Praying for the dead might not make sense to non-believers but for Catholics it is part and parcel of our faith tradition, rooted in the Scriptures and supported by the Catechism and the Church’s funeral liturgy.
The clearest Old Testament reference about prayers for the dead is from the Second Book of Maccabees. When soldiers were preparing the bodies of their slain comrades for burial, they discovered they were wearing amulets taken from a pagan temple which violated the law of Deuteronomy so they prayed that God would forgive the sin these men had committed. The passage expresses a hope for resurrection and an assurance that the dead can be helped by our prayers and sacrifices.
The New Testament echoes this idea of praying for the dead in the second letter to Timothy when Paul prays for someone who died named Onesiphorus, saying: “May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also has something to say about prayers for the dead, stating: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (1030).
The prayers in the Catholic funeral liturgy express hope that God will free the person who has died from any remnants of sin and prepare a place for him or her in heaven.
We believe that Christians who have died continue to be members of the Communion of Saints. And so we believe that we can assist them by our prayers, and they can assist us by theirs.
As we enter into this month of November, we remember in a special way all of our beloved dead. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
If you are at St. Patrick’s on Sunday morning, you will notice some “altars for the dead” that will be placed in the parking area next to the church. Read the attached article to understand more about this beautiful custom associated with All Saints and All Souls Day.
This hymn is traditionally sung on All Saints Day. Many arrangements have been made over the years. This particular recording contains many verses, some of which are rarely sung. The setting is the beautiful Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, NY. The magnificent pipe organ adds to the beauty of this rendition.
All Saints Day
The Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1. Since it falls on a Monday this year, the obligation to attend Mass is suspended. However, everyone is encouraged to come to one of our Masses: 7:00 am, 8:00 am and 7:00 pm (bilingual).
All Souls Mass
As is our tradition here at St. Patrick Parish, we will have a special All Souls Day Mass on November 2 at 7:00 pm in the church. During this Mass we will remember in a special way all those who have died since last November 2, 2020. Their names will be posted and there will be a candle for each of the deceased.
Everyone is welcome to join in this important celebration.
All Souls Month Remembrance
The entire month of November is traditionally dedicated to the remembrance of all the faithful departed. Throughout this month, any of your deceased relatives and friends can be included in each of our Masses. In addition to remembrance in our All Souls Novena of Masses, the names of those recommended to our prayers will be placed on the altar for the entire month.
In your packet of envelopes for October-November, there is an envelope marked for All Souls. There are spaces indicated under “Please Remember” on which you can write the names of your departed loved ones. You may list as many as you want. If you do not have the envelope, you can use any envelope and just write “All Souls” on it. These envelopes can be placed in our regular collection or sent to the parish office. All of these envelopes will remain on the altar for the entire month of November.
Interview with Archbishop William Lori
Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore has been chosen by his fellow bishops as the chairman of the US Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He recently spoke with Catholic News Service about the meeting of Pope Francis and President Biden, as well as the meeting of the US bishops this November. A summary of his interview follows as it appeared in America magazine.
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"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.
What is the theological term for the change of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass?
In the Lectionary for Sunday Mass, how many annual cycles of readings are there?
How many years are in the cycle for weekday readings?
What is unique about the bread used for Communion at Mass?
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.
Moses teaches the people to love and worship God alone.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 18:2-3,3-4,47,51
A prayer of praise to God our strength
Second Reading
Hebrews 7:23-28
Jesus intercedes for us as our eternal high priest.
Gospel Reading
Mark 12:28b-34
Jesus is questioned by a scribe about the greatest commandment.
Background on the Gospel Reading
As we continue to read from Mark’s Gospel, our Lectionary skips a chapter that helps set the context for today’s reading. If we were to read the sections skipped (chapter 11 and part of chapter 12), we would hear about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing of the Temple, and the questioning of Jesus’ authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The context, therefore, for this Gospel is Jesus’ growing exposure before the Jewish authorities. Jesus is being questioned and tested by the Jewish authorities, yet the scribe who addresses Jesus in today’s Gospel seems to be an admirer; he is not testing Jesus.
The question posed in today’s Gospel requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional commandments, numbering into the hundreds. For a devout Jew, adherence to the Mosaic Law is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of these commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.
Jesus was not the only Jewish religious teacher to connect these two commandments, love of God and love of neighbor. Both of these commandments were central elements of the religious tradition that Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed, these commandments continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewish religious understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbor. Many believe, however, that this connection was heard in a new and fresh way when spoken by Jesus.
The scribe who questions Jesus in today’s Gospel engages in a positive dialogue with Jesus. He agrees with Jesus’ teaching that the commandments to love God and love neighbor stand above the commandment to offer worship and sacrifice in the Temple. With this dialogue, Jesus appears to close the debate with the Jewish authorities. Mark reports that no one dared to question Jesus further.
As we observe Native American Heritage Month, we are reminded of the great closeness to the land and care for all of creation that is part of the native peoples of our continent. Our Catholic Social Teaching also emphasizes Care for Creation as one of its basic themes.
Do you remember the 1963 movie Lilies of the Field with Sidney Poitier? Maybe you at least remember the rousing version of Amen that was featured in the movie. This rendition is performed by a virtual choir of members from the Chicago Church of Christ.
Auction to Benefit Our School
St. Patrick Catholic School is pleased to announce the return of our annual fundraising Auction Gala! This year's event will be held on November 6th, at 6:00 PM at the Carlsbad Westin Resort in Spa. We invite you to join us for an evening on the "red carpet" where you can enjoy a three course gourmet dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions and a hosted bar for the first three hours of the event. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://stpatsredcarpet.givesmart.com or contact Sylvie Hutton at mrshutton83@gmail.com
Free Tuition
Purchase your tickets to win a year ($7,500) of FREE tuition to St Patrick's School or any accredited school or college in the United States. Tickets are $100 each. Winner will be drawn on November 6th at the school auction. You do NOT have to be present to win.
Le preguntaron a Jesús, ¿Cuál es el primero de todos los mandamientos? Jesús respondió, “El primero es, Escucha Israel: El Señor, nuestro Dios es el único Señor; amaras al Señor tu Dios, con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma, con toda tu mente y con todas tus fuerzas. El segundo es semejante a este: Amaras a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. No hay ningún mandamiento mayor que estos”. Jesús no puede ser más claro en su respuesta de cuál mandamiento es el más importante. Los Mandamientos que escuchamos en la biblia son los 10 que Dios le dio a Moisés y a los hebreos. Pero en el tiempo de Jesús esos 10 mandamientos habían crecido a 613 mandamientos. Jesús, con su respuesta, lo simplifica todo para nosotros que queremos seguirlo.El amor es la base de todo. El amor es lo que necesita salir de nuestro corazón, alma, mente, y fuerzas a cada momento. Pero para que el amor salga de estos lugares específicos, necesitamos la gracia de Dios. Necesitamos alimentar el corazón, alma, mente y fuerzas con amor. Dejar que la gracia de Dios se extienda y sane cada parte de nuestro ser que lo necesita. Y sólo así podremos reflejar el amor porque el amor ya está en nosotros. El reto más grande es perdonándonos y perdonar a otros. Tomemos el siguiente paso hacía Jesús, con humildad y confianza, aceptando su amor en su totalidad. Y así podemos vivir amando al Señor con todo nuestra corazón, alma, mente y fuerza; y amando al prójimo como a nosotros mismos.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
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