The Epiphany Of The Lord

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

St. Rita of Cascia

January 6, 2012

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 am5 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

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANYJANUARY 6, 2013

Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.Pastor
626.355.1292 x. 228 revkrek@st-rita.org Dcn. Manuel & Chela Valencia deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com 626.355.1292 Dcn. John Hulljohnhull65@gmail.com 626.355.1292 Weekend Presiders: 10 am MassFr. Chris Thiel, OFM Capuchin 12 Noon MassRev. Msgr. John Morales

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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 Altar Servers, Adult: Bill Cosso Eucharistic Adoration: Marylyn Barnes 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: Barbara LeVeque /Gil Lazo 355.1292

How to Contact Us
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

Ministries & Organizations

Bereavement Ministry: Call Parish Office: 355.1292 Christian Family: Sheila Pierce 355.8332 Greeters & Ushers: Erny Henry: 626.289.3504; 626.446.6715 Mens Club: Nick Sotis: 358-2495 nick.sotis@pro-sites.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

Pastoral Council Vice Chair

George Landis: 626.792.0445

Finance Council Chair

Bill Sullivan: 355.3707

St. Rita SchoolOffice: 626.355.6114

Principal: Joanne Harabedian jharabedian@st-rita.org

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

Director of Liturgy & Music Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org Director of Religious Education Cristina Cullen: 355.3841 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; Susan Blakeslee: rcia@st-rita.org

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.

For Information about the

Sacrament of Baptism
Baptismal Preparation for parents and godparents: 7 8:30 pm the last Monday of the month. Call for Reservations. Baptisms are usually the first Sunday of the month. Preparation 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.

Anointing of the Sick

Please notify us (355.1292) as early as possible for the Anointing of the Sick, the sacrament intended for the seriously ill or dying. It is 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 and the Lord cares!

Sacraments of Reconciliation and first Eucharist

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 directors; refer you to our liturgy and music directors; and offer you helpful guidelines and a book that will aid in the selection of readings for the Mass or Memorial Service. Areas we can help you with prior to the passing may help in the planning of funeral services. We know that 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.

Sacrament of Matrimony
Contact the Parish Office upon engagement; at least six months is needed for preparation of this joyous sacrament!

Sacrament of Confirmation

A two-year program for freshman/sophomore age teens. Apply through the Office of Religious Education.

NOTE: Adult applicants for the sacraments should contact the Parish Office.

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

See adjoining column.

SAINT RITA
REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG

OF

CASCIA CHURCH

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PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners, In these times when attacks pose threats, it is important not simply to respond to crises but even more so to try to prevent them. Those who can find hidden signs and can intercept secret information are highly valued, for their skill in detection can play an important role in warding off disasters. Ancient astrologers found their clues by reading the stars. Modern agents carry out their detective work by intercepting messages, paying attention to unusual behaviors, and so on. They are astute observers of the way humans act and so come to be seen as people with special insightan insight that seems to give them knowledge that most do not have. King Herod summoned the chief priests and the scribes to give him advice. Astrologers from the East informed him of a new king in his land. Like the Pharaoh at the time of the Exodus, King Herod was anxious about potential rivals in his land. He wanted counsel from his advisors, for they were supposed to be well-informed about the prophecies concerning a Messiah. Herod also tried to recruit the visiting astrologers as his informers. They were to go to the newborn king and then bring him a report, using their knowledge and skill to build a safety net around Herod so that he might maintain his hold on power. Light shines ever more brightly and dramatically when it emerges from darkness. Whether it is a brightly shining star against a dark nighttime sky or the dawning sunlight that makes the night retreat quicklythese instances of light over darkness point to similar moments in our experience. Good news can brighten our day and quickly banish darkness. Good deeds by others can make our own lukewarm efforts stand out. Within this interplay of light and shadow, of good news and threat, of hope and despair, our lives unfold. Sometimes it seems that light and darkness are at war with one another; at other times, light and darkness play off one another to bring about a revealing balance. Bad times can make us live more fully in good times. The light that really counts, the light that transformsthis light comes from God. We know what it is like for communities to go through dark times. We too know what it is like to see our hopes and aspirations about to be swallowed up by darkness. The light that scatters our darkness will not be a light of our own making. It will be a light from the Lord that will enliven us but at the same time will reflect off us and become a source of inspiration for others. When we look for signs of a better future, we also turn to others. We observe how they act, how they treat others, how they handle success, how they handle disappointment. All of these observations give us insight into what people around us value and even what makes them tick. Their good deeds become a lamp on a stand that gives light to the whole house. We get a sense of how God is working in their lives. These moments of lightthese moments of inspirationcan combine to become the light of the world. As we offer our gifts on this Epiphany Sunday, let us be mindful of Gods secret plan in Christ, the mystery in which Gods choosing brings about the good. It is Gods choosing that brings about the transformation for which we long. Reflection by Dale Launderville, OSB, presented for your consideration. Msgr. Richard

