St. Rita of St. Rita of St. Rita of CCCascia ascia ascia A Faith Community Since 1908A Faith Community Since 1908A Faith Community Since 1908

December 7, 2014December 7, 2014December 7, 2014 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

Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation

—Psalm 85

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT—DECEMBER 7, 2014 2

Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, V. F.—Pastor 626.355.1292 x. 228 • revkrek@st-rita.org

Dcn. Manuel & Chela Valencia— deaconmanuelvalencia@gmail.com • 355.1292 Dcn. John Hull—johnhull65@gmail.com • 355.1292

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

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 Parish Office: 355.1292 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: 355.1292 • 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; and

Susan Blakeslee: rcia@st-rita.org

How to Contact Us 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 katganino@charter.net Altar Servers, Adult: Bill Cosso • 355.5656 Eucharistic Adoration: Kathy Ganino • 626.398.9302 katganino@charter.net 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: Denise Villalovos/Gil Lazo gil@st-rita.org • 355.1292

Ministries & Organizations

Bereavement Ministry: 355.1292 • bereave@st-rita.org Christian Family: Ana Ptasinski • 355.3146 Greeters & Ushers: Erny Henry 626.289.3504 • 626.446.6715 Men’s Club: Dave Loera • d.loera@verizon.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 Eucharistic 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) for the Anointing of the Sick, the sacrament intended for the seriously ill or dying and 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.

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 director; refer you to our Bereavement Ministry and Music Ministry; and offer you helpful guidelines that will aid in the selection of readings for a Mass or Memorial Service. We know 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.

For Information about the Sacraments— Baptism—Please contact the Parish Office for further information on the Baptism process and requirements.

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.

Matrimony—Contact the Parish Office upon engagement; at least six months is needed for preparation of this joyous sacrament!

Confirmation—A two-year program for freshman/sophomore age teens. Apply through the Office of Youth Ministry.

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

On this Second Sunday of our Advent journey, perhaps Isaiah’s words differently translated might speak to us more effectively.

A voice cries out in the desert “how could this have happened here?” PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD!

In the wasteland of absent leadership , shepherd ing and parenting,

MAKE STRAIGHT A HIGHWAY FOR THE LORD!

There are many ways that we might make straight the path of the Lord, but two very important ways are stressed in today’s readings: working for JUSTICE and being a catalyst for HARMONY.

A long time ago, Pope Paul VI proclaimed, “If you want peace, work for justice.” It only makes sense. We know that justice happens and justice

exists when each receives his or her due, when there is equality and fair treatment, and when basic human rights are respected. As there is a very serious and proven global imbalance in the distribution of resources and goods, is it such a wonder that there is not world peace? When people stricken with enduring hunger and poverty a world away are allowed to see the lives of the rich and famous almost flaunted in their faces on beaten up televisions atop a pile of rubble—no wonder the hate, no wonder the lashing out. Jesus IS “the reason for the season” and amidst all of the ubiquitous bad news we must find hope in God’s Good News; as the psalmist proclaims, “The Lord has done great things for us!” The Lord has given us all that we need—all that we need to find our way and “to make

straight his paths.” But do we believe it? Remember how Thomas once protested: “How can you say ‘we know the way?’ We do NOT know the way or where you are going!” To which Jesus responds: “You DO know the way, Thomas. I am the way, the truth, and the life!” It would be very easy to dismiss Jesus’ response, just because we have heard it to the point of ‘ho, hum’ —probably followed by a yawn. But there it is. We need to “spend Advent” in a way that allows us to experience Jesus as the way that can lead to “wolves lying down with lambs,” the truth of ourselves and of the world that can set us free from the prisons we ourselves create; and the life that consoles us in the knowledge of life everlasting.

Dear Parishioners,

Prepare the Way of The Lord

—Msgr. Richard

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REQUESTED OUR PRAYERS —

Vera Delgatto, JF Mahoney, Kelly Solomon, Linda Theriault, Antoinette Serafin, Janeen Wetzel, Heather Hagan, Mike Wolf, Jean Wood, José Colayco, Mario de la Torre, Barbara Vanni, Freya Sheasby Bailey, Anna Schube, Aubrey Randolph, Joseph Malvin, Madeleine Loera, Randy Graff, Toni Navarro, Susan Watson, Molly Lynch, Juanito & Marilou Pe, Willard Bochte, Joann Ruggles, Margaret Duran, Lori Ann Little, Guia Canizales, Anne Frealy, Eva Shammon, Margie Schubert, Mary Zuckerburg, Emily Young, JoAnn Douglass, Mary McColl, Evelyn Tres, Barbara Hester, Phil Huddleston, Gerald Drean, Charlotte Bollman Fuchs, Raymond Payne, Peter Delgatto, Jr., Montserrat Marti, Jordan Alabart, Linda Milligan, Susan Skousen, Brooke Manning, Arthur Contreras, Jr., Robert Quinonez, Richard Krier, Patsy Starkey, Jean Mansour, Jacob Bigley, Maria Carmen Marti, Clare Marquardt, Kathleen Ramsey, Tonyja Blakeslee, Addie Marshall, Jackie Bagnuolo, Mary Ellen Isoard, Rose Mary Taquino, Paul Viger, Hal Finney, Ailey Gardner-Ybarra, Eva Bernejo, Edith Olah, Lancelot Loera, Fred Mycroft, Brian Eck, Alex Arranaga, Joseph Moore.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THE RECENTLY DEPARTED—

MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 8:00 AM Rev. William Caffrey RIP 5:30 PM For All Parishioners SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 7:30 AM Mary Kay Hollinger RIP 10:00 AM Steven Purner RIP 12 NOON Luis E. Escalante RIP MONDAY, DECEMBER 8—FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 8:00 AM Denis Keegan RIP 6:30 PM Rev. Dominick Bebek RIP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 8:00 AM Elvira Natale & Arturo Spano RIP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 8:00 AM Communion Service THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 8:00 AM Communion Service FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 8:00 AM Karen Keegan INT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 8:00 AM Daniel Mullen RIP 5:30 PM Kyle Tanis RIP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 7:30 AM For All Parishioners 10:00 AM Samantha Perez-Boiles RIP 12 NOON Luis E. Escalante RIP

FEAST DAYS THIS WEEK

Tuesday—St. Juan Diego Thursday—St. Damasus I Friday—Our Lady of Guadalupe Saturday—St. Lucy

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading—The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm—Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading—Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel—I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8).

Peter Catanese Husband of Gloria

Brian Eck Son of Sheila Pierce

Gerald L. Gallagher Father of Matt (Eleni) Gallagher

Gerald (Gerry) Krekelberg Brother of Msgr. Richard

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT—DECEMBER 7, 2014 4

Feasts of the Week—

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. In the 11th century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the 18th century it became a feast of the universal Church and is now recognized as a solemnity.

In 1854, Pius IX solemnly proclaimed: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.

Our Blessed Mother under her Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the Patronal Saint of the United States.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

In the 16th century, a poor Indian was baptized and given the name Juan Diego. He lived in a small village near Mexico City. On December 9, 1531, he was on his way to a nearby barrio to attend Mass in honor of Our Lady.

He was walking by a hill called Tepeyac when he heard music like the warbling of birds. A radiant cloud appeared and within it stood a young Native American maiden dressed like an Aztec princess. The lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico to tell him to build a chapel in the place where the lady appeared.

The bishop told Juan Diego to ask the lady to give him a sign. About this same time Juan Diego’s uncle became seriously ill. The lady assured Diego that his uncle would recover and provided roses for Juan to carry to the bishop in his cape or tilma. When Juan Diego opened his tilma, the roses fell to the ground and the bishop sank to his knees. On the tilma appeared an image of Mary exactly as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac. It was December 12, 1531.

—AmericanCatholic.org

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 5

Youth Ministry

Youth Nite Wed., Dec. 10, 7-8:30 pm, O’Malley

EDGE Fellowship Monday, December 8, 4-5:30 pm, Gara ► St. Rita School students also invited.

EDGE Middle School Ministry Monday, Dec. 8, 4-5:30 pm, Gara

Theresa Costanzo • ym@st-rita.org

Religious Education

Classes for 1st-5th Graders Monday, December 8, 4-5:30 pm, Gara

Preschool Sunday School

All 3-5 year old children are invited to join us for Preschool Sunday School every Sunday during the 10 am Mass. Parents, attend Mass while your child is learning the Sunday Gospel in a fun, age-appropriate way. No registration required. We meet above Gara Hall in the TK Classroom.

Cristina Cullen • dre@st-rita.org

The Community Chorus of Redlands

presents A Concert of Anthems, Readings, and Carols of the Season

Sunday, December 14 - 4:00 pm Once again, St. Rita is blessed to have Jeffrey H. Rickard, founder-director of The

Community Chorus of Redlands, gift us with an evening of music, both choral and instrumental; with readings from a variety of sacred and secular sources; and with familiar carols for audience and choir.

If you have not attended this Concert in previous years, make an effort to attend so you may receive this very special gift of seasonal joy.

Your free-will offering in support of the Community Chorus and the expenses incurred in their presentation is appreciated.

Concert 2013

St. Rita School Looking for Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers? The School has a supply of gift cards for markets, for fast food and restaurants, gas stations, and other merchants.

Do your shopping the easy way while helping the school!

