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, April 15, 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)

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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYAPRIL 15, 2012

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PASTORS NEWS NOTES Dear Parishioners,

On this Divine Mercy Sunday I find myself still very much moved by the wonderful Holy Week we spent together. As I will have been away for a few days, while this bulletin is going to press, I still wanted to make sure our great gratitude would be in print for all those who worked together to provide such a meaningful and glorious week. Never have I had so many comments and expressions of thanks from our people for a truly inspiring, moving, and challenging Lent and Holy Week. First of all, under the able leadership of our School, Religious Education program, and Youth Ministry, in the persons of Joanne Harabedian, Cristina Cullen, and Theresa Costanzo, sent our children and youth well-prepared and with great enthusiasm into the saving stories and mysteries of Holy Week. Our Easter Environment was and remains beautiful and inviting for our worship, prayer, and meditationso thanks must go to Gil Lazo, the Holy Housekeepers under Patty Sullivans dedicated coordination, and all who joined in to provide the best for us. To Paul Puccinelli who teamed up with Mimi Mycroft and St. Rita Choir members to provide a Lenten Season rich with reminders to prepare our hearts and souls to fittingly celebrate the Resurrection of The Lord. Then the Paschal Mystery of Jesus was allowed to captivate us in The Journey to the Cross. We cannot ask for more than that! We must also be thankful to St. Rita Parish Office Staff for their dedication and voluntary overtime under the pressure of meeting one deadline after another during this busy time. At the same time we were letting go of our wonderful first-time Parish Operations Manager, Tim Lopez, who with class and great care for St. Rita did everything he could to leave us prepared for an as smooth as possible transition. Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil was followed by a celebration of those who journeyed in the RCIA program. Deacon Manuel and Chela, Susan and her son, Jonathan Blakeslee, and Gary Fidone, thank you because you are the ones who receive, welcome, and companion, those who are moved to see about our faith and about becoming a member of our St. Rita Roman Catholic Faith Community! Once again thank you as well to Msgr. Morales, Fr. Chris, and Deacon John and wife, Marylee Hull. You are a pastoral treasure to me and to all at St. Rita. To David and Jill Muhs, along with all of our Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors; to Kathy Ganino, Bill Cosso, Ryan Hagen, and all of our Altar Servers; and to Erny Henry and all of our Ushers and GreetersTHANK YOU! But all of us in leadership are most grateful to all of YOU faithful and eager volunteers who really underpin and make possible St. Rita Parish Life and Ministry. Truly, what we experience as a parish alive and well wouldnt happen without our Church, School, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, and Parish Office Volunteers. I know for a fact that the experience of this Lent and Holy Week brought at least one person back to the Church and back to St. Rita. Others, after Masses and liturgical events, told me that they were either registering to become members of St. Rita Parish, or of returning to St. Rita. Truly thats what it is all about and truly we cannot ask for more!

Todays Readings First ReadingThe community of believers was of one heart and mind (Acts 4:32-35). Psalm Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting (Psalm 118). Second ReadingEveryone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God (1 John 5:1-6). Gospel The risen Christ comes to his disciples with peace and the Spirit (John 20:19-31).
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

APRIL 14 Aksel Pederson RIP Michael Delgatto RIP APRIL 15DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY For All Parishioners Robert McGrath RIP Pablo Favela RIP APRIL 16 Michael Delgatto RIP APRIL 17 Joseph F. Kennedy RIP APRIL 18 Communion Service APRIL 19 Communion Service A PRIL 20 Rev. Msgr. Peter Healy RIP APRIL 21 Gerard William Tucker RIP Michael Delgatto RIP APRIL 22 Louis Mitchell RIP For All Parishioners Virginia Almond INT

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Lastly, if anyone should have a concern, I have been thanked and given gifts of appreciation more than any pastor should expect or look for. And for that I am most humbled and grateful backatcha! The fruit of Divine Mercy is THE RISEN LIFE filled with faith, hope, and love. May it be yours in abundance during this Easter Season and beyond! Msgr. Richard

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

This feast is a relatively new addition to the liturgical calendar. It celebrates the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. In 1934, she began recording these revelations in her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. In her visions, Jesus appeared to her with one hand raised in blessing; the other was touching His garment at the breast. From beneath the garment emanated two large rays: one red, the other white. Saint Faustina died in 1938 at the age of 33 and was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000.

Continued at bottom of next column

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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAYAPRIL 15, 2012

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WELCOME NEIGHBORS AND VISITORS!

