St.

Rita

of Cascia
A Catholic
Faith

Community

Since 1908

February 22, 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

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT FEBRUARY 22, 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,

These Forty Days of Lent

Remember Man and Woman
that you are dust and to dust
you shall return!
Repent and Believe
in the Good News!
And so we have begun Lent 2015.
In the spirit of todays Gospel, the
forty days of Lent mean that we
accompany Jesus into the desertto
converse with our Heavenly Father,
face our tempters, and be ministered
to by angels. What I have found
he l pful ov er t h e y e ars , as
foundational to a Lent well observed,
is to recall the spiritual life as
outlined by the mastersthe saints.
Common to all of them are the
classic elements of the conversion
process:
the PURGATIVE,
ILLUMINATIVE, and the
UNITIVE WAYS.
To be in a purgative mode is to
be in the process of ridding oneself
of excesses, abusive and/or addictive
behavior, and our bad habits in
general. It is the turning from sin
or repentance part of Repent and
believe in the good news! Purgation
typically includes fasting, prayer, and
almsgiving; that is, it includes holding
back from the excesses of eating,
drinking, and any form of substance
abuseit includes quality time for
prayerand includes letting go of

accumulated wealth and goods in

favor of the poor and for the good of
all Gods holy Church. To purge
oneself spiritually and in fact is to
arrive at the Christian virtues of
temperance and detachment. It is
living all things in moderation.
Once freed of sins, those thoughts
and actions that separate us from
Christ, we are ready for
illumination.
To be in the
illuminative way means to be in a
mode of awakening to the Good
News. It is the believing part of
Repent and believe in the Good
News! Whereas our sins made us
deaf to Jesus teachings and blind to
his truth and salvation, now by
illumination we can hear him again
and see him again. The illuminative
way in the spiritual life is good old
spiritual reading, praying with the
scriptures, making the stations of the
cross, and going on retreat. Seeking
out special presentations on Lenten
themes can be a very effective and
fruitful way of inspiration and
spiritual illumination. For this, at
Baptism, we were anointed with the
Oil of The Catechumens.
Finally one is in the most desired
Unitive Way of the spiritual life
when, after purgation and
illumination, one simply experiences

ABIDING IN CHRIST. It is that

moment when, for instance, in prayer
or meditation that all ceases to exist
(even the prayers and meditation)
and there is only God. Evidence of
having experienced this type of union
with God is the fact that it is almost
impossible to satisfactorily describe it
to anyone. For those of us less
practiced in the unitive way, it is the
lightness or airiness we might feel after
a good confession; it is the feeling of
abiding in Christ at the end of a good
retreat that we wish would never
endthe feeling that makes us wonder
why we dont make more retreats.
While youth may find these ways or
steps to be in more measured
succession, those of us older may
find the various parts of our lives to
be more or less in any of the ways,
on any given day, and at various
stages. For instance during our
participation at Mass and Holy
Communion we may more often
sense our union with God; while
exploring the scriptures or reading a
good article we might feel the need
for deeper understanding and
illumination; while dealing with any
form of excess or addiction we might
feel the need for the practices of
purgation. Bottom line: we are all
works in progress. Anyway, how
appropriate. Its LENT!

Msgr. Richard

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENTFEBRUARY 22, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

8:00 AM Libby Payne RIP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

8:00 AM Pete Carson RIP

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Ito Kahn INT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
FRIDAY, F EBRUARY 27
AM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

8:00 AM Linda Milligan RIP

5:30 PM For All Parishioners

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

7:30 AM Linda Milligan RIP

10:00 AM Janeen Wetzel RIP
12 NOON Nanuka Callihan RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

MondaySt.Polycarp

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingI will set my bow in
the clouds to serve as a sign of the
covenant between me and the earth
(Genesis 9:8-15).

