Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.

—Pastor
626.355.1292 x. 228 revkrek@st-rita.org
Dcn. Manuel & Chela Valencia—Deacon Couple
626.355.1292 deacon.manuel@yahoo.com
Sheila Palazzolo, Admin. Assist.— x 222 or sheila@st-rita.org
Parish Office/Mailing:
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: pcvc@st-rita.org
Finance Council Chair
Mr. Bill Sullivan: 626.355.3707

Religious Education and Formation

Director of Religious Education (DRE)
Mrs. Cristina Cullen: 626.355.3841, dre@st-rita.org
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Team: Deacon Manuel and Chela Valencia;
Susan Blakeslee: rcia@st-rita.org

St. Rita School

626.355.6114
Principal: Mrs. Joanne Harabedian: jharabedian@st-rita.org
PTO President: Mrs. Ellen Radle

SAINT RITA MINISTRIES & ORGANIZATIONS

(See Inside Flap, page four)

Mass Times
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.
Please call for a reservation to attend.
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
Sunday, October 17, 2010 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
Rectory Offices: 50 E. Alegria Ave. or call 626.355.1292.
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
(See Inside Flap, page four)
SAINT RITA CHURCH 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—OCTOBER 17, 2010 P-2

PASTOR’S CORNER TODAY’S READINGS

Dear Parishioners, First Reading — As long as Moses’ hands were kept uplifted,
This Sunday I would like to offer you the thoughts and reflections Joshua and his men had the better part of the battle with Amalek
of Benedictine Father J.P. Earls. To me, he relates very well the (Exodus 17:8-13).
relationship between faith and prayer. (By the way, I for one did Psalm — Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth
not get up this morning and ask, “I wonder if Jesus is coming (Psalm 121).
today.”) — Fr. Richard Second Reading — Remain faithful; proclaim the word; be
persistent whether it is convenient or not (2 Timothy 3:14—4:2).
Reflections—J.P. Earls, O.S.B. Gospel — God will secure the rights of the chosen who call out
The readings for the Sundays in Ordinary Time teach us how to day and night (Luke 18:1-8).
live the Christian life.
The readings this Sunday seem to focus on equipping us for the M A S S S C H E D U L E
good work of persistence. The first and third readings speak of
persistence in prayer, while the second of persistence in SATURDAY OCTOBER 16
proclaiming the Word of God. The first reading is emphatic and 5:30 PM For All Parishioners
single-minded in its message: as long as Moses has his arms lifted SUNDAY OCTOBER 17
in prayer, Joshua is winning the battle. When Moses can’t hold his 7:30 AM Hazel Caliri RIP
arms up in prayer, Joshua starts losing the battle. As long as 10:00 AM Ana Uyemura RIP
Moses is doing the praying, Joshua is doing the slaying. 12:00 NOON Fernando Figueroa RIP
MONDAY OCTOBER 18
The gospel reading, however, presents a problem. On the one 8:00 AM David Blakeslee RIP
hand, it is all persistence: Jesus tells his disciples to pray without TUESDAY OCTOBER 19
growing weary. Prayer must be persistent. The story of the widow 8:00 AM Ana Uyemura RIP
and the unjust judge illustrates this. The widow is so persistent in WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 20
her petitions that the judge grows weary of her constant badgering 8:00 AM Communion Service
and gives in. On the other hand, Jesus assures his disciples that THURSDAY OCTOBER 21
God will not be slow to answer those who call out to God day 8:00 AM Communion Service
and night; rather, God will see to it that justice is done for them FRIDAY OCTOBER 22
speedily. We can scratch our heads and wonder why persistence is 8:00 AM Ana Uyemura RIP
necessary if God is so quick to deliver. SATURDAY OCTOBER 23
The answer to this might be found in the final line: “But when the 8:00 AM Jerry Kowalski RIP
Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Let’s look at 5:30 PM Ken Crawford RIP
how faith is related to persistence, and to God’s speediness. Try SUNDAY OCTOBER 24
this on: faith is what moves God to grant our prayers, not 7:30 AM For All Parishioners
persistence; it is faith that moves mountains. Persistence is a sign 10:00 AM Concepcion Medina RIP
that faith is alive and well in our hearts. 12:00 NOON Bob Hession RIP