We are happy to have you join us today. We hope you will find here the peace and love that Jesus had for all His followers. If you are a neighbor from down the road, please consider joining us every Sunday and become a member of our worship community. You will find here many opportunities to help your faith grow in Christ. Youth NiteApril 17 at 7 pm, Gara Year 2 ConfirmationApril 29 at 11:15, Gara EDGE Session April 16 at 4 pm, Gara EDGE NightApril 21, 4 pm, Gara

Catholic Community & Local Events

Good Griefbegins Thursday, April 19, 7 pm. A 6-week Support Group for those grieving. St. Bede Catholic Church, 215 Foothill Blvd., LaCaada. Info: Parish Center 818/949-4300 Don Bosco Open HouseSunday, April 22, 12-3 pm. For more info: 940-2000 boscotech.edu Sacred Heart Womens RetreatApril 27-29 or May 4-6. At the Sacred Heart Retreat Camp, Big Bear Lake. Come and be refreshed! Donation $90. Info/Reservations: 909/866-5696

YOUTH MINISTRY

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Thank you to the Boy Scouts for collecting and delivering donations during our March drive. Mark your calendar for our next drive, the weekend of April 21-22. While youre shopping, take advantage of bargains and place a few extras in your cart. Saint Anthony Parish Center relies on our generosity. Thank you!

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

ST. RITA SCHOOL USED BOOK SALE

Sunday, April 22, after the 10 am Mass in Gara Hall. All books $1 each! For questions or to donate books: Alvarado@st-ritaschool.org 355-6114

ARE YOU A REGISTERED MEMBER AT ST. RITA?

Registering in a parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic community and a commitment to the life of the parish family. Being a registered parishioner is a requirement for infant baptism, school registration, weddings, when asked to be a baptismal or confirmation sponsor, and even funerals. Additionally, if you are not registered, a yearly tax receipt cannot be issued since any donations you make to the parish throughout the year are entered as 5002/ visitors since you have no unique ID number in our database. Registration forms available in the vestibule.
PARISHIONERS WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND RETURN TO GOOD HEALTH

APRIL 22WELCOME EVENT POSTPONED

Our Welcome to St. Rita Event has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts. All who joined St. Rita Parish during the past year will receive an invitation when a new date has been set. We appreciate your participation in this drive to qualify the Parental Notification Initiative for the Fall ballot. The organizers reported gathering 236 signatures from St. Rita Parishioners.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO SIGNED THE INITIATIVE

TOGETHER IN MISSION (TIM)

Assessed Goal$59,712.68 Parish families1,181 Families participating to date = 141 = 12% Remember, it is not what you givebut that you give! Please help us reach our goal by returning your pledge card (available in the Vestibule) either in the Sunday Offering Basket or to the Parish Office. Reminder: Please make your check payable to Together in Mission. Credit cards also accepted.

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, Winnie McQuiggan, 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.

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN

Internet Spammers Target Kids, TooDoes your child know what to do if they get an e-mail from an unknown person? If you allow your children to communicate with others online, be aware theyll be exposed to spam. To avoid spam, make sure your children do not give out personal or e-mail address information to anyone they dont know. Adjust security settings on their e-mail account to filter or block unwanted messages. Encourage your children to delete messages from anyone they dont know. For more information: netsmartz.org/safety/safetytips

Please send your full name, address, and parish ID number (if known) to rc@st-rita.orgor fill out the form below and bring it to the Parish Office. All requests due by noon, Monday, April 16th. Request for 2011 Donations for Tax Purposes ID/Envelope # Full Name Address

2011 TAX DONATION REQUESTLAST CHANCE

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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.

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Meetings, Ministry & Special Events

This Week at St. Rita

Conducted by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles 8 am 2 pm, OMalley Hall

This Sunday, April 15Blood Drive

Opportunities for Spiritual Growth

Thursday, April 19Liturgy of the Hours
5:30 pm-Music & Meditation; 6 pm-Prayer

Thursday, April 19Bible Study

7 pm, Parish Office Meeting Room

Save the Date

Weekend of April 21-22Food Drive
This months drive sponsored by Youth Ministry See page 3 for information.

Sunday, April 22Coffee & Donuts

After all the Masses AND

St. Rita School Student CouncilUsed Book Sale After the 10 am Mass
See page 3 for more information.

New Parishioners Welcome Event

Postponedplease see page 3.