Fifth Sunday of Lent

A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

St. Rita of Cascia

March 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

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 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,
Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone.
Any takers? I thought not. Well that is certainly one of the more immediate impacts of the Lenten season upon us allthe realization that, while we might not get to belong to every group that we would like to belong to in this life, we are guaranteed membership in this groupthat of those who sin and need forgiveness. Like a sick person needs a doctor, instructs Jesus, the sinner needs a savior and a redeemer. Todays gospel account is often referred to as The Woman Caught in Sin, but the point of Jesus writing in the sand is to declare that we have ALL been caught in our sins. This 5th week of Lent offers us a final week before Holy Week to encounter Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior, and to emerge stronger in our resolve to walk in his footsteps and to experience Jesus pardon and peace. Why not give yourself the gift of this final full week of Lent? See if there is not a little time to take out of your day to take a walk with the Lord or to sit quietly in awareness of his presence. Even better yet, how about celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation? Motivation can come from the very gospel passage we have heard today: Jesus says to the woman in sin, Has no one condemned you? Then neither do I. When Jesus said that He was sent not to condemn the world but to save it, He really meant it. And do not be concerned about how long it has been since your last confession; the Lord is only interested in the present moment of your reconciliation and your return to grace. This is where I need to plug our Communal Reconciliation Service to be held HERE AT ST. RITA on Tuesday evening of Holy Week, March 26th, at 7:00 PM. We are currently planning on nine very compassionate and merciful priests who will join us to hear individual confessions. The service begins with an opening hymn, followed by a proclamation of the Word, brief homily and examination of conscience. Then individual confessions are made available and penitents may leave as they wish thereafter. This is a beautiful way to experience this great part of sacramental life in our Church and a wonderful way to personally be involved in Holy Week. It is one thing to observe the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, Our Lord; it is quite another to become a real part of it right here, right now! I pray you will join us and allow yourself this opportunity of gracethe transforming life and love of God living within us. Our parish of St. Rita is blessed to host the Holy Week Penance Service this year, and blessed to have the clergy and faithful of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Msgr. Richard Parish, Pasadena, join us.

Please offer this prayer for discernment for our Pastoral Council as we begin the process of calling forth Nominees. A Prayer for the Pastoral Council Selection Process
Come, O Holy Spirit of the living God, and show us your ways. Guide our parish discernment of those who are called to the ministry of leadership in and through the work of the parish pastoral council. Grant us wisdom to know our gifts. Call us to put those gifts at the service of your people. Give us zeal and holy courage to respond generously to your invitation. And grant your grace to all in our parish as they seek to live out the mission of Jesus. We pray this in His name, who with you and the sustaining Father is one God, forever and ever. Amen.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 17, 2013

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SATURDAY, MARCH 16
8:00 AM 5:30 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

Robyn Bain INT Darren Faire INT

7:30 AM McKernan Family RIP 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 12 NOON Patrick McLennan INT

PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH Maria Carme Marti, Dennis & Clare Marquardt, Rosemary Fryzm, Andy Pulley, Katherine Haderlein, John J. McCoy, Andy Heller, JoAnn E. Douglass, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, 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, Christa Owen, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Laurie Larkin Masella, Edith Olah, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Mildred Vocelka, Joseph Moore,

Patricia Hardy

(mother of 11, including parishioner Bill Hardy) (son of Kathleen Purner; loving brother to his siblings)

MONDAY, MARCH 18
8:00 AM

Stephen Purner

TUESDAY, MARCH 19
8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 5:30 PM

Brian Lord RIP

8:00 AM John Sullivan RIP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 THURSDAY, MARCH 21 FRIDAY, M ARCH 22

Communion Service Communion Service

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 SUNDAY, MARCH 24

Rev. John William Clark RIP Dave Joseph RIP William Young RIP

Wednesday, March 20, Evening Prayer

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

7:30 AM James M. Allaire RIP 10:00 AM Marija & Rozika Piskur RIP 12 NOON For All Parishioners

Thursday Bible Study

Resumes on May 2

FEAST DAYS
Sunday, March 17
St. Cyril of Jerusalem St. Joseph St. Patrick

Monday, March 18

Tuesday, March 19

Lenten Penitential Service

Tuesday, March 26 7 pm In the Church This year St. Rita is hosting this Service with our sister parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in our church. The Service begins with opening prayers, a brief homily, and then the opportunity for individual confession. There will be a total of nine priests hearing confessions. We encourage all adults to attend and take advantage of this opportunity during this Holy Season of Lent.

