Sunday, September 2, 2012

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

22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 2, 2012

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 Presiders: 10 am MassFr. Chris Thiel, OFM Capuchin 12 Noon MassRev. Msgr. John Morales

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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 Altar Servers, Adult: Bill Cosso Eucharistic Adoration: Marylyn Barnes Rosary Prayer Group: 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: Barbara LeVeque /Gil Lazo 355.1292

How to Contact Us
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

Ministries & Organizations

Bereavement Ministry: Call Parish Office: 355.1292 Christian Family: Terri Cummings 355.8895 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 sullivan514@gmail.com Senior Ministry: Marilyn McKernan, marilyn@st-rita.org Shawl Ministry: Mary Taillac 355.3179 Marilyn Delgatto 355.8717

Pastoral Council Vice Chair

George Landis: 626.792.0445

Finance Council Chair

Bill Sullivan: 355.3707

St. Rita SchoolOffice: 626.355.6114

Principal: Joanne Harabedian jharabedian@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 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

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.

For Information about the

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. 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.

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!

Sacraments of Reconciliation and first Eucharist

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.

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.

NOTE: Adult applicants for the sacraments should contact the Parish Office.

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

See adjoining column.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday I present for your consideration this Reflection by Eugene Hensell, OSB. -Msgr Richard
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
8:00 AM

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The phrase talk is cheap is a clich not only because it is repeated time and again but most especially because it expresses an experiential truth. Nowhere is this more the case than in religion. People love to talk about religion from all perspectives. Religious arguments and disputes are commonplace in all areas of society. However, quite often the words end up being simply thatwords. They do not lead to actions, behavior, or significant deeds. This is not something new nor was it something about which our Jewish and Christian ancestors were ignorant. All three readings plus the responsorial psalm of todays liturgy address the issue of words related to actions. The book of Deuteronomy portrays Moses giving the chosen people a final review of their covenant commitments before they cross over into the Promised Land. There is great emphasis here on hearing the statutes and decrees of the Lord. However, it is not enough just to hear them or to talk about themthey must be observed, they must be put into practice. The future nation of Israel will not be judged by its words but by its actions. It will be considered a wise nation if it hears the words of the Lord and puts them into practice. The second reading is from the letter of James. One never has to wonder what James is attempting to say. He is blunt, forthright, and practical. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For James, Christianity is not a philosophical theory, not about saying the right words, not even about arguing issues of religion in a persuasive manner. Christianity is a way of life rooted in faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and as such has given us a new way to live our lives until He comes again. Todays Gospel reading from Mark approaches this issue of words and actions from a slightly different point of view. Jesus and his disciples re criticized by the Pharisees for the lax way they deal with the purity laws regarding washing hands before a meal. In response to this confrontation, Jesus challenges the Pharisees by declaring they have all the rights words and ritual practices but it never gets below the surface of all things. Real and authentic observance comes from the heart and is the result of personal internalization of divine teaching. Empty words and empty rituals are the basic actions of a hypocrite, an actor, someone playing a part. The responsorial psalm summarizes all this very succinctly with the phrase, The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Examples of peoples who call themselves Christians saying one thing and doing another abound. Hypocrisy is almost like a virus that infects even those we thought to be immune from such things. This is not a time for name calling or passing judgment on others. It is a time to reaffirm our JudeoChristian traditions. Words matter, but putting those words into action fulfills their intent. Christianity is about praxis or putting our faith into practice. Many people today are getting numb from hearing all the harsh and critical words being exchanged by politicians, religious leaders, and others. We are tired of all the talking heads and we are embarrassed by their growing lack of civility. So what can we do? We can consciously commit ourselves to being doers of the word and putting our faith into practice.
Eugene Hensell, OSB, a Benedictine of St. John University, Collegeville, Minnesota

5:30 PM

7:30 AM Michael Glynn RIP 10:00 AM Robert Eustace RIP 12 NOON Glenda Sapungan RIP

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Mr. Edmond M. Renehan RIP For All Parishioners

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
8:00 AM 8:00 AM

8:00 AM For Those Who Labor & Those Unemployed INT Vera Servetti RIP

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 5:30 PM

Communion Service

FRIDAY, S EPTEMBER 7

Communion Service

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Josephine Meza RIP Thomas Cotter RIP Rosemarie Gorman RIP

7:30 AM For All Parishioners 10:00 AM Robert Eustace RIP 12 NOON Brandon Krock RIP

Feast Days
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 St. Gregory the Great SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us? (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8). PsalmThe one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 15). Second ReadingReligion that is pure is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts
(Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23). (James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27). Gospel This people honors me

TODAYS READINGS First ReadingFor what great

22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMESEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Welcome to our newest St. Rita Members!
Valentina Leticia Camacho
Debra & David Camacho
PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH

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Yinhei Colin McCoppin Ghiloni

Carolynn & Jonathan Ghiloni Danielle & Jeffrey Gleason

Allison Esther Gleason

Eleanor & Vincent DiFronzo Jennifer & Gregory Jukic

Myrick Taylor DiFronzo Lauren Fiona Jukic

Rica & John Morzov

Ryan Harrison Morzov Kylie Christina Simpson Caysen George Sullivan and Quinn Mary-Carolyn Sullivan Naomi Frances Valencia
Masako & Manuel Valencia Lori & Alexander Alcaraz Amber & Gregory Wyatt Kristen & Thomas Sullivan Allison & Kyle Simpson

Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Alice Feeney, Joanna Singleton, Jackie Bagnuolo, Ann Shier, Mary Ellen Isoard, Tim Stanley, Antoinette Wassef, Theresa Morcos, Aspet Herapetian, Tony Comaianni, Ian Blakeslee, David Molina, Rose Mary Taquino, Selma Tuffs, Sonia Kosker, David Duran, Paul Viger, Julie Meyer, Zdenka Czerny, Debra Ann Williamson, Cliff Hancuff, Wendy Wolf Fadel, Dorothy Van Gordon, Rosanne Kenny, Hal Finney, 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.

