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: 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. 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, May 6, 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)

SAINT RITA CHURCH

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMAY 6, 2012

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PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners, I am the Vine. You are the branches. It is no accident or coincidence that Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Holy Communions happen during the Easter Season. For a Christian this is a Springtime of faith and new hope in the Risen One. As a faith community we enjoy seeing our faith shared and our life in Christ embraced by our children and youth. Last Sunday we spoke of how sacramental life is the principle way that The Good Shepherd continues to tend his flock. This Sunday we reflect on how we are vitally linked as branches to Christ, the vine. We accept Jesus as the vine and we know that we are the branches. But we pray that those being baptized, those entering into Holy Communion, those being marked with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, and those celebrating graduations will come to the conviction that it is so importantso vital for the Church and for the world that they see and perceive themselves as branches stemming from Christ in order to bear fruit. Indeed, we need all of them to realize that their lives will only have meaning if they respond to Gods voice and live their lives as vocationsvocations to BE CHURCH! I asked some eighth graders once what was on their minds and in their hearts. They responded with wonderments about how to speak about faith and belonging to the Catholic Church to people who perhaps have no connection, or even opposing views. They asked about how to pray effectively for someone facing life-threatening illness. They observed that young people do not see themselves being fulfilled in ordained or vowed life when having a family is not going to be part of the picture. They wondered if Fr. Richard would get married if they changed the rules. (Well, for that question, lets say, you had to be there. Very complicated.) The point is that our youth do want to know what it means to carry on being the branches. Thank God they want to know! We must pray that the Easter Season and living the risen life of faith, hope, and love gives all of us what we need to support them on their questson their journey with Jesus to the Father. We must also allow them space enough to grow. In order to really choose Jesus 2000+ years after he walked the Earth requires knowing enough and having enough information to make comparison. None of us gets to escape the apostle Thomas doubts, nor the apostle Peters need to finally arrive at the conclusion that it is only Jesus who offers the words of eternal life. While scary for adults (especially parents) the challenge of accompanying the young on their journey should still be a cause for joy. It should definitely be an opportunity for deepening our own faith, of living it by giving best example, and of honing our skills in the area of articulating why we believe what we believe. At the same time we have good reason not to get discouraged. After all, the Father is the grower! The Holy Trinity has this whole evangelization thing worked out. What is really required of us is that we provide fertile ground and then to cultivate that ground. May I say humbly that it is indeed a blessinga gift that keeps on givingfor this pastor to accompany you along the way. Msgr. Richard

TODAYS READINGS
First ReadingThe church was being built up, and grew in numbers (Acts 9:26-31). PsalmI will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people Second ReadingLet us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth (1 John 3:18-24). GospelRemain in me, as I remain in you. I am the vine, you are the branches (John 15:1-8).
SATURDAY (Psalm 22).

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

MAY 5 Erinn Lynch INT Maria Alarcon RIP MAY 6 Antonio Cervantes RIP John & Carol Faire INT For All Parishioners MAY 7 Camilla Lynch RIP MAY 8 Dr. Vincent Bonfiglio RIP MAY 9 Communion Service MAY 10ST. DAMIEN JOSEPH Communion Service M AY 11 Charles Day RIP MAY 12SS. NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS Tage O. Anderson RIP For All Parishioners MAY 13 Irene Nervell RIP For All Mothers Jack Novack RIP

PASTORS NEWSNOTES
Welcome To New Parishioners Event With the good mentoring of the parishioners who founded the Welcome Event at St. Rita, Chris and Dick Bertrand, we have assembled a few wise and experienced participants to do a little restructuring and relocation of the event. The event is held a couple of times each year and, being held at a parishioners home, has proved to be a deeply appreciated and effective form of welcome and inclusion for new comers to St. Rita. If you would like to be part of St. Ritas Welcome Squad, please provide your contact information to David or Jill Muhs em@st-rita.org. Congratulations to our new Altar Servers who were commissioned this weekend Alexis Alvarado Jacqueline Basham Ashley Conlon Will Cosso Reed Fundter George Gallagher Natalie Gohrick Ben Grace Alex Gruber Claudia Gruber Katelyn Gutierrez Alexandra Houston Blake Howard Carlee Ladesich Jack Love Makenna Maucher Dylan Mazaros Dominic Meghdessian Bradley Noble Timothy ONeill Victor Scalzo Rebecca Troescher Madeline Tupy Valentina Urteaga Alessia Vallado Nadia Vallado Brian Valmonte Jonathan Valmonte Erik Zimmerman Nicholas Zuniga Congratulations!

SAINT RITA CHURCH

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMAY 6, 2012

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UPDATE ON RECENT FOOD DRIVE

The final amount of cash donations was $608! Thanks to all for your generous response! The money was sent to St. Anthony to help them continue to meet the daily needs of the poor. Thank you for your continuing support!