Persistence is also a test of faith. I don’t mean a “Congratulations, SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
you passed the faith test” or “Oops, sorry, but you flunked it” Sunday: National Shut-In Visitation Day;
kind of test. When God is not quick to answer our prayers, it may World Mission Sunday
mean that God is using our request for help in our earthly needs Monday: St. Luke
in order to develop our appreciation for heavenly joys. It is the Tuesday: Ss. Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf, and
sort of test in which faith grows stronger as it keeps having to Their Companions
affirm itself in the face of God’s apparent failure to answer our Wednesday: St. Paul of the Cross
prayers. Day by day we get no answer to our prayer from a God Saturday: St. John of Capistrano; Blessed Virgin Mary
we believe to be both capable and willing to grant it. Gradually
our relationship with God comes to mean more to us than the Continued from bottom of previous column
things we were asking God for. celebration puts us in contact with the past and the future, with
Jesus dying and rising, and with His coming again in glory. Let us
Jesus’ final question, then, “But when the Son of Man comes, will
pray with longing that when He comes, He will find us waiting to
He find faith on the earth?” is a bit less puzzling. It our
greet him.
persistence in unanswered prayers that gives Christians the J.P. Earls, a monk and priest of St. John’s Abbey, is professor emeritus of
stamina to wait in faith and hope for the second coming of Jesus. English at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.
And perhaps that is the question we should be asking of ourselves
PASTOR’S NEWS NOTES
this Sunday. Have we kept faith with Jesus’ promise to come again
“And the two shall be made one.” Congratulations! to Suzanne
in glory? We claim it in the Eucharistic prayers and in the creed,
Mischenko and Jared Walton who became Mr. and Mrs. Jared and
but is it a lively part of our faith? How many of us got up this
Susan Walton in our church this past Saturday. May God richly
Morning, looked out the window and said, “I wonder if Jesus is
bless their life together and make present in our world the grace-
coming today?” We can be mindful that the Eucharistic
filled and transforming love the sacrament they now live.
Continued at bottom of next column
—Father Richard
SAINT RITA CHURCH 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—OCTOBR 17, 2010
THE FOLLOWING PARISHIONERS ASK FOR OUR PRAYERS FOR A
SPEEDY RECOVERY AND THEIR RETURN TO HEALTH:
Tom Krekelberg, Marilyn Swanson, Robert Quenell, Micael “Dro”
Drohan, Arvena Rios, Kathleen Ramsey, Teresa Kostov, Anne Marie
Torre, Mary Ann Slivka, Maria Blust, Roger Renner, Cliff Hancuff, Lori
Little, Marie Larson, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Alex Gould, Hal Finney,
Jeffrey Dunagan, Matthew Hatfield, Rudy Wunderlin, Helen Mary
Woodcock, Edith Olah, Stacy Hinds-Reed, Annette Collins, Kenneth
Wise, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, , Anne Campbell, John Nese,
Claudia Valencia, Fred Mycroft, Clare Marquardt, Brian Eck, Judy
Howard, Charles Day, Alex Arranaga, Marie Venegoni, Robert
McCarraher, Anna Mary Hession, Betty & Tom Concidine, Mildred
Vocelka, Alicia Holt, Jonie Rose Hall, Ann Twedell, John McCoy,
Valentina Tibor, Joseph Moore, Norma West, Effie DeGroot, Thomas
Remillard, Ned Vento.
We Pray God Will Grant Eternal Rest To
Tony Ferraro ● Joe Grippi
†††
BEREAVEMENT COORDINATOR NEEDED
Did you complete Bereavement Ministry training?
A chairperson (or co-chairs) needed to coordinate
the activities our team members provide—helping
the family to plan the service, and assisting at the
vigil and service as needed. Call Sheila at the parish
office, 355-1292.
TRICK OR TREAT
Once again, we ask you to help us “feed” the crowds
that come to the Rectory during the festivities on
Alegria. Bags of candy can be dropped off in the box
in the Vestibule. Cash donations should be marked
“Halloween candy” and put in the collection basket.
(Envelopes are available in the vestibule.)
● ST. RITA 2010—HARVEST FESTIVAL ●
Friday Night Family Pre-fest
Oct. 22nd, 6-9 pm, Beer, Brats & Bingo
Brat or Hotdog, chips & lemonade $5
$1 Bingo, Music, Beer Garden
Saturday, Oct. 23rd 12:30-9:30 pm
Games, Rides, Prizes, Food, Entertainment, Baked Goods,
Silent Auction, Plants, Garden Décor & More!
YOUTH MASS AT CATHEDRAL
St. Rita’s school choir and liturgical dancers will participate at the
Holy Childhood Youth Mass on Wednesday, October 27th at the
Cathedral. Over 4,000 Catholic school students will gather to
celebrate the Children of the World. Keep our students and other
youth in your prayers that day.
ST. RITA SCHOOL—LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
(Part 1 of a 4-part Statement)
All Saint Rita students strive to become:
A Christ-centered Person Who: a) Prays daily and attends Mass;
b) Lives each day as Jesus did; c) Supports and contributes to
others through Christian service; d) Understands the teachings of
the Catholic faith.
P-3
SPECIAL COLLECTION—THIS WEEK-END
This special collection, which supports the
pastoral programs and needs of mission
dioceses around the world, is this week-end
but you may return the special envelope next
week if you have not prepared your donation.
Please make all checks payable to “St. Rita
Church”. A parish check, the sum of all
donations, will be forwarded to the Society for the Propagation of
the Faith. Thank you for your generosity.
NOVENA INTENTION—MONTH OF OCTOBER
This month our Novena is in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Please pick up a copy of the Novena in the Vestibule, and set
aside a time to practice this devotion.
MEDJUGORJE PEACE CONFERENCE—OCT. 22-24
Bren Events Center, UC Irvine. See entire program and
registration form on www.medjugorjeirvine.org or phone
714/572-9779. Flyer posted in the Vestibule.
THE ART OF DIPLOMACY FOR THOSE IN MINISTRY
This course is designed to help those in ministry grow in their
ability to deal confidently and effectively with conflict situations.
Location: Immaculate Heart Retreat House.
Date/Time: November 8-12; 6:30 pm-9:30pm.
See flyer in vestibule for more information and cost.
WEEK-END BEREAVEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
We invite you to consider attending a
bereavement training program to be presented at
Holy Name of Mary, San Dimas, beginning
Friday evening Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov.
21st. If you are interested in joining our
Bereavement Ministry Team and need training;
call Sheila in the Parish Office for registration materials.
HELP WANTED!
A receptionist for Thursdays from 2-7 pm is
needed for the Parish Office.
Please contact Sheila at 355-1292.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please email announcements to bulletin@st-rita.org as early as
possible. Announcements are due by 10 am Thursday, 10 days
before the Sunday publication. Thank you.
****************************************************
NOTICE FOR PARISH OFFICE STAFF
(cut out and drop in collection basket)
_________________________________________________________
Name (please print)
_____ Please add the above name to sick list.
_____ Please REMOVE above name from sick list.
_____ The above name would like to receive Communion at home.
Contact: phone #_________________________________________
OCTOBER 17, 2010 SAINT RITA CHURCH P-4

