St.

Rita

of Cascia
A Catholic Faith
Community

Since 1908

Laetare Sunday
Rejoice

March 15, 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 OF LENT MARCH 15, 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,

The Challenge of Lent

God so loved the world that he
sent his only begotten Son
so that we might not perish,
but rather have eternal life.
And what is more, that same son

did not come into the world

to condemn it, but to save it.
This is the Gospelthis is the Good
News! Yet some find it just too good
to be true and some fall short of
really believing that Jesus never
failscannot fail. After all, if a plan
fails in Iraq, it will not have been
Jesus plan. Will it? Furthermore,
condemnation is often our choice,
but what does it accomplish? No
wonder Jesus came, on the contrary,
to redeem and to save.
I guess I can understand why
atrocities both nearby and far away
can instill an abiding pessimism but
as Christians we are simply not
allowed to abandon all hope, because
ultimately our Savior came to save
our Redeemer came to redeem. This
is his plan and it cannot fail. The
believer will not perish, but will have
eternal life.
No, as Jesus puts it to Nicodemus, a
true disciple embraces truth and

moves towards the light. What truth?

Well, the truth that all are created in
the image of the Creator, that all have
a right to the resources of this planet in
order to live and have a place they call
home, and the right to find the
promised path that leads back to the
Father and to his heaven. What light?
Of course, that would be the Light of
Christ that dispels all darkness.
How horrible and lamentable it is
then, when human beings choose to
live in darkness rather than the light.

And this is the verdict, that the

light came into the world, but
people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
This is a definition for sin: to
deliberately and with full knowledge
choose to separate oneself from the
light, to deliberately choose a path to
darkness. What else is a lie? What
else is abuse in all its forms? What
else is infidelity? but darkness.
And so the challenge of Lent is to be
deliberate about embracing the
truththe truth about me. Whatever
part of my life is light can be readily
embraced. But what of my dark side?

What is there about me that I do not

want exposed to the light?
What have been called venial sins
are those thoughts and actions that
dabble in darkness, and for a time,
move me away from the light. Bad
enough. But those mortal sins, on
the other hand, would be those
decisions to conduct myself in ways
that reverse my path to God
altogether; they are choices of
various forms of pride, greed, and
revenge that fly in the face of God
himself. Thank God, most of us do
not go there.
Our Lenten journey, then, is a
movement of prayer, fasting, and
almsgiving that re-assures our path to
truth and light. It is forty days of so
realigning our thoughts, words and
actions that we feel and know
ourselves to be, in fact, part of Jesus
own redeeming and saving the world,
because our lives are literally IN
Christ. This is the way the Church
counsels us to worthily celebrate the
triumph and gift of his Resurrection.
So hang in!

Msgr. Richard

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 15, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
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

MONDAY, MARCH 16

8:00 AM Armando DeCastro RIP

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

8:00 AM McKernan Family Members RIP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
8:00 AM

Communion Service

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

8:00 AM Communion Service

FRIDAY, M ARCH 20
8:00

AM

Tyler Steen RIP

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

8:00 AM John Daniel Turner RIP

5:30 PM Carol ODell RIP

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

7:30 AM Manuel Nieto RIP

10:00 AM Joyce Farha INT
12 NOON For All Parishioners

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

TuesdaySt. Patrick
WednesdaySt. Cyril of Jerusalem
ThursdaySt. Joseph

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingThe wrath and the
mercy of the Lord are revealed in the
exile and liberation of the chosen
people (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23).
PsalmLet my tongue be silenced, if I
ever forget you! (Psalm 137).
Second ReadingBy grace you have
been saved (Ephesians 2:4-10).
GospelThe Son was sent by God so
that the world might be saved through
him (John 3:14-21).

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS

Tuesday of Holy Week

March 31 7 pm
In the Church

Janet Watson-Contreras, 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

The Penance Service will be at

St. Rita this year. Joining us will be
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary parishioners.
Take this opportunity to prepare for
Easter. The Service begins with a
communal prayer, followed by
individual confessions. There will be
approximately 8-10 priests to hear
confessions. The Service will end at
approximately 9 pm.
Other Penance Services
(all at 7 pm)
Monday, March 23
St. Luke, Temple City
Wednesday, March 25
St. Andrew, Pasadena
Friday, March 27
St. Elizabeth, Altadena

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

CAUSES OF ALL FATAL ACCIDENTS

Do NOT ride in automobiles; they cause 20% of all fatal accidents.
Do NOT stay home; 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
Do NOT walk on the street or sidewalks; 14% of all accidents happen to pedestrians.
Do NOT travel by air, rail, or water; 16% of all accident happen on these.
Only .001% of all deaths occur at worship services in Church,
and these are related to previous physical disorders.

Hence, the safest place for you to be at any time is in church.

(Bible Study is safe, too. The percentage there is even less.)

Go to Church! It could save your life!

