The

Baptism
of
The
Lord

St. Rita of Cascia

A Faith Community Since 1908
January 11, 2015

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

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORDJANUARY 11, 2015

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
Immaculate Heart of Mary 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,
This weekend I recommend to you this Reflection on The Baptism of the Lord.

Msgr. Richard

Let My Spirit Go!

We all receive different gifts, but so
often we prefer to cling to them as
purely our own. We acquire various
talents, but we grasp them to claim
for ourselves. We accumulate some
of this worlds goods but hoard them
away. We find it so difficult to break
from the force of our ego. It is so
difficult to say: Let my Spirit go!
In the First Reading, the Servant, the
ideal Israel who has acknowledged
Gods message and acted upon it,
receives Gods Spirit to carry out a
prophetic office. The title Servant
suggests the role of a king, but not a
king who rules by force. Rather, he
respects the poor and the helpless,
bringing forth justice. He also leads
his people out of darkness and
prepares to bring his message to the
pagans. As a light for the nations, the
Servant follows the direction of the
Spirit. Light abolishes darkness and
thereby conveys a message of hope.
For the Servant, the proper lifestyle
is: Let my Spirit go!

Although the Psalm does not

explicitly mention the Spirit, it does
emphasize the central message of
Divine Presence. The psalmist
creates a mighty storm that manifests
the reality of Divine Power. The
mighty voice of the Lord is all too
obvious. The worshipers in the
Jerusalem temple recognize this voice
as they experience in a very tangible
way the reality of the awesome God
of Israel who meets their needs.
Let my Spirit go!
In the Gospel, the Spirit comes on
Jesus at the moment of his baptism.
The rending of the sky suggests the
establishment of the definitive people
of God. The private revelation of the
Father to Jesus about his Son-ship
points in the direction of Jesus
mission. The Spirit is calculated to
enable Jesus to carry out that mission
and bring it to fulfillment. Hence the
Spirit is ultimately for others. Like
the Servant in the First Reading,
Jesus will provide for the poor and

the helpless. He will also function as

a light in opening the eyes of the
blind and emptying the prisons and
dungeons. For Jesus, the only modus
vivendi is: Let my Spirit go!
Thus husbands and wives who
continue to deepen their mutual love
communicate the Spirit. Those who
are single look beyond their own
needs to address the larger woes of
humanity and thereby release the
Spirit. All who insist on justice for
everyone breathe forth the Spirit. For
these and similar people the only
approach to life is: Let my Spirit go!
The Eucharist links the role of the
Spirit and Jesus dutiful discharge of
his office. At the Eucharist the Spirit
is invoked to bring about the
presence of Jesus who found life by
giving himself in death. In turn, the
Eucharist urges the worshipping
community to release that same Spirit
by its self-giving. In the Eucharist,
the only adequate stance is:
Let my Spirit go!

John F. Cragan,
Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies
St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORDJANUARY 11, 2015

MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

8:00 AM Virginia Duvall RIP

5:30 PM Mary Jane Leonetti RIP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

7:30 AM For All Parishioners

10:00 AM Denis Keegan RIP
12 NOON Anne Whalen RIP

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

8:00 AM Alan G. Bloomquist RIP

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

8:00 AM Jimmy Lara RIP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00 AM

Communion Service

8:00

Pat Cleary RIP

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
FRIDAY, J ANUARY 16
AM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

8:00 AM Virginia Duvall RIP

5:30 PM Sheila Pierce INT

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

7:30 AM Vincent Tarpey RIP

10:00 AM For All Parishioners
12 NOON Brian Eck RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

TuesdaySt. Hilary
SaturdaySt. Anthony

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingBehold my servant
with whom I am pleased; he shall bring
forth justice to the nations
(Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) or Isaiah 55:1-11.

PsalmThe Lord will bless his people

with peace (Psalm 29) or Isaiah 12:2-6.
Second ReadingGod anointed him
with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:34-38) or

PLEASE PRAY FOR

THOSE WHO
HAVE REQUESTED
OUR PRAYERS

Saint of the Week

Saint Anthony
of Egypt

Ernest Kopka, 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,
Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr.,
Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, 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, Alex
Arranaga, Joseph Moore.

Esther Sulli

1 John 5:1-9.

GospelYou are my beloved Son,

with you I am well pleased (Mark 1:7-11).

