St. Rita of Cascia St. Rita of Cascia St. Rita of Cascia A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014May 25, 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

SixthSixthSixth SundaySundaySunday

of of of EasterEasterEaster

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 Hull—johnhull65@gmail.com • 355.1292

Weekend Presider: 10 am Mass—Fr. 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 School—Office: 626.355.6114 Principal: Joanne Harabedian • jharabedian@st-rita.org

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

How to Contact Us

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—MAY 25, 2014 2

For Information about the Sacraments— Baptism If you are a parishioner interested in baptizing your child, please contact the Parish Office for further information on the Baptism process and requirements.

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.

Matrimony Contact the Parish Office upon engagement; at least six months is needed for preparation of this joyous sacrament!

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.

Anointing of the Sick See adjoining column.

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 Men’s 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

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

Parish Ministries and Organizations

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.

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 Lord’s 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 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.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 3 REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG

PASTOR’S CORNER

Dear Parishioners,

We hear in the proclamation of the gospel today:

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”

As we look towards Pentecost, awaiting the promised Spirit and the gifts that God’s Holy Spirit bestows, we wonder what the world could look like. Imagine the world, today’s world, if leadership—from heads of household to president, prime minister, and pope—were leading with “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, and the spirit of knowledge and reverence…the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence” (Rite of Confirmation). Indeed all of the above would claim to be doing his or her best so as to lead and shepherd exercising such God-given skills and talents, but, alas, this side of heaven, there remains the human condition with all its weakness and frailty. This is no cause to lose hope, however, because we were “sealed” with the gift of the Holy Spirit; the Spirit is always there waiting to be retrieved. [I almost wrote, “retrieved and repurposed,” but it is not the Spirit that needs repurposing, is it? It is our very self that often needs to be repurposed—redirected.]

Peter, with his occasional arrogance and lying, well understands the dynamic of needing to “repurpose.” In today’s passage from his own writing we can perceive his reliance once again on the Holy Spirit as he instructs those first to be called “Christian,”—and instructs us—”Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for a reason for your hope” [and note that he adds], “but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear ….” In other words, check your “attitude” at the door! Obviously a person with a soul sanctified in Christ and a heart filled with hope is a person who is attractive, not repulsive—a person ready to evangelize!

Truly, in today’s readings we are being duped and tricked into, well, living a much better, more peace-filled, more satisfying—more purpose driven—life. We might even say that we are being “brain washed” in a most acceptable way, to keeping Jesus’ command to put love of God and neighbor on an equal plane, and to love one another as he loved us. But like the prophet Jeremiah we say that “I was duped—and I let myself be duped,” because something tells us that is going to be good for us—it is going to redeem and save us. We allow ourselves to surrender to that which we know can save our families, our country, our world, and yes, even our Church! After all, we have no hope if our souls are not constantly being sanctified in Christ along life’s journey—on the path “to the throne of God in Exultation.” By all means, BRING IT ON!

—Msgr. Richard PASTOR’S NEWS NOTES CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ST. RITA HONOREES! On Monday evening, May 12th, Catholic Charities (San Gabriel Pastoral Region) honored three St. Rita volunteers for their leadership in organizing outreach and care programs for those in need. And so we congratulate Rosemary Hagerott, Cheryl Harlow, and Sara Landis for receiving these awards and thus honoring Saint Rita Parish at the same time. These ladies would be the last, ever, to single themselves out for recognition and would much rather point to those who faithfully team up with them, but I am very happy for their acceptance since “inspiring” others and encouraging the same is also part of ministry and growing discipleship.

—Msgr. Richard

PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH—

Margie Schubert, Sheila Pierce, Mary Zuckerburg, Emily Young, JoAnn Douglass, Mary McColl, Evelyn Tres, Barbara Hester, Phil Huddleston, Gerald Drean, Charlotte Bollman Fuchs, Gerry Krekelberg, Leah Greteman, Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr., Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Linda Milligan, Susan Skousen, Brooke Manning, Arthur Contreras, Jr., Robert Quinonez, Richard Krier, Patsy Starkey, Margaret & David Duran, Jean Mansour, Jacob Bigley, Dorothy Van Gorden, Maria Carmen Marti, Dennis & Clare Marquardt, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Jackie Bagnuolo, Mary Ellen Isoard, Rose Mary Taquino, Paul Viger, Zdenka Czerny, Hal Finney, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Edith Olah, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Joseph Moore.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—MAY 25, 2014 4

SATURDAY, MAY 24 8:00 AM Lathrop Hoffman RIP 5:30 PM Charles Day RIP SUNDAY, MAY 25 7:30 AM Genevieve Green RIP 10:00 AM Gary Davis RIP 12 NOON For All Parishioners

