A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

September 8, 2013

St. Rita of Cascia

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 am5 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

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 8, 2013

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 626.355.1292 Dcn. John Hulljohnhull65@gmail.com 626.355.1292 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

Parish Ministries and Organizations

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: Sheila Pierce 355.8332 Greeters & Ushers: Erny Henry 626.289.3504 626.446.6715 Mens 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

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

Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org

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

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

Let Saint Rita Be There For You . . .

Communion for Sick and Homebound Parishioners 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 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! 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. St. Rita ministers provide Communion home visits. Contact the Parish Office 355.1292 or Jill Muhs 355.9810 em@st-rita.org.

For Information about the Sacraments

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.

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

If You Should Experience the Loss of a Loved One

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.

SAINT RITA
REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG

OF

CASCIA CHURCH

PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners,
Remember when I pointed out that one scripture scholar once described this part of Lukes Gospel as Not Nice Jesus? Well, we have more cause for that particular image of the Savior today: hate your family, hate your own life, and carry your cross! (At least, Mary must have taught her son that it was impolite to say Shut up!) These sayings in the mouth of a loving good shepherd tend to baffle us. And it was wise of the Church to put in our ears this weekend Wisdoms question: Who can

know Gods counsel. Who could conceive what the Lord intends?

At the same time we must own that we are not totally without understanding, when we put Jesus words in the context of making his way to Jerusalem for the last time and to the Cross. (Who wouldnt be in a mood?) Actually, Jesus words here are not different from his teaching about remaining detached from the world in order to serve freely for sake of the Kingdom. There is a presumption in Jesus sayings that the father and mother we should hate, or our own lives that we should hate, are somehow working to pull us away from our mission to be other Christs. In other words, bad influence and temptation towards selfishness and evil are to be avoided at all costs. In trying to live up to Jesus high expectations of us, we are not without his loving and caring help along the way, especially in providing good examples of how to do Gods will. I received such a gift of an inspiring life just recently in the person of our missionary priest, Fr. Jude Umeobi. After the 5:30 Vigil Mass, I had a chance to spend some time with him at El Pollo Loco (I couldnt convince him to go to Der Weinerschnitzel). As we talked and I asked a lot of questions about his priestly life, family, and homeI realized I was in the presence of a man who heard Jesus words, Leave all things behind, and come and follow me. And even though it must be so hard for him to be so far away from everything he knows, he communicates a wonderful inner peace and an enviable confidence in knowing who he is and what his purpose in life is. Can you and I say the same about ourselves? Are we so sure of our discipleship? Has being a follower of Jesus cost us anythingreally? After all, it is about a personal relationship to Jesus Christ. St. Paul, interestingly, tells Philemon that he is sending his child (by spiritual adoption), not as a slave, but as a brother. One who leaves everything behind to serve does so best by coming from a place of love and devotion. This is freedom in discipleship personified and what, I believe, touched me about Fr. Jude Umeobi from the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria. Important to note: inner peace and freedom to serve is just as impressive when we are just a few miles from home, as it is if were thousands of miles from home. For the true follower of Jesus, the grace and power of discipleship and of carrying ones cross is transcendent. It is how any prisoner can still claim to be free!

-Msgr. Richard

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 8, 2013

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

8:00 AM 5:30 PM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Tage Anderson RIP Joanna Singleton RIP

7:30 AM Mary Norman RIP 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 12 NOON Belia Frontino RIP

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
8:00 AM Pat Reyes RIP 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
8:00 AM

Patsy Starkey, Margaret Duran, Zhou Le, Mu Song, Jody Williams, Gabriella Reyes, Ashley Biely, Jean Mansour, Celia Merritt, Denis Keegan, Jacob Bigley, Gerald Krekelberg, Cathy Fiore, Madelyn Shaull, Dorothy Van Gorden, John J. McCoy, Diane Ridley, Richard Forcione, Maria Carmen Marti, Dennis & Clare Marquardt, Rosemary Fryzm, Andy Pulley, JoAnn E. Douglass, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Jackie Bagnuolo, Mary Ellen Isoard, Tim Stanley, Antoinette Wassef, Theresa Morcos, Aspet Herapetian, Rose Mary Taquino, Selma Tuffs, David Duran, Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Cliff Hancuff, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Hal Finney, Christa Owen, Ailey GardnerYbarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Laurie Larkin Masella, Edith Olah, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Mildred Vocelka, Joseph Moore, Ned Vento.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FRIDAY, S EPTEMBER 13

8:00 AM 5:30 PM

Rev. William Brelsford RIP Communion Service Communion Service

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Kenneth Kammer RIP

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

Tuesday, September 10 Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) 7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room (See page 6 for more information.) Tuesday, September 17 Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 6:30-9 am Rosary, Mass, Breakfast Guest Speaker: Matthew Kelly Terri Parish Office for information 355-1292 Thursday, September 19 Evening Prayer 5 pm Music & Meditation 5:30 Prayer Oratory in the Parish Office Come spend some mid-week time with Our Lord. Wednesday, September 25 Bereavement Team Meeting 7-8 pm Parish Office Meeting Room All are welcome to attend and find out about this Ministry! Thursday, September 26 Bible Study resumes 7 pm Parish Office Meeting Room Become more familiar with Jesus Word.

