Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.

Pastor
626.355.1292 x. 228 revkrek@st-rita.org Dcn. Manuel & Chela ValenciaDeacon Couple deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com 626.355.1292 Dcn. John Hulljohnhull65@gmail.com 626.355.1292 Weekend Presiders: Fr. Chris Thiel, OFM Cap. Rev. Msgr. John Morales Parish Operations Manager: Tim Lopez 626.355.1292 Office Email: ParishAdmin@st-rita.org

Parish Office/Mailing Address: 50 East Alegria Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am to 7:00pm; Sat. 9am-2pm Office Phone: 626.355.1292
Pastoral Council Vice Chair Mr. George Landis: 626.355.1292 Finance Council Chair Mr. Bill Sullivan: 626.355.3707 Director of Liturgy & Music Mr. Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org Director of Religious Education Mrs. Cristina Cullen: 355.3841, dre@st-rita.org Director of Youth Ministry/Confirmation Mrs. Theresa Bui Costanzo: 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 St. Rita SchoolOffice: 626.355.6114 Principal: Mrs. Joanne Harabedian: jharabedian@st-rita.org SAINT RITA MINISTRIES & ORGANIZATIONS
(See Inside Flap, page four)

SUNDAYS: Sat. 5:30 pm; Sunday 7:30 am; 10 am; & 12 N WEEKDAYS: Mon., Tues., Fri., and Sat. 8:00 am (Wed. & Thurs. 8 am Communion Services) HOLY DAYS: (eve of) 5:30 pm; (day of) 8 am & 6:30 pm. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confessions) Saturdays 4-5 pm or by appointment DEVOTIONS Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotions: Saturdays 7:50 am Adoration: First Fridays 8:30 am 6:30 pm, Rectory Oratory. 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. SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION & 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. 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.

Mass Times

Sunday, March 18, 2012

NOTE: Adult applicants for the above sacraments should inquire at the
Parish Office: 50 E. Alegria Ave. or call 626.355.1292. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK (See Inside Flap, page four)

SAINT RITA CHURCH

4TH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 18, 2012

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PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners, We find today that Saint Johns account of The Man Born Blind is practically immersed in reluctance, queries, doubts, misunderstanding, and accusation. The mans own parents were hesitant and afraid to admit any association with Jesus, let alone recognize his authority and power; Jesus own disciples figured somebody had to have sinned to cause the blindness; and some of the Pharisees declared Jesus to be a sinner and a fraud. In the midst of all of this, the man anointed and healed by Jesus simply and beautifully announces, All I know is that I was blind and now I see. Saint John brilliantly contrasts the simple faith of the man born blind and who now sees the light, with the depth of darkness that so many around him had cast themselves into by their doubts, their need to be in control, and ultimately by their blinding fears. Ah yesits the FEAR FACTOR! Fear cripples. Anybody see The Aviator and how it portrayed Howard Hughes so fearful that he could not leave his room for a prolonged period of time? In the same story, love finally steps in and gives him the courage to get beyond his fear, to leave his darkened room, and indeed to step into the light for the very defense of his own character and reputation. Lent is meant to be a time for allowing the powerful and healing love of God to help us identify our own fears, whatever they may be, and to conquer them for the sake of removing any spiritual blindnesspotentially the most injurious and damaging kind of blindness. From such blindness come greed, disregard, prejudice, abuse of power, and the like. As we journey through Lent, therefore, do we find that anything is eating at us or gnawing at our consciences? If so, I recommend that we check our fearsthe culprit is likely to be hiding there. This is a fine Lenten challenge for sure. Why else would Paul write: Live as children of the

First ReadingAs the prophet Samuel anointed David with oil, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David and remained with him from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a). PsalmThe Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Psalm 23). Second ReadingYou who were once darkness are now light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-14). GospelThe man who was blind from birth proclaimed: The one called Jesus made clay with his saliva, anointed my eyes with it, and told me to wash. When I washed, I was able to see! (John 9:1-41) SATURDAY

TODAYS READINGS

8:00 AM 5:30 PM SUNDAY 7:30 AM 10:00 AM 12 NOON MONDAY 8:00 AM TUESDAY 8:00 AM WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM THURSDAY 8:00 AM FRIDAY 8:00 AM SATURDAY 8:00 AM 5:30 PM SUNDAY 7:30 AM 10:00 AM 12 NOON

MARCH 17 ST. PATRICK William McKernan RIP Msgr. Robert Gara RIP MARCH 18 Patricia Kinsella RIP For All Parishioners Max Licauco RIP MARCH 19 ST. JOSEPH John Tarpey RIP MARCH 20 John Sullivan RIP MARCH 21 Communion Service MARCH 22 Communion Service M ARCH 23 Rev. Maurice Chase RIP MARCH 24 Raymond Gaines RIP Rev. Msgr. Joseph S. George RIP MARCH 25 Michael Delgatto RIP Mark Peters RIP For All Parishioners