MONDAY, MAY 26—MEMORIAL DAY 8:05 AM For Our Military and their Families TUESDAY, MAY 27 8:05 AM Pat Smith RIP WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 8:05 AM Communion Service THURSDAY, MAY 29 8:05 AM Communion Service FRIDAY, MAY 30 8:05 AM Lathrop Hoffman RIP SATURDAY, MAY 31 8:05 AM Tom Viola RIP 5:30 PM For All Parishioners SUNDAY, JUNE 1 7:30 AM George Taylor RIP 10:00 AM Dorothy Hoffman INT 12 NOON Dr. Joseph Ryan RIP

Monday—St. Philip Neri

Tuesday—St. Augustine of Canterbury

Thursday—The Ascension of the Lord (observance moved to Sunday, June 1) Saturday—The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary First Reading—The people of Samaria accepted the word of God preached by Philip; they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17). Psalm—Let all the earth cry out to God with joy (Psalm 66). Second Reading—Act with gentleness and reverence toward all, so that when you are maligned those who defame you will be the ones put to shame (1 Peter 3:15- 18) or 1 Peter 4:13-16. Gospel—I will not leave you orphans, but will come to you (John 14:15-21) or Jn 17:1-11a.

AND

TODAY’S READINGS

FEAST DAYS

Chaz Cepielik Jack Conlon

Elise DeGroot Joe DeGroot Colin Grace

Annabella Gruber Chloe Hodge

Alyssa Householder Alexander Kroe Jason Maucher Devon Nardoni Danny Peters

Sam Poon John (Jack) Torres

Congratulations and thank you to our new Altar Servers

Serra Club International Annual Luncheon May 5, 2014—Father Richard & 8th-grade servers

Thank you faithful servers!

Sean Aguilar Amanda Coscarelli

Will Cosso Henry Gardner Tess Gauthier

Natalie Gohrick Katelyn Gutierrez

Alexandra Houston

Blake Howard Jack Love

Makenna Maucher Tim O’Neill Victor Scalzo

Madeline Tupy Brian Valmonte

Jonathan Valmonte

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 5

St. Rita Catholic School 91 Years of Faith, Excellence, and Stewardship

Upcoming School Events

Thursday, May 29—PTO General Meeting Friday, June 6—Graduation Day

► Please call the School Office for information about any of the above events.

Announcing the 2014-2015 PTO Board Members

President—Jenny Shepard Vice President—Suzy Rettig Secretary—Carol Mispagel

Treasurer—Nathan Cash, Jenny Puccinelli

Health and Safety—Ellen DeGroot, Dorelli Gorocica Ways and Means—Heather Young, Phil Raycraft,

Danielle Gleason, Deborah King, Sonya Froio, Neil Barber, Giovanni Guerra, Eric Ikari, Pat McKiernan, Erin Oseguera

Time Keepers—Sue Fisher, Michelle Noble Room Parent Chairperson—Mara and Frank Chimenti

Communications Committee—Liz Bruny, Lisa Gonzales, Jamie Dillon, Debbie Hardy

Community Liaison Committee—Ileana Barber, Jessica Boskovich, Margot Chavarry, Cher Culver,

Renee Sullivan Scrip—Diane Johnson

Faculty Rep—Ellen Hoffman Parliamentarian—Cheryl Allen

Thank you to our 2013-2014 PTO Board who served us so well and so unselfishly—and thank you to our new Board for offering their time and talents too!

SCHOOL OFFICE • 355-6114

►Youth Nite for Confirmandi— Wednesday, May 28, 7 pm, O’Malley ►8th Grade Retreat—Fri., May 30, 9 am - 3 pm, O’Malley ►Edge Bowling Party—Mon., June 2, 3:45 - 5:30 pm. Join us for our end of year celebration at Bowlmor in Pasadena. Includes bowling, pizza and drink. Please respond to your evite invitation or call me.

Theresa Costanzo • ym@st-rita.org

&

Articles for the Bulletin should be submitted to bulletin@st-rita.org or to the Parish Office. Ask for or

leave a message for Rosemary, 355-1292 x226.

Deadline is 10 days before the desired weekend. Space is limited so the earlier submissions take priority.

Memorial Day Ceremony Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery

Monday, May 26—11 am

Harry L. Embree VFW Post 3208 invites you to attend this special Ceremony honoring our deceased War Veterans. Patriotic and WW II music will be played before and after the Ceremony. St. Rita Parishioners participating in the Ceremony include: Msgr. Richard (Invocation); Paul Puccinelli and Peter Vecchio (Music); MaryAnn MacGillvray (Keynote Speaker); Dave Loera and Duncan MacGillvray (Members of Post 3208).

A sandwich lunch will be served following the ceremony, courtesy of the Post.

Please arrive early to secure a seat; there is plenty of standing room.

Special Collection This Weekend—for the Military Services “Serving Those Who Serve”

The Archdiocese for the Military Services was created by Pope John Paul II to provide the Catholic Church’s full range of pastoral ministries and spiritual services to those in the United States Armed Forces. This Special Collection provides financial support for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, which is funded solely through donations.

