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MASS TIMES SUNDAYS: Sat. 5:30 pm (Vigil), 7:30 am, 10 am & 12 noon
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
Rev. Thomas Baker — Pastor Deacon Manuel Valencia • Deacon John Hull (retired)
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 CasciaSt. Rita of CasciaSt. Rita of Cascia A Catholic Faith Community Since 1908
DECEMBER 23, 2018 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
2 CONTACT INFORMATION PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Thomas Baker, Pastor [email protected] ● 355-1292 x223 Deacon Manuel & Chela Valencia, Permanent Deacon Couple [email protected] ● 355-1292 Deacon John & Marylee Hull, Retired Deacon Couple [email protected] ● 355-1292 Chuck & Linda McDaniels, Deacon Couple-in-training [email protected] ● 355-1292 Fr. Chris Thiel, OFM Cap., Weekend Supply Priest ADMINISTRATIVE & MINISTRY STAFF Director of Administration 355.1292 x222 Charlene Henkelmann [email protected] Director of Liturgy & Music 355-1292 x231 Paul Puccinelli [email protected] Parish Secretary 355-1292 x223 Paula Guettler [email protected] Facilities Manager 355-1292 x232 Mara Chimenti [email protected] Receptionists [email protected] Registration Coordinator 355-1292 x230 Sheila Palazzolo Database Administrator 355-1292 x226 Jennifer Bowen [email protected] Pastoral Council Maryann MacGillivray [email protected] Archivist 355-1292 x233 Marilyn McKernan [email protected] Webmaster 355-1292 Ralph Seymour [email protected] Bulletin Submissions 355-1292 x226 Jennifer Bowen [email protected]
EDUCATION & FAITH FORMATION St. Rita School Principal 355-6114 Joanne Harabedian [email protected] St. Rita School Secretary 355-6114 x102 Sara Landis [email protected] Director of Faith Formation 590-8828 Theresa Costanzo [email protected] Youth Ministry Coordinator 355-1292 Jackie Hischier [email protected] Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator 355-1292 x228 Mandi Welman [email protected] RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) 355-1292 Dcn. Manuel Valencia / Susan Blakeslee / [email protected] Gary Fidone
PARISH LIFE & MINISTRY Altar Servers Kathy Ganino & Bill Cosso [email protected] Amazing Grace Prayer Ministry Tom Tharayil [email protected] Bereavement Ministry Sheila Palazzolo [email protected] Catholic Bible Study Jim & Alice Cobbin [email protected] Christian Family Group Ana Ptasinski [email protected] Church Environment Parish Offices [email protected] Eucharistic Adoration Kathy Ganino [email protected] Eucharistic Outreach Chuck McDaniels [email protected] Finance Council Bill Sullivan [email protected] Holy Housekeepers Patty Sullivan [email protected] Immaculate Heart of Mary Prayer Group Susan Day [email protected] Knights of Columbus, Council 5137 Dave Loera & Elgyn Cortes [email protected] Knit & Crochet Ministry Ana Ptasinski & Ann Wolf [email protected] Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers David & Jill Muhs [email protected] Prayer Shawl & Lap Blanket Ministry Mary Taillac & Marilyn Delgatto [email protected] Porters Sheila Palazzolo [email protected] Sacristan Coordinator David Muhs [email protected] St. Rita Filipino American Group Noel Wychico [email protected] St. Rita Guild Margaret Fullinwider & Lenore Crilly [email protected] St. Rita Men’s Club Justin Smith [email protected] Senior Ministry Marilyn McKernan [email protected] Ushers & Greeters Dave Loera [email protected] Volunteer Coordinator Sheila Palazzolo [email protected] Young Adult Ministry/Biceps & Bibles Priya Tharayil [email protected]
Baptisms First Sunday of the month after the Noon Mass. Registration and Catechesis are prerequisites. Please contact the Parish Office.
Marriages Contact the Parish Office upon engagement; at least six months is needed for preparation of this joyous sacrament!
Reconciliation and First Eucharist Preparation for children who have attained the age of reason (usually during 2nd grade) is arranged either through the Religious Education Program or St. Rita Elementary School.
Confirmation A two-year program for freshman/sophomore age teens. Please apply through the Youth Ministry Program.
