Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.
Pastor
626.355.1292 x. 228 revkrek@[Link] Dcn. Manuel & Chela ValenciaDeacon Couple [Link]@[Link] 626.355.1292 Dcn. John HulldcnJohn@[Link] 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@[Link]
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@[Link] Director of Religious Education Mrs. Cristina Cullen: 355.3841, dre@[Link] Director of Youth Ministry/Confirmation Mrs. Theresa Bui Costanzo: 355-1852, ym@[Link] RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Team: Deacon Manuel and Chela Valencia; Susan Blakeslee: rcia@[Link] St. Rita SchoolOffice: 626.355.6114 Principal: Mrs. Joanne Harabedian: jharabedian@[Link] 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!
Mass Times
Sunday, September 11, 2011
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
24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 11, 2011
P-2
PASTORS CORNER
Dear Parishioners, This Sundays gospel passage from Matthew on FORGIVENESS is, to say the least, challenging. How many times should we forgive our brother or sister (or federal, state and local government, or the Church, or my boss, or my wife or husband, or my best friend)? Would Jesus include the terrorists behind the now infamous 911? And then is it seventy-seven times or seventy-seven times seven times that we are to forgive? (Translations vary.) Conceivably, given todays average lifetime, you might accomplish all of those personal absolutions, depending on your level of anger and frustration. But of course the scripture scholars (and our Church) teach us that Jesus was speaking in the numerological symbolism of his time. Seven, as an odd number, was considered a perfect numbera complete number; therefore to say seventy times seven was the equivalent of saying forever or without ceasing. Thats a pretty big order and a huge expectation in the forgiveness domain, yet this is what Jesus was teaching his followers and us. In the context of the parable that Jesus uses today of the king who decides it is time to exact payment from his indebted servants, the startling thing is Jesus conclusion: just as the king turned over his unforgiving servant to the torturers until he paid off his whole debt, So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart. Wow! If we dont forgive one another from our hearts, were going to be turned over to the torturers?! On the one hand, we may react to Jesus conclusion with paralyzing fear and horror at the likelihood of our holding grudges and remaining unforgiving; on the other hand our reaction might be one of amazement and even celebration that FORGIVENESS is so essential to being a true Christian. After all, beyond our redemption and salvation it is our wellbeing and health that Jesus cares about. Thats right. Our wellbeing and health. When all is said and done, forgiveness renders a tremendous health benefit to the one who forgives. When we forgive we let go of whatever is literally eating us alive. Marriages that have built in the ability to forgive have a better chance of being around to see the graduations from college and the grandchildren. Cancer and AIDS patients who forgive have a better chance of survival. The studies here are many and are conclusive. We hear a lot of talk these days of the inevitable anger, hate, and blame that will naturallyhumanlyresult from any catastrophe or disaster, once the shock wears off. An important question for you and I that emerges from todays Gospel is What will you and I do as Christians to promote FORGIVENESS? [Do not read, Do not hold accountable, for we will not grow if we do not learn where things went wrong and how to correct any mistakes.] But to promote forgiveness means nothing less that the promotion of the healing and restoration of victims, the country, and our very selves in the midst. Certainly we do not want to wind up being those who did not forgive and were consequently turned over to the torturers! By the way, who or what might those tortures turn out to be, anyway? Or is it possible that those who do not forgive wind up being their own torturers? Well, alright. All of you who thought that this homily was too long I FORGIVE YOU! Now lets move on. Msgr. Richard
TODAYS READINGS
