St.

Rita

of Cascia
A Catholic
Faith

Community

Since 1908

March 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

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 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. 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 626.446.6715
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

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,

Zeal for Gods House

This Sunday I am reminded of a very
dear priest friend of mine, Fr. Ken,
who shall we say, is no wilting
violetno Caspar Milquetoast. In
particular I think back on a time
when in the middle of a wedding, as
he stood before the couple, a man
made the near fatal mistake of
parking his ice cream truck right in
front of the open front doors of the
church (it being a very warm day)
and turned up the volume of his loud
speakers which were playing a jingle
version of Mary Had a Little
Lamb. Hardly being able to hear
himself speak, Father, dressed in full
liturgical battle array, walked briskly
down the middle aisle, out the doors,
and right into the cab of the ice
cream vendors van. He yelled at the
top of his lungs Move this @#$%!!
truck out of here NOW! How many
times have I told you not to park
here! Cant you see there is a
wedding going on? The ice cream
truck vanished in a cloud of exhaust,
Father returned to the sanctuary
much in the same way as he had
exited, and continued with the
blessing of the rings almost without
missing a beat.

Im sorry, but every time I hear or

read this gospel account of Jesus
going into a holy rage in front of the
temple I just cant help remembering
Fr. Ken. It certainly helps me to
bring home Jesus own reaction to
the buyers and sellers and his
desire to keep his Fathers house a
house of prayernot a marketplace.
Observing all of this, Jesus disciples
remembered the words of Psalm 69,

Zeal for your house will consume

me. (Zeal for Gods house almost

consumed that poor ice-cream man!)

Indeed, as Jesus overturns tables,
spills money all over the place, and
with a whip of chords chases people
and animals alike out of the temple
area, are we not all a little bit relieved
to know that some anger is just? I
hardly know of another place in
scripture that would help us feel
Jesus humanity any more than The
Cleansing of the Temple.
So what part of this gospel do we
take away with us for our Lenten
journey? On what parts should we
ponder and pray?

Well, zeal for Gods house would

have to be at the top of the list.
How much of our livesto any
extentreflect our zeal for Gods
house and for establishing his reign
upon the Earth? How much do our
decisions and actions at home, on the
job, or in school demonstrate our
desire for all things to be on Earth
as it is in Heaven? Secondly, I
would propose that we think and
pray about the words, he knew

them all, and did not need anyone

to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.
This is certainly something that
would humble me and would help to
create a good ambiance for
examination of conscience and a
good confession. Asking how much
Jesus can entrust himself to me could
be a very sobering experience.

In the meantime, we still have a

substantial part of Lent remaining.
Dont get discouraged and, well,
think twice where you park your icecream truck.

Msgr. Richard

PASTORS NEWS NOTES

There is still time to participate in the historic Survey for the 2015 Synod on the Family. Please see Page 4 of this
Bulletin. The deadline is tomorrow, Monday, March 9, although the website will be accessible until March 15.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 8, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, MARCH 7

8:00 AM Lucia Forman INT

5:30 PM Bridie Botero RIP

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

7:30 AM For All Parishioners

10:00 AM Harry Hedrick RIP
12 NOON Josephine Garcia-Diochoso RIP

MONDAY, MARCH 9

8:00 AM Elizabeth Evans RIP

TUESDAY, MARCH 10

8:00 AM Jerry Hoover RIP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
8:00 AM

Communion Service

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

8:00 AM Communion Service

FRIDAY, M ARCH 13
8:00

AM

Jack Novack RIP

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

8:00 AM Mary Lou Spanders Turner RIP

5:30 PM Rev. Gerald Meisel RIP

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

7:30 AM Msgr. Robert Gara, RIP

10:00 AM For All Parishioners
12 NOON John Macardian RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

MondaySt. Frances of Rome

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingThe law was given
through Moses (Exodus 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8,
12-17]) or Exodus 17:3-7.

PsalmLord, you have the words of

everlasting life (Psalm 19) or Psalm 95.
Second ReadingWe proclaim Christ
crucified; the foolishness of God is
greater than human wisdom
(1 Corinthians 1:22-25) or Romans 5:1-2, 5-8.