Communion for the Sick and Homebound St. Rita Eucharistic Ministers provide Communion home visits. Contact the Parish Office.
Anointing of the Sick and Funeral Liturgies Please notify us for the Anointing of the Sick, the sacrament intended for the seriously ill or dying which brings Our Lord’s special presence and companionship in serious time of need. If someone should die without anointing, remember that the desire to receive is sufficient.
If 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 here for you. Please understand we only have one resident priest; sometimes arrangements for another priest may be needed.
SACRAMENTS
ST. RITA CATHOLIC FAITH COMMUNITY 4th Sunday of Advent • December 23, 2018
PASTOR’S CORNER 3
Dear Parishioners and Visitors:
Advent has always been an especially sacred time for me. It is a time to start a new year focused on God. The focus centers on the God-man event, the incarnation. To me this is the most extraordinary event and most wonderful of gifts. Our God chose to become part of our lives, part of our world and part of our history. As I reflect on this event, I realize that it’s not simply a thing of the past – but also, and so importantly, a thing of the present. I witness God becoming incarnate today in many ways: in the outstretched hands of service, in the repentant hearts of those who seek forgiveness, in the grateful worshippers gathered in prayer and through the financial generosity of those who support our parish. God becomes part of our history (our story), as we allow Him to be born anew in the world through our good works and prayers. In today’s gospel Elizabeth says about Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary is blessed because of her positive response to God, a yes which made possible the God-man event. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as we celebrate this event, we are asked to be like Mary and bring the Christ child into the world. We do this by the way we act, by the kind gifts we give and by the good things we say. Let us show our trust in God and give birth to His Son by the love we share and the light we bear. Blessed will we be among people and blessed will be the fruit of our lives when it centers on Jesus and His mercy and love. To all who have made Jesus present to me through your service, through your participation in our sacraments, through your financial commitments to this community and to your kind support to this “new kid on the block”, I am grateful. You have helped make this Advent an even more special season of light and hope. With Fr. Chris, Deacon Manuel, Deacon John, and the entire Parish Staff we extend to you our prayers for a very Merry Christmas, with abundant blessings from above. God bless you all.
—Fr. Tom
A Christmas Message from Your Pastor
ADULT FAITH FORMATION Beginning in January, Fr. Tom will conduct Adult Faith Formation. It will be on the 2nd Monday of each month in O’Malley Hall from 7:00—9:00 p.m. The subject for the sessions this year will be the Seven Sacraments. The first session will be Monday, January 14 on the Sacrament of Baptism. Please mark your calendars and enhance your faith.
ST. RITA CATHOLIC FAITH COMMUNITY 4th Sunday of Advent • December 23, 2018
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO REQUEST OUR PRAYERS: Wynne Mary Taillac, Susie Pinter, Susan Devin, Sawtell John, Inez Ybarra, Steve Rogers, Josephine & Joseph Gruppie, Francesca DiFranco, Pat Hrstich, Charlotte Meyer, Audrey Newell, Richard Forcione, Mary Kathryn Genzlinger, Heidi & Terry Kelly, Toni Baiunco, Jacquie Marshall Martin, Teresa D’Agostaro, Carol Cerrina, Carmen Ruiz, Maria Blust, Rosemarie Casalicchio, Glen Blaser, Barbara Blaser, Daisy Walters, Leslie Lemus, Salvatore Termini, Mary Rodriguez, Pete & Daisy Olson, Gil Lazo, Margaret Fala, Hannah Waken, Robert & Clare Greteman, Lalo Arriaga, Jim Crilly, Trini Marti, Joann Little, Luz Arriaga, Doug Peterson, Sandra Osborne, Evelyn Tres, Gerald Drean, Toni Navarro, Clare Marquardt, Tonyja Blakeslee, Jackie Bagnuolo, Edith Olah, Fred Mycroft, Joseph Moore.