Directory of Ministries and Organizations

Liturgy & Worship
Music: Mr. Paul Puccinelli: mm@st-rita.org
Mrs. Mary Bigley Cronin: 626.445.8306
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-Virgil Archambault
Weekdays: John Bigley, Virgil Archambault, Margaret Duran
Porter: (Evening Church Lockup) Sheila Palazzolo
Environment: Mrs. Barbara LeVeque /Mr. Gil Lazo 626.355.1292
Hospitality
Greeters & Ushers: Mr. Erny Henry: 626.289.3504; 626.446.6715
New Members/Welcome: Dick & Chris Bertrand pr@st-rita.org
Youth Minister
John Perez: ym@st-rita.org Youth Office Phone: 626.355.1852
Bereavement Team Ministry
St. Rita Parish Office: 626.355.1292 (Sheila Palazzolo)
Organizations
Christian Family : Mary Grace Shinnick 626.355.0764
Men’s Club: Tim O’Connor: 355.5053 the4oconnors@yahoo.com
St. Rita Guild: Ms. Kathy Coyne: 355.4873, kdcoyne@aol.com
Senior Ministry (in formation): Contact Parish Office
Shawl Ministry: Mary Taillac 626/355.3179 or Ann Wolf 355.7445.
Other Contacts
Archivist: Mrs. Marilyn McKernan, contact Parish Office
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
Let Saint Rita Be There For You . . .
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.
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 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 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 that since we only have one resident
priest, sometimes arrangements for another priest may be needed.
OCTOBER 17, 2010 SAINT RITA CHURCH P-5

Happenings At St. Rita…

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

► This Week & Ongoing ◄

This Sunday—Senior Ministry

Kick-off Luncheon
O’Malley Hall
(Luncheon reservations were required.)
Speaker at 2 pm; drop-ins welcomed!

This Sunday—Golf Tournament

Presented by St. Rita Men’s Club

►St. Rita 2010 Harvest Festival◄

Friday, October 22—Family Pre-Fest
6-9 pm
Beer, Brats & Bingo
Saturday, October 23—Festival Day
12:30-9:30 pm
Fun for the whole Parish!
See page 3 for information.

The Book—Ongoing Sales

Available in the Parish Office
$55/cash or check
Weekday Hours—9 to 7 Saturday—9 to 2

Save the Date

Monday, October 25—Baptism Preparation Class
7 pm—Parish Office

Sunday, November 7—Baptism

In the church, 1:30 pm

St. Rita Annual Woman’s Retreat

November 5, 6, 7—Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center
Call JoAnn Ruggles, 355-3904, for details.

Sunday, November 14—Welcome New Parishioners

Afternoon event at the Bertrand home

More info in future bulletins.

February 12, 2011—An Afternoon with Groucho

O’Malley Hall
Watch for further information.