PASTORS NEWS NOTES

Thank you to the members of our newly formed Vision Committee who met with me and our Parish Operations Manager, Tim Lopez, last Sunday. Thanks to these parishioners who have volunteered to help design a survey for Parish Leadership that will enable us to determine our needs and requirements as we move forward: Jeff Allen, Martin Boskovich, David Chambers, Bill Hardy, Jennifer McFaul, Colleen McKernan, and Melissa Stutenroth. Faith an begorrah, twas another memorable St. Paddys Day Spaghetti Dinner. Thank you to the Mens Club, Chief Cook Gary Fidone, and all who helped cook and serve. The Irish Step Dancers were enthusiastic, endearing, and talented! Msgr. Richard OKrekelberg

light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose themfor everything that becomes visible is light ? And then with Paul on Holy
Saturday Night, we will sing and proclaim in the lighting of the Paschal Candle:

JESUS IS THE LIGHT THAT COMES TO DISPEL THE DARKNESS!

Msgr. Richard

Stewardship and Todays Scriptures

All that we have and all that we are comes from the Lord. We are truly his handiwork, says St. Paul in the second reading, created in Christ Jesus to lead a life of good deeds which God prepared for us in advance.

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE Tuesday, April 3, 7 pm

St. Rita joins with Assumption of the BVM, 2640 E. Orange Grove, Pasadena for this communal service. After the prayer service, there will be priests available for individual confessions.

SAINT RITA CHURCH

4TH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 18, 2012

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YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth NitesNo Youth Nite, March 21. Year 1 Confirmation Retreat, March 24. EDGE Session: March 19, 4 pm Gara.

Catholic Community & Local Events

Academic Scholarships AvailableLocal Grade 12 students may apply to the Sierra Madre Womans Club by sending your name, phone number, school, and school counselors name & phone number on/before April 2 to: sierramadrewomansclub@gmail.com Adult Volunteer Orientation, Santa TeresitaSaturday, March 24, 9:30-noon. Further information, please call Sister Rosario Therese, 408-7822 or outreach@santa-teresita.org. Taste of LaSalleSaturday, March 24. Featuring over 30 food vendors offering a taste. $30 in advance/$40 at the door. Info: 696-4362 www.lancernetwork.com/Taste2012 Maryknoll Sisters CentennialSunday, March 25, 2 pm. A prayer service to honor the Maryknoll Sisters and their 100 years in mission work. At Immaculate Conception, Monrovia. Articles from the Archdiocese are on our website: st-rita.org (select Publications, then Safeguard the Children).

FRIDAYS IN LENT AT ST. RITA

Stations of the CrossFridays at 5 pm in the Church, led by Deacon Manuel. Join us for this spiritual devotion. Soup KitchenAfter Stations. Thank you to Religious Education for providing the March 9th Soup Kitchen.

EXPERIENCED PAINTERS WANTED

Students from Loyola Marymount University are conducting a community service project here at St. Rita and need experienced volunteers to prep & paint exterior metal surfaces at the rectory. If you would like to volunteer, contact Mike Mycroft at 858/349-2224. If youd like to make a donation toward this project, please make your check payable to St. Rita, and mark rectory painting. You may drop it in the Offertory basket or deliver it to the Parish Office. Thank you!

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN

SUPPORT OUR 2012 FOOD DRIVES

We are now having food drives every month. As youre shopping, please add a few extra items. Next driveMarch 24-25, sponsored by the Boy Scouts.

HOW TO CONTACT US
Bulletin Articlesmust be submitted 10 days before the Sunday of publication. Email: bulletin@st-rita.org or drop off information at the Parish Office. Parish OfficeParishAdmin@st-rita.org Ministry to the Sick or HomeboundPlease contact the Parish Office if you, or someone you know, would like to receive Communion at home or would like to be added to the Prayer List.
PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTHSonia Kosker, David Duran, Rosemarie

ST. RITA SCHOOL HOOP-IT-UP EVENT

A basketball free-throw event. Sunday, March 25, 3:30-6:30 pm (East campus parking lot.) Food trucks, televised March Madness games, beer garden. Raffle, silent auction, bouncey house for the kids.

CRUISE WITH YOUR FELLOW PARISHIONERS

Meet with a Royal Caribbean Cruise representative on March 22, 7 pm, in Gara Hall. Sailing October 20th from Southampton, England. Led by Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick from Ss. Felicitas and Perpetua Parish. Visiting Spain (Santiago de Compostela), Portugal (Fatima), and the Canary Islands. Information: Marie Liuzzi, 818/236-4268

Gorman, Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Debra Ann Williamson, Cliff Hancuff, Lucile Flanders, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Gil Lazo, Dorothy Van Gordon, Rosanne Kenny, Lisa Levesque, Hal Finney, Mary Elizabeth Nealey, Kathleen Ramsey, Louise Bigley, Winnie McQuiggan, Christa Owen, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Laurie Larkin Masella, Rudy Wunderlin, Edith Olah, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Clare Marquardt, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Mildred Vocelka, Ann Twedell, Joseph Moore, Effie DeGroot, Ned Vento.