PsalmYour ways, O Lord, are love

and truth to those who keep your
covenant (Psalm 25).
Second ReadingThe water of the
flood prefigured baptism, which saves
you now (1 Peter 3:18-22).
GospelJesus was tempted by Satan,
and the angels ministered to him
(Mark 1:12-15)

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
Lisa Bowman, 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, Molly Lynch,
Juanito & Marilou Pe, Willard Bochte,
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,
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,
Fred Mycroft, Alex Arranaga, Joseph
Moore.

Want to add or remove a name from

our Sick List? Please call the Office or
send an email to
bulletin@st-rita.org

Fast &
Abstinence
Guidelines
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 all Fridays of
Lent.

REFLECTIONS FOR LENT

Opening Your Heart
Lent invites us to take to heart the
need for repentance. It involves a
willingness to open our hearts to the
presence of God. A change of heart
means that we are willing to set aside
the usual routines of our day and take
time to examine our hearts. We can ask
to be open to the God who wants to
live in us. We can seek the God who
will be better known through the love
He gives us as we offer him the home
of our heart. We may first need to
knock on the door of our hearts, if we
have closed them.
The three little exercisesasking,
seeking and knockinglead the heart
to receiving, finding and entering the
life of God. Repentance takes place
when we ask Him to forgive us for
closing our hearts to Him.
Fr. James Stephen Behrens, O.C.S.O.

Softening Your Heart

There is a proverb Let not the sun set
on your anger. Jesus makes it more
direct: Forget your sacrifices and do
not approach the altar if you are not
reconciled.
Forgiveness again! Why does the Lord
insist upon it? It could be because the
refusal to forgive hardens the heart so
that hard-hearted people have a
difficult time receiving love. They
would rather cling to their
resentments, hurts, and slights.
If only we could let go and let God,
as the 12-Step program recommends.
We do not have to feel good about the
person we are unreconciled with, but
we do have to desire reconciliation. We
must take whatever steps are
necessary, especially prayer. If we act
this way, we will not only experience
an unexpected peace but we will
understand, finally, the meaning of
sacrifice.
Fr. John F. Kavanaugh, S.J.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

School Happenings

Youth Ministry
EDGE Middle School Ministry
Monday, February 22, 4-5:15 pm, Gara

St. Rita Students Celebrate Catholic Schools Week

with Acts of Charity and Gratitude.

Next Youth Nite

Penny Crusades generated $735.00 for the St. Francis Center.
Wed., February 25, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley The 4th and 7th graders delivered over 100
thank you planters to Sierra Madre
Confirmation Year 2
businesses in recognition of their service to
Saturday, March 7, 4-5:30 pm, Gara
our community.
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org
The Good News of Catholic Education
Have you considered adding faith to your
Religious Education
childs daily education? Visit St. Rita
School to see first-hand the difference our
Classes for 1st-5th Graders
Catholic School will make.
Monday, February 22, 4-5:15 pm
Enrollment is now open for TK-Grade 5.

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

This Sunday 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

St. Rita Music Ministry

Our choir needs men, women, and
teenagersplease consider lifting
your voice in song! Rehearsal is held
on Thursday evenings, from 7-9 pm
in the Church. We need more voices
for both the 5:30 pm Saturday Vigil
and the 10 am Sunday Mass.

School Office (626) 355-6114

Annual St.
Rita Mens
Retreat
Friday-Sunday,
March 27-29
What you gain goes far beyond the
time spent! Those who attend the
Annual Retreat attest to the good it
brings to them and their families.
Space is filling up. Retreat begins
Friday evening with a buffet supper
and concludes on Sunday after 11:30
Mass.

Bulletin Submissions
Deadline is Thursday 10 days before
the desired publication date.

Card and Game Party!

Saturday, February 28, 10 to 3.
Its not too late to be part of the fun.
Make your reservation now. $20,
includes lunch.
Patty Sullivan 355-3707
psullivan514@gmail.com

Feb. 15Hospitality Sunday

For more information

Thank you
Cub Scouts &
Boy Scouts!

