Memorial Mass for Pope Francis, and more - Week 17

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

April 25, 2025 | Issue 17

A Word from the Pastor

April 25, 2025

When Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis last Monday, he said, “He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”

The phrase "do not forget the poor" was spoken to Pope Francis by Cardinal Claudio Hummes after his election as Pope while still in the conclave. Hummes hugged and kissed Francis, urging him to remember the poor. This exchange significantly influenced Pope Francis's decision to adopt the name "Francis," as he associated it with Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his compassion for the poor. And Pope Francis never let us forget the poor.

We can remember when he was first introduced to the world as pope 12 years ago, the first thing that he did was to humbly ask the gathered throng to pray for him. I remember when the pope came to the Philippines in 2015. I was privileged to be one of the thousands of priests who concelebrated the outdoor Mass at the Lunetta park with him. At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle mentioned how Pope Francis always asks people to pray for him. Now that he has left this world, let us continue to pray for him.

More importantly, we are left with the many challenges he ceaselessly proclaimed: to bring the gospel to every corner of the world (“to the peripheries”), to be inclusive in welcoming all people as children of God, to never forget the poor and the marginalized, to proclaim the mercy of God to those most in need of healing and forgiveness, to constantly pray for and work for peace, to build bridges that overcome the divisions in our society and our Church, and (particularly for bishops and priests) “to smell like the sheep.”

Yet, while he never forgot those difficult challenges, he always proclaimed the joy of the gospel. His first Apostolic Exhortation began with those words: Evangelii Gaudium. Later, he explained it in these words during one of his daily homilies:

Dear friends, if we walk in hope, allowing ourselves to be surprised by the new wine Jesus offers us, we have joy in our hearts, and we cannot fail to be witnesses of this joy. Christians are joyful; they are never gloomy. God is at our side. We have a Mother who always intercedes for the life of her children. Jesus has shown us that the face of God is that of a loving Father. Sin and death have been defeated. Christians cannot be pessimists! They do not look like someone in constant mourning. If we are truly in love with Christ and if we sense how much he loves us, our heart will “light up” with a joy that spreads to everyone around us. (from Pope Francis’ book, Embracing the Way of Jesus).

Let us pray for this humble servant of the Lord. Please join in our parish Memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 pm. May he rest in peace.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

rmbagley@yahoo.com

Bilingual Memorial Mass for Pope Francis

Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 pm

Come and pray for our departed Holy Father on the last day of the official mourning period.

Some of our young adults will share their reflections and serve in the various liturgical ministries.

First Communions

Next Saturday, May 3, we have the joy of celebrating the First Communion of our school children as well as our children in the religious education program. Celebrating First Communion during Eastertime is a uniquely joyous occasion, deeply intertwined with the themes of resurrection, renewal, and new life that define the Easter season. The convergence of these two significant events amplifies the spiritual significance for the child receiving the Eucharist for the first time, as well as for their family and the entire Church community.

We may remember the excitement of our own First Holy Communion. It is wonderful to see the excitement of our children receiving Holy Communion for the first time. But do we still get that excited about receiving Jesus each and every Sunday? The Easter season is a good time to renew our love for Christ in the Eucharist. As we witness the joy of First Holy Communicants, may it inspire us to greater faithfulness in celebrating the Eucharist and receiving Holy Communion often.

Congratulations to our young people on this joyous occasion!

A Course on “Last Things”

Fr. Ron will be teachings a course on the Christian meaning of death and resurrection and what

happens after death. In Catholic theology, the official name is “eschatology,” or study of the last

things.

We believe that at death “life is changed, not ended.” What will life be like after death? What are

our basic Catholic beliefs? Where do we find them in Scripture and Church teaching? This course will explore topics like the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, heaven,

hell, purgatory and final judgment.

The course is a part of the Diocesan Institute, but it will take place at St. Patrick Parish Center.

Registration is $35 (unless you take it for credit). It will be held on Wednesdays, beginning May 28, and concluding on July 2, and runs 6:30-8:30 pm each evening.

Contact Fr. Ron with questions about the course at rmbagley@yahoo.com

In Conversation with St.

Carlo Acutis

The small book called In Conversation with St. Carlo Acutis is for sale in the parish office for $10. Last week Fr. Ron wrote about this first millennial saint who will be canonized in St. Peter’s Square as soon as we have a new pope.

Read all about this amazing young man. It’s a great book to share with your children and grandchildren. Supplies are limited.