MASS INTENTIONS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 8:00 AM Ethan Bacio INT 5:30 PM Eileen Dean RIP
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 7:30 AM For all parishioners 10:00 AM Dean Diomedes RIP 12 NOON Joe McClure RIP
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 8:00 AM Alice Pflanzer RIP 4:00 PM Rod Barker & Meagan Smith RIP 10:30 PM Ian Anthony Blakeslee RIP
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 8:30 AM Pope Francis INT 12 NOON Joe McClure RIP
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26 8:00 AM Communion Service
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 8:00 AM Communion Service
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 8:00 AM Margaret McKernan RIP
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 8:00 AM Bill McKernan RIP 5:30 PM Alice & Vivian Rynne INT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 7:30 AM Marie Morgagni RIP 10:00 AM For all parishioners 12 NOON Msgr. Robert Gara RIP
FEAST DAYS & OBSERVANCES
Monday: Vigil of Christmas Tuesday: The Nativity of the Lord Wednesday: St. Stephen Thursday: St. John Friday: The Holy Innocents Saturday: St. Thomas Becket
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — From Bethlehem-Ephrathah shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel (Micah 5:1-4a).
Psalm — Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved (Psalm 80).
Second Reading — We have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Christ once for all (Hebrews 10:5-10).
Gospel — Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1:39-45).
Bulletin Deadlines
Articles for inclusion in the bulletin must be emailed to [email protected] ten days before desired publication date. However, please note that our publisher has set some early deadlines this month due to the Christmas holidays.
Bulletin issue: Submit blurbs by:
January 6 (already passed) January 13 Thursday, January 3 January 20 Thursday, January 10
Thank you for your cooperation!
Please note: names on the Sick List are published for thirty days unless otherwise
requested. To add or remove a name, please contact the Parish Office or email:
4 LITURGY, WORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY
PARKING REMINDER
The entire upper parking lot north of the church is reserved for parishioners
with limited mobility for all Masses and celebrations. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and courtesy by respecting this policy!
“A Catholic Education is an Advantage for Life”
St. Rita School is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year.
Applications are due by January 18, 2019.
Schedule a personal tour and learn of the many opportunities we offer students. In addition, mark your calendars and join us for our Admissions Fair on January 27, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more information: Sara Landis
(626) 355-6114 [email protected]
Mass Intentions
Mass Intentions are available for parish weekday and weekend Masses for the repose of the soul of a deceased loved one, or for the special intention of someone living. The person for whom the Mass is offered is remembered by name during the Mass, and their name is printed in the parish bulletin among the Mass Intentions listed for the week they will be remembered (see left column). The suggested donation is $10. If you would like to have a loved one – living or deceased – remembered at St. Rita with a Mass intention, please contact us to schedule an available time.
For more information: St. Rita Parish Office
(626) 355–1292
ST. RITA CATHOLIC FAITH COMMUNITY 4th Sunday of Advent • December 23, 2018
Elementary Faith Formation This program for children in Grades 1—8 begins with Sacrament Preparation and continues to invite children into a personal relationship with God through prayer, the Bible, liturgy, and church history. Classes meet on Monday afternoons during the school year.
Drop-In Programs Our Preschool Sunday School Ministry provides Bible stories, art projects and various activities for your potty-trained children ages 3-5 during the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass. Sunday School is held upstairs, above Gara Hall, in the art room.
Children in 1st grade and older are invited to be dismissed from Sunday 10 a.m. Mass after the Opening Prayer and go to Gara Hall where they will have the opportunity to listen to the Sunday readings at an age-appropriate level as part of our Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Children return just before the Liturgy of the Eucharist to continue to participate in Mass.
Preschool Sunday School and Children’s Liturgy of the Word are considered “drop-in” programs and no registration is required. Currently, they run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
High School Youth Nites All high school youth are welcome to these semi-monthly gatherings of FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, and FUN. They occur every 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights (except holidays), 7:00—8:30 p.m. in Gara Hall. Upcoming: January 16!
Confirmation Program Year 1 Session & Mass: January 12, 4:00 p.m. in Gara Hall
Year 2 Session & Mass: January 19, 4:00 p.m. in Gara Hall
Please contact us for more information on this Ministry for adults between 18 and 39, single or married. Biceps & Bibles Upcoming Meeting:
• Stay tuned for future meetings!
MINISTRY NEWS & UPDATES 5
Youth Ministry
Young Adult Ministry
Children’s Ministries
Wait the end with joy. It is the end which characterizes everything and which tests a man’s expectations.
—St. Thomas Becket
Day at the Races Tickets for Sale See Page 6 for details!
Did you know that Day at the Races Tickets make wonderful Christmas Presents? It’s easy! When you purchase a ticket for someone else, a letter for the recipient outlining the event details will be prepared for him or her, ready to be slipped under the Christmas tree.
