Second Sunday of Advent –

Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 11:1-10

A descendent of Jesse will usher in a time of peace.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17

The Messiah will bring justice and peace to the nations.

Second Reading

Romans 15:4-9

Both Jews and Gentiles glorify God for the salvation found in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a message of repentance.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. In this week's Gospel, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist appears in the tradition of the great prophets of Israel, preaching repentance and reform to the people of Israel. In fact, the description of John found in this reading is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). In this reading, John directs a particularly pointed call to repentance to the Pharisees and Sadducees, parties within the Jewish community of the first century.

John marks the conversion of those who seek him out with a baptism of repentance. Other groups in this period are thought to have practiced ritual washings for similar purposes, and John's baptism may have been related to the practices of the Essenes, a Jewish sect of the first century. John's baptism can be understood as an anticipation of Christian baptism. In this passage, John himself alludes to the difference between his baptism and the one yet to come: “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11).

In this reading, John makes very clear that his relationship to the Messiah yet to come (Jesus) is one of service and subservience: “. . . the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals” (Matthew 3:11). In the context of Matthew's Gospel, today's passage is followed by Jesus' baptism by John, an event that is attested to in all four of the Gospels and appears to have been the start of Jesus' public ministry.

John's preaching of the coming of the Lord is a key theme of the Advent season. As John's message prepared the way for Jesus in the first century, we, too, are called to prepare ourselves for Jesus' coming. We respond to John's message by our repentance and reform of our lives. We are also called to be prophets of Christ, who announce by our lives, as John did, the coming of the Lord.

Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

“Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” is a classic Advent hymn of sacred urgency and joyful anticipation. Based on Matthew 25:1–13, it calls us to readiness, watchfulness, and hope as we await Christ’s coming. This version was created using SUNO, with a custom style prompt designed to evoke ambient chant textures and rhythmic folk phrasing. The producer collaborated with Copilot to shape the musical direction, lyrical pacing, and theological framing—blending tradition with digital creativity.

Senior Christmas Lunch



The 3rd annual Senior Christmas luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 11 in the Parish Center. This luncheon is open to all church members 55 and over. Reservations are required, you can sign up at one of the tables after Mass or call the office 760-729-2025 or email: stpatrickcarlsbad@gmail.com.

Ye Olde Garage Sale

The Ye Olde Garage is holding its SEMI-ANNUAL HALF-OFF SALE for the month of December.  ALL items in the shoppe will be half off until December 19, the last day it will be open for the year 2025. The Shoppe will close for the Christmas Holidays from December 20 through January 4 and reopen on January 5.

In addition to the regular Monday, Wednesday, and Friday days, the Ye Olde Garage will be open on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  And yes, the Half-Off Sale is in effect on that day.  So come one and all and shop for those Christmas items you just must have.

Christmas Flowers Offering

Before long we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. We want to make our church festive for our celebration of Christmas. In your packet of envelopes that we mail to you, there is an envelope marked Christmas Flower Offering. 

If you would like to make a contribution to assist in paying for our Christmas flowers, please place your donation in that envelope (or a plain envelope) and write on the envelope the names of anyone you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. Indicate if they are deceased (“In memory of…”) or living (“In honor of…”)

Place your envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or drop it off. If you use Online Giving, just put the names on a paper and put it in the collection. All the names will be listed in our parish bulletin and newsletter shortly after Christmas.

Year End Giving

Online Giving users please remember to login to your account and set up your Christmas gift.

Be sure to complete all gifts by Wednesday, December 31, 2025 to qualify for tax savings on this year’s tax return.

For guidance on making gifts of stock to benefit St. Patrick Catholic Community, visit the link below or call the parish office for more information.

Gifts made from an IRA or similar retirement plan may result in little or no tax on those withdrawals. Check with your tax advisor for specifics regarding your situation. Wills and Trusts-Naming of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlsbad is an excellent way to leave a legacy for our Parish. If you sold securities this year and will owe capital gains tax, remember that gifts to St. Patrick Catholic Community of cash or other securities may reduce your gains. Please check with your tax advisor.

Tax donation letters will be mailed out at the end of January 2026.

32nd Annual La Posada Without Borders

Saturday, December 13, 2 pm at “Whiskey 8” (Monument Rd.& Dairy Mart Rd, San Diego). While remembering Joseph and Mary searching for shelter on Christmas Eve, we will also remember those who have died crossing the border and pray for immigration reforms. The program includes reflections, music, and testimonies. 

Todos están invitados a la Posada sin Fronteras,13 de diciembre, 2 p.m. “Whiskey 8” (Monument Rd & Dairy Mart Rd, San Diego). Recordaremos cuando José y María buscaban posada en la noche buena y recordaremos a las personas que han muerto al cruzar la frontera. También rezaremos para que haya una reforma migratoria. El programa incluye reflexiones, música y testimonios.

II Domingo de Adviento

Notas Pastorales

El tiempo de Adviento nos invita a vivir una temporada sagrada de preparación, orientando nuestro corazón hacia dos grandes realidades: la venida final de Cristo al final de los tiempos y la celebración de su nacimiento en la Navidad. Desde los primeros días de la Iglesia, los cristianos han sentido curiosidad por la segunda venida del Señor. Sin embargo, las lecturas de este tiempo nos alejan de la especulación y nos recuerdan que nuestro llamado no es predecir el día ni la hora, sino mantenernos despiertos, atentos y libres de las preocupaciones que pueden oscurecer el alma. Jesús nos invita a vivir en una espera llena de esperanza, confiando en que su llegada—tanto en gloria como en los momentos silenciosos de cada día—siempre trae gracia.

El Adviento comparte su color litúrgico con la Cuaresma: el morado. Este signo sencillo nos recuerda que también es un tiempo de preparación y conversión. No es un tiempo triste, sino un tiempo reflexivo que nos invita a bajar el ritmo, a silenciar el corazón y a hacer espacio para la alegría que nos trae la Navidad. En este Segundo Domingo de Adviento, nos detenemos ante la corona. Al encender la segunda vela, la luz creciente se convierte en un símbolo de que Cristo se acerca. Cada llama nos llama a retirarnos por un momento del ruido y de la prisa que nos rodea, para dejar que Dios despierte en nosotros la esperanza.

La primera lectura del profeta Isaías nos ofrece una visión poderosa del Mesías: lleno del Espíritu, colmado de sabiduría, entendimiento, justicia y paz. Isaías describe un mundo transformado, donde la armonía reemplaza al temor, donde los vulnerables encuentran seguridad y donde la creación misma refleja la presencia sanadora de Dios. Esta visión no es lejana ni irreal. Es la revelación del deseo profundo que Dios tiene para cada uno: nuestra plenitud. El Adviento nos desafía a imaginar cómo esta paz puede echar raíces en nuestro propio hogar, en nuestras relaciones y en nuestro interior.

En el Evangelio, Juan el Bautista clama desde el desierto: “¡Preparen el camino del Señor!” Sus palabras son firmes pero profundamente amorosas. Nos invita a examinar nuestra vida con honestidad, no para sentir vergüenza, sino para abrir espacio a la misericordia de Dios. Arrepentirnos en Adviento es soltar lo que nos pesa y permitir que Cristo nos sane. Esta semana, podemos elegir un pequeño paso hacia el Señor: un momento de oración silenciosa, un acto de perdón, o un gesto de bondad hacia alguien olvidado. Cada gesto abre un espacio para que Cristo habite en nosotros.

Que la luz creciente del Adviento nos recuerde que el Señor está cerca, trayendo consuelo, sanación y esperanza. Que lo recibamos con alegría.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866