Pastor’s Newsnotes

My Very Dear Parishioners,

To say the least, these final weeks I have remaining at St. Rita, as pastor, are so precious; I find myself trying to milk every hour of extra minutes that just are not there. This past week I have received so many urgings to “come by the house” – “we need to get you over before you leave” and “we’ll call Paula and get you on the calendar.” Folks, I just can’t.  Simple truth, I feel overwhelmed; I want to say ‘yes’ to everyone, but it is just impossible. YOU ARE ALL VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

Last October, I knew that come March 2018 I would be nearing my final weeks as pastor of St. Rita and that it would be wise to take some time for some days of retreat. To that end, I carved out of the calendar March 11th, after Mass, through Saturday, March 17th. Now I am realizing the true wisdom and gift of the Holy Spirit in making that decision.

Requiem for the Unborn—Saturday, January 20, 2018. As part of the OneLife LA celebration, we affirm and proclaim our believe in the sanctity of all human life through one of the most beautiful and moving liturgies celebrated each year. 5:00 p.m. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90012.

St. Francis High School Open House—Saturday, January 6, 2018. Take a campus tour; interact with our students, teachers, and coaches; watch live teaching demonstrations. 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. St. Francis High …

Pastor’s Newsnotes 12/31/2017 Read More »

ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT—DECEMBER 17, 2017, we welcome our Archbishop, Jose Gomez, who will celebrate the 12 Noon Mass with us and offer special blessing and rededication of our renovated St. Rita Church and our restored Original St. Rita School Building (and Msgr. Robert Gara Hall).

CHURCH RENOVATION NOTES

Someone after Mass last Sunday was concerned about “the color they chose to paint the sculpture that surrounds the Risen Christ” on the back sanctuary wall. Please know that it WAS NOT PAINTED—it is exactly as it was. It only looks so different (it “pops”), because the wall behind it was painted white—a restoration to the original, from the yellow gold that had the effect of blending. Now we see it as originally intended. The Risen Christ is emerging from the grave that was “hewn from rock,” which explains why the textured background appears as stone, and, I would add, in a color typical of the Holy Land.

I thought I would follow up my letter sent out to you last week regarding the Church’s actions being taken in the realm of shepherding immigrants and refugees.

Generally, response has been supportive and understanding, but a few observations that have come to me from you deserve sharing: (paraphrasing)

REST IN PEACE, CONNIE DOWNS KREKELBERG

On behalf of my family and from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU for the many expressions of condolence, offering of prayers, and support that you have sent our way at this time of losing my dear sister-in-law, Connie. It was most comforting to my nephews, Jeff and Brian, and the whole extended family to share that Fr. Bill’s parishioners and mine here at St. Rita were holding us up at Mass and in prayers of the faithful during these days. Connie’s holy and sacred remains were placed next to those of her husband, my brother Ron, after a beautiful celebration of the Holy Eucharist in thanksgiving for her life, at her parish of Holy Trinity in El Dorado Hills CA. God bless all of you for your goodness and kindness.

Our Pastoral Council had its monthly meeting on February 6th. Report: Our Chair, Maryann MacGillivray, has been guiding the Council through a discussion and review of St. Rita’s 2007 Pastoral Plan.