For more information: Mara Chimenti
(626) 355–1292 x232
Looking for a special gift to give at Christmas? Fr. Alan Phillip, CP, of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, is the author of a new book titled
The Ten Things You Must Do Before You Die. You can buy the printed edition for $7.95 from amazon.com. The eBook edition is available for 99¢.
“This is a book for all mortals. It will help the young, the middle-aged and the elderly find peace with what we all realize is inevitable. It is a spiritual book, dealing with basic values. Once we have our house in order, we can face every day without fear.”
Children’s Ministry News
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR:
Children’s Liturgy of the Word and
Preschool Sunday School January 13
February 10 February 24 March 10 March 24
See left column for details!
For more information: Mandi Welman
Elementary Faith Formation [email protected]
Bible Study Ministry
Wednesdays 7:00—8:30 p.m. Parish Office Meeting Room
There will be no Bible Study for the next two weeks owing to the Christmas holidays. Beginning Wednesday, January 9, we will resume our meetings together and begin studying the Letter to the Hebrews. No registration is required. Join with us as we open the scriptures in order to continue in this journey of faith. We read and discuss the books of scripture one at a time, from beginning to end, and leave nothing out. All are welcome! Drop-ins are welcome too!
For more information: Jim & Alice Cobbin
ST. RITA CATHOLIC FAITH COMMUNITY 4th Sunday of Advent • December 23, 2018
This Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. RitaThis Week at St. Rita
This Sunday, December 23
Sierra Madre Candlelight Walk 7:00 p.m. ● on the steps of St. Rita
Arrive early to hear brass carols beginning at 6:15! Refreshments will be provided by the Young Adult Ministry.
SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS LITURGIES AT ST. RITA
Monday, December 24—Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Mass
10:30 p.m. Mass During the Night Join us at 10:00 p.m. for Songs and Carols preceding Mass.
Tuesday, December 25—Christmas Day Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Monday, December 24—Tuesday, January 1
Parish Offices Closed. Merry Christmas!
Save the DateSave the DateSave the Date
Tuesday, January 1
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Not a Holy Day of Obligation)
Begin the New Year in a great way by coming to Mass at 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 9—Bible Study Resumes
7:00 p.m. ● Parish Office Meeting Room We will begin our study of the book of Hebrews.
See Page 5 for more information.
Sunday, January 13 Children’s Liturgy of the Word & Preschool Sunday School
During 10:00 a.m. Mass ● Gara Hall See Page 5 for more information.
Monday, January 14—Adult Faith Formation
7:00—9:00 p.m. ● O’Malley Hall Fr. Tom will speak about the Sacrament of Baptism.
See Page 3 for more information.
St. Francis High School Open House—Saturday, January 5, 2019. Learn more about the benefits of a Capuchin Franciscan college preparatory education. Take a campus tour, interact with our students, teachers and coaches, watch live teaching demonstrations, and participate in panel discussions. 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. St. Francis High School, 200 Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge, 91011.
Information: www.sfhs.net ● (818) 790-0325
Catholic Community & Local Events
6 DATES, EVENTS, AND STEWARDSHIP
St. Rita Parish Capital Campaign Third Annual Day at the Races
Santa Anita Park Saturday, February 16th at 12 Noon
Gourmet Lunch, Valet Parking, Professional Handicapping Assistance,
Bet Runners, Door Prizes, Silent Auction, Visits by Jockeys, Trainers and Other
Santa Anita Celebrities
Special Guest: Msgr. Richard Krekelberg
TTICKETSICKETS MAKEMAKE AA WONDERFULWONDERFUL CCHRISTMASHRISTMAS GGIFTIFT! !
$200 $200 PERPER PERSONPERSON For early reservations or to sponsor this event, please contact
Mara Chimenti at (626) 355-1292 x 232.
O come, Desired of nations, Whom priest and prophet long foretold
Will break the captive fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold.
Dear Savior, haste; come, come to earth, Dispel the night and show your face, And bid us hail the dawn of grace.
—Simon J. Pellegrin (1663-1745)
ST. RITA OF CASCIA CATHOLIC FAITH COMMUNITY 7
Thank you to the COMMUNITY CHORUS OF REDLANDS for offering a beautiful concert at St. Rita!
