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 am—5 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

St. Rita of Cascia A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908

January 20, 2013

How to Contact Us

2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—JANUARY 20, 2013 P-2

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: 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: Barbara LeVeque /Gil Lazo 355.1292

Ministries & Organizations

Bereavement Ministry: Call Parish Office: 355.1292 Christian Family: Sheila Pierce 355.8332 Greeters & Ushers: Erny Henry: 626.289.3504; 626.446.6715 Men’s 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

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

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.

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 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 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.

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 Hull—johnhull65@gmail.com • 626.355.1292

Weekend Presiders: 10 am Mass—Fr. Chris Thiel, OFM Capuchin

12 Noon Mass—Rev. Msgr. John Morales

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 Pastoral Council Vice Chair George Landis: 626.792.0445 Finance Council Chair Bill Sullivan: 355.3707 St. Rita School—Office: 626.355.6114 Principal: Joanne Harabedian • jharabedian@st-rita.org

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

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.

Sacraments of 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.

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.

Parish Ministries and Organizations

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH P-3 REV. MSGR. RICHARD KREKELBERG

PASTOR’S CORNER

Dear Parishioners, When today’s passage from Isaiah was written, the people of Israel had just emerged from exile. Today’s reading was written as a message of hope, promising that the people would once again be restored to Jerusalem. The important part of this reading, however, is its connection to marriage. Although God’s people are currently seen as desolate and forsaken, they will eventually be recognized as the delight of God and as his spouse. God shall be figuratively married to his people, and God will rejoice in his people as a groom rejoices in his bride. So my question for married people is this: how often do you rejoice in your spouse? If you truly can rejoice in your spouse, then you have an inkling (albeit a tiny one) of how God feels about his chosen people.

This excerpt seems only somewhat related to the Gospel reading, and only because it is what John calls the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry—that is, the wedding at Cana. The story is familiar enough to us. We don’t know whose wedding it is, nor why the servers would listen to a man who appears not to be the bridegroom. We also hear that Jesus is not concerned that the wine has run out, but Mary convinces him he should be. As we know, Jesus turns the water into wine, and the headwaiter exclaims that this wine is superior to the wine served earlier. This is what the wedding banquet, the feast of life, should be like.

From the first reading, our God rejoices in us; and from the Gospel, our God serves us the choicest wines and finest foods—that is, the feast of life that we will experience in the reign of God and of which we receive a foretaste each time we receive the Eucharist.

Today’s letter from Paul is rich with the topic of spiritual gifts. There is a bit of irony in talking about spiritual gifts barely a month past Christmas. After all, some of our gifts were returned! Others may have been used with enthusiasm for a few days until the battery died or something more interesting came along, or until it broke. Hopefully, we will not be tempted to return the gifts of the Holy Spirit, become bored with them or run out of energy to use them. How do we find significance in them, seeing as we are in the post-holiday slump?

The spiritual gifts may not be as familiar to the younger generations as they are to the older, but they are important for us to know and understand. We all receive spiritual gifts—it is to our benefit to use them wisely and for the good of all. In fact, we are called to use them in service of Christ. No one person will receive all spiritual gifts, but they are all valuable and are given for some obvious benefits. These gifts are also the grace of God acting out in our lives and in our mission.

As we are in the post-Christmas slump, many of us have also given up on our New Year’s resolutions. If we are honest, resolutions are often about conformity to others’ standards and much less about personal enhancement, enlightenment or spiritual or mental growth. These gifts, unlike a resolution, are God’s call for us to be extraordinary people. Saints are extraordinary people—still sinners, to be sure, but also extraordinary because they strive for holiness in their lives. We would be wise to use these words from Paul on the gifts of the Spirit to embrace difference, to look for difference, and to remember that cookie-cutter Christians are not what God calls us to be. We should remember that our like-mindedness is what we are able to claim because of what God has done for us in Christ’s death and resurrection—and not because of what we want to claim about God. Let our prayer today be to rejoice in each other and God as God rejoices in us, and to use our spiritual gifts to embrace differences and lead us to holiness.

This Reflection by Nathan Hetrick is presented for your consideration.—Msgr. Richard

—Spiritual Growth—

† Tuesday, January 22, RCIA 7:30 pm • Parish Office Meeting Room Contact Deacon Manuel for information.

† Wednesday, January 23, Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Meditation • 6 pm Prayer • Rectory Oratory

Contact Deacon John Hull for information.

† Thursday, January 24, Bible Study 7 - 8:30 pm • Parish Office Meeting Room

† Every weekday—Pray the Rosary as a group After the 8 am Mass • In the Church

PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH— Katherine Haderlein, John J. McCoy, Andy Heller, JoAnn E. Douglass, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Alice Feeney, Joanna Singleton, 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, Dorothy Van Gordon, Hal Finney, Louise Bigley, Christa Owen, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Cathy Hundshamer, Eva Bernejo, Laurie Larkin Masella, Edith Olah, Matteo Begnoche, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Clare Marquardt, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Anna Mary Hession, Mildred Vocelka, Joseph Moore, Effie DeGroot, Ned Vento.

