Watson, Molly Lynch,
Juanito & Marilou Pe, Willard Bochte,
Joann Ruggles, Margaret Duran, Eric
Gilmore, 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,
Gerry Krekelberg, Leah Greteman,
Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr.,
Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Linda
Milligan, 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, Brian Eck,
Alex Arranaga, Joseph Moore.


This Weeks
Featured
Saint
St. Peter Claver



A native of Spain, Jesuit Peter Claver left
his homeland forever in 1610 to be a
missionary in the colonies of the New
World. He sailed into Cartagena (now in
Colombia), a rich port city washed by the
Caribbean, and was ordained there in 1615.

The slave trade had been established in the
Americas for nearly 100 years, and
Cartagena was a chief center for it. Ten
thousand slaves poured into the port each
year after crossing the Atlantic from West
Africa under conditions so severe that an
estimated one-third of the passengers died
in transit.

For 40 years, Father Alfonso de Sandoval
had devoted himself to the service of the
slaves. Claver arrived to continue his work,
declaring himself "the slave of the Negroes
forever."

As soon as a slave ship entered port, Peter
Claver moved into its infested hold to
minister to the ill-treated and exhausted
passengers. After the chained slaves were
herded out of the ship and shut up in
nearby yards, Claver went among them
with medicines, food, and tobacco. With
the help of interpreters he gave basic
instructions and assured his brothers and
sisters of their human dignity and God's
saving love. During the 40 years of his
ministry, Claver instructed and baptized an
estimated 300,000 slaves.

His apostolate extended beyond his care
for slaves. He became a moral force,
indeed, the apostle of Cartagena. He
preached in the city square and gave
missions to sailors.

After four years of sickness which forced
the saint to remain inactive and largely
neglected, he died on September 8, 1654.
The city magistrates, who had previously
frowned at his solicitude for the black
outcasts, ordered that he should be buried
at public expense and with great pomp.

Peter Claver was canonized in 1888, and
Pope Leo XIII declared him the worldwide
patron of missionary work among black
slaves.
Americancatholic.org
Liturgy of the Hours &
Evening Prayer
Resumes Thursday, September 11
Oratory in the Parish Office

Join us each week for meditation and
prayer. Give yourself the gift of quiet
time with Our Lord.

5 pm Meditation 5:30 pm Prayer

We can never love our neighbor
too much. St. Francis de Sales
SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 5

Youth Ministry

Youth Nites, 7- 8:30 pm, OMalley
Next Youth NiteWed., Sept. 10
Meets year-round, on the second and
fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Youth Nites are for all teens and we
encourage our teens to invite their
friends to join in the fellowship.

EDGE Middle School Ministry
Monday, September 15, 4 - 5:15 pm
All 6th to 8th grade youth, including St.
Rita School students, are invited to the
EDGE Fellowship Meetings, the first
Monday of each month in Gara Hall.
Registration packet is due by Sept. 15:
st-rita.org/edge-registration-packet.

Confirmation ProgramYear 1
Saturday, September 20, 3:30 - 5:30
Year 1 parents and teens are invited to
attend an important Orientation
Meeting in OMalley Hall with Youth
Mass following at 5:30. To register for
Year 1, please download the
Registration Packet form at
st-rita.org/category/sacraments.

Confirmation ProgramYear 2
Session with Sponsors
Saturday, Oct. 4, 4 pm, OMalley

Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education

Classes for 1st-5th graders begin
Monday, Sept. 15 from 4 5:15 pm.
Forms are available in the Parish
Office. Registration fee is $55 for the
year.

Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org


Articles for the Bulletin

Please submit to bulletin@st-rita.org
or to the Parish Office. Ask for or
leave a message for Rosemary,
355-1292 x226. Deadline is 10 days
before the desired weekend.

RCIA begins this Tuesday

Tuesday, September 9 7:30 pm
Parish Office Meeting Room

RCIAthe Rita of Christian Initiation
for Adultsis the formal way in
which anyone interested in becoming
Catholic can learn about the faith, its
teachings, Mass and the sacraments.
Classes also open to those Catholics
who want to enrich their
understanding of their religion.

Bring a Bible, a notebook and a pen!
We provide the rest. Classes are held
every Tuesday, through the Easter
Vigil, with holiday breaks.

For more information:
Deacon Manuel Valencia
deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com

St. Rita School Non-Discrimination Policy
Saint Rita School, mindful of its mission to be a witness to the love of
Christ for all, admits students regardless of race, color, or national
and/or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities
generally accorded or made available to students at the School.
The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, or
national and/or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies and
practices, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered
programs, although certain athletic leagues and other programs may limit
participation and some archdiocesan schools operate as single sex schools.
While the School does not discriminate against students with special needs, a
full range of services may not always be available to them. Decisions
concerning the admission and continued enrollment of a student in the school
are based upon the students emotional, academic and physical abilities and
the resources available to the school in meeting the students needs. Did you
know that Catholic Schools are the model by which all private schools in the
United States follow? And they remain the most successful, affordable and
inclusive of all schools.

