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: 355.1852, 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, January 29, 2012 Sunday, January 29, 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)

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PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners,

What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.
We have seen that liturgically, the Liturgy of the Word that begins Ordinary Time after the Christmas Season speaks to us of vocation (call and response), to formation in Christ and his ways, to continuous and consistent surrender to Jesus divine authority. Hence todays readings so proclaim: A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up to him you shall listen (Deuteronomy), and I am telling you this for your own benefit for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction (St. Paul). Make no mistake, from the letters of Paul, John, and Peter, from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and Johnthat is, from the writings of the New Testament forwardwe are meant to take the same journey as those who heard THE GOOD NEWS for the very first time: vocation, formation, surrender. Once I was speaking to a gentleman who was Caribbean-born and at a young age had made his way to the United States where he received a good education and was eventually hired into federal level law enforcement. Some years into his career, still relatively young, he suffered a stroke and subsequently required a multiple bypass surgery. As he had come to understand that I was a priest, he volunteered to me that he no longer believed in God because God is supposed to be all good. He simply concluded there could not be an all good God, because such a God would not have brought him that far only to lose it all and be handicapped the rest of his life. There had been other tragedies in his family which of course only bolstered his ideas that no really good and caring God would allow such things to happen to good people. What had he done as a basically good guy to have these things happen to him and his family? he asked. Of course there is no completely satisfying answer to this good mans question. That bad things happen to good people will be forever at least part mystery. Having said this, it must be stated from the Christian point of view that, though we may never know the answer in this lifeeven Jesus, Gods own very good son, was not himself spared the horribleness that besets so many on this Earth. Whether it be evil perpetrated by out-and-out evil people or cruel deprivation and loss caused by natural disaster, good Christians schooled in Jesus ways will respond with faith, hope, and lovebecause HE did. That is what he modeled for us. The gentleman I spoke of heard me rehearse this response to his question and actually said, OK, well I hadnt really thought about that angle. So another truth is, we can be among the best educated by this worlds standards and still have missed out on Jesus teachingsnew teachings with authority. If we are well schooled and formed in Jesus gospel ways, at least we have the chance to meet the greater mysteries of lifes tragedies and foibles with faith, hope, and love. Then Jesus power even over unclean spirits of bewilderment and despair can see us through our crosses to promised resurrections. -Msgr. Richard
Continued at bottom of next column

TODAYS READINGS First ReadingThe people of Nineveh believed God and turned from their evil ways (Jonah 3:1-5, 10). PsalmTeach me your ways, O Lord (Psalm 25). Second ReadingThe world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). GospelThis is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:14-20).
SATURDAY

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

JANUARY 28 Frank Pace RIP Louise Bigley INT JANUARY 29 Eamonn Murphy RIP William J. Sullivan RIP For All Parishioners JANUARY 30 Ho Tine Nguyen RIP JANUARY 31 ST. JOHN BOSCO Jos Marie Go RIP FEBRUARY 1 Communion Service FEBRUARY 2 THE PRESENTATION OF Communion Service THE LORD F EBRUARY 3 S T . B LAISE Rosina Padilla RIP FEBRUARY 4 Jessie Battle RIP For All Parishioners FEBRUARY 5 Louise Bigley INT Eustace Family INT Frank Romo RIP

Continued from bottom of previous column

Stewardship and todays scriptures

Moses told the people, The Lord will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own kinsmen. God still provides among His people the gifts and talents necessary to continue the work of His Church. What gifts are yours to share?

PASTORS NEWS NOTES

Words of Gratitude from Louise Bigley Dear St. Rita Family, I want to thank everyone for the many prayers, cards and messages of encouragement that descended on me. They were so welcome that I had to recover. St. Rita is truly the Saint of the Impossible. Love to all, Louise Bigley
(After a fall on her last birthday, Louise experienced complications in

recovery that led to many months in the hospital and more than one brush with fatality. Since Christmas she has been attending Mass in a wheelchair and is becoming stronger day by day.) Msgr. Richard

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Leaders are like eagles. They dont flock. You find themone at a time.
Anonymous

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OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER
Parish Office AssistanceWe need help in our Parish Office. Days and times can be worked out. Duties include: reception, computer work (Word, Excel, QuickBooks) and other general duties. Requires weekly commitment of 4 hours. Tim@st-rita.org or 355-1292 x222. Help with our Weekly BulletinMust know the software program Publisher. Will work with our experienced editor. Requires a weekly commitment of 4 hours: Monday afternoons for two hours and two hours on Thursday (between 10-4). bulletin@st-rita.org or 355-1292 and ask for Rosemary. Youth NitesWednesday at 8:30 pm in Gara. Youth Massfirst and third Saturday, 5:30 pm. Confirmation Sessions Year 1, February 4, 4 pm, Gara Year 2, February 12, 11:15, Gara EDGE SessionJanuary 30, 4-5:15 pm in Gara.

