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.

Mass Times

Sunday, March 25, 2012

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.

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

5TH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 25, 2012

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PASTORS CORNER Dear Parishioners, A Few Thoughts for the Final Days First Reading: God says to Jeremiah that his new covenant will not be like the covenant he made with their fathers the day he took them by the hand. It seems that God makes covenants with us throughout our lives and, along the way, they change. Have you ever arrived at a point and said to yourself (or maybe even to God) This isnt what I signed up for? I wonder if perhaps sometime after Confirmation God stops taking us by the hand and expects more and more and more of us. At some point, though, we should feel some deepening of our covenants with God, some accomplishment or some wisdom acquired. All from least to greatest, shall know me Lets see. Do I really know God better at my age or am I just more confused? Second Reading: Most scholars hold that Pauls Letter to the Hebrews is his declaration of Jesus as Supreme, Once and for All, High Priest. Prayers, loud cries, and tears, the letter says, Jesus addressed to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his reverence. It goes on to claim that Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered. It is hard for me to visit hospitals and hospices and find words for those who are obviously in pain and who are truly suffering. Perhaps there is something in this letter that at least enlightens us about suffering, if perceived with eyes of faith. Certainly Paul would have us believe that all suffering is priestlyit is about universal priesthood in union with the High Priest. Suffering is dignified it its power to be salvific. And The Gospel: Soon we will be all about and all over the Passion and Death of Jesus. Each of todays readings is a form of preparation. But the Gospel all the more so: unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground, it remains just a grain of wheat; I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? Father, save me from this hour? when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. Imagine such claims and how they must have affected the people who heard them, then and there. When all is said and done for a Christian, every thing EVERYTHINGhinges on the Resurrection.

TODAYS READINGS First ReadingI will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). PsalmCreate a clean heart in me, O God (Psalm 51). Second ReadingChrist became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:7-9). GospelIf a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit (John 12:20-33).
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

MARCH 24 Raymond Gaines RIP Rev. Msgr. Joseph S. George RIP MARCH 25 Michael Delgatto RIP Mark Peters RIP For All Parishioners MARCH 26 Darren Faire INT MARCH 27 Joseph Ganino RIP MARCH 28 Communion Service MARCH 29 Communion Service M ARCH 30 Rev. Lawrence Rodriguez RIP MARCH 31 Liam Courtney RIP For All Parishioners APRIL 1 Michael Delgatto RIP Amelia Moreno RIP Jos Gatchalian RIP

Stewardship and Todays Scriptures

If anyone would serve me, says Jesus in todays Gospel, let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be. In what way is Jesus inviting me to follow Him? What service is He asking of me?

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. As Lent draws to a close over the next days, and before the beginning of the Easter Triduum on Holy Thursday, we enter an ideal time for celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation.

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE Tuesday, April 3, 7 pm

Msgr. Richard

God has promised pardon to one who repents, but has not promised repentance St. Anselm to one who sins.

SAINT RITA CHURCH

5TH SUNDAY OF LENTMARCH 25, 2012

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YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth NiteMarch 28, 7pm, Gara. Year 1 Confirmation No session on March 25. EDGE Session: March 26, 4 pm Gara.

Catholic Community & Local Events

St. Francis Leadership ExperienceSaturday, March 31, 9-2:30. Great opportunity for 7th grade boys to develop leadership skills. $10 for lunch, workshops, and games. Info: 818/790-0325 www.sfhs.net Estate Planning Workshop, Mater DolorosaTuesday, March 27, 10-noon. No fee to attend. Reservations required. Info: 626/355-7188 x130 Jwarlick@materdolorosa.org Choices of the Heart RetreatApril 13-15 in Los Altos Hills, CA. Single Catholic women, 18-40 years of age are invited to a Vocation Discernment Retreat with the Daughters of Charity. Info: 213/210-9903 SrLisaDC@aol.com

FINAL FRIDAY STATIONS AT ST. RITA

Stations of the CrossThis Friday, March 30th, 6 pm in the Church. Youth Ministry presents Living Stations for this final Lenten devotion at St. Rita. Soup KitchenAfter Stations. Thank you to the Girl Scouts for providing the March 23rd Soup Kitchen.

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT MATER DOLOROSA

The Passionists welcome you to Mater Dolorosa on Good Friday, April 6. Come to prayerfully experience the outdoor Stations, walking the same distance walked by Jesus on the road to Calvary. The grounds are open 9-Noon for individuals who want to prayerfully meditate. The grounds then close at Noon and reopen at 4:30 for guided, group Stations until 8 pm.

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN

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 HEALTHSonia Kosker, David Duran, Rosemarie

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD AT ST. RITA

Paul Pucccinelli, Director of Liturgy and Music, presents Journey to the Cross, next Sunday evening, April 1, at 7 pm in the church. St. Rita choir members will be joined by choir members from six other area churchesblending music and original writingsin this special spiritual experience. Free will offering.

HOW TO CONTACT US

ST. RITA GUILD

St. Rita Guild will hold their next meeting, Friday, April 13, at 9 am in the Parish Office. At this meeting, we will be planning St. Rita Day activities. If you can volunteer to help on the Feast Day, please contact Joan Crow, 355-3621. Info/questions: Kathy Coyne 355-4873

Assessed Goal: $59,712.68 Total Parish Families: 1181 Total Parish Families Participating: 139=12% Please help us reach our parish 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.

TOGETHER IN MISSION (TIM)

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.

2011 TAX DONATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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.

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

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

Request for 2011 Donations for Tax Purposes ID/Envelope # Full Name Address

MARCH 25, 2012

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.

MARCH 25, 2012

SAINT RITA CHURCH

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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

After all the Masses

This WeekendCanned Food Drive

This SundaySt. Rita Hoop-It-Up Event

3:30-6:30 pm, East Campus parking lot

Monday March 26Baptism Preparation

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

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

Thursday, March 29Liturgy of the Hours
5:30 pm, Music and silent meditation. 6 pmPrayers In the Rectory Oratory Thursday, March 29Bible Study 7 pm, Parish Office

Soup Kitchen immediately after in Gara Hall This week: Sponsored by Youth Ministry

Friday, March 30 Living Stations of the Cross 6 pm, In the Church.

Saturday, March 31No Confessions

Please see page 2 for Penance Service information.

Save the Date

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.