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo

Saturday, March 23

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingSee, I am doing something new! (Isaiah 43:16-21) or Ezekiel 37:12-14. PsalmThe Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126) or Psalm 130. Second ReadingI have been taken possession of by Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:8-14) or
Romans 8:8-11.

GospelGo, and from now on do not sin any more (John 8:1-11) or John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27,
33b-45].

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

St. Rita School
Edge Monday, March 18, 4 pm, In the Church No meetings on March 25 or April 1 Youth NiteNext meeting date is Wed., April 24 Year 1 ConfirmationDay Retreat Saturday, March 23, 9am-until Vigil Mass, OMalley Palm Sunday Youth MassSat., Mar. 23, 5:30 pm followed by a potluck dinner for candidates, family members, and sponsors.

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EDGE Living Stations of the Cross

(See article at bottom of next column.)

Youth Day Report

St. Rita Youth Ministry took 25 teens and adults to the Anaheim Convention Center for this all-day event. Thousands of youth attended a dynamic Mass, singing along with the Jacob & Matthew band, as well as hearing two very gifted speakers. The Youth Day experience certainly broadened our perception of how to use gifts and talents to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org Note: No Religious Ed classes on March 15 or April 1. Childrens Liturgy of the Wordnext Sunday, March 24 during the 10 am Mass. All children in grades 1-3 are encouraged to participate. The children will be dismissed after the Opening Prayer and go to Gara Hall for the opportunity to listen to the Sunday Readings at an age-appropriate level. The children return to Church for the remainder of the Mass. Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Holy Thursday, March 28Living Stations of the Cross, 11 am in the Church. Re-visit the Passion of Christ through this re-enactment by the St. Rita students. Sat., April 13Wine Social, 6:30-9:30 pm, La Salle High School Courtyard. Featuring J. Lohr wine and appetizers. $20 advance registration, available at School Office, includes souvenir wine tasting glass. $25 at the door. Monday, May 6Catholic Charities Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello. Join us at this special event recognizing and honoring our St. Rita School Campus Ministry. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will be the guest speaker. All parishioners are welcome. Contact the School Office for ticket information. St. Rita School Office 355-6114

Palm Sunday Evening, March 24 6:30 pm in the Church

Journey to the Cross

Plan to join us for this deeply spiritual event. Experience Jesus journey to Calvary through prayer and song. Hear beautiful, profound music featuring the choirs and musicians of St Rita, with special guests. Please invite your neighbors and friendsCatholic or notto this Lenten experience. Free will donations are gratefully accepted. Reception following in OMalley Hall.

Meet & Greet Under the Wistaria Vine

The Senior Ministry will host this gathering at the home of Carol Alcorn on Saturday, March 23, from 2-5 pm. Senior Ministry Light refreshments will be served. Helpers and donations of cookies/ snacks are always appreciated. For further information:
Carol Alcorn 355-0976 Marilyn McKernan 355-8608

Stations of the Cross & Soup Kitchen Friday, March 22 Living Stations presented by Youth Ministry
This is the final Stations of the Cross of Lent 2013 at St. Rita. Please join us in the Church at 6 pm for a very inspiring portrayal by the Youth Ministry of the Way of the Cross. The Soup Kitchen follows in Gara Hall. Share a simple meal and enjoy the fellowship of your fellow parishioners. This weeks meal will be hosted and prepared by Youth Ministry. A guest speaker or video presentation on a Lenten theme will be at @7:15 pm. All donations for the simple meal served are given to feed the hungry and to help the poor.