Showers of Blessings Clothing Drive

Showers of Blessings will be holding a clothing drive next weekend of April 26 and 27. There will be volunteers on the patio before and after all Masses. Our need for clothing items continues to grow as we are averaging almost 70 guests every Tuesday. We would greatly appreciate any of the following items:

Men’s new or slightly used jeans ( especially waist size 30, 32,34)
Men’s new boxer briefs and T shirts
Men’s new or slightly used shirts and jackets
Women’s new underwear and bras (regular or sports bras)
Women’s new or slightly used jeans, shirts and jackets
New or slightly used shoes for both Men and Women

Additionally, sleeping bags and backpacks are always in demand. Cash donations are ALWAYS appreciated and accepted. We sincerely appreciate all your donations and kindness as we continue expanding this ministry within our parish. We are always looking for additional volunteers to serve in many different capacities. To learn more about us check out our website: Showersofblessingscarlsbad.com

Catholic Trivia Night

Building on last year’s success, we will hold our 2nd Annual Catholic Trivia Night on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm.

Anyone can participate. All you need is a team of three (3) bright and intelligent people who know lots about our Catholic faith and practice. There is no fee to enter and spectators are also welcome at no charge. Prizes will be awarded.

To enter your team, send the following to Fr. Ron at rmbagley@yahoo.com:

The names of the 3 team members
The name you are giving your team
The phone number and email of the contact person for your team.

Start practicing!

Have You Made Your Contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)?

Your donations to ACA enable the work of Catholic Charities to continue. How important is that these days when the government is cutting off so many lifelines that help the poor. Your contribution will go directly to helping those most in need.

ACA also funds many other pastoral works of the Church in San Diego, including the formation of future priests.

Our parish goal this year is $105,875.00

We have only raised $12,750.04 of our Parish goal so far

Won’t you help us reach our goal, and more importantly, help those in need?

Donate to ACA here...

Million Meal Event

The diocese’s deacons are inviting parish communities to participate in the upcoming Million Meal Event that will take place on June 14th, at Cathedral Catholic High School.

The event has been very successful the past couple years, drawing more than 3,000 people who packed meals for hungry children in Tijuana and Africa. This year the goal is to pack 1 million meals in one day and raise $300,000. Parish teams, ministries, families and individuals can make an impact on a child’s life. Everyone is welcome to sign up. If you have any questions, please call the office and speak to one of the deacons.

Read more here...

Watch Daily and Sunday Masses Livestreamed from St. Patrick Church here:

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

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.

Who wrote the popular contemporary hymn "On Eagles's Wings"?
What is the official language of the Catholic Church (for all Church documents)?
Breaking with tradition, in what language was the Catechism of the Catholic Church written?
Who are the four women who have declared Doctors of the Church?
Who are the archangels that are mentioned in the Catholic Bible?

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

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Second Sunday of Easter –

Year C

First Reading

Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16

Peter and the apostles perform many signs and wonders.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24

A song of praise to the Lord.

Second Reading

Revelation 1:9-11a,12-13,17-19

John describes the instruction he received to write down his vision.

Gospel Reading

John 20:19-31

Thomas believes because he sees Jesus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today's reading, from the Gospel of John, is proclaimed on the second Sunday of Easter in each of the three Sunday Lectionary cycles. This should alert us to the significance of the encounters with the resurrected Jesus described in this reading. This Gospel combines two scenes: Jesus' appearance to his disciples after his Resurrection and Jesus' dialogue with Thomas, the disciple who doubted.

Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit but in bodily form. We do not know exactly what this form was like. Earlier in John’s Gospel, when Mary of Magdala first encountered the risen Jesus, she did not recognize the figure standing before her until Jesus spoke to her. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. We know from readings such as today's that in his resurrected body, Jesus was no longer bound by space; he appeared to the disciples in spite of the locked door. And yet, on this resurrected body, the disciples could still observe the marks of his Crucifixion.

In today's Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun. As Jesus was sent by God, so too does Jesus send his disciples. This continuity with Jesus' own mission is an essential element of the Church. Jesus grants the means to accomplish this mission when he gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit binds us together as a community of faith and strengthens us to bear witness to Jesus’ Resurrection.

Jesus' words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness and reconciliation are gifts to us from Jesus. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share these with others. This is another essential aspect of what it means to be Christ's Church. The Church continues Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Thomas, the disciple who doubts, represents the reality of the Church that comes after this first community of disciples. All but the first disciples of Jesus must believe without seeing. Like Thomas, we may doubt the news that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, appeared to his disciples. It is part of our human nature to seek hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to the disciples after his death is, indeed, the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative who obtains this evidence. He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who had died. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed for we have not seen and yet have believed.

Divine Mercy Sunday

The Second Sunday of Easter was designated by Pope John Paul II as Mercy Sunday. Our parish offers a Holy Hour this Sunday at 3:00-4:00 pm in the church. It will include Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, quiet reflective prayer, and conclude with Benediction of the Blessed

Sacrament. It will not include Mass.

All are welcome to praise God for His great mercy!

Fellowship Breakfast

The Knights of Columbus St. Patrick's Council would like to extend an invitation to all Parishioners to join us for our fellowship breakfast on Saturday, April 26th. It is a free event, but we would like to ask if you could bring a breakfast dish to share with 5 - 7 people.

