First Sunday of Lent

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

St. Rita of Cascia

February 17, 2013

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

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENTFEBRUARY 17, 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: Kathy Ganino: 626.398.9302 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.

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

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.

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,
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God!
And so we have begun Lent 2013 here at St. Rita Parish and throughout the Universal Church. 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 helpful over the years, 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. 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. (Attending the Religious Education Congress, for instance, could be an illuminative experience by way of inspiration and thoughtful study.) 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, 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 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 PASTORS NEWS NOTES Principal David Chambers Together in Mission!On behalf of all of us, thank you, David, for helping to put a true face on Together in Mission for our parish. Your joy at being Catholic and a Catholic educator, your full and faithful participation as long time Chambers family members of St. Rita, and your true understanding of what stewardship is all about, are deeply appreciated. We offer our prayers for your continued ministry and excellent work at Cantwell Sacred Heart High School. And now lets honor Davids heartfelt message by really being together in mission for our struggling parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles! Msgr. Richard

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENTFEBRUARY 17, 2013

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8:00 AM 5:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Vera Servetti RIP Sarah Varney RIP

7:30 AM Marilu Hitchcock 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 12 NOON Stanley Majcher, MD INT

PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH Rosemary Fryzm Andy Pulley, 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, FEBRUARY 18
8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 5:30 PM

John A. Droege III (father of Sara Landis, father-in-law of George

and grandfather of Anthony)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Natalie Kigerl INT Kathleen Sweetman RIP

Grace Teeple

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 FRIDAY, F EBRUARY 22

Communion Service Communion Service Rev. John H. Q. Nguyen RIP

Spiritual Growth
Tuesday, February 19, RCIA
7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room Contact Deacon Manuel for information.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Orlando & Victoria Clarizio RIP Francisco Alabart RIP

Wednesday, February 20, Evening Prayer

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

7:30 AM Rosina Padilla RIP 10:00 AM Carmine Iovine RIP 12 Noon For All Parishioners

Thursday, February 21, Bible Study

7 - 8:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

FEAST DAYS
Thursday, February 21 St. Peter Damien Saturday, February 23 St. Polycarp AbstinenceRequires those 14 years of age and older to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent. Also forbidden are gravies and sauces made from meat. Fish and shellfish are permitted.

Lenten Guidelines

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingGod brought us into this land flowing with milk & honey (Deuteronomy 26:4-10). PsalmBe with me, Lord, when I am in trouble (Psalm 91). Second ReadingThe word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (Romans 10:8-13). GospelFilled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led into the desert for forty days ( Luke 4:1-13).

FastingFasting requires eating one main meal a day, and two smaller meals which do not exceed the main meal in quantity.

Fasting is obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for those who have celebrated their 18th birthday and have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

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Stations of the Cross & Soup Kitchen Friday, February 22

Youth NiteWednesday, Feb. 27, 7pm, OMalley Edge Monday, Feb. 25, Penance Service 4 pm, in the Church.
(No meeting on February 18, Presidents Day Holiday.)

Year 2 ConfirmationSat., March 16, 4 pm, OMalley Youth MassSaturday, March 2, 5:30 pm Year 1 ConfirmationThe next session is Saturday, March 2, 4-5:30 pm in Gara. Monthly Service OpportunityThe Youth Ministry takes teens and chaperones every third Saturday of the month to help distribute food and serve lunch to families in need at the St. Francis Center in downtown Los Angeles. All teens are welcome to join us! For information on any of the above Theresa Costanza ym@st-rita.org 590-8828

Join us for Stations of the Cross in the Church at 6 pm. The Soup Kitchen follows (@6:45 pm) in Gara Hall. This simple meal is prepared each week by a different ministry or organization. This Friday will be hostedand meatless meal preparedby St. Rita School. A guest speaker or video presentation on a Lenten theme will be at @7:30 pm. All donations for the simple meal served are given to feed the hungry and to help the poor.

St. Rita Mens Club

For over 20 years, the Mens Club has supported the Union Station Mission in Pasadena by providing for the homeless every first Sunday of the month. We serve breakfast from 8 am-10 am. The menu typically consists of oatmeal, hard boiled eggs, sausage, donuts, juice, milk and coffee. We usually have 2-3 volunteers from the Mens Club, and lately, weve had help from some of the youth groups from throughout the San Gabriel Valley. They tell us its a great way to get their community service hours. Theresa Costanzas Youth Group Members are among the volunteers. This is one of the longest running activities weve participated in over our 30 year history. Interested in helping with this rewarding work? Please contact me to find out more. Nick Sotis 358-2495 nick.sotis@pro-sites.net

We are starting over with the Yang short form Tai Chi. This would be a perfect time to join us! Improve balance and flexibility as you exercise your brain. Classes are held every Thursday in OMalley, from 10-11 am. $5 per class.
Marilyn McKernan 355-1292 x233 Marilyn@st-rita.org

Senior MinistryTai Chi

St. Rita Mens Retreat

Weekend of March 22-24

St. Rita Girl Scouts

Its that time of year again! The St. Rita Girl Scouts will be selling delicious cookies, before and after Mass, each week-end through March 10. Please support our Scout program from Brownies to Seniorsby buying a box or two. The thin mints freeze well so you dont have to worry about breaking Lenten intentions! INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ALTAR SERVER?