TOGETHER IN MISSION (TIM)

100 families have given to TIM as of March 9th. Please help us reach our parish participation goal by returning your pledge card (available in the Vestibule) either in the Sunday Offering Basket or to the Parish Office. Reminder: Please make your check payable to Together in Mission. Credit cards also accepted. Monday, April 2No Morning Mass (Chrism Mass, 7 pm Cathedral). Tuesday, April 3Lenten Penance Service, 7 pm (ABVM). Thursday, April 5Mass of the Lords Supper, 7:30 pm Friday, April 6Liturgy, Communion, and Veneration, 1:30 pm Saturday, April 7Solemn Vigil of Easter, 7:30 pm Sunday, April 8Easter Masses, 7:30 & 10 am, Noon

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

A registered parishioner may request a letter to acknowledge 2011 donations to St. Rita for tax purposes. Please send your full name, address, and parish ID number (if known) to rc@st-rita.orgor fill out the form below and drop it in the Sunday Offering or mail to the Parish Office, Attn: RC. NO Requests over the telephone please. Request for 2011 Donations for Tax Purposes ID/Envelope # Full Name Address

2011 TAX DONATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Note: No morning Masses on Holy Thursday or Holy Saturday. No Mass on Good Friday.

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SAINT RITA CHURCH

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Directory of Ministries and Organizations

Liturgy & Worship
Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers: David & Jill Muhs 626.355.9810 em@st-rita.org Altar Servers, Youth: Mrs. Kathy Ganino: 626.398.9302 Altar Servers, Adult: Mr. Bill Cosso Eucharistic Adoration: Mrs. Marylyn Barnes Rosary Prayer Group: Mrs. Marylyn Barnes 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: Mrs. Barbara LeVeque /Mr. Gil Lazo 626.355.1292 Bereavement Ministry: Call Parish Office: 626.355.1292 Christian Family: Terri Cummings 626.355.8895 Greeters & Ushers: Mr. Erny Henry: 626.289.3504; 626.446.6715 Mens Club: Tim OConnor: 355.5053 the4oconnors@yahoo.com New Members/Welcome: Dick & Chris Bertrand pr@st-rita.org St. Rita Guild: Ms. Kathy Coyne: 355.4873, kdcoyne@aol.com Senior Ministry: Marilyn McKernan, marilyn@st-rita.org Shawl Ministry: Mary Taillac 355.3179 or Marilyn Delgatto 355.8717

Parish Ministries & Organizations

Other Contacts
Archivist: Mrs. Marilyn McKernan, marilyn@st-rita.org Bulletin Submissions: bulletin@st-rita.org or drop off at Office Public Relations: Mrs. Chris Bertrand: pr@st-rita.org Registration Information: rc@st-rita.org; 626.355.1292 Webmaster: Ralph Seymour: seymour@seymourmedia.com

Communion for Sick and Homebound Parishioners

St. Rita ministers provide Communion home visits. Contact the Parish office or Jill Muhs, 626.355.9810, em@st-rita.org.

Let Saint Rita Be There For You . . .

If Someone In Your Family Becomes Seriously Ill

Please notify us (626.355.1292) 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!

If You Should Experience the Loss of a Loved One

Please call us at 626.355.1292 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.

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SAINT RITA CHURCH

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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

Outside the Church after all Masses.

March 17-18Parental Notification Petition Signing Sunday March 18Coffee & Donuts
After all the Masses.

This WeekendCatholic Relief Services Collection

Thank you for your generous donation to this annual appeal. Envelopes available in your envelope packet or in the Vestibule.

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

Thursday, March 22Liturgy of the Hours
5:30 pm, Music and silent meditation. 6 pmPrayers

Thursday, March 22Bible Study

7 pm, Parish Office. All are welcome!

Friday, March 23 Stations of the Cross

In the church, 5 pm Soup Kitchen immediately after in Gara Hall This week: Sponsored by the Girl Scouts

March 23-25St. Rita Mens Annual Retreat

Info: Bill Cosso 355-5656

Save the Date

March 24-25Canned Food Drive
Please see page 3 for more information.

St. Rita Hoop-It-Up Event

Please see page 3 for more information.

Monday March 26Baptism Preparation

7 pm, Rectory Meeting Room For Baptisms on Sunday, May 6.

Sunday, April 1Palm Sunday Journey to the Cross

Accompany Jesus through prayer and song 7 pm, in the Church

Tuesday, April 3Lenten Penance Service

Please see page 2 for more information.