St.

Rita of Cascia

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

February 1, 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

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 1, 2015 2

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,

Gods Authority
A new teaching with authority.
Indeed, Jesus comes with a new
teachingwith authority
authority enough to drive out
unclean spirits. This proclamation
begs the question: What did those
around Jesus experience as new. In
fact, they were aware of other
authority figures in the past that
demonstrated great power. We
need only think of Moses and the
prophets. But what is certainly new
here is that the people believed it
was Gods authority in Moses and
others that accomplished Gods
almighty power. What is new in
Jesus (and what they cant seem to
put their finger on) is that Jesus
authority is his own; and when they
finally figure this out, the majority
will decide he should be crucified
for making such a claim for he
blasphemes!
Today, do you and I give it to
God? Give it to Jesus? To the Holy

Spirit? the authority of God, that

is. Remember what Jesus says to
Pilot, when Pilot claims to have the
authority to put him to death?
Pilot, you would have no authority
unless it were given to you from
above. Young and old, you and I
claim all sorts of authority, dont
we? An older brother or sister
naturally feels some authority over
younger brothers and sisters. And it
escalates from there.
What it means to recognize that all
authority emanates from God means
that true authority in the hands of
human beings magnifies the Lord in
all ways. We respect authority when
it rings true, when it earns our
confidence because of its redeeming
qualities, and when it works for
justice, human dignity, and an
abiding peace. Those that would
brainwash and impose a perverted
authority on others in order to feed a
sick or otherwise diseased ego, or
perhaps to claim a divine right to

force conversion of others by threat

of violence, must be exposed for the
great danger to abiding peace and
justice that they are.
Jesus warned us from the
beginning, didnt he, that There
are those who will claim to come in
my name, but do not follow them.
To be assured that our own
authority is in communion with
Gods authority is first of all to be
possessed in humility, and then, for
the Christian, to walk with Jesus
and grow in his discipleship. This
goes for older brother or sister,
mom or day, teacher or student
monitor, pastor, deacon, or lay
leader, President or King, or a child
taking care of its pet. It requires as
St. Paul says today, adherence to
the Lord without distraction. Or
in the words of a wise spiritual
director,
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!

Msgr. Richard

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 1, 2015 4

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

8:00 AM Kopka Family INT

5:30 PM For All Parishioners

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

7:30 AM Bruce Crow RIP

10:00 AM Patrick Byrne RIP
12 NOON Katie Limongelli INT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2

8:00 AM Margie Wagner INT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

8:00 AM Linda Milligan RIP

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Luisa Claro RIP

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5
FRIDAY, F EBRUARY 6
AM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7

8:00 AM Brady Family INT

5:30 PM Ken Kenny RIP

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

7:30 AM For All Parishioners

10:00 AM Rosina Padilla RIP
12 NOON Janeen Wetzel RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

MondayThe Presentation of the Lord
TuesdaySt. Blaise
ThursdaySt. Agatha
FridaySt. Paul Miki and Companions

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingMoses spoke to all the
people, saying: A prophet like me will
the LORD, your God, raise up for
you (Deuteronomy 18:15-20).
PsalmIf today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts (Psalm 95).
Second ReadingBrothers and
sisters: I should like you to be free of
anxieties (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
GospelThe people were astonished at
Jesus teaching; he taught them as one
having authority (Mark 1:21-28).

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
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.

Note: Names are added to the

Prayer List in the order they are

submitted. If you would like your
name, or a name you submitted,
removed from our List, please
contact the Office. Thank you!

New Years Resolutions*

Take care of your family life, giving
your children and loved ones not just
money, but most of all your time,
attention and love.
*Pope Francis,
speaking to Vatican employees,