Amelia Laserna RIP Reynoldo Reyes RIP

7:30 AM Rev. Kevin Kester RIP 10:00 AM Kenneth Wise RIP 12 NOON For All Parishioners

FEAST DAYS Monday, September 9

St. Peter Claver The Most Holy Name of Mary

Thursday, September 12 Friday, September 13

St. John Chrysostom

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Saturday, September 14

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingYou sent your holy spirit from on high and thus were the paths of those on earth made straight (Wisdom 9:13-18b). PsalmIn every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge (Psalm 90). Second ReadingPaul asks Philemon to accept back his slave Onesimus as a brother
(Philemon 9-10, 12-17).

GospelWhich of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? (Luke 14:25-33).

Legacy
We want to give our children what we didnt have; but lets make sure we give them what we do haveour faith.
Anonymous

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

St. Rita Catholic School

EDGE MinistryMonday, Sept. 16, 4 pm, Gara Followed by a parent meeting at 5:15 pm Confirmation Orientation & Youth Mass Youth NiteWed., Sept. 25, 7 pm, OMalley Hall Belize Mission Slideshow & Talk Sat., Oct. 5, 4 pm & Sun., Oct. 6 (after 10 am Mass) Watch for a bulletin flyer insert with complete info. Edge GatheringMonday, October 7, 4 pm, Gara The Confirmation Program is a two-year process preparing high school freshmen and sophomores for the sacrament of Confirmation. To register, please download the Confirmation Year 1 Registration Packet form from the St. Rita website: http:/st-rita.org/category/sacraments/ Youth Ministry Youth Nite. Welcome all high school youth to our Youth Nites! We will kick off the 20132014 year with a Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Wednesday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. in OMalley Hall. Come and bring a friend! Edge Ministry provides weekly faith formation sessions to all 6th to 8th grade students not attending Catholic schools. If you havent received a registration packet yet, please send an email to Theresa Costanzo. The first class is followed by a parent meeting. EDGE First Gathering, October 7. All middle school youth, including St. Rita students, are invited to our fun and interesting Edge fellowships on the first Monday of each month in Gara Hall at 4 pm. Theresa Costanzo ym@st-rita.org
Saturday, September 21, 3:30-6:30 pm, OMalley Hall (see below for more information)

91 Years of Faith, Excellence, and Stewardship

Harvest Fest Weekend, October 18-20, 2013

Friday, 6-10 pm, Beer, Brats & Bingo Saturday, 12:30-9:30 pm, Rides, Games, Food, More Sunday, After all the Masses, Plant Sale

Texas Hold em Tournament, Sat., February 1, 2014

Need gift cards? Scrip is on sale daily at the School Office

(rebates range from 2% to 15%). School Office 355-6114

Weekend of September 28 & 29

After all the Masses OMalley Hall

The Ministry Fair is Coming!

Join us for our second annual Ministry Fair. This year the Fair will be held in OMalley Halland will feature great refreshments, activities for children, and outstanding raffle prizes as well as the opportunity to learn more about our wonderful St. Rita ministries and organizations. There will again be a prize for the Ministry with the best exhibit so there should be some very creative displays to view. The Fair will begin after the 5:30 Mass on Saturday, and will run from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Dont miss this great event and the chance to socialize with your fellow parishioners while learning more about our Ministries. We hope youll find something to inspire you! Mary Lou Butler 355-1292 mlbutler@st-rita.org

Catechetical SundaySeptember 15, 10 am Mass The beginning of the new year for our St. Rita School children and for those attending after-school programs. Registration materials are available in the Parish Office for children in grades 1-5. Classes begin on Monday, September 16th at 4 pm. There is a $50 fee per child but payment options are available. We look forward to having your child as part of our program. Cristina Cullen dre@st-rita.org 355-3841

Deadline for Bulletin articles is Thursday, 10 days before desired publication date. bulletin@st-rita.org or bring to the Parish Office. Have a friend or relative who has moved or is not able to attend Mass at St. Rita? They can read our Bulletin online at st-rita.org

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 8, 2013

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events
Rite of Christian Inititation (RCIA) Information MeetingTuesday, September 10 7:30 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

This Week at St. Rita

Tuesday, September 10RCIA Information Meeting
See adjacent column for more information.