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANYJANUARY 6, 2013

PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
8:00 AM 5:30 PM

7:30 AM William & Frances Cosso RIP 10:00 AM Dorothy Mueller RIP 12 NOON Charles Day RIP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Mark Peters RIP For All Parishioners

Katherine Haderlein, John J. McCoy, Andy Heller, JoAnn E. Douglass, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Alice Feeney, Joanna Singleton, Jackie Bagnuolo, Mary Ellen Isoard, Tim Stanley, Antoinette Wassef, Theresa Morcos, Aspet Herapetian, Rose Mary Taquino, Selma Tuffs, David Duran, Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Cliff Hancuff, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Dorothy Van Gordon, Hal Finney, Louise Bigley, Christa Owen, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Laurie Larkin Masella, Edith Olah, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Clare Marquardt, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Mildred Vocelka, Joseph Moore, Effie DeGroot, Ned Vento.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7
8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM

AND

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Bernard Siemantel RIP Lewis Cenicola RIP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 FRIDAY, J ANUARY 11

8:00 AM 5:30 PM

Communion Service Communion Service

Spiritual Growth
Tuesday, January 15, RCIA
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room Contact Deacon Manuel for information.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13

Joseph Doyle RIP Robert Day RIP Fr. Charles Keough RIP

Wednesday, January 16, Evening Prayer

5:30 pm Meditation 6 pm Prayer Rectory Oratory Contact Deacon John Hull for information.

7:30 AM For All Parishioners 10:00 AM Frank Barrile RIP 12 Noon Bertha Lovato RIP

Thursday, January 17, Bible Study Resumes

Watch future Bulletins for more information.

FEAST DAYS This SundayThe Feast of The Epiphany

Every weekdayPray the Rosary as a group After the 8 am Mass In the Church Why not take advantage of some of these extra credit opportunities in 2013!

Los Angeles Religious Education Congress 2013

February 21 (Youth Day), February 22-24, 2013

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingRise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). PsalmLord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second ReadingThe Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). GospelMagi from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12).

Join us at the Anaheim Convention Center. (Please see page 5, Youth Ministry, for information about Youth Day.) If you have never before attended Congress, you are assured of a wonderful experience. All are welcome! Register now for this spirit-filled and enriching weekend. RECongress.org. To obtain a Registration Guidebook contact the Information line 213/637-7348

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

St. Rita School News
Youth NiteWednesday, January 9, 7 pm, Gara Edge Monday, January 7, 4 pm, Gara Year 2 ConfirmationSaturday, January 19, Youth Rally and Mass, 1:30 PM, at the Cathedral Fundraiser: Goodwill Donation Drive Saturday, January 26, 9-3 pm Church Lower Parking Lot The Youth Ministry wants your old toys, clothes, even furniture to help send teens to summer service trips and/or leadership camp. We need to fill at least one container to receive a monetary donation from Goodwill, so please save your items now and then drop off your donations in January. This all-day youth conference for Catholic high school teens is on Thursday, February 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. St. Rita will take 30 teens this year on a first-come basis. To register, please email Theresa.

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PTO Wine Fest

Saturday, April 30
This Annual Event, hosted by the St. Rita PTO, will be held in the Spring this year. Please mark your calendar to save the date for this fun adult evening. Watch for more details in future Bulletins.

Fundraiser
Matt Dennys, 145 East Huntington Dr., Arcadia Wednesday, January 23, 11 am - 9 pm Just mention this ad to your server and the school will receive 20% of your bill. Thanks for your support! St. Rita School Reopens on Monday, January 7

Youth Day Registration

Theresa Costanza ym@st-rita.org 590-8828

Become More Involved

Did you make a New Years resolution to become more active at St. Rita? If so, its time to choose one or more ways to become involved. Each organization or ministry listed below has many ways to use your talent and time and treasure. Dont shy away contact the person listed on page 2 and find out if the organization is a good fit for you. Adult Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers Adult Servers Bereavement Ministry Christian Family Holy Housekeepers Knit for Kids Music Ministry Parish Office Volunteers St. Rita Guild St. Rita Mens Club Senior Ministry Shawl Ministry Ushers & Greeters

Did you know that St. Rita offers Sunday School for children ages 3-5? Please have your children join us upstairs above Gara Hall in the School Library during the 10 am Mass. No registration necessary! It is a wonderful program; we would love to have you join us. Childrens Liturgy of the Word All children in 1st-3rd grades are invited to participate during the Sunday 10 am Mass. The children are dismissed from Mass after the Opening Prayer to go to Gara Hall where they have the opportunity to listen to the Sunday Readings at an age-appropriate level. They return to Mass at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist to remain with their families for the remainder of the Mass. We need volunteers to help. If you are VIRTUS-certified and willing to help, please let Cristina know. Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Attention: Parents of pre-schoolers

Whats happening in your Ministry? Send us some information to include in the Bulletin! Better yet, take some photos at your events and send them (jpeg format)well print as space allows. Deadline for Bulletin articles is Thursday, 10 days before desired publication date. bulletin@st-rita.org or bring to the Parish Office.