Saints of the Week

St. Paul Miki & Companions
Memorial to the
26 Martyrs,
Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar as the
city on which the second atomic
bomb was dropped in World War
II. Three and a half centuries
before, 26 martyrs of Japan were
crucified on a hill, now known as
the Holy Mountain, overlooking
Nagasaki. Among them were
priests, brothers and laymen
Franciscans, Jesuits and members
of the Secular Franciscan Order;
catechists, doctors, artisans and
servants; old men and innocent
childrenall united in a common
faith and love for Jesus.
Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a
native of Japan, has become the
best known among the martyrs of
Japan. While hanging upon a cross,
Paul Miki preached to the people:
The sentence of judgment says
these men came to Japan from the
Philippines, but I did not come
from any other country. I am a true
Japanese. The only reason for my
being killed is that I have taught the
doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is
for this reason I die. I want to say to
you all once again: Ask Christ to help
you to become happy. I obey Christ.
After Christs example I forgive my
persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask
God to have pity on all, and I hope
my blood will fall on my fellow men
as a fruitful rain.
When missionaries returned to
Japan in the 1860s, at first they
found no trace of Christianity. But
after establishing themselves, they
found that thousands of Christians
lived around Nagasaki and had
secretly preserved the faith. The
martyrs of Japan were canonized in
1862.
AmericanCatholic.org

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry
EDGE Middle School Ministry
Monday, February 2, 4-5:15 pm, Gara
Next Youth Nite
Wed., February 11, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders

Annual St. Rita Mens Retreat

Friday-Sunday, March 27-29
Join our Retreat for this time of spiritual peace and renewal. At Mater Dolorosa
Retreat Center, participants enjoy five meals and stay two nights in a private
room. Limited space available, so contact us to reserve your spot now.
For more information
Bill Cosso 355-5656 Dave Muhs 355-9810 Dave Banis 355-2012
Gary Miller 355-6440 Duncan MacGillivray 355-0762 Pat Wickhem 416-8824
Rich McCoppin 355-2871 Rudy Van Cleef 355-8169

Hospitality after
Sunday Masses

Successful Blood Drive

Monday, February 2, 4-5:15 pm

In spite of a rainy day, we had a very

good turnout. Thank you to all who
Preschool Sunday School
donated or tried to donate. We
During the 10 am Mass every Sunday
for children ages 3-5. Above Gara Hall collected our goal collection of 23
pintsand then Fr. Chris put us over
in the Pre-K Classroom. No
the top by stopping by after the 10
registration is necessary.
AM Mass to donate twice! Our 25
Childrens Liturgy of the Word
pints will save the lives of 75 people.
February 9 during the 10 AM Mass
Ideal for 1st-3rd graders. The children
Thank you again to all those who
leave the Mass for their special, agegave and all those who helped staff
appropriate scripture readings and
the Drive. See you in July!
discussion. They return to the Church at
the Offertory to sit with their families.

Marilyn McKernan

Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Kathy
Ganino
(volunteer)
with
Father
Chris
(donor)

Altar Servers
Applications are still being accepted
for new altar servers, Grades 5 and
up. Training begins this month.
Application forms can be picked up
at the Parish Office.
For information:
Kathy Ganino 626/398-9302
katganino@charter.net

Bulletin Submissions
Deadline is Thursday 10 days before

the desired publication date.

Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org

Or bring the written information to the
Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary
Questions? Rosemary 355-1292 x226

Mens Club Meeting

Tuesday, Feb.10 7 pm OMalley

Our Meeting begins with a Social at

6:30. We will be discussing upcoming
events: hosting the Lenten Soup
Kitchen (Friday, February 27); our St.
Pats Dinner (Sunday, March 15); and
the Fun Run (also Sunday, March 15).
We welcome all men over the age of
18 to join us and help plan and
become part of our Mens Club
Activities.
Dave Loera d.loera@verizon.net

Thank you to St. Rita

School for hosting last Sunday as part
of their School Open House and
kickoff of Catholic Schools Week.
We encourage you to stop after Mass
for a cup of coffee or juice, a light
snack, and to learn more about the
Ministry(s) sponsoring the hospitality.
All food, including juices and milk, is
provided by the hosting group. Coffee and all
paper products are supplied by St. Rita
Parish. Your offering helps defray costs.

St. Rita Guild

Our next meeting will be on Friday,
February 13 at 9 am in the Parish
Office meeting Room. Plan to join us!
The Guilds famous card party is
now the Card and Game Party!
Come and join the bridge brigade, or
bring your favorite gamealong with
your favorite players. You will enjoy a
memorable day on
Saturday, February 28 from 10 to 3.