First Reading Remember the commandments and hate not your neighbor (Sirach 27:30 28:9). Psalm The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion (Psalm 103). Second Reading Whether we live, or whether we die, we do so for the Lord (Romans 14:7-9). Gospel Forgive one another from your heart Matthew 18:21-35). 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 SEPTEMBER 10 Rachel Young RIP For All Parishioners SEPTEMBER 11 Rev. James M. Ford RIP Robert Merchant RIP Cora Cervantes RIP SEPTEMBER 12 Karin Lynch RIP SEPTEMBER 13 ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Mario DaRe RIP SEPTEMBER 14 EXALTATION OF THE Communion Service HOLY CROSS SEPTEMBER 15 OUR LADY OF SORROWS Communion Service S EPTEMBER 16 SS. CORNELIUS & CYPRIAN Dr. Vincent Bonfiglio RIP SEPTEMBER 17 ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE Rev. Francis X. Alabart RIP Henry Li RIP SEPTEMBER 18 For All Parishioners Robert L. Jocheim RIP Raymond Gaines INT
PASTOR NEWS NOTES
Thank youfor your generous response, earlier this year, to our appeals for help for Haiti ($11K+) and Japan ($16K+). All funds have been forwarded. In the coming weeks I will share excerpts from thank-you letters we have received. Town Hall MeetingThis Sunday, 2 pm in OMalley Hall. Please read the article on page 3 of this bulletin and plan to attend one of these very important meetingsfor your chance to hear and your chance to be heard. Our St. Rita plan for the future will be guided by input from these meetings. New Roman MissalPlease keep and refer to the insert, St. Rita Timeline for Implementation, from todays bulletin. The coming weeks present many opportunities to familiarize yourself with the liturgical changes beginning in November. Catholic Prayer BreakfastTuesday, September 20, at the Cathedral. Please contact Paula at the Parish Office to see if there is space available on the parish buswhich leaves St. Rita promptly at 5 am! Msgr. Richard I will permit no one to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate them.
Booker T. Washington
SAINT RITA CHURCH
24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 11, 2011
P-3
ST. RITA PARISH TOWN HALL MEETINGS
We want to hear from you! St. Rita is hosting a Town Hall Meeting, on four different days, so everyone will have an opportunity to attend and participate. Watch for further information in future bulletins. But for now, save one of these dates: This Sunday, September 11, 2 pm, OMalley Hall Sunday, October 2, 1:30 pm, Gara Hall Saturday, October 15, 10 am, OMalley Hall Sunday, October 16, 1:30 pm, OMalley Hall
TOGETHER IN MISSION (TIM) STATUS
In these final TIM months we still have less than 20% parish participation. We are short of our assessed goal but, more importantly, we are not reaching out to our needy parishes and schools. Please help us meet our goal. Your check should be made payable to Together in Mission and placed in the Offering or delivered to the Parish Office. Thank you. Remember its not the amountbut that you give!
A CALL FOR LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Please consider serving God as a Eucharistic Minster or Lector. This is an excellent opportunity to help meet one of the many needs of our church and to grow in faith and service to our Lord. Ministers serve twice a month at their regular liturgy. Scheduling is flexible and accommodating if you already have a busy calendar. Our ministers represent a diverse range of ages and faith journeys. All we ask of potential ministers is that they be of Confirmed faith and willing hearts. Training will be in September followed by commissioning for service by Msgr. Krekelberg. We also train ministers to serve communion to our homebound members on a weekly basis. To learn more, contact David or Jill Muhsem@[Link] or 355-9810.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
RCIA classes begin Tuesday, September 13, from 7:30-9 pm in the Parish Office. No RSVP or registration is necessary; just show up! Classes are held every Tuesday, except during holiday periods, until Holy Week 2012. For more information, contact Deacon Manuel Valencia at [Link]@[Link] This Weekend, September 10-11 This restricted fund is used to meet the ongoing monthly costs of utilities and minor repairs, and also to help with any major unexpected repairs. Use the special envelope from your packet, or simply mark any envelope or your check Maintenance Only.
MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS COLLECTION
Our Catholic Community
Ritas Angels Bowling GroupLadies League, meets Wednesday mornings at Action Lanes in El Monte. Info: Carol McCann 626/446-5453. Bereavement Support GroupBegins Thursday, September 15, 7-8:30 pm. St. Bede Church, La Caada. For more information or to pre-register, call the Parish Center 818/949-4300. Flyer posted in the Vestibule.