2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—JANUARY 20, 2013 P-4

Betty Dureault (mother of Lorraine Noriega) Madeline Moloney (mother of Stephen Moloney, sister of Catherine Brammer & Bishop Joseph Sartoris)

† † †

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 8:00 AM Irene McHugh RIP 5:30 PM Ignacio Gokey Family INT SUNDAY, JANUARY 20 7:30 AM Frank Beck RIP 10:00 AM For All Parishioners 12 NOON Elizabeth Early INT MONDAY, JANUARY 21 8:00 AM Ed Hagerott RIP TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 8:00 AM Rev. John Hoa Quang Nguyen RIP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 8:00 AM Communion Service THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 8:00 AM Communion Service FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 8:00 AM The Sutter Family INT SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 8:00 AM The Holy Souls In Purgatory 5:30 PM Dorothy M. Mueller RIP SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 7:30 AM Francisco Alabart RIP 10:00 AM Norma & Stan Brown RIP 12 Noon For All Parishioners

FEAST DAYS

Monday, January 21—St. Agnes Wednesday, January 23—St. Vincent

Thursday, January 24—St. Francis de Sales Saturday, January 26—Ss. Timothy & Titus

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading—As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so God rejoices in the chosen ones (Isaiah 62:1-5). Psalm—Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations (Psalm 96). Second Reading—All the varied gifts in the Christian community are from one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Gospel—Rejoicing at a wedding celebration in Cana, Jesus replenishes the wine supply (John 2:1-11).

YEAR OF FAITH: JANUARY 2013

Manifesting Christ: Blessed Are the Peacemakers

This Year of Faith has opened wide the “door of faith.” The liturgical “door” that opens every calendar year is the solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. As January unfolds, the Sunday Gospels proclaim Jesus’ “manifestations” as Savior of the world: on Epiphany, to the Gentile nations, in the persons of the magi; on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, to the people of Israel listening to John the Baptist at the Jordan; at Cana’s wedding feast, to the smaller circle of disciples, as Jesus changes water into wine; finally, in his hometown synagogue, as Jesus inaugurates his public ministry by proclaiming his mission of bringing glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed.

Our Meditation and Mission:

To continue manifesting Jesus’ presence in the world by making his mission our own, especially as peacemakers in Jesus’ name at home and in our communities.

►Attention: Parents of pre-schoolers Did you know that St. Rita offers Sunday School for children ages 3-5? Please have your children join us upstairs above Gara Hall in the School Library during the 10 am Mass. No registration necessary! It is a wonderful program; we would love to have you join us.

Cristina Cullen• dre@st-rita.org

What’s happening in your Organization or Ministry? Send us some information to include in the Bulletin! Better yet, take some photos at your events and include them (jpeg format)—we’ll print as space allows. ►Deadline for Bulletin articles is Thursday, 10 days before desired publication date.

bulletin@st-rita.org or bring to the Parish Office.

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH P-5

►Youth Nite—Wednesday, January 23, 7 pm, Gara ►Edge —No meeting, MLK Holiday, January 21 ►Year 1 Confirmation—Sat., February 2, 4 pm, O’Malley ►Youth Mass—Saturday, February 2, 5:30 pm

►Goodwill Fundraiser—Saturday, January 26, 9-3 pm (see article in adjacent column)

►Youth Day Registration◄ This all-day youth conference for Catholic high school teens is on Thursday, February 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. St. Rita will take 30 teens this year on a first-come basis. To register, please email Theresa.

Theresa Costanza • ym@st-rita.org • 590-8828

St. Rita School

“A Catholic Education is an Advantage for Life.”

St. Rita School Open Enrollment for 2013-2014 Junior Kindergarten through 8th Grade

Saint Rita School offers a comprehensive program that includes CYO Championship Sports Teams, Fine Arts,

Music, Foreign Language, Speech, Debate and Drama, after-school enrichment classes and tutoring and much more.

Registration packets available online • www.st-ritaschool.org

Or through the School Office (626) 355-6114

Call for a private tour of our school!

Interested in becoming an Altar Server? If you are presently attending 5th or 6th grade, in either private or public school, we invite you to train for altar serving. We will supply the training—all you need is a willing and faithful spirit!

Please pick up an application form at the Parish Office or contact:

Mrs. Ganino • 626/398-9302 • katganino@charter.net

►Fundraiser: Goodwill Donation Drive◄ IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW

Next Saturday, January 26, 9-3 pm Church Lower Parking Lot

We just received new guidelines from Goodwill of items they will not accept at this event: no furniture, no wheeled toys, no large appliances, and no computers or electronics. For a complete list of acceptable/non-acceptable donations, please refer to the flyer in this week’s Bulletin or the poster in the Vestibule. Thank you for following the guidelines and we are sorry for any incovenience!

This is a Youth Ministry fundraiser to help send our teens to summer service trips and/or leadership camp. Thank you!

Spotlight on Ministry

Prayer Shawl and Lap Blanket Ministry

Our purpose is to provide shawls and lap blankets for our seriously ill and homebound parishioners, to remind them their parish has not forgotten them.

