A Word from the Pastor



January 10, 2025

The baptism of Jesus holds profound significance within the Christian faith, marking a pivotal moment in the life of Christ and the initiation of his public ministry. This event is rich in theological meaning and serves multiple purposes in the context of salvation history.

The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River is recognized as the beginning of his public ministry. The baptism is also a moment of divine revelation, where the presence of the Holy Trinity is made manifest. As Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This moment highlights the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, affirming Jesus' identity as the Son of God and his mission as the Messiah.

By submitting to a baptism of repentance, Jesus demonstrates profound humility and solidarity with humanity. He does not require baptism for his own purification, as he is without sin; rather, he participates in this ritual to express his identification with the human condition and the need for redemption. This act of humility foreshadows his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where he takes upon himself the sins of the world.

The baptism of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. It serves as a public declaration of his role as the "Servant" of God, as foretold in the Scriptures. This event aligns with the prophetic tradition that anticipates a figure who would bear the sins of many and bring about reconciliation between God and humanity.

The baptism also serves as a preparatory moment for Jesus' mission. Following his baptism, he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a period of testing, which further prepares him for the challenges he will face in his ministry. This sequence underscores the importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering Jesus throughout his earthly mission.

Finally, the baptism of Jesus sets a precedent for Christian baptism. It illustrates the significance of baptism as a sacrament of initiation into the Christian community. Just as Jesus was baptized, Christians are called to undergo baptism, which symbolizes the washing away of sin, the reception of the Holy Spirit, and incorporation into the body of Christ.

For that reason, this feast day is also an occasion for us to give thanks for our baptism.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Evening Prayer for Christian

Unity

Once again, St. Patrick Parish will participate in the Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The principal event will be the Third Annual Evening Prayer for Christian Unity. This ecumenical experience is sponsored by the North County Clergy Group (of which Fr. Ron is a member).

The evening prayer will be held this year at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. It will take place on Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 pm. Once again, St. Patrick Parish choirs will lead the music. 

The theme for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity “Do you believe?” This theme was approved by the Catholic Church’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, in collaboration with the ecumenical monastic community of Bose in Italy.

In John 11:17-27, Jesus arrives in Bethany and raises Lazarus from the dead. A part of that story is the encounter between Jesus and Martha, at the end of which Martha confesses faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. This year’s theme was chosen in recognition of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325), at which the words “I believe” were chosen to anchor the Creed as an instrument of universal Christian unity.



Save the date and plan to join this beautiful expression of unity in Christ.

Baptized in Water



Using the melody of Morning Has Broken, this hymn sings of the grace of our Baptism and its meaning for our lives.

Fr. Carlos Valencia, CJM

Fr. Carlos is celebrating his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination in Colombia this March. Anyone interested in going should contact the office for further information.

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P. Carlos celebrará su 50 aniversario de ordenación sacerdotal en Colombia este marzo. Cualquier persona interesada en ir debe comunicarse con la oficina para obtener más información.

Professor Blakely on His Conversion to Catholicism

This is a firsthand account of an intellectual professor who shares his journey from atheism to Catholic faith. This essay was adapted from the 2024 Annual Newman Lecture at the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.

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Catholic Trivia

"Catholic Trivia”... not because they are trivial but because these might be things that not everyone knows. Test your knowledge by reading the five questions, remember your answers (or jot them down), then click the link below to find the answers.

1. What are the three Sacraments of Initiation?
2. What are the Sacraments of Healing?
3. What are the Sacraments at the Service of Communion?
4. Which three sacraments confer, in addition to grace, a sacramental character or "seal" by which the Christian shares in Christ's priesthood and is made a member of the Church according to different states and functions? (CCC 1121)
5. In which of the sacraments is Sacred Chrism used?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com

If you have other members of your family or your friends who would like to be on our email list, just let me know or write to Mary McLain at mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com We will be pleased to add them.

Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

We have a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses.