Live and learn, as they say! I have always said that I try to learn something new every day. Last Sunday I learned that our canopy over the covered court is not waterproof. At about 10:30 am, the skies opened, and the rains poured. Everything got wet: the chairs, the altar, the ambo, but fortunately nothing was ruined. Unfortunately, it was impossible to hold the 11:00 am Mass on the covered court.
We quickly moved the Mass into the church. However, due to protocols, we could only allow 100 people to attend. I am sorry that some people had to be turned away. However, our dedicated maintenance staff had everything wiped clean and ready in time for the 1:00 pm Mass on the covered court. I am very grateful for their diligence.
As we move into the winter months, there are many factors that we will have to work around. We will make every effort to conduct our regular schedule of Masses every weekend. If it is cold or windy, the Masses will still be held on the covered court. Dress warmly. If it is raining at the time of the Mass, it will likely be moved into the church. But it will be limited to 100 people. Inevitably, some people will be turned away.
The wild card in all this is the eventuality of San Diego county regressing into the “purple tier.” In that case, we would not be allowed to use the church for weekend or weekday Masses. Then outdoor Masses are our only option.
For me, the bottom line in all this is: please be careful. Wear your masks. Wash your hands. Observe social distancing. Avoid going to public places where people are not observing the guidelines. With the upcoming holidays, be especially careful about gathering with people (even family) who are not a part of your usual routine. The covid-19 virus is still very present among us.The best way to deal with it is to avoid it.
Let us continue to pray for an effective vaccine and drugs that are useful for treating those who contract the disease. Be an example to others by observing all the recommended protocols. Encourage your family and friends to act smart. We are all in this together.
Using the traditional hymn “For All the Saints” (with a modern twist), this video highlights some popular saints that are great example for us today.
All Saints Day and All Souls Day
This video gives a brief historical and theological background for our annual celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1) and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (November 2)
All Souls Remembrance
If you would like us to pray for your deceased loved ones during our November Masses, please list their names on a plain white envelope. (No special envelope will be distributed.) You may put a donation in the envelope. Place your envelope in the collection basket, or drop it off at the parish office, or mail it to us. These envelopes will be placed on the altar in the church during the month of November.
Our annual All Souls Day Mass for all those who have died in the past year will be celebrated on November 2 at 7:00 pm on the outdoor covered court where we have Mass on weekends. The Mass will be bilingual.
The Catholic Bishops Conference through their Office for Pro-Life Activities is encouraging Catholic parishes to explore ways to help mothers who are struggling during their pregnancy. The project is called Walking with Moms in Need. One way to support Moms in difficult situations is to support a local pregnancy center.
Our Knights of Columbus have come up with an activity that gives each of us an opportunity to make a small contribution to this project. On November 15 (all Masses on Sunday only) the Knights will be collecting diapers that will be donated to Birth Choice of San Marcos. Once again the Knights will station themselves at the north side of the Parish Center (same place that the food drive was). All you need to do is drive up and one of the Knights will take your donated diapers from your car.
Thank you for supporting women who have made a difficult choice.
"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.How many charging stations for electric cars are in St. Patrick's parking lot?
2.In what year did Fr. Bill Rowland become the pastor of St. Patrick Parish?
3.What are the topics of the four parts/sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
4.Which of the four gospels in the Bible was the last one written?
5.What is the date of the Memorial of Pope St. John XXIII?
Our parish is blessed by so many kind and generous people. Even in the midst of the ever-changing circumstances of parish life during a pandemic, many of our parishioners have continued to send or bring their contributions to the parish. Many have begun using Online Giving. I am so grateful that so many people have continued to contribute. It has been very helpful to the financial situation of the parish. While our income is down significantly, the generosity shown by so many has enabled us to maintain the parish complex, keep current with our bills, and pay our dedicated staff. Thank you all, very much!
Even as Masses are being celebrated outside on the school grounds, there will be specially marked baskets on the tables near the entrance to the field into which you can place your offerings. Of course, you can continue to mail us your contribution or drop it off at the office (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). Online giving remains a good option as well. Thank you for supporting your parish.
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.comWe will be pleased to add them.
We have opened a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses as well as Fr. Ron's new Bible Study posted for the parish called St Patrick Church Carlsbad that you can subscribe to.
John describes his vision: those who have endured the trials worship the Lamb.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 24:1-2,3-4,5-6
Those who seek the face of the Lord shall be rewarded.
Second Reading
1 John 3:1-3
We are God's children now.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus teaches what it means to be happy.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Every year the Church recalls the example, witness, and prayer of the holy women and men who have been identified by the Church as Saints. These saints are more than just role models; they are family members with whom we continue to share relation, in a bond of prayer, called the Communion of Saints. Every year when we celebrate this day, the Gospel we proclaim recalls for us Jesus' teaching about happiness, the Beatitudes. We quickly note in this reading that none of those Jesus names as “blessed” or “happy” are expected . . . the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted. Jesus' blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness.
What does Jesus mean when he uses the word “blessed?” This word is sometimes translated as “happy” or “fortunate” or “favored.” In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, who mourn, who are persecuted. This might have been welcome and surprising news to the crowds who heard Jesus that day.
The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Because of this, it is natural that we proclaim this Gospel on the Feast of All Saints. Saints are people who lived the spirit of the Beatitudes as Jesus lived. On this day, we too are challenged to model our lives on the spirit and promises of the Beatitudes.