Reminders
Support St. Rita School Catholic Education
Purchase a magazine and the school receives 50% of the sale!
Visit our school website to order online: st-ritaschool.org
Harvest Festival
Beer Brats & BingoFriday, October 17 from 6 - 9 pm.
Harvest FestivalSaturday, October 18 from 12:30 - 9:30 pm

St. Rita School 355-6114
St. Rita Mens Club Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7:30, OMalley

Help us plan our exhibit for the
Ministry Fair at the end of this
month. And also join us as we
discuss and plan the Mens Golf
Tournament which will be held on
October 19.

Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net
An Evening of Song & Prayer
Bob Hurd & Anawim
Friday, Sept. 12, 7:30 pm, In the Church

Donations accepted at the door to
benefit the Saint Camillus Center for
Spiritual Care. This ministry provides
chaplains who serve at LAC+USC
Medical Center and Keck Medical
Center of USC.



This Week at St. Rita This Week at St. Rita This Week at St. Rita

Sunday, September 7Baptisms
In the Church 1:30 pm Deacon John

Tuesday, September 9RCIA Begins
See page 5 for information

Tuesday, September 9Mens Club Meeting
7 pm OMalley Hall
See page 5 for more information.

Wednesday, September 10Knit for Kids
See page 4 for more information.

Thursday, September 11Liturgy of the Hours resumes
See page 4 for more information.

Friday, September 12An Evening of Song and Prayer
With Bob Hurd and Anawim
See page 5 for more information.


Save the Date Save the Date Save the Date


Monday, September 15Cool 2b Catholic
800/838-1356 lacatholicpb.org
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Tuesday, September 16No 8 am Mass at St. Rita

Tuesday, September 16Prayer Breakfast
Paula Guettler 355-1292 x223 paula@st-rita.org

September 21Catechetical Sunday
See page 7 for more information.

September 27-28Ministry Fair
After all the Masses

October 17 & 18St. Rita School Harvest Festival
See page 5 for more information.

October 31-November 2St. Rita Womens Retreat
Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center
Information/Reservations: Joan Crow 355-3621



TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 7, 2014 6
Capital CampaignQuestions & Answers

Q: Why was the Priests Residence purchased before the
Repairs and Renovations to the Church were addressed?
A: As early as 2007, it was recognized that St. Rita
needed more meeting and office space to facilitate the
growth of ministries and that providing a priests
residence would provide an immediate answer by freeing
up the whole top floor of the former convent turned
office and residence. Then, in Spring of 2013, a parish
Feasibility Study was conducted by CCS Consulting
Company. That study indicated that one of the four top
priorities was a new residence for our parish priests. It
had been the original plan to make this purchase after
the issues with the church were addressed. However, in
May of 2013, the parish learned that a condo was
available just across the street from the school. The
proximity of this property made looking into this as a
possibility seem prudent. The parish consulted with the
San Gabriel Regional Office where we were told to take
advantage of this opportunity. We did further due
diligence by having the Archdiocese Construction and
Real Estate Department look into the value of the
property and we were again advised that this purchase
would be a wise move and a good investment for the
parish. In fact, the Archdiocese was willing to assist with
the financing of the property. They helped negotiate the
purchase and we were able to obtain it for $825,000.
Maybe one of the deciding factors in making the
purchase was the knowledge that this purchase was an
investment for the parish and one that would increase in
value. We have recently learned that the property has
already increased in value by $75,000!
Please Note: Some of this information was
previously published in the Bulletin dated June 23, 2013.

Fingerprinting for VIRTUS
Tuesday, September 16th, 12-3:40 pm & 5:00-7:20 pm.
All Souls Parish, 1500 W Main St. Alhambra.
Must call for appointment: 626/281-0466
Saturday, September 20, 9 am - 4pmBack to
Basics: Apologetics Conference. Speaker: Trent Horn
Cost: $35/ person or whatever you can pay; includes
breakfast and lunch. St. Joseph Campus, Sacred Heart
Retreat House, 507 N. Granada Avenue, Alhambra.
RSVP/Info: 626/289-1353 x200
Monday, September 22, 7-8:30 pmSt. Francis High
School Annual College Fair. Parents and students are
invited to meet with representatives from colleges,
universities, community college and military academies. St.
Francis High School Courtyard., 200 Foothill Blvd.,
LaCaada 91011 Info: 818/790-0325

Catholic Community

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 7



Catechetical SundaySeptember 21, 10 am Mass

Catechetical: to echo, or resound.
Catechist: one who teaches in the name of the Church.

St. Rita will commission the St. Rita School teachers, St. Rita Religious Education
teachers, and St. Rita Youth Ministry leaders at this Special Mass. Catechetical Sunday
is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of
Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.

We recognize parents and guardians as the primary catechists of their children, and encourage you to take seriously your
role of making your households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation.

In 1935, the Vatican published a document that asked every country to acknowledge the importance of the Churchs
teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. For the first years after
Catechetical Sunday was established, national congresses were held. Beginning in 1972, the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops Department of Education began producing materials to help parishes celebrate the event at the local
level. Each year the third Sunday of September is designated as Catechetical Sunday, an opportunity for all to rededicate
themselves to this mission as a community of faith.


.