Presented for your enjoyment by Msgr. Richard

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry
EDGE Middle School Ministry
Monday, March 16, 4-5:15 pm, Gara
Next Youth Nite
Wed., March 25, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley
Confirmation Year 1
Saturday, March 21, 4-5:30 pm, Gara
RetreatSunday, March 29, 10 am Mass
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders

St. Rita Guild Card and Game Party

Monday, March 16, (offsite at Mater

Dolorosa)

NO Preschool Sunday School

This Sunday, March 15

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

Winner of the
Money Hat!

An overwhelming success this year with over 100

women and men attending! The food was
delicious, the games were spirited, and everyone
enjoyed an afternoon of fun and camaraderie.
Thank you to all the Guild Members who gave of
their time and talent to host this annual event!

St. Rita School

Young Adult Ministry

Forming at St. Rita

5th Annual Catholic Schools Night

at Dodger Stadium with Archbishop
Join us for one of our first activities Gomez throwing out the first pitch!
hike the Way of the Cross followed by Monday, May 11, 7 pm. Order your
Mass, Sunday, March 22, beginning at tickets through the School Office.
1:30 pm at Mater Dolorosa. This new
Register for School Year 2015-2016
Ministry is for young adults in their 20s
Applications are now being accepted
and 30s, single and married.
for Transitional Kindergarten and
Contact Priya for information about
Kindergarten. Registration packets are
this event and other scheduled
available in the School Office.
meetings and events.
School Office (626) 355-6114

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
biscuitsand plenty of time to visit
with friendsand make some new
ones.

Priya Tharayil trosep84@yahoo.com

Special Deadlines for

Bulletin Submissions
Monday, March 16 for the
March 29 Bulletin (Passion Sunday)
Tuesday, March 24 for the
April 5 Bulletin (Easter Sunday)
Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org
Or bring the written information to
the Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary

Congratulations to those recently

baptized at St. Rita

Welcome to
our Faith Community!

Michael Xavier
Son of Edward & Rosemarie Castellanos
Trevor John
Son of Robert & Melissa Quigley
Caitlin Cecelia
Cassidy Carol
Twin daughters of Christina Scott
Sophia Marie Perry
Nolan Michael Main
Elle Marie Main
Children of Michael & Noel Main

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 15, 2015

This Week at St. Rita

This SundayNo Hospitality after the Masses
(due to community and Parish events)
This Sunday, March 15St. Rita Mens Club
Fun Run & St. Pattys Day Dinner
Tuesday, March 17RCIA
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room
Thursday, March 19Liturgy of the Hours
Evening Prayer
5 pm Meditation 5:30 Prayers In the Parish Office Oratory
Friday, March 20
Day of Abstinence See Guidelines on page 4.
Stations of the Cross & Soup Kitchen
Living Stations at 6 pm presented by EDGE and Youth Ministry.
Soup Kitchen in Gara Hall sponsored by Religious Education.

Save the Date

Sunday, March 22New! Young Adult Ministry
See page 5 of the Bulletin.

Monday, March 23Baptism Preparation Class

7 pm Parish Office

Registration required in advance; please contact the 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 at St. Rita See page 4 for more information.

First day of SpringMarch 20

St. Rita
Capital Campaign
Q. How are gifts and pledges to the Capital Campaign
acknowledged?
A. Thank you letters are sent to everyone who makes a

pledge or a gift to the Campaign. Payments on pledges are

also acknowledged on a periodic basis. In the coming
weeks, we will be publishing the names of donors in our
bulletin and on the website; various levels of donors will
also be recognized on a special commemorative plaque.
Of course, we honor requests for anonymity. If you wish to
remain anonymous, your name will not be included on
donor lists or plaques.
It is our hope that everyone who makes a gift or pledge,
regardless of acknowledgement received, will realize the
depth of gratitude extended to them and is aware that
generations to come will be appreciative of the work our
parish is doing today.

Catholic Relief Services Special Collection

You will find a special envelope in your packet and also
in the Vestibule for this Annual Appeal. Catholic Relief
Services funds six Catholic agencies that work to serve
our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. This
organization is renowned for helping those who are
suffering on a daily basis or suffering from a destructive
force of nature.
You may return your donation in the next few weeks.
Thank You!

Catholic Community
& Local Events
Weekend of March 21 & 22St. Josephs Table. Blessing
of the Table on Saturday at 5 pm; pasta dinner until 8 pm.
Sunday, the doors open at 8 am and pasta will be served until 3 pm.
Holy Angels Church, 370 Campus Drive, Arcadia 91007.
Information: Matt or Audrey Luchetta 626/445-1514
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

Soup Kitchen, Friday, March 6
Hosted by Ushers & Christian Family
Ministries
Two kinds of soup and homemade
corn muffins! Thanks!

Hospitality Sunday, March 8

Hosted by the Christian Family, CLIMB, and Prayer Shawl Ministries
Thank you, Ministries, for the
wonderful food, the great
poster displays, and the Irish
Regalia!
We hope you stopped by after
Mass to have some food, a
beverage, and learn about
these Ministries.

No Hospitality after Masses this Sunday due to community and Parish events.