Special Deadline for Bulletin for Easter. Tuesday, March 19for March 31 (Easter Sunday) issue. bulletin@st-rita.org or bring to the Parish Office.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 17, 2013

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

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This Week at St. Rita

Sunday, March 17 Feast of St. Patrick Tuesday, March 19 Feast of St. Joseph

Welcome to those who joined our Faith Community in February Bob Hurd & Pia Moriarty Richard, Lisa (Butler), Julia & Emma Jones Bob Kozak & Joann Bloomquist Christopher, Jackie (Maher), & Victoria Landry Laurel Medina Dennis (Jr), Margaret (Laisaar), Ace & Axl Slavin Edward, Angela & Olivia Stanislawski Joel, Alisha, & Liam Wesser

Friday, March 22Living Stations of the Cross & Lenten Soup Kitchen
See page 5 for information.

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

(See page 4 for times/locations.) Pray the RosaryAfter weekday 8 am Mass Tuesday, March 19, RCIA Class Wednesday, March 20, Evening Prayer Thursday Bible Study Note: Class resumes May 2. Catholic Community & Local Events
What is Marriage?Monday, March 18 at 7 pm. St. Monica Academy presents a conversation with Sherif Girgis. St. Therese Church, 1100 East Alhambra Road, Albambra 91801. Free. Info: Todd Inman inmant@stmonicaacademy.com Placement Test, Damien High SchoolMarch 23, 8 am. Submit an application in advance of the test by contacting the school. 2280 Damien Ave., La Verne. Info: 909/596-1946 outreach@damien-hs.edu Bereavement Support GroupWed., April 10, 7 pm. Meets for an additional five evenings April 24, May 1-22. Facilitated by Gloria Leff, LMFT. St. Bede the Venerable Church, 215 Foothill Blvd., LaCaada 91011. Registration/information: 818/679-1841 or 949-4300. Shower of Roses Benefit Luncheon/Fashion ShowWednesday, April 10. Benefits the Alhambra Cloistered Carmelite Nuns. Tickets $65. San Gabriel Country Club, 350 E. Hermosa Dr., San Gabriel. RSVP: Charlene Seley 626/799-0379 jseley@sbcglobal.net Religious Vocation Discernment Retreat April 12-14. Have you ever thought about a vocation? Single Catholic women 18-40 are invited to learn more during this prayerful and reflective retreat. Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, Los Altos Hills. More info: Sister Lisa Laguna, D.C. 650/949-8890 SrLisaDC@aol.com 2013 Sacred Heart Summer CampsStaffed by the Sacred Heart Sisters, these camps offer an enjoyable camping experience in a wholesome, Christian atmosphere and a loving spirit. Family Camps and Girls Camps available. Info: 909/866-5696

Save the Date

Weekend of March 22-24Mens Retreat For information/reservations: 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 Sunday, March 24Journey to the Cross
See page 5 for information.

Monday, March 25Chrism Mass

7 pm Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral

Tuesday, March 26Lenten Reconciliation Service

At St. Rita with Assumption of the BVM parish 7 pm See page 4 for information.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Together in Mission (TIM) Report Status as of March 11, 2013
Thank you to the 103 families (@8% of our parish families) who have contributed to this very worthwhile fund to help our poor parishes and schools. Our Assessed Goal = $ 57,138.50 Pledges to date = $ 24,869.00 Paid to date = $ 21,669.00 Any funds collected above our Goal are returned to our parish. Conversely, any shortfall in meeting our goal needs to be paid from parish funds. (Last year we experienced a shortfall of almost $6K, which is still due to the Archdiocese.) We urge you to help meet our 2013 goal but, more importantly, to help meet the needs of so many of our fellow Catholics in our Archdiocese. Our TIM participation rate last year was less than 19% of registered parishioners. As Monsignor Richard remarked on TIM Pledge Sunday, he cannot understand that. Checks should be payable to Together in Mission. Credit cards are also accepted. TIM envelopes, available in the Vestibule, may be placed in the Sunday Offering basket.

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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

Please participate with any amount of contribution which makes you feel generous and pleased.