School Office • 355-6114

Hospitality after Sunday Masses

This Sunday, the Youth Altar Servers and the Ushers and Greeters Ministry will sponsor hospitality. And—besides food—they will be offering you the opportunity to learn more about them and their role in parish life.

Take a few extra minutes to enjoy a snack and camaraderie.

Your offering to help defray costs for food and beverages is much appreciated.

Any excess funds will be used by the sponsoring Ministry(s) to further their work.

Candlelight Walk ● 7 pm Sunday, December 21 Meet in front of the Church about 6:30. The Christian Family group will be serving hot apple cider and cookies before the walk begins. Paul Puccinelli and other members of a brass group will accompany the procession while walking to Kersting Court. Be sure to bring a candle to carry—LED candles work especially well!

Our Christmas Giving Tree

Please take a tag—or two—from the Tree in the

Vestibule and help fill some wishes for families

who need our help to provide a joyful Christmas for their children.

People asked us last year: “Why unwrapped gifts?” At both St. Francis Center and St. Anthony Parish, the parents are invited to “shop” for their children and then wrap the presents. This approach makes it so much more meaningful for all.

Please no used items—save those for the Youth Ministry “Fill the Goodwill Truck” fundraiser in January.

Thank you for your help!

Advent Penance Service Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7 pm Assumption of the BVM Church

Take this opportunity to prepare for Christmas. We will gather as a group for a short prayer service before Confessions. There will be about 10 priests on hand to hear individual confessions. Confessions should be available until about 9 pm.

Prayers for Advent

We have a limited number of Ronald Rolheiser’s booklet “Light for the World”, a daily Advent reflection and prayer guide, available in the Vestibule.

Please take a free copy as you prepare yourself for the coming of The Lord.

This Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. Rita

► Stop by after Mass to meet members of the Youth Altar Servers and the Ushers and Greeters Ministry who are sponsoring our food and fellowship this Sunday.

This Weekend—Collection for Flowers

and Altar Enhancements If you receive envelope packets, you have an envelope for this

special collection. Or please take an envelope from the Vestibule. This once-a-year appeal helps us keep our church decorated

throughout the coming Liturgical Year.

Monday, December 8—Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

► A Holy Day of Obligation Mass times: 8 am & 6:30 pm • NO Mass on Sunday Evening

Thursday, December 11—Liturgy of the Hours

5 pm Meditation • 5:30 pm Prayer Oratory in the Parish Office

Save the DateSave the DateSave the Date

Sunday, December 14—Community Chorus of Redlands In the Church • 4-6 pm • See page 5 for more information.

Tuesday, December 15—Advent Penance Service 7 pm • At Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish

See page 4 for more information.

Wednesday, December 17—Brass Concert of Christmas Songs

In the Church • 2:30 - 3 pm All St. Rita School children will attend—you are welcome too!

Sunday, December 21—Candlelight Walk

From St. Rita to Kersting Court. See page 5 for more information.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT—DECEMBER 7, 2014 6

St. Rita Capital Campaign

Q: Who are the members of the Capital Campaign Cabinet and what is their role?

A. The members of the Cabinet are parishioners who are committed to successfully guiding the Campaign to the achievement of our Campaign goals. They have expressed their support of the Campaign by making a major donation and giving generously of their time and energy. The Cabinet’s role has to do with the many decisions and elements of the Campaign itself, not with decisions regarding the building projects. Meeting twice each month for more than a year, they have considered and advised on the various facets of the Campaign.

St. Rita Parish owes much gratitude to these men and women for their faithful support and trustworthy counsel, and rely on their wise guidance in the months ahead.

Charles and Caroline Norman, Honorary Chairs Tom McKernan, Chair

Dr. Richard Gray John and Joanne Harabedian

Frank and Patricia Hall Dave and Jill Muhs

Tom and Ellen Radle Tom and Margie Romano

Margie Schubert Jeff and Angel Throop

►Friday, December 12—Advent Luncheon. Join Avila Gardens at this Annual Luncheon to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. $5/donation. Avila Gardens, 1171 Encanto Parkway, Duarte, 91010.

RSVP: Avilagardens.com • 626/599-2214

►Sunday, December 14—Advent Day of Reflection, 2:30-4:30 pm. For persons ages 20 through 40. “Embrace Jesus…Spread the Joy.” Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre.

626/355-7188 x101

►Saturday, January 10—St. Francis High School Open House, 11am-2pm. Take a campus tour; interact with students teachers, and coaches; view demonstrations; and participate in panel discussions. 200 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada 91011.

For more information: 818/790-0325

Catholic Community

ST. RITA OF CASCIA CHURCH 7

Thanks for a special breakfast at a very special price—free!

Dish Duty Busy in the kitchen

Ready to dig in!

The pancake chef and his secret to

making those designer pancakes!

Ready for the next batch of pancakes

and customers!

Pancake Breakfast—November 23