Men of all ages are invited to join us for our upcoming Retreat at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center. For more information, please call: Bill Cosso 355-5656 Dave Muhs 355-9810 Rich McCoppin 355-2871 Gary Miller 355-6440 Duncan MacGillivray 355-0762 Pat Wickhem 416-8824 Rudy Van Cleef 355-8169

Bundle SundayTime to clean house again!

The St. Vincent De Paul truck will be in our parking lot on St. Vincent Sunday, March 3 from 8 am De Paul to 1:30 pm to receive donations. For large items (furniture, large appliances) please call 323/224-6280 for a free pickup at your home. Your contributions and generosity are a tremendous help to the needy!

Calling all 6th-8th graders, private or public school students! If you are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact: Mrs. Ganino 626/398-9302 katganino@charter.net

Deadline for Bulletin articles is Thursday, 10 days before desired publication date. bulletin@st-rita.org or bring to the Parish Office.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENTFEBRUARY 17, 2013

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

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This Week at St. Rita

Thoughts from your Pastor

AS OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE BENEDICT XVI, has announced his resignation effective the 28th of February 2013, the Church Universal is called to prayer. I truly believe that The Holy Father saw Lent as a most appropriate time for the Church to be, as it were, on retreat with Jesus. The Popes tweet of Sunday, February 10th, We must trust in the mighty power of Gods mercy. We are all sinners, but his grace transforms us and makes us new, released the day before his stunning announcement, is filled with Lenten purpose and resolve. Dont you agree? Furthermore, think about it, he declared A Year of Faith and New Evangelization, which now becomes the ambiance of the election of a new successor to Peter in the Twenty-First Century. Do we not detect the grace of the Holy Spirit at work in all of this? Here in our local Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we have even more motivation to garner the grace of a good Lent by our prayer, almsgiving, and penance. We pray for Pope Benedict XVI and his personal intentions before God as he has made a decision to resign as Pontiff (something no pope has done in 600 years!). And regardless of where we might stand with regard to Cardinal Roger Mahony, he is packing for Rome and we need to pray for him sincerely and personally and for the College of Cardinals in this time of papal election. Archbishop Jos Gomez will surely be speaking to us at this time as well; let us give him our attention and solidarity. And may God bless us all as sisters and brothers in Christ on this journeymay we emerge more faithful, deeply hopeful, and a most charitable Church come Easter 2013!

Monday, February 18Presidents Day

Parish Office Closed

Friday, February 22Stations of the Cross & Lenten Soup Kitchen

See page 5 for information.

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

(See page 4 for information about times/locations.) Pray the RosaryAfter 8 am Weekday Masses Tuesday, February 19, RCIA Class Wednesday, February 20, Evening Prayer Thursday, February 21, Bible Study

Save the Date

Sunday, February 24Mass of Anointing An opportunity to receive this special blessing.
10 am Mass

Sunday, March 3St. Vincent De Paul Bundle Sunday

See page 5 for information.

Saturday, March 9St. Rita Girl Scouts Sabbath Mass

5:30 pm Watch future bulletins for more information. See page 5 for information.

Weekend of March 22-24Mens Retreat Sunday, March 24Journey to the Cross

Scripture, readings and choral presentation. 6:30 pm In the Church

Tuesday, March 26Lenten Reconciliation Service

Joint Penitential Service with Assumption of the BVM At St. Rita 7 pm

Msgr. Richard

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Together in Mission (TIM) 2013
When David Chambers spoke at all the Masses this past week-end he brought the struggles and reality of our fellow Catholics to us. Most of us may never have the opportunity to visit an inner-city parish or school, such as St. Thomas, St. Agatha, or Sacred Heart. But, when we heard Davids words last week, we were transported to those parishes. We have been given so much and we are called to share our Blessings. Be assured that all funds donated to TIM go directly to parishes and schools in need. None of the money goes for any other purpose. TIM is our way to give a hand to a strugglingand gratefulparish or school. Last year, less than 20% of St. Rita registered parishioners donated to TIM. We hope every parishioner will consider giving something to this campaign this year. If you have given to TIM in the past, please use the preprinted form you received in the mail. Pledge envelopes are also available in the Vestibule. You may donate one time or pay through monthly pledges; you may donate by check (payable to Together In Mission) or a credit card. Our assessed goal this year is $57,138.50. Please be part of our parish giving effort. Thank You!

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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/envelope number. You may request a letter by sending your full name, address, and parish ID/envelope 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 Envelope ID# Full Name Address