Special envelopes for this collection can be found in the Vestibule—they were not included in your monthly envelope packet.

Light of Belief

Every believer in this world must become a spark of light.

—St. John XXIII

►Sunday School for Ages 3-6. All families with younger children are invited to join us for Sunday School in Gara Hall (upstairs) during the 10 am Mass. Please let your children experience our curriculum based upon the Sunday Gospel.

Cristina Cullen • dre@st-rita.org

This Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. Rita

This Weekend—Special Collection

for the Military Services See page 5 for more information.

This Sunday, May 25—Pacific Islanders celebrate

the Feast of St. Rita At the Noon Mass with reception following.

Save the DateSave the DateSave the Date

Monday, May 26—Memorial Day

Parish Office will be closed.

Monday, May 26—Memorial Day Observances at Sierra Madre Pioneer Cemetery

See page 5 for more information.

Thursday, May 29—The Ascension of the Lord Not a Holy Day of Obligation Feast is moved to Sunday, June 1

Thursday, May 29—Liturgy of the Hours

& Evening Prayer 5 pm Music & Meditation • 5:30 pm Prayer

Parish Office Oratory

Sunday, June 1— The Feast of the Ascension

Sunday, June 1—Baptisms

1:30 pm • In the Church

Thursday, June 5—Bible Study Resumes 7 pm • In the Parish Office Meeting Room

Friday, June 6—Adoration

After the 8 am Mass until 5 pm • Parish Office Oratory

Friday, June 20— Men’s Club Dinner & Installation of Officers

Check next week’s Bulletin for information.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—MAY 25, 2014 6

Creating a Vision for a Timeless Parish

in the New Millennium

Honoring our Past, Looking to our Future…

It has been an exciting and wonderful month for the Capital Campaign. Msgr. Richard officially announced our parish Campaign, Strengthening Our Holy Communion, Growing in Faith, Hope and Love, at all the Masses on the

weekend of May 3-4. The announcement was received with much positive enthusiasm—from the gentleman in the back of church who shouted out, “Let’s do this thing. We’re with you, Msgr.”—to the quiet pats on the back and affirmations as folks walked out of church and greeted Msgr.

Msgr. said, “We have great gratitude for those who have gone before us, for the foundations that have been laid, for the work that has been done; without this we would not be able to proceed. Now is our time, now we must take the steps necessary to provide for future generations. We stand on the shoulders of earlier generations, now we must be the shoulders for future generations.”

This past week, a mailing went out to all members of our parish with background about the Campaign and an invitation for EVERYONE in the parish to attend one of our Information Sessions. Watch for your invitation and be sure to reserve your spot!

Why the announcement and why now? Successful Capital Campaigns are announced to the general community only after a certain percent of the total goal has been committed by key supporters of the effort. A typical threshold for this milestone is to have 30-50% of the goal pledged prior to the public announcement. In this case, Saint Rita Parish leaders have pledged a total of $1,953,000 toward our goal of $5,250,000. This amazing generosity demonstrates a passionate commitment to a future for Saint Rita that is vibrant and responsive to the needs of the people in the pew. Now we need the support of the entire parish community to meet our goal.

Learn more—attend an Information Session and most importantly, pray for the success of YOUR parish Campaign.

Watch this space on the last Sunday of each month to read more about plans for our parish.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 7

St. Rita Website—Take a Look!

Did you know—you can read the Bulletin online? Did you know—you can find information about ministries and upcoming events? Did you know—you can find Mass schedules for Sundays and holydays? Did you know—you can read “The Tidings” online via a link on our website? Did you know—there’s a link to make your Sunday Offering donation using your credit card?

st-rita.org

Looking for St. Rita School Alumni

Please help us update our contact information. Fill out the form below and place it in the Sunday Offering basket or return it to the School Office. You may also email landis@st-ritaschool.org

Name

Phone

Email

Year of Graduation

►Fingerprinting for Virtus— Friday, May 30—Immaculate Conception Parish, 740 S. Shamrock, Monrovia.

12 pm - 3:40 pm & 5:20 pm - 7:20 pm Must call for appointment: 626/358-1166

►Avila Gardens Open House—Sat., May 31, 1-3 pm. Sr. Shawn Pauline will share about the Spirituality of St. John Paul II. Complimentary refreshments, tour, door prizes. 1171 Encanto Parkway, Duarte 91010

Info/Reservations: 626/599-2214

►Healing Mass at St. Luke Catholic Church—Thursday, June 5, 7 pm. Fr. Bill Adams, CSsR, will celebrate a Charismatic Mass with Healing Service. St. Luke Church, 9451 Broadway, Temple City.

►“Yearnings of the Restless Heart”—June 13-15. A weekend restreat for adults in their 20’s and 30’s. Singles and married couples welcome. Requested donation—$125. Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center.

Info: Cathy Hainley • 626/355-7188, x101

Catholic Community & Local Events