GospelDestroy this temple, and in

three days I will raise it up (John 2:13-25)
or John 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42].

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
Barbara Jean Wood, Arthur Little, 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, Juanito & Marilou Pe, Willard
Bochte, 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, 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

Abstinence
Guidelines
Requires those 14
years of age and older
to abstain from eating meat on all
Fridays of Lent.

Lenten Penance Service

Tuesday, March 31 7 pm

The Penance Service will be at

St. Rita this year. Joining us will be
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary parishioners.

Pope Francis Survey

2015 Synod Consultation

Deadline, Monday, March 9

Pope Francis & Archbishop

Gomez invite all parishioners to
give their input on the topic: The
Vocation and Mission of the Family in
the Church and Contemporary World.
All the faithful are encouraged to
offer their opinions to the selected
questions via the following link:
http://survey.la-archdiocese.org

Note/Instructions: There are 46

survey questions but you are not

expected to answer all of them;
pick 1 or more that you would like
to answer. Within the survey you
may at any time click on the words
Relatio or Relatio Synodi (when
underlined) to be taken to the
reference text. You may then print
or save the Relatio as a reference, or
click the back button to return to
your survey.

Lenten Reflection
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a
body you prepared for me.
Hebrews 10:5

When I think of sacrifice and Lent, I

think of what Im giving up:
chocolate, television, complaining.
You, Jesus, show us that the way of
sacrifice is not what we give up, but
what we take onthe work the Father
has prepared for us rather than the
plans weve fashioned for ourselves.
Lord, remind me that its not sacrifice
that you desire, but a heart that is
turned toward you. Help me to see
what you have prepared for me.
Amen.
Susan Senechal, Follow the Way

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry

St. Rita School

Mission Statement

EDGE Middle School Ministry

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

The mission of St. Rita School is threefold: to assist and to enable parents to
Next Youth Nite
fulfill their roles as the primary
Wed., March 25, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley
educators of their children; to inspire
our students to grow and develop as
Confirmation Year 1
Catholic-Christian citizens; and to
Saturday, March 21, 4-5:30 pm, Gara
provide a liberal arts education which
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org will challenge each student to become
responsible citizens educated to meet
the needs of self and society.

Religious Education

Classes for 1st-5th Graders

Monday, March 9, 4-5:15 pm

Preschool Sunday School

Register for School Year 2015-2016

Applications are now being accepted
for Transitional Kindergarten and
Kindergarten. Registration packets are
available in the School Office.

During the 10 am Mass every Sunday

for children ages 3-5. Above Gara Hall School Choir at City Hall
The Choir
in the Pre-K Classroom. No
will sing at
registration is necessary.
the opening
of the State of the City in the Sierra
Madre Chamber Room at City Hall on
March 12 at 6:30 pm. Youre welcome
This Sunday during the 10 AM Mass
to attend or it will also be televised on
Ideal for 1st-3rd graders. The children
the Sierra Madre City Channel (3).
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

Young Adult Ministry

Forming at St. Rita
Join us for one of our first activities
hike the Way of the Cross followed by
Mass. At Mater Dolorosa. This new
Ministry is for young adults in their 20s
and 30s, single and married. See the

flyer insert in this weeks Bulletin

for complete information.

Priya Tharayil trosep84@yahoo.com

Bulletin Submissions

School Office (626) 355-6114

Mens Club Meeting

This Tuesday, March 10
OMalley Hall
Social at 6:30 pm Meeting at 7 pm
Join us as we make final plans for
the FunRun and the Spaghetti
Dinner on Sunday, March 15. All
men of the parish are welcome.
Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net

Mens Club Events

Fun Run
Sunday, March 15
Begins at 8 am
5 K and 1 Mile
Register by March 12
Tim OConnor 355-5053

Annual Spaghetti Dinner

Honoring Ss. Paddy & Joseph
Sunday, March 15 5 pm-7pm
Food, Ice Cream Sundaes
(sponsored by the Youth Group),
and the Cleary Irish Dancers

Always a sellout!