We will start breakfast after the 8:00 am Mass on Saturday, then we will have a presentation about the Knights of Columbus Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP). There will also be a brief introduction about the seminary from a seminarian and a word about vocations presented by one of our Eudist Fathers.

Please Support Shoes to the World

We are seeking donations to fund our global outreach initiatives, which include vital distributions led by Fr. Azam's family in Pakistan. Tax-deductible donations may be made at our new website www.ShoestotheWorld.org or be dropped off at the church office and made payable to Shoes to the World.

From now until Divine Mercy Sunday, all donations will be gift-matched! Gift matching applies to contributions between $50 and $1,000, up to a total of $4,000. Every dollar of your donation will go directly toward purchasing brand-new shoes, which will be distributed by volunteers to impoverished children and adults. Many of those we serve are currently wearing worn-out, bacteria-filled, hand-me-down shoes.

In 2024, STTW distributed over 5,000 pairs of new shoes. New shoes were provided to our local homeless population in partnership with Showers of Blessings, a North County school, and impoverished children in Honduras, Colombia, Pakistan, Togo, and Guatemala. We’ve now launched a distribution program in Kenya. At STTW, we are committed to ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to help those in the greatest need. Learn more about our impact at www.shoestotheworld.org.

Shoes to the World is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) organization, and we deeply appreciate your continued support. Thank you for helping us change lives, one pair of shoes at a time.

Evento de un Million de Comidas : 6/14/2025 @ Cathedral High School

Los diáconos de la diócesis invitan a comunidades parroquiales a participar en este evento el fin de semana del 14 de Junio en el Cathedral Catholic High School. El año pasado fue un gran éxito que reunió más de 3000 feligreses a empacar comidas para niños hambrientos en Baja California servido por la Casa de los Pobres y a los pobres en África. Este año la meta es de empacar un millón de comidas en un sólo día y recaudar $300,000. Equipos parroquiales, ministerios, familias e individuos pueden tener impacto en la vida de un joven y gozarlo en el proceso. Mas información y la forma de inscripción están en sdcatholic.org/millionmeals. Todos están invitados. También puede llamar a la Oficina Parroquial y hable con uno de los diáconos.

Haga clic aqui:

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

De nuevo les dijo Jesús, “La paz esté con ustedes. Como el Padre me ha enviado, así también los envió yo”. Después de decir esto, soplo sobre ellos y les dijo, “Reciban el Espíritu Santo. A los que les perdonen los pecados, les quedarán perdonados; y a los que no les perdonen, les quedarán sin perdonar.” Los discípulos se encuentran atemorizados, porque saben que ellos que también serán crucificados cómo Jesús. Y es por eso esconden y cierran las puertas cerradas de la casa. Pero, allí donde están, en medio de su temor, llega Jesús y les muestra sus manos y costado, y les ofrece la paz. Jesús, siempre va a nuestro encuentro, en medio de nuestro temor, duda, y/o estilo de vida. A Jesús lo único que le importa es que sepamos que él está con nosotros y espera que lo miremos y le demos nuestra vida, especialmente los problemas, darle todo nuestro ser, alma y mente. Jesús sabe que la paz es lo más importante para el ser humano, y quizás por eso escuchamos Jesús ofreciéndonos la paz en tres diferentes partes del texto. Este 2º domingo de Pascua, también la conocemos como Domingo de la Divina Misericordia. Santa María Faustina Kowalska, nacida en Polania, escribo un Diario hablando sobre la gran misericordia de Dios. Tan grande es el pecado, aún más grande es la misericordia de Dios. Escribe que pidamos misericordia, que seamos misericordiosos, y que confiemos completamente en Dios. El lunes pasado, nuestro Papa Francisco falleció. El Papa Francisco siempre reflejo una vida de amor, nunca creyendo mejor que otros, mirando a todos como hermanos y hermanas y sirviendo al más pobre y vulnerable. El Papa vivió una vida llena del Espíritu Santo, ahora tu y yo somos retados de hacer lo mismo. Descanse en paz, Pápa Francisco.

“Declaración de la Diócesis sobre la Muerte del Papa Francisco”. Haga clic aquí:

“Cómo Vivir una Vida Eucarística”. Haga clic aquí:

Otra Reflexión, “Señor Mío y Dios Mío”. Haga clic aquí.

PORQUÉ SE RECIBEN TRES SACRAMENTOS EN LA VIGILIA PASCUAL”. HAGA clic aquí:

Estudios Bíblicos en Español del Padre Ricardo Chinchilla, cjm... clic aquí

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm

In case of emergency, you can always reach a priest. Call the parish number 760-729-2866 and press number 6 which will connect you directly to one of our priests.

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To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the address below:

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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