As we continue to gather for the celebration of Mass every week, we find ourselves in desperate need of additional liturgical ministers. In particular, we need Ministers of Holy Communion and Ministers of Hospitality. We do not currently have enough of these ministers for all of our Masses. As we begin to think about Christmas, the need for these ministries will be critical.
When we first began mitigating the opportunities for the spread of Covid-19, we had to remove all missalettes and songbooks from the church. Since we would not be using them and we needed to cut costs, we have suspended our order of the missalettes from Oregon Catholic Press. We will not be supplying any missalettes.
In last week’s newsletter, there was information on apps and websites that provide the readings and prayer for Mass. For those who prefer to have hard copy (print edition) in their hands, here are a few of the places from which you can order. Most of these also offer digital or online versions as well.
You may still register your children online at www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com The registration form gives you choices to sign up for a weekly class time. Currently, there are no in person weekly classes. We hold in person family events every three weeks with a devotion, and to hand out the materials for the at home learning as well as resources for the season of the church year. Catechists are assigned to accompany the families with the at home-learning.
Halloween Candy Drive
We gladly accept Halloween candy as donations for the House of the Poor for their annual Christmas distribution where 1,700 impoverished families receive food (including a bag of candy 😊), clothing and toys to make Christmas festivities a little sweeter.
Please bring your candy donations to the parish office (between 8:30am – 12:30pm) by November 6 or to the next family event. You may also donate other items (blankets, toothbrushes, and toothpaste).
If you would like to bag your candy donations in Freezer Quart-Size, Ziploc bags it would be helpful. Freezer Quart-Size Ziploc bags MUST be used. Other types of bags pop open and rip. No worries if you do not have the correct bag size. We readily pack up any donations dropped off by November 6.
“There are concrete ways of teaching love. When these children grow up, they will know what it means to give.” St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
All Saints Day – November 1
A saint is a “holy one” who leads a life in union with God through the grace of Christ and receives the reward of eternal life.
On November 1, the Catholic Church honors all the holy people – known and unknown – who enjoy the full presence of God. They include martyrs, canonized saints, and people who have churches named for them as well as quiet, humble people who loved God and their neighbor and did what good they could during their life on earth. In the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:9) St. John tells us that there is a great multitude of saints in heaven and they come from every nation and race on earth.
We honor the saints, learn from their example, and pray to them to intercede for us and help us. But we do not worship or adore the saints. Adoration belongs to God alone. What is needed for holiness today?
All Souls Day – November 2
On November 2, we remember and pray for the saints in waiting. These are people who must undergo some purification before they are ready to share in the presence of God.
For the first 1,000 years of Christianity there was no collective memorial for All Souls. Loved ones were remembered at Mass on the anniversary of their death. However, it was a well-developed understanding that the prayer of the living could benefit the dead. Around 1050, November 2 was chosen to commemorate All Souls since it was an obvious companion date of All Saints Day.
Both days are reminders that all of us - living and dead, official saints and ordinary sinners - are united in the Body of Christ. Jesus’ love unites us in a love so strong that death has no power over it. We do pray for each other. We offer prayers for those who have died. We ask those who have died to intercede for us while we are still here on earth. The love that flows back and forth goes beyond space and time!
Remember a loved one, who has died, share stories and pictures. Pray for all who have died in the current pandemic. You might light a votive candle (available at the Parish Office).
Please contact the Office for Religious Education & Family Ministry with questions and for information at MDornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.comor 760-729-8442.
Dear Parents,
As we continue to navigate into the “new normal” we realize that our lives and relationships has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our daily life has been turned upside down, our trust in God and faithfulness in following Jesus have been tested. But, if we keep in mind Jesus’s promise of his continued presence among us and his promise of a new life in him, we can navigate better and see a light of hope in the Resurrection which is the essence of our faith.
Now, as the world slowly emerges from this dark time, new life can mean being attentive to what we have learned and committing to live accordingly.
As we commemorate the Solemnity of All Saints, may their faithfulness of life despite the adversities remind us that everything is possible for those who trust in the Lord.
Lorena Ramirez
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Queridos padres de Familia,
A medida que continuamos navegando hacia la "nueva normalidad", nos damos cuenta de que nuestras vidas y relaciones han sido desafiadas por la pandemia de COVID-19. Y debido a que nuestra vida diaria ha sido puesta patas arriba, nuestra confianza en Dios y nuestra fidelidad en seguir a Jesús han sido probadas. Pero, si tenemos en cuenta las promesas de Jesús de permanecer en medio de nosotros y de una nueva vida en él, podemos navegar mejor y ver una luz de esperanza en la Resurrección, que es la esencia de nuestra fe.
Ahora, a medida que el mundo emerge lentamente de esta época oscura, una nueva vida puede significar estar atento a lo que hemos aprendido y comprometernos a vivir de acuerdo con lo que creemos. Al conmemorar la Solemnidad de Todos los Santos, que su fidelidad de vida a pesar de las adversidades nos recuerde que todo es posible para quienes confían en el Señor.
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm.
During this time of inactivity, we will use our parish email system to communicate with parishioners to offer spiritual reflections and make announcements.
In case of an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. We will be checking regularly for messages and respond as soon as possible. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly- 760-729-2866.
If you know someone who does not receive our emails, please forward this to them, or have them reply to this message.
To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the link below:
