First

Sunday
of

Advent

St. Rita of Cascia

A Faith Community Since 1908
November 30, 2014

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

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENTNOVEMBER 30, 2014

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. 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

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

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
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: 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 626.446.6715
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

Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org

Other Contacts

Director of Religious Education

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,

EmmanuelGod With Us
STAY AWAKE!
PREPARE THE WAY OF THE
LORD
AND MAKE STRAIGHT HIS
PATH!
CALL HIM EMMANUEL
GOD WITH US.
These are some of the gospel themes
for the Sundays of Advent.
Advent is a time of cleaning the house
of our mortal souls, tidying up our
spiritual lives so that the Son of Justice
may enter, and so that nothing might
distract us from the obvious

Jesus IS the reason for the

season!
As your pastor, I urge our faith
community of St. Rita to take our
Advent Themes to heart and mind. Let
us not allow Christmas Eve to arrive
by surprise. As families, observing
Advent could just be the most
rewarding stocking stuffer. Lighting the
candles of an Advent wreath in the
home of a senior living alone could be

the assurance that Jesus continues to

be light for the journey. The Christmas
lights in our neighborhoods can be a
reminder of Christs light that dispels
darkness and gives joyespecially if
we have also done something to bring
joy to those who have no home to
decorate! Decorating homes and the
planning of parties can still be Advent
awakening and awareness when the
Christ child and the Holy Family are
frequently mentioned as the reason
why. The wrapping and giving of gifts
can be done with a prayer of
thanksgiving that each gift be a
reminder of the greatest gift when
God so loved the world
As we know, our current Holy Father
chose the name Francis, after St.
Francis of Assisi, who is the saint
credited with starting the tradition of
displaying the Nativity Scene, (also
referred to as a crche or manger
scene). Like St Francis before him
(way before him in 1223), Pope Francis
emphasizes the importance of our
living each day, The IncarnationThe

Word Made Flesh dwelling among us.

So this Advent, let us especially
remember that Our Holy Father has
inaugurated a special, year-long Synod
on the Family and, as we light each
Advent candle remember to add a
prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide
the synod process that wants to
proclaim The Word Made Flesh in the
life of every familythe family of
humankind, the family of the Universal
Church, the family of The Archdiocese
of Our Lady of the Angels, the family
of our St. Rita Parish, and our own
personal families. May this holy
synod of the Church strengthen our
families so as to bear Christ to the
worldincarnationin our own
time and in our own generations.
In this new liturgical year throughout
the Universal Church, then, may the
Lord fashion himself a people! May we
find new courage and strength to keep
all the commandments of the Lord and
to live his beatitudes as we center our
lives in celebrating and living the Most
Holy Eucharist!

Msgr. Richard

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT-NOVEMBER 30, 2014

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
8:00 AM
5:30 PM

Genevieve Leverone RIP

Michael OSullivan INT

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

7:30 AM Michael Wolf INT

10:00 AM Jerry Lauricella RIP
12 NOON For All Parishioners

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1
8:00 AM

Doug Peterson INT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

8:00 AM Jack Walters RIP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Greg Petek RIP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
FRIDAY, D ECEMBER 5
AM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

8:00 AM Rev. William Caffrey RIP

5:30 PM For All Parishioners

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

7:30 AM Mary Kay Hollinger RIP

10:00 AM Stephen Purner RIP
12 NOON Luis E. Escalante RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

WednesdaySt. Francis Xavier
ThursdaySt. John Damascene
SaturdaySt. Nicolas

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingWe are the clay and
you, O Lord, are the potter; we are the
work of your hands
(Isaiah 63: 16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7).
PsalmLord, make us turn to you; let
us see your face and we shall be saved
(Psalm 80).
Second ReadingGod is faithful; by
God you were called to fellowship with
the Son (1 Corinthians 1:3-9).
GospelBe watchful! Be alert! You do
not know when the time will come
(Mark 13:33-37).

We are the work

of your hands.

Saint of the Week

St. Nicolas

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS
Vera Delgatto, JF Mahoney, Kelly
Solomon, Linda Theriault, Antoinette
Serafin, Janeen Wetzel, Heather Hagan,
Mike Wolf, Jean Wood, Jos Colayco,
Mario de la Torre, Barbara Vanni, Freya
Sheasby Bailey, Anna Schube, Aubrey
Randolph, Joseph Malvin, Madeleine
Loera, Randy Graff, Toni Navarro, Susan
Watson, Molly Lynch, Juanito & Marilou
Pe, Willard Bochte, Joann Ruggles,
Margaret Duran, Lori Ann Little, Guia
Canizales, Anne Frealy, Eva Shammon,
Margie Schubert, Mary Zuckerburg, Emily
Young, JoAnn Douglass, Mary McColl,
Evelyn Tres, Barbara Hester, Phil
Huddleston, Gerald Drean, Charlotte
Bollman Fuchs, Gerry Krekelberg,
Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr.,
Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Linda
Milligan, Susan Skousen, Brooke Manning,
Arthur Contreras, Jr., Robert Quinonez,
Richard Krier, Patsy Starkey, 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,
Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Brian Eck,
Alex Arranaga, Joseph Moore.