Friday, September 13 The Exaltation of the Most Holy Cross Saturday, September 14Senior Prom
OMalley Hall 6:30-10 pm Information/tickets: Marilyn @ st.rita.org 355-1292 x233

Are you interesting in learning more about the Catholic Church? Perhaps youve been thinking of becoming a member of St. Rita Parish, or maybe you are just curious about what Catholics believe. Please join us for coffee, tea, and refreshments for a 45minute question and answer session. All are welcome! The RCIA is the process by which adults join the Catholic Church. The eight-month period of formation continues on Tuesdays at 7 pm, beginning September 17, and culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of InitiationBaptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. For more information: Parish Office 355-1292 50 E. Alegria or Deacon Manuel Valencia deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com

Save the Date

Sunday, September 15Catechetical Sunday 10 am Mass Tuesday, September 17Catholic Prayer Breakfast
Sorry, the bus is full but call Terri in the Parish Office to be put on a waiting list.

Catholic Community
LIFE Breakfast & Lecture Series presents Antique Road Show, Thursday, September 12. Bring any ONE item and Estate Sale Gentleman Bill Fleming, Sierra Madre, will give you its estimated value. 8-10 am, Santa Teresita, 819 Buena Vista, Duarte 91010. $4.50/seniors over 55; $5.50/others. Info/reservations: 626-256-3059 St. Luke Parish Grief Support GroupBegins Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 pm. An eight-week bereavement support program. Two-hour sessions every Thursday in the Parish Resource Center (located in the Rectory), 5605 Cloverly Ave., Temple City. $10 for workbook, fee waived for hardship. Information: 626/291-5900 or Sherrie 626/287-8504 FingerprintingSaturday, Sept. 14 Our Lady of Guadalupe, 16025 E. Cypress St., Irwindale. 10 am - 1:40 pm & 3:205:20 pm Must call for appointment 626/962-3649 Knights of Columbus Monrovia Council Steak BBQSept. 14. 5:30-10 pm. Proceeds benefit the Maryknoll Sisters of Monrovia. Great food, music and raffles. Kids/$7.50; adults/$15. Held on the Maryknoll grounds, 300 Norumbega Drive, Monrovia 91017. Info: 626/358-1825 St. Francis Center Benefit, Tues., Oct. 1st, 6-9 pm. For the Homeless Well-being program. Mijares restaurant, 145 Palmetto Dr. Pasadena 91105. Food, silent auction, raffle. Tickets$25. Info: jremelski@sfcla.org

Thursday, September 19Evening Prayer resumes 5 pm Music & Meditation 5:30 Group Prayer
In the Parish Office Oratory

Thursday, September 26Bible Study resumes

7 pm Parish Office Meeting Room

Weekend of September 28-29Ministry Fair After all the weekend Masses OMalley Hall
If you missed last years Fair, you missed an opportunity to find out about parish organizations and meet fellow parishioners.

Saturday & Sunday, October 5-6Belize Mission Report 4 pm Saturday & after the 10 am Sunday Mass
Youth Ministry Team members will present a slideshow and talk about their experiences. Watch for a flyer insert in a future bulletin for complete information.

Sunday, October 5Bundle Sunday

Start cleaning your closets! The St. Vincent de Paul truck will be here to take your donations.

Weekend of November 1-3St. Rita Womens Retreat

Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center For more information call: Joan Crow 355-3621

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Maintenance & Repairs ReportAugust
Expenses* Income
$15,462 $ 6,756 < $ 8,706 > (routine maintenance and repairs for Church and Parish Office) Did you help with our expenses this past month? There are 1162 end Mass. We need to keep the church cool, provide the hosts and wine for Eucharist, and incur so many other hidden expenses you may not realize. Please consider your level of financial support for the ongoing operating expenses of our parish.

registered families in our parish, most attending a week-

(donations restricted to St. Rita for maintenance and repairs)

August Shortfall

*During the summer months, we repair and maintain many areas of our physical plant while school is on vacation and the Halls are not being used daily for meetings, etc. And, of course, like your homes, our electric and water bills run higher during the hotter months. We encourage everyone to think about supporting this very necessary and important collection to keep our facilities in repair and ready for use.

Thank you to the 178 families who donated to the August special collection.

The second Sunday of each month is the special collection

(blue envelopes) for Maintenance & Repair. However, you may donate at any time by simply marking your check or envelope Maintenance and we will ensure your donation remains at St. Rita to defray our ongoing repair and utility expenses.

ThanK You for Your Consideration! Thank You for Your Generosity!

Thank You!