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

Information
Paul Puccinelli 355-1292 x231
mm@st-rita.org

St. Rita Guild

Stations of the Cross

Soup Kitchen
Every Friday during Lent. Take the
opportunity to pray the Stations of
the Cross with a group. Stations are

at 6 pm in the Church.
Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org
Or bring the written information to the Then head to Gara Hall for a simple
meal of soup and bread or biscuits
Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary
and plenty of time to visit with
Questions? Rosemary 355-1292 x226 friendsand make some new ones.

Thanks to the
Moms and Dads
who helped
prepare the food
and supervise the
Scouts.
The weather was
perfect for staying
to visit with
friends!

Your donations
to defray costs
are appreciated!

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENTFEBRUARY 22, 2015

This Week at St. Rita

St. Rita
Capital Campaign

Hospitality after all the Masses

Hosted by: The St. Rita Parish Office Staff

Girl Scouts Cookies Sales

After all the Masses Thank you for your support !
Tuesday, February 24RCIA
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Thursday, February 26Liturgy of the Hours

Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory
Friday, February 27
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 Girl Scouts
See page 5 for more information.

Saturday, February 28St. Rita Guild

Card & Game Party
See page 5 for information.

Save the Date

Sunday, March 15St. Patrick/St. Joseph
Annual Dinner

Q: Is it possible to give a gift of stock as my donation

to the Campaign? What about bequests and
insurance policies?
A. Stock that has appreciated in value and has been held

for a minimum of one year is one of the most popular

assets used to make charitable gifts. Making a gift of
appreciated stock to St. Rita Capital Campaign gives
you the chance to realize tax benefits and at the same
time contribute to our St. Rita Campaign. Usually the
full fair market value at time of donation can be a tax
deduction. Of course, it is always advisable for you to
consult with your personal tax advisor or attorney.

While bequests and insurance policies that name St. Rita

as beneficiary can not be counted toward the Campaign
until the time of distribution, they certainly can be a
great gift to your parish. Msgr. Richard and all the Staff
are very grateful to those who have named St. Rita as
beneficiary. Please let us know if you have named St.
Rita in any of these ways.
For more information about ways of giving to the
Campaign, please call Mary Lou Butler at the Parish
Office
355-1292 x222
mlbutler@st-rita.org

Watch for more information in future Bulletins.

Weekend of March 27-29Mens Retreat

See page 5 for information.

Catholic Community
& Local Events
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
Saturday, April 25PETRUS Youth Conference. Join us
for an amazing day of speakers who will show you how to set a
fire of Gods love in your life. $5/person. Sacred Heart Retreat
House, 507 N. Granada Ave., Alhambra 91801.
Info/Registration: Sister Carmelina 626/289-1353 x302

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

January Maintenance & Repairs

Income (blue envelopes & directed donations)
Expenses (utilities, repairs*, etc.)
Shortage of funds

Number of parishioners donating

Number of parish families
Percentage of families contributing

$ 6,634
$10,210
< $ 3,576 >
155
1282
12%

*Necessary repairs/replacement of lights and related

electrical problems were a substantial portion of
repairs expenses for January.
To contribute to our Maintenance & Repairs
Collection, use the blue envelope in your packetor
any envelope or a checkand just write For
Maintenance Only. Or you may pay onlinechoose
Maintenance.

All funds stay at St. Rita.

Thank you for your support!

To our new parishioners who joined our

Faith Community in December and January
Mike, Joann, Daniela, Rafaela & Luke Bradvica
Melinda Carrillo, Ben Carrillo-Siemer & Max Carrillo-Siemer
Patricia Dolphin
Joe Forney & Jillian Sacco
Paul, Ying & Kevin Howe
Christopher & Patricia Leo
Daniel & Landie Lopez
Mary Rodriguez
Adriana Sanchez, Jasmine Rosalez & Sofia Castro
A reminder to register
Are you new to St. Rita? Please complete a registration form
available in the Vestibule and online at st-rita.org. Wed love
to have you officially part of our Faith Community.
Andplease let us know too if you plan to move from the
Parish so we can update our records.
rc@st-rita.org