Amelie Adrianna Viveros Christian Thomas Wyatt

Safeguard the Children

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers dozens of informational brochures on a broad range of child safety topics. Go to Www.ncmec.org and select Resources for Parents & Guardians. For particular help, you may call the Archdiocesan Assistance Ministry, 213/637-7650. Articles from the Archdiocese are also on our website: st-rita.org (select Publications, then Safeguard the Children).

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Orientation meeting, Tuesday, September 11, 7:30 pm, in the Parish office meeting room. No RSVP or registration necessary. Classes every Tuesday, 7:30-9:00 pm. For more information, please contact Dn. Manuel Valencia. deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com

St. Rita Guild The Guild will hold their first meeting after the summer break on this Friday, September 7 at 9 am in Gara Hall. All women of the parish are members of the Guild. You are most welcome and urged to attendcome and see! Questions? Patty Sullivan 355-3707 sullivan514@gmail.com Job Opening Receptionist/Secretary for St. Rita Parish Office. This part time position requires someone with a hospitable, welcoming attitude who has up-to-date computer and organizational skills, who works well with others and is willing to develop a commitment to the parish's pastoral plan. Front office or secretarial experience a plus. Duties include answering phones, welcoming visitors, and general clerical and secretarial tasks. A small office with friendly co-workers and an informal atmosphere help make this a great opportunity for the right candidate. For more information or to submit a resume, please call Mary Lou Butler 626/355-1292 x222

Catholic Community & Local Events

Fingerprinting Schedule Friday, Sept. 7Immaculate Conception, Monrovia For appointment call 626/358-1166 Wednesday, Sept. 26Nativity, El Monte For appointment call 626/448-8895 Maryknoll Luncheon & Card PartyTues., Sept. 11 Card players arrive at 10 am; Luncheon served at Noon. $15. Please come and bring your friends! 300 Norumbega Drive, Monrovia 91016. Reservations/Info: 626/358-1825 L.I.F.E. BreakfastThurs, Sept. 13. Dr. Heng Chhay will speak on Congestive Heart Failure. Madonna Hall, Santa Teresita, 819 Buena Vista, Duarte. 8 am. $4.50 for meal. Bereavement Support GroupThurs., Sept. 27 Ongoing. Meets 7-9 pm. St. Luke Church, Temple City. Questions? Sherrie 626/921-1255

Bulletin articles. Please submit copy/information

10 days before the desired Sunday of publication. bulletin@st-rita.org or bring/send to the Parish Office.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH

St. Rita School
The first day of school is Wednesday, September 5th. Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten dismiss at noon on Wednesday (5th), Thursday (6th) and Friday (7th). All other grades will have the regular school schedule for the week. Important dates in September: Thursday, Sept. 6PTO General Meeting for all Parents 7:00 pm in OMalley Hall with babysitting in Gara Hall Monday, Sept. 10Back to School Night Grades Jr. K thru 3 (east campus) Tuesday, Sept. 11 Back to School Night Grades 4 thru 8 (west campus) Monday, Sept. 17VIRTUS Safety for Children Training for all new parents and volunteers 6 pm in OMalley Hall. Please make your VIRTUS training reservation through the School Office 355-6114.

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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

Parish OfficeClosed for Labor Day Weekend

Closed Saturday, Sept. 1 thru Monday, Sept. 3 Office Reopens on Tuesday, September 4 at 9 am

This Sunday, September 2Baptisms

1:30 pm, in the Church

September 4 & 5School Resumes

See column to left for complete information.

Friday, September 7St. Rita Guild

9 am, Gara Hall See page 4 for information. After the 8 am Mass until 5 pm, Rectory Oratory

A Catholic Education is an Advantage for Life

school@st-ritaschool.org st-ritaschool.org 355-6114

Friday, September 7Adoration

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our Religious Education program begins in September. This year we are in transition and need three individuals who can dedicate themselves each Monday to teaching the children of the parish. This is an extremely rewarding way to give back to the parish and start our children on a lifetime relationship with God and Jesus. If you are interested and willing, we will train you! Questions? Contact Cristina Cullen 626.355.3841 dre@st-rita.org
Come to the Mountain for the St. Ritas Womens Weekend Retreat November 2-4, 2012 Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center 700 N. Sunnyside, Sierra Madre Cost: Suggested donation $195 Next week-end, September 8th & 9th, Retreat Chairwomen Joan Crow and Marie Sullivan will be outside of church to encourage you to come to the Retreat a special time for prayer, meditation, renewal and great food. Registration forms will be available; a $50 non-refundable deposit will hold your spot. Hope to see you and talk with you about the Retreat!

Save the Date

Tuesday, September 11RCIA Begins
7:30 pm, Parish Office

September 15 & 16Food Drive

After All the Masses For the benefit of St. Anthony Center

Tuesday, September 18Catholic Prayer Breakfast

At the Cathedral See next weeks bulletin for more information.

Sunday, September 23Ministry Fair

Learn about your parishministries & opportunities. More details in future Bulletins.

Sunday, September 23Bundle Sunday

8:30 am until 2 pm St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the lower parking lot.

Questions? Call Joan 355-3621 or Marie 355-1234