We work on an individual basis, praying for the recipient each time we sit down to work on the project. Keeping it only two or three days before passing it on to someone else insures many hands and prayers are involved. As the items are finished, a St. Rita medal is attached and Msgr. Richard blesses the shawl or lap blanket.

We keep our patterns simple so even beginners can join. New knitters and crocheters are invited to join our group. For more information—

Marilyn Delgatto 355-8717 • Mary Taillac 355-3179

► St. Rita Guild Coming Events

Monthly Meeting—Friday, Feb. 1, 9 am, Gara Annual Card Party & Luncheon— Saturday, February 9, 10-3 pm, O’Malley (See flyer in this week’s Bulletin.)

2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME—JANUARY 20, 2013 P-6

Catholic Community & Local Events

Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

† This Sunday, January 20—Catholicism 4 - 5:30 pm • O’Malley Hall • Light refreshments served This continuing 10-part series resumes after the holiday break.

Monday, January 21—Parish Office & School Closed Martin Luther King Holiday

Wednesday, January 23—School PTO Fundraiser

11 am - 9 pm • Matt Denny’s, 145 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia Mention our school—we receive 20% proceeds from your bill!

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

(See page 4 for more information.)

† Tuesday, January 22, RCIA Class 7:30 pm • Parish Office Meeting Room

† Wednesday, January 23, Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Meditation • 6 pm Prayer • Rectory Oratory

† Pray the Rosary Weekday mornings after the 8 am Mass

† Thursday, January 24, Bible Study 7 - 8:30 pm • Parish Office Meeting Room

Saturday, January 26—Youth Ministry Fundraiser

Goodwill truck will be here from 9am - 3 pm ►See page 5 for important information about acceptable items.

Save the Date

Sunday, January 27—St. Rita School Mass

10 am Mass • St. Rita School Choir will sing

Monday, January 28—Baptism Preparation Class For February 10 Baptisms

7 pm • Parish Office Meeting Room

Friday, February 1—St. Rita Guild Meeting 9 am • Gara Hall • All women of the parish are welcome!

Saturday, Feb. 9—Guild Annual Luncheon & Card Party

10 am - 3 pm • O’Malley Hall Men are welcome too! See flyer in this week’s Bulletin.

Sunday, February 10—Baptisms

Please note change of date. 1:30 pm • In the Church

►Beginning Tuesday, January 22—Evenings of Ignatian Prayer. Young Adults and Adults are invited to this 8-week experience of prayer, worship, and community. Holy Family Parish Center, South Pasadena.

RSVP/Info • 626/403-6113 ►Teen Volunteer Opportunities at Santa Teresita—Saturday, January 26, 1-3:30 pm. The Junior program is open to girls and boys from ages 13-17. By giving your time and talent at Santa Teresita, you’ll gain a variety of new skills, earn community service hours, meet new friends, and receive guidance and direction for career planning.

For more information, please call: 626/408-7823 • outreach@santa-teresita.org

►Don Bosco Technical Institute Open House—Sunday, January 27, 12-3 pm. Prospective students, their families, and members of the community are all welcome. Food will be sold and parking is free. 626/940-2000 • boscotech.edu ►LaSalle & Alverno Alumni (1960-1992)—De’Ja’Vu Social, Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 7-10 pm at La Salle.

More information on Alverno’s Alumnae Facebook Event page—De’Ja’ Vu Social.

Welcome New Parishioners!

Joining our St. Rita Faith Community in December—

Kehinde & Mercy Adejumo Rick, Johanna & Savanna Brockman

Ian, Cher, Grace & James Culver Alfonso, Ana Halún, Frania & Montserrat Garza

Daniel, Claudia Guzman-Ferreira, & Julianna Guzman John Latsko & Monica Latsko Michael, Kari & Collin Roth

St. Rita Guild Christmas Luncheon Caltech Athenaeum • December 14

December 2012 Repairs & Maintenance Report

Special Monthly Collection (Blue Envelopes) Total Income—$4835.40

December Expenses for the Church & Rectory/Office * Total Expenses—7098.00 Repairs & Maintenance Income Shortfall —<$2262.60>

* Total Expenses includes utilities, hardware supplies, paint & paint supplies, plumbing repairs & supplies, electrical repairs, etc.

Thank you to the 149 families who donated to this special collection during the month of December. We encourage everyone to help by contributing to this very necessary collection. Our parish buildings are aging and require ongoing preventive maintenance as well as unexpected repairs.

Please consider in this new year to make it a habit to contribute each month to this fund. The “official” collection is the second Sunday of each month but your donation is welcome any week. Simply indicate “for Maintenance” on your check and/or envelope.

Thank you!

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH P-7 2012 Tax Donation Acknowledgments

If you are a registered parishioner you may request a letter to acknowledge your total 2012 donations to St. Rita for tax purposes. PLEASE NOTE: Registered parishioners are those who have filled out a Registration Form and have been assigned an ID number.

You may request a letter by sending your full name, address, and parish ID number (if known) to

rc@st-rita.org

or fill out the form below and drop it in the Sunday Offering or mail to the Parish Office, Attn: RC.

NO requests will be taken over the telephone.

Request for 2012 Donations for Tax Purposes

Envelope ID# Full Name Address