YOUTH MINISTRY (YM)
ConfirmationYear II parent/candidate meeting this Sunday, September 11, 10 am in OMalley. Orientation Year I parent /candidate meeting, Saturday, September 17, 3:30 pm in OMalley. Youth MassSaturday, September 17, 5:30 pm Mass. YM leaders will be commissioned. All families (YM, 6-12th grade) invited for Mass. Pizza in Gara Hall after Mass. Registration for Confirmationcloses September 17. EDGEMonday, September 19, 4 pm, Gara Hall. Parent Meeting at 5:15 pm also in Gara Hall. For more information: contact Theresa Costanzo, ym@[Link]
SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN
Current articles from the Archdiocese are on our website: [Link], select About St. Rita, then Safeguard the Children.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Bulletin Articlesmust be submitted 10 days before the Sunday of publication. Email: bulletin@[Link] or drop off information at the Parish Office. Parish Office EmailsParishAdmin@[Link] 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 HEALTH
TRAGEDY IN AFRICAHOW WE CAN HELP
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is already responding to the tragedy but the situation is dire and lives are at stake. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at [Link], or send a check to CRS, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7080 (memo line of check: Africa Drought Response Collection). Thank you for your consideration of this appeal and your generosity.
ST. VINCENT DE PAULBUNDLE SUNDAY
September 25, from 8-1:30 in the Church Lower Parking Lot Please bring usable clothing , kitchen items, and small furniture. For larger items, including appliances, please phone 323/224-6280 or 800/97-HELP-1 for home pickups. Your donations will either be given to the needy or sold in St. Vincent Thrift Stores to support their charitable activities.
Winnie McQuiggan, Christa Owen, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Dan Staggs, 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.
Thomas McGuire Joan Milazzo (former parishioner) Ellen Tatosian
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011
SAINT RITA CHURCH
P-4
Directory of Ministries and Organizations
Liturgy & Worship
Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers: David & Jill Muhs 626.355.9810 em@[Link] 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 & Andrea 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 : Mary Grace Shinnick 626.355.0764 Greeters & Ushers: Mr. Erny Henry: 626.289.3504; 626.446.6715 Mens Club: Tim OConnor: 355.5053 the4oconnors@[Link] New Members/Welcome: Dick & Chris Bertrand pr@[Link] St. Rita Guild: Ms. Kathy Coyne: 355.4873, kdcoyne@[Link] Senior Ministry: Marilyn McKernan, marilyn@[Link] Shawl Ministry: Mary Taillac 355.3179 or Marilyn Delgatto 355-8717
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Other Contacts
Archivist: Mrs. Marilyn McKernan, marilyn@[Link] Bulletin Submissions: bulletin@[Link] or drop off at Office Public Relations: Mrs. Chris Bertrand: pr@[Link] Registration Information: rc@[Link]; 626.355.1292 Webmaster: Ralph Seymour: seymour@[Link]
Communion for Sick and Homebound Parishioners
St. Rita ministers provide Communion home visits. Contact the Parish office or Jill Muhs, 626.355.9810, em@[Link].
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.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011
SAINT RITA CHURCH
P-5
Meetings, Ministry & Special Events
This Week
This Sunday, September 11
St. Rita Town Hall Meeting
2 pm in OMalley Hall First of four opportunities to attend, hear & speak! See page 3 for complete information.
Youth Ministry (Year II Confirmation)
10 am, Gara
Tuesday, September 13Mens Club Meeting 7 pm, OMalley Hall Tuesday, September 13RCIA Begins
7:30 pm in the Parish Office See page 3 for information.
Thursday, September 15Liturgy of the Hours
5:30 pm Music, 6 pm PrayersRectory Oratory See page 3 for more information
Saturday, September 17Youth Mass
5:30 pm Mass
Sunday, September 18Catechetical Sunday
10 am Mass For all teachersSt. Rita School & Religious Ed.
Save the Date
Tuesday, September 20No 8 am Mass Saturday, September 24Wellness/Preparedness Fair
Co-sponsored by St. Rita Senior Ministry 9 am-Noon, Memorial Park
Sunday, September 25Bundle Sunday
St. Vincent de Paul Truck, lower parking lot, 8:30-1:30 pm.
November 4-6St. Rita Womens Retreat Weekend
Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center Watch future bulletins for more information.