The life of Anthony will remind

many people of St. Francis of
Assisi. At 20, Anthony was so
moved by the Gospel message,
Go, sell what you have, and give
to [the] poor that he actually did
just that with his large inheritance.
He is different from Francis in that
most of Anthonys life was spent in
solitude. He gave the Church and
the world the witness of solitary
asceticism, great personal
mortification and prayer. But no
saint is antisocial, and Anthony
drew many people to himself for
spiritual healing and guidance.
At age 54, he responded to many
requests and founded a sort of
monastery of scattered cells. At age
60, he hoped to be a martyr in the
renewed Roman persecution of
311, fearlessly exposing himself to
danger while giving moral and
material support to those in prison.
At age 88, he was fighting the Arian
heresy, that massive trauma from
which it took the Church centuries to
recover.
Anthony died in solitude at age 105
in 356.
AmericanCatholic.org

Adult Sacrament Program

Are you called to be a Deacon?
Diaconate Formation Office
Information Meeting for Men
Sunday, January 18 2 - 4 pm
St. John Chrysostom Parish,
546 E. Florence Ave., Inglewood 90301
For further information:
Claudia Ortiz 213/637-7383
CAOrtiz@la-archdiocese.org

Assumption of the BVM Parish,

Pasadena, is offering classes for
adults who have not received First
Eucharist or Confirmation. The
10-week series begins this Monday,
January 12, from 7-9 pm. For more
information, please call the Rectory
626/792-1343.
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be
conferred on Sunday, June 7
with Bishop Curry presiding.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Youth Ministry
EDGE Middle School Ministry
Monday, January 12, 4-5:15 pm, Gara
No Class January 19

Year 1 Confirmation Session

Sat., January 17, 4-5:30 pm, OMalley

Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education
Classes for 1st-5th Graders
Monday, January 12, 4-5:15 pm
No Class January 19

Preschool Sunday School

During the 10 am Mass

All 3-5 year old children are invited to

join us upstairs in Gara Hallno
registration is necessary.
Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org

Bulletin Submissions
Deadline is Thursday 10 days before
the desired publication date.

St. Rita School Happenings

Registration2015-2016 School Year
Applications are now being accepted for Transitional Kindergarten
and Kindergarten. Packets are available in the School Office.
Info: Mrs. Landis 355-6114 x2912
Sunday, January 25
Open House for New School Families
Begins with a student-led Mass at 10 am. We encourage all prospective families to
attend the Mass and then join us from 11:15 until about 1 pm to meet our faculty
and staff, tour the school, and see all we have to offer.
NovemberFood and Clothing Drive for Catholic Charities
Our very generous students collected over 1000 bus tokens and 5 trucks loaded
with food, clothing, blankets and more for the over 4000 homeless families in the
San Gabriel Valley.
DecemberToy Drive for St. Francis Center
Once again, our students stepped forward and helped to fill about one-half of a
large van with toys and clothing for inner-city residents.
St. Rita Football Team
The Raiders played for the second straight year in the Championship Game. There
are over 140 teams in the CYP and St. Rita was one of the Final 2! Congratulations
Raiders on another great season!
St. Rita Girls Volleyball Team
Congratulations on making it to the elite eight of the CYO Playoffs. Without a
doubt, this is the best volleyball team ever to represent St. Rita. Good job!

Please email: bulletin@st-rita.org

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

St. Rita School 355-6114

Hospitality after
Sunday Masses

L to R: Maria Paszek (Bereavement), Ana Ptasinski

(Liturgy of the Hours & Knit for Kids), Susie Day
(Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Group).

Thank you to Immaculate Heart of

Mary Prayer Group, Bereavement
Ministry, Liturgy of the Hours, and
Knit for Kids who joined to host on
Sunday, December 28. Besides donuts,
homemade cookies, sweet breads and
rolls, members were available to share
a little bit about their Ministry.
We encourage you to stay after Sunday
Mass for a cup of coffee or juice, a
light snack, and a visit with an oldor
maybe make a newfriend.
All food, including juices and milk, is
provided by the hosting group. Coffee, sugars,
and all paper products are supplied by St.
Rita Parish. Your offering to help defray costs
is appreciated.

Wedding News
Our prayers for a happy marriage and
our congratulations to

Christina Tom & Cory Timmons

married at St. Rita on November 22.

Altar Servers
Applications are being
taken this month for
new altar servers, Grades 5 and up.
Training will begin in February.
Application forms can be picked up
at the Parish Office.
For information:
Kathy Ganino 626/398-9302
katganino@charter.net

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORDJANUARY 11, 2015

St. Rita Capital Campaign

This Week at St. Rita

Hospitality This Sunday after all the Masses
Hosted this week by Religious Education.
See page 5 for more information.