Lunch is included in the $20

admission fee.
Men are encouraged to attend.

For more information or reservations:

Patty Sullivan 355-3707
psullivan514@gmail.com

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEFEBRUARY 1, 2015 6

This Week at St. Rita

Hospitality This Sunday after all the Masses

St. Rita Capital Campaign

In place of our Question and Answer
column this week, we are sharing some great news:

Hosted by: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans

This WeekendSchool Drama Club presents

Peter Pan Jr.

Saturday, January 31 at 7 pm Sunday, February 1 at 2 pm

OMalley Hall Children Admitted Free

Sunday, February 1Girl Scout Cookies Sales Begin

Scouts will be outside of Church after all the Masses
to satisfy the cookie monster within!

Tuesday, February 3RCIA

7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

ST. RITA CHURCH HAS A NEW ROOF!

Although the rain slowed us down a bit, we are pleased to
announce there is a beautiful new roof on our church.
Because of the height of the church, not many of us have
the opportunity to view the roofbut watch the Bulletin
for pictures. It is an energy-efficient white roof with
guarantees for long-lasting material and workmanship. We
are so pleased there will be no more leaking in the church,
no need for buckets and no need to replaster and paint
because of water damage. All good news, indeed.
Many, many thanks to our donors for your generosity.
Your gifts and pledges have allowed us to start work on
Phase One by providing a roof for our church.
THANK YOU!!
Want to find out more about providing for the future of St.
Rita? See the flyer insert in this Bulletin and save the

dates:

Thursday, February 5Liturgy of the Hours

Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory

Sunday, February 8th, 1:15 pm

Meeting & Presentation for All Parishioners
in OMalley Hall

Save the Date

Monday, February 9th, 7:00 pm

Town Hall Meeting for St. Rita Neighbors
(Parishioners also welcome!) in OMalley Hall

Sunday, February 8Baptisms

1:30 pm In the Church
Sunday, February 8Presentation of Design Plans
for St. Rita
See information in the adjacent column.

Tuesday, February 10Mens Club Meeting

See page 5 for information.

Friday, February 13St. Rita Guild Meeting

See page 5 for information.

Saturday, February 28St. Rita Guild

Card & Game Party
See page 5 for information.

Weekend of March 27-29Mens Retreat

See page 5 for information.

Catholic Community
& Local Events
Saturday, February 7Presentation Reunion Luncheon.
All friends of the Presentation Sisters and all alumnae of their
schools are invited. Luncheon from Noon to 3 pm at Luminarias
Restaurant, 3500 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, 91754.
Info: PresentationSistersSF.org Rosana Madrigal 415/422-5020
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 February 20-22Womens Retreat. Join
women from Assumption and other local parishes for this
spiritual weekend. Sacred Heart Retreat House, Alhambra. For
more information, see the poster and flyers in the Vestibule or
contact Cheryl Harlow.
cherylharlow@mac.com 626/794-7813

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Tax Statement for Your Donations 2014
You do not need to request a Statement as in the
past. We have sent, via first class mail, an

acknowledgement of any donation given to St. Rita during

2014. Letters were sent to anyone registered in the

Parish who donated to any of the following:

Sunday Offerings; Special Collections for our Parish

or Archdiocese; our Year End Appeal; or our Capital
Campaign.

Note: The Archdiocese provides a statement of your

Together in Mission donation.

If you do not receive a letter by February 9, please

contact the Parish Office
355-1292 x226 or rc@st-rita.org.
For any inquiries, please include your name, current
phone and/or email contact, and your envelope number
(if known).

Thank you!

Are you a registered member of St. Rita Parish?

If you are not certain, please contact
Rosemary at 355-1292 x226 or rc@st-rita.org
She can tell you whether you are registered and verify
your address, phone and email information.

Are you receiving Sunday Offertory envelopes?

If not, please contact Rosemary.

Did you know?

It helps us immensely if:
You print legibly when using a yellow pew envelope.
You write a separate check, payable to St. Rita Capital
Campaign for any Campaign donations since we have a
different bank account for our Campaign.
You let us know if you move, whether within or from the
Parish.

Thank you!