Louis Cortez

Our Lady of
Guadalupe
Procession &
Mass
Sunday, December 7
For times and locations:
archla.org/Guadalupe

The absence of the

hard facts of
history
is
not
necessarily an obstacle to the
popularity of saints, as the devotion
to St. Nicholas shows. Both the
Eastern and Western Churches
honor him, and it is claimed that
after the Blessed Virgin, he is the
saint most pictured by Christian
artists. And yet, historically, we can
pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas
was the fourth-century bishop of
Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of
Asia Minor.
As with many of the saints,
however, we are able to capture the
relationship which Nicholas had
with God through the admiration
which Christians have had for
himan admiration expressed in the
colorful stories which have been told
and retold through the centuries.
Perhaps the best-known story
about Nicholas concerns his charity
toward a poor man who was unable
to provide dowries for his three
daughters of marriageable age.
Rather than see them forced into
prostitution, Nicholas secretly
tossed a bag of gold through the
poor mans window on three
separate occasions, thus enabling
the daughters to be married. Over
the centuries, this particular legend
evolved into the custom of giftgiving on the saints feast. In the
English-speaking countries, St.
Nicholas became, by a twist of the
tongue, Santa Clausfurther
expanding the example of generosity
portrayed by this holy bishop.
Perhaps we can utilize the lesson
taught by his legendary charity, look
deeper at our approach to material
goods in the Christmas season and
seek ways to extend our sharing to
those in real need.
AmericanCatholic.org

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry

Concert 2013

Youth Nite
EDGE Fellowship

EDGE Middle School Ministry

Monday, Dec. 8, 4-5:30 pm, Gara

Year 2 Confirmation

The Community Chorus of Redlands

presents

A Concert of Anthems, Readings,

and Carols of the Season

Wed., Dec. 10, 7-8:30 pm, OMalley

Monday, December 1, 4-5:30 pm, Gara
St. Rita School students also invited.

Sunday, December 14 - 4:00 pm

Once again, St. Rita is blessed to have Jeffrey

H. Rickard, founder-director of The
Community Chorus of Redlands, gift us with an evening of music, both choral
and instrumental; with readings from a variety of sacred and secular sources;
and with familiar carols for audience and choir.

Saturday, December 6, 4 - 5:30 pm, Gara

If you have not attended this Concert in previous years, make an effort to
Youth Mass follows at 5:30 pm

attend so you may receive this very special gift of seasonal joy.
Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org Your free-will offering in support of the Community Chorus and the expenses
incurred in their presentation is appreciated.

Religious Education

Classes for 1st-5th Graders

Monday, December 1, 4-5:30 pm, Gara

St. Rita School

Looking for Christmas

gifts or stocking stuffers? The School
All 3-5 year old children are invited to has a supply of gift cards for markets,
join us for Preschool Sunday School for fast food and restaurants, gas
every Sunday during the
stations, and other merchants.
10 am Mass. Parents, attend Mass
while your child is learning the Sunday Do your shopping the easy way while
helping the school!
Gospel in a fun, age-appropriate way.
No registration required. We meet
School Office 355-6114
above Gara Hall in the TK Classroom.

Preschool Sunday School

Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Watch for the Giving

Tree in the Vestibule
your unwrapped
presents of new toys or
new clothing will be
given to St. Francis
Center and St. Anthony
Parish.

Traveling during the

holidays?
Visit

Masstimes.org
to find a church wherever you are.
And dont forget to support St. Rita
Parish by donating your weekly
offerings either prior to or subsequent
to your vacation.

Thank you for

Holiday Bulletin Submissions

Deadline is Tuesday, December 9
for the December 21 (Christmas)
Bulletin.

Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org

Or bring the written information to
the Parish Office, ATTN: Rosemary

donating food or
money to the recent
Food Drive for St.
Anthony Parishyour
generosity helped supply food for the
holidays for many families.

Thank you!

Church Environment
Artificial Christmas trees are needed
for our Church decorations. Can you
help by donating a tree? Or perhaps
money towards the purchase of one?
Gil Lazo or Denise Villalovos
gil@st-rita.org 355-1292

Hospitality after
Sunday Masses
This weekend we begin an expansion
of our fellowship time after Mass. Each
Sunday, a different parish ministry or
organization will sponsor hospitality.
Andbesides foodthey will be
offering you the opportunity to learn
more about them and their role in
parish life.
Take a few extra minutes to enjoy a
snack and camaraderie.
Your offering to help defray costs for food and
beverages is much appreciated.