This Sunday, January 11Blood Drive

From 8:30 am until 2:30 pm OMalley Hall
Info: Marilyn McKernan
355-1292 x233
Marilyn@st-rita.org
Tuesday, January 13Mens Club Meeting
Social 6:30 pm Meeting 7 pm OMalley Hall
For all men of the Parishjoin us as we discuss the St. Pats/
St. Joseph Dinner as well as the Fun Run.
Tuesday, January 13RCIA 7:30 pm Parish Office
Meeting Room

Save the Date

Saturday, January 24Fill the Truck
Help support our Youth Ministry
Annual Goodwill fundraiser.
9 am - 3:30 pm Church lower parking lot
Sunday, January 25School Mass & Open House
See page 5 for more information.

Monday, January 26Baptism Preparation Class

7 pm Parish Office Meeting Room
For February 8 Baptisms

Q: Why are we having a Capital Campaign? What

difference will it make to our parish and school?
A. Although this question has previously been answered,
the start of a New Year is a good time to revisit it and
remind ourselves of the reason our parish is undertaking
this effort.
The primary reason for making improvements to our
physical plant is to help us achieve our Mission as a Catholic
faith community by providing space and time for ministries
and programs that meet the needs of our membership and
allow us to be of service to others.
Our parish Mission Statement includes the following words:
we offer pastoral leadership and ministry in its many forms, we
proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and commit ourselves to
building up this community of faith, hope, and love. With Christ we
commit to bringing glad tidings to the poor, and to do our part to
eliminate physical, spiritual and moral poverty. We are called to
uphold the dignity of human life as Gods creation and to promote good
stewardship of all of Gods creation
We bring these words to fruition through our growing
ministries and programs; by making our Pastoral Plan a
living document that guides our planning and decisions; and
by continuing to make St. Rita Parish a welcoming worship
community and our St. Rita Catholic School an exemplary
educational institution.
And we do this by making sure that our facilities are
maintained and improved when needed. Improvements to
our facilities are called for at this time in order to best
achieve these goals that are set forth in our Mission
Statement and our Pastoral Plan.
Thus plans for Phase One include overall elements: to
improve safety and efficiency; to provide better
accommodations for the elderly and disabled; to make some
badly needed repairs and improvements to our Church; to
enable the restoration of Msgr. Gara Hall; and begin new
construction for enhanced gathering and storage space.
Please visit our website www.st-rita.org
for our complete Mission Statement and Pastoral Plan.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Tax Statement for Your
Donations 2014
You do not need to request a Statement as in the
past. This year we will be sending, via first class mail,

an acknowledgement of any donation given to St. Rita

during 2014. Anyone who donated to any of the
following will receive a letter: Sunday Offerings;
Special Collections for our Parish or Archdiocese; our
Year End Appeal; or our Capital Campaign.
Note: The Archdiocese will provide a statement of
your Together in Mission donation.
Our acknowledgment statement will be mailed before
the end of this month. If you do not receive a letter
by the beginning of February, please contact the
Parish Office (355-1292) or rc@st-rita.org.
For any inquiries, please include your name, current
phone and/or email contact, and your envelope
number (if known).

Thank you!

Catholic Community
Began Thursday, January 8Bereavement Program.
St. Lukes Parish is offering an eight-week support program for
those who have lost someone dear. The program is open to all. The
2-hour sessions began on January 8 and continue for seven
consecutive Thursday evenings. Cost is $12 for the workbook.
St. Luke Parish, Resource Center (located in the Rectory), 5605
Cloverly Avenue, Temple City.
Information: 626/291-5900 or Sherrie 626/287-8504
Monday, January 14Assumption of the BVM Parish,
Pasadena. If you are an adult (over age 18) who has not yet
received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation,
you are invited to attend this 10-week preparation program. Please
see page 4 of this Bulletin for more information.
Saturday, January 17Balance Screenings: Stop a Fall
Before it Stops You! A free electronic screening, from 1-3 pm.
Avila Gardens, 1171 Encanto Parkway, Duarte 91010.
RSVP: 626/599-2214 or contact@avilagardens.com
Saturday, January 17OneLifeLA. Family-friendly event with
a walk through downtown Los Angeles and family picnic in Grand
Park with music, entertainment, food trucks, and exhibits from lifeaffirming organizations throughout Southern California.
More information: archla.org/jan17