TOGETHER IN MISSION 2011FINAL REPORT

Families participating: 198 of 1135 = 18%
Our assessed goal: $60,899.74 Amount collected: $62,392.15

Thank you to those who donated to this Archdiocesan Appeal. A heartfelt thank you to those who answered our call at the end of last year with a donation of $25 or more to help us achieve our goal. The inner city parishes and parish schools are dependent upon your generosityyou have made a difference!

Catholic Community & Local Events

The Dialogues of the CarmelitesFebruary 10-12 & 17-19 at Biola University Opera Theater. A true story of the 16 Carmelite nuns who faced the guillotine for refusing to renounce their faith. For tickets/info: biola.edu/music or 562/903-4892. Articles from the Archdiocese are on our website: st-rita.org; select Publications, then Safeguard the Children. 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 HEALTH

YOUTH MINISTRY

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ALTAR SERVER?

Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders! If you are interested in becoming an altar server, please contact: Mrs. Ganino 626/398-9302 or katganino@charter.net The truck will be here Sunday, February 12 from 8-2 in the lower parking lot. Please only bring items that can be given to the needy or sold in their Thrift Stores to support their charitable activities. If its broken, ripped, dirty, or otherwise not in good condition please put it in your trash can. Thank you!

HOW TO CONTACT US

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE SUNDAY

CONGRATULATIONS!
Saint Rita Boy Scout Troop 110 congratulates Connor Chow and Bobby McDaniels on attaining scoutings highest rank, the Rank of Eagle Scout! Connors Eagle Project was to construct two shooting benches for the Pasadena Junior Rifle Club. Bobbys Eagle Project consisted of facility improvements (painting, desk refinishing, and shelving installation) for the Monrovia Boys and Girls Club. For information concerning Troop 110 activities or to join, contact Scoutmaster Mark Hischier 626/355-6103.

Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Rosemary Duncan, Debra Ann Williamson, Angelina Navarro, Cliff Hancuff, Lucile Flanders, Aksel Pedersen, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Gil Lazo, Dorothy Van Gordon, John McCoy, Rosanne Kenny, Lisa Levesque, Hal Finney, Mary Elizabeth Nealey, Brent McGinley, Lois Patt, Sadaaki Matsutani, 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.

2011 TAX DONATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

If you are a registered parishioner you may request a letter to acknowledge your total 2011 donations to St. Rita for tax purposes. You may request a letter by sending 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 will be taken over the telephone. Request for 2011 Donations for Tax Purposes ID# Full Name Address

ST. RITA MENS RETREAT

All men of the parish will want to set aside the weekend of March 23-25 for our Annual Retreat at Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center. Make sure you dont miss this spiritually rewarding time of peace and renewal. Contact: Bill Cosso 355-5656 or bill@cosso.net

ST. RITA PTO FUNDRAISER

Saturday, February 116:30 to 10:30 pm Live band, casino tables, Cajun Dinner, No-Host Bar, Live and Silent Auction, Raffle Prizes Tickets may be purchased in the School Office.

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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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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

TodaySunday, January 29 St. Rita School Welcome New School Families

After the 10 am Mass, OMalley Hall

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

Thursday, February 2Liturgy of the Hours
5:30, Music and silent meditation. 6 pmPrayers 7 pm in the Parish Office. All are welcome!

Thursday, Feburary 2Bible Study Friday, February 3Adoration

After the 8 am Mass until 5 pm Parish Oratory

Saturday, February 4Youth Mass

5:30 pm

Save the Date

.

Sunday February 5Baptisms

1:30 pm, In the Church

Saturday, February 11 St. Rita PTO Casino Night

& Mardis Gras See page 3 for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul Society will be here to collect your donations of household goods and clothing. See page 3 for more information.

Sunday, February 12Bundle Sunday

Week-end of March 23-25 St. Rita Mens Annual Retreat

Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center See page 3 for more information.