Please continue to pray

daily for all Catholics
and Christians who are
suffering, even to
martyrdom, for their
faith in Iraq, Syria, and Africa.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENTNOVEMBER 30, 2014

This Week at St. Rita

St. Rita
Capital Campaign

Some commonly asked questions about Capital

Campaign Donations
Thursday, December 4Liturgy of the Hours
5 pm Meditation 5:30 pm Prayer
Oratory in the Parish Office
Friday, December 5Adoration
After the 8 am Mass until 5 pm Oratory in the Parish Office

Q: Are pledges to the Campaign tax deductible?

A. St. Rita Parish is a 501 c3 and therefore all

donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the

law. Pledges are a promise to make a donation. They
are only deductible when the actual gift is made. So if
you make a pledge for $3,000 to be paid over three
years, you can only list the deduction when the yearly
$1,000 payment is made.

Q. I want to make my pledge now, but cant

Save the Date

Monday, December 8Feast of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Holy Day of Obligation

Mass times: 8 am & 6:30 pm NO Mass on Sunday Evening

Sunday, December 14Community Chorus of Redlands
In the Church 4-6 pm See page 5 for more information.
Wednesday, December 17Brass Concert
of Christmas Songs
In the Church 2:30 - 3 pm

All St. Rita School children will attendyou are welcome too!
Sunday, December 21Candlelight Walk
From St. Rita to Kersting Court.
Watch for more details in future Bulletins.

begin payments until next year, is this okay?

A. Pledges are honored and counted toward the

Campaign goal when they are received, but you can

make payments when it is convenient for you and on
any schedule that works best for you.

Q. I want my donations to help pay for a

Reconciliation Room in the Church; can I make
this designation?
A. Donations can be designated for a Reconciliation
Room or any project of the Campaign. Your
designation will be honored and we will set the
amount aside to be used as you have requested.
Q. I received the Year End request for a
donation. Will any of this income be used for the
Capital Campaign?
A. The Year End gifts to the parish are used for
maintenance and operating expenses and, when so
indicated, for particular ministries. None of the
money from the Year End gifts will go toward the
Capital Campaign.

The First Sunday of Advent begins

the new liturgical year
The Year of the Gospel of Mark (Discipleship).
While the Gospel of Mark is the story of Jesus, it is
also the story of the disciples and apostles responses
to the call of Jesus. We will be challenged many times
throughout this year to respond to that same call.
Harpers Bible Commentary

Jesus, may we use this Advent

to prepare our hearts for your Call.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Catholic Community
Weekend of December 5-7Worldwide Marriage
Encounter. Give each other the Christmas gift of attending this Weekend. Hilton Garden Inn, Arcadia 91007.
Registration online: sacramentallove.org
Information: David/Teri Muse 626/644-1775
Friday, December 12Advent Luncheon. Join Avila
Gardens at this Annual Luncheon to prepare our hearts for
the coming of Christ. $5/donation. Avila Gardens, 1171
Encanto Parkway, Duarte, 91010.
RSVP: Avilagardens.com 626/599-2214

Music Scholarship Audition

Mount St. Marys College
Chalon Road Campus
Saturday, January 24 from 9 am - 4 pm

Application requirements can be found at:

Msmc.la.edu/undergraduate-bachelor-programs/music/
music-scholarship-audtions.asp
Information: Dr. Therese Fassnacht, Department Chair
tfassnacht@msmc.la.edu

High School Open Houses

Wednesday, December 3St. Monica Academy, 7 pm.
Come find out more about this unique co-ed high school,
recently named to the national Catholic High School
Honor Roll. 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena
Information: joseph freymann freymannj@stmonicaacademy.com
Sunday, December 7Mayfield Senior School, 12-3pm.
An opportunity to learn about Mayfields programs,
facility, and faculty. Guided tours available. No preregistration required. 500 Bellefontaine, Pasadena 91105.
For more information:
Clemmie Philips 626/799-9121 x287 mayfieldsenior.org

Saturday, January 10St. Francis High School,

11am-2pm. Take a campus tour; interact with students

teachers, and coaches; view demonstrations; and

participate in panel discussions. 200 Foothill Blvd., La
Caada 91011.
For more information:
818/790-0325

Sunday, January 11Pomona Catholic, 9 am - 12 pm.

Mass at 9 am, followed by a pancake breakfast and Open
House presentations.
Information or RSVP: Patricia Vandenberg
909/623-5297 x22 pvandenberg@pomonacatholic.org