Catholic Community & Local Events

Luncheon & Card PartyTuesday, May 8. At Maryknoll, 300 Norumbega Drive, Monrovia. Card play begins at 10 am. Luncheon served at Noon. $15 per person. Reservations/Information: 626/358-1825 L.I.F.E. Breakfast & LectureThursday, May 10. Madonna Hall at Santa Teresita. Doors open at 8 am, Registration and Breakfast 8:30 am. $4.50 for seniors. Presentation: Issues that seniors and their families need to know. Info/Reservations: 626/256-3059 santa-teresita.org CARA Ministries RetreatSaturday, May 12, 10-4. St. Johns Church, 4745 Wheeler Avenue, LaVerne 91750. Registration $45. After May 7th, $60. Info: 909/973-6012 Caraministries@hotmail.com Mater Dolorosa Golf ClassicThursday, May 24. Join Fr. Pat at Brookside Golf Course for a fun day of golf and more! Prizes, hosted social and awards banquet. Pat Wickhem 626/416-8824 pickempat1@aol.com or Mater Dolorosa Office 355-7188

YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth NiteMay 9 at 7 pm, Gara ConfirmationMay 19 at 5:30 pm Mass EDGE SessionMay 7 at 4 pm, Gara EDGE NightMay 12 at 4 pm, Gara

ST. RITA JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN

Registration is now open for the 2012-2013 School Year. Our Junior kindergarten program is designed for the Early 5-year old who is ready to move beyond preschool. Teacher-directed and childinitiated activities introduce students to classroom routines and foster development in areas such as language, math, literacy, imaginative play, social awareness, construction, technology, art, and music. Junior kindergarten will prepare your child for classroom routines with plenty of time for free exploration. Junior kindergarten will be full day 8:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. with after-school childcare available. Contact the School Office, 355-6114, for an enrollment packet. Cardinal McIntrye Fund For Charity, May 5 & 6. This annual collection benefits those in our Archdiocese who require a helping hand with housing, utilities, medical care, and other needs. Maintenance & Repairs, May 12 & 13. All donations stay in St. Rita Parish to help with routine repairs, maintenance, and monthly utilities. Families participating to date = 148 = 12% If you have not participated yet, would you please consider giving? Just 400 new donations of $25 (or more) would provide an additional $10K towards our goal.

HOW TO CONTACT US
Bulletin Articlesmust be submitted 10 days before the desired 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.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONSMAY

SAFEGUARD THE CHLDREN

Working Together to Prevent Child Abuse Each year, every parish in the Archdiocese receives copies of Working Together to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Keeping Ministerial Relationships Healthy and Holy. The brochure is a helpful guide to the sexual abuse prevention policies, programs and resources that have been developed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (The brochure is in our vestibule at St. Rita). Please read it and keep it for easy reference. To see a copy of the brochure online, please visit: http://www.la-archdiocese.org. See Protecting Gods Children. For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650. Articles from the Archdiocese are on our website: st-rita.org (select Publications, then Safeguard the Children).
PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH

TOGETHER IN MISSION (TIM)

Envelopes for TIM are available in the Vestibule. Reminder: Please make your check payable to Together in Mission. Credit cards also accepted.

It is not what you give, but that you give.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDST. RITA FEAST DAY

The St. Rita Guild needs volunteers to work at our Shrine on St. Rita of Cascia Feast Day, Tuesday, May 22. This is one of the most inspiring days of the year at our parish! We need two hours of your time to welcome our visitors. To volunteer, please contact Joan Crow at 355-3621. For questions, please contact Kathy Coyne at 355-4873.

ST. RITA MENS CLUB

Join us this Tuesday, May 8 in OMalley Hall at 7pm. Or come a little earlier for a barbeque (just outside the hall). Donation $5. RSVP: Tim OConnor 355-5053

Rose Mary Taquino, Janet Heins, Mary Ellen Isoard, Selma Tuffs, Sonia Kosker, David Duran, Rosemarie Gorman, Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Debra Ann Williamson, Cliff Hancuff, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Dorothy Van Gordon, Rosanne Kenny, Lisa Levesque, Hal Finney, Mary Elizabeth Nealey, Kathleen Ramsey, Louise Bigley, 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.

John Sweeney

MAY 6, 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.

MAY 6, 2012

SAINT RITA CHURCH

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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

This Sunday, May 6Coffee & Donuts

After all the Masses, Gara Hall Sponsored by St. Rita Christian Family Renew old friendships and perhaps make new ones while enjoying a snack and good fellowship.

Coffee &

Donuts

This Sunday, May 6Baptisms

1:30 pm In the Church

Tuesday, May 8St. Rita Mens Club

7 pm, OMalley See page 3 for more information.

Thursday, May 10Liturgy of the Hours

5:30 pm, Meditation 6 pm, Prayers In the Rectory Oratory

Thursday, May 10Bible Study

7 pm, Parish Office Meeting Room 10 am, In the Church

Saturday, May 12First Holy Communion

Save the Date

Sunday, May 13Mothers Day Saturday, May 19No Confessions Saturday, May 19Confirmation
Archbishop Jos Gomez, Celebrant 5:30 pm Mass

Sunday, May 20Pacific Islanders at St. Rita

Noon MassAnnual Celebration of St. Rita Feast Day

Tuesday, May 22Feast of St. Rita of Cascia

Please see page 3 for more information.