Stations of the Cross

and 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.

Then head to Gara Hall for a simple

meal of soup and bread or biscuits
and plenty of time to visit with
friendsand make some new ones.
All donations from the Soup Kitchen
go to feed the homeless.

ReminderRoad Closures

Next Sunday, March 15, is the Sierra

Madre Wistaria Festival. Traffic
the desired publication date.
restrictions will be in place from early
Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org
Or bring the written information to the morning on. Please plan an extra few
minutes to get to St. Rita for Mass!
Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary
Deadline is Thursday 10 days before

Get your tickets now!

Nick Sotis 358-2495
Dennis Jebbia 644-7319

&
St. Rita Guild Meeting
This Friday, March 13 9 am
Parish Office Meeting Room
Come join us to hear about our
successful Card Party as well as help
us plan for future events. (St. Rita
Feast Day is just around the corner!)
Patty Sullivan 355-3707
psullivan514@gmail.com

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 8, 2015

This Week at St. Rita

St. Rita
Capital Campaign

Sunday, March 8
Daylight Saving Time Began
What time were you at Mass this morning?

This SundayHospitality after all the Masses

Hosted by: Christian Family, CLIMB, and Shawl Ministries

Monday, March 9Future Plans for St. Rita

Meeting in OMalley Hall 7 pm
Find more information in the adjoining column.

Tuesday, March 10Mens Club Meeting

See page 5 for more information.

Tuesday, March 10RCIA

7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Thursday, March 12Liturgy of the Hours

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

Friday, March 13
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: St. Rita Guild

Save the Date

Sunday, March 15St. Rita Mens Club
Fun Run & St. Pattys Day Dinner
See page 5 for more information.

Sunday, March 22New! Young Adult Ministry

See the flyer in this weeks Bulletin and also page 5 of the Bulletin.

Monday, March 23Baptism Preparation Class

7 pm Parish Office
For Baptisms on April 12

Weekend of March 27-29Mens Retreat

Information: Bill Cosso 355-5656
Tuesday, March 31Lenten Penance Service
7 pm St. Rita See page 4 for more information.

Q: At the Presentation of plans for St. Rita, I did not see

any lines or marking indicating childrens play areas on the

East Campus, such as Four Square, Hopscotch, tether ball,
etc. Were these just left off the plans or does our planning
not include these?

A: Designated play areas were left off the plans for the East
Campus for two reasons: 1) since we will also be using this
area for weekend parkingjust as we presently dowe
wanted to be sure that this parking function was clearly
shown; and 2) while some indication of these activities
should be included, and plans are being changed to reflect
this, the final decision about what is included and placing of
markings will be done in consultation with the Faculty and
Administration of the school.
Do you have thoughts and comments about the plans for
our future? Join us at our Presentation on March 9th and
share your ideas!

Hear All About It

Were you unable to attend the Presentations in
early February? Come to hear the exciting plans
for St. Rita!
Our Preparing for our Future presentation for neighbors and
parishioners is this
Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in OMalley Hall.

Catholic Community
& Local Events
March 20-22Marriage Encounter Weekend. Discover
what a life-changing special weekend can do for your
relationship. At Santa Teresita in Duate.
Information: Winston & Dinah Peerez 818/527-6362
MEMECWeekend@gmail.com
FingerprintingTuesday, March 31. Holy Family Church,
1501 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena 91030.
12 pm - 3:40 pm & 5 pm - 7:20 pm
Must call for appointment: 626/403-6106
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

Hospitality Sunday, Second Sunday of Lent
Thanks Youth Ministry for the good food and enthusiastic hosting!

I hope you stopped by to see what our Youth Ministry is

up to these dayslots of energy and lots of good
leaders make for a very vital Ministry!
Plan to stop after Mass for a snack and conversation
with old friends or introduce yourself to someone!
Your donations help defray the cost of food and
supplies. Thank You!

Hospitality this Sunday is hosted by the Christian Family, CLIMB, and Shawl Ministries.