Your chance to volunteerand to make new friends!

LOST AND FOUNDMISSING SOMETHING?
If you think you left something in the Church, please check first with any Usher. Then please contact the Parish Office, 355-1292, to see if we have your missing item. Any unclaimed items will be donated to our next St. Vincent de Paul Sunday collection in the Spring..

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANYJANUARY 6, 2013

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events
A heartfelt thank you !

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This Week at St. Rita

Today, January 6Blood Drive 8:30-2:30, Gara Hall Walk-ins are welcome! Today, January 6Baptisms
In the Church, 1:30 pm

Thank you to all who gave of their time and talent to make our Christmas observances so spiritual and so special. At the risk of forgetting some, I mention only in general: my brother priests and Deacon Manuel and Deacon John; the Eucharistic Ministers; Lectors; Ushers & Greeters; Paul Puccinelli and the entire Music Ministry; the Environment Committee (decorations and flowers); and to those individuals who offered their help whenever and wherever needed. Beginning with the Candlelight Walk and continuing through the last Mass of the day on Christmas, the joyful celebration of this holy season at St. Rita was palpable. Monsignor Richard

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

(See page 4 for more information.) Tuesday, January 8, RCIA Class
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!

Wednesday, January 9, Evening Prayer Pray the Rosary

Weekday mornings after the 8 am Mass

5:30 pm Meditation 6 pm Prayer Rectory Oratory

Catholic Community & Local Events

Thursday, January 10St. Lucys Priory High School 9:30 am1 pm. Prospective students and their families may visit the campus. Info? 626/253-9388 krossi@stlucys.com Saturday, January 12St. Francis High School Open House. Noon-3 pm. Campus tour, meet students, teachers, and coaches, etc. Info? 818/790-0325 www.sfhs.net Saturday, January 12Damien High School Open House. Campus tour, meet students, teachers and coaches. Info? 909/956-1946 outreach@damien-hs.edu Interested in joining a Catholic singles organization? The Catholic Alumni Club provides social, cultural, civic, and spiritual relationships. Info? Steve Valko valksr@yahoo.com LaSalle & Alverno Alumni (1960-1992)DeJaVu Social, Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 7-10 pm at La Salle. More information on Alvernos Alumnae Facebook Event pageDeJa Vu Social. Volunteer Opportunities at Santa TeresitaYou can help in a variety of ways such as transporting residents on campus to their activities, assisting in the resident dining room, praying with the residents, assisting in the Gift Shop, etc. Adult volunteer program is open to both men and women. The Junior program is open to girls and boys from ages 13-17. For more information, please call Sr. Rosario Therese 626/408-7822 outreach@santa-teresita.org

Thursday, January 17, Bible Study Resumes

7 - 8:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Save the Date

Saturday, January 26Youth Ministry Fundraiser
Goodwill truck will be here from 9am - 3 pm See page 5 for more information.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Are you a registered Member at St. Rita?
Registering in a parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic community and a commitment to the life of the parish family. Being a registered parishioner is a requirement for infant baptism, school registration, weddings, when asked to be a baptismal or confirmation sponsor, and even funerals. Additionally, if you are not registered, a yearly tax receipt cannot be issued since any donations you make to the parish throughout the year are entered as 5002/visitors since you have no unique ID number in our database.
Registration forms available in the Vestibule or please contact the Parish Office 355-1292 rc@st-rita.org

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2012 Tax Donation Acknowledgments

If you are a registered parishioner you may request a letter to acknowledge your total 2012 donations to St. Rita for tax purposes. PLEASE NOTE: Registered parishioners are those who have filled out a Registration Form and have been assigned an ID number. You may request a letter by sending your full name, address, and parish ID number (if known) to rc@st-rita.org

or fill out the form below and drop it in the Sunday Offering or mail to the Parish Office, Attn: RC. NO requests will be taken over the telephone.
Request for 2012 Donations for Tax Purposes ID# Full Name Address

If you would like your ad to appear in our weekly Bulletin, please contact J.S. Paluch 1-800-231-0805 jspaluch.com And When you patronize one of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the St. Rita Bulletin! Our Bulletin printing cost is paid for by our advertisersthanks!