I recently received a letter from a good friend who is a Eudist priest in Togo (western Africa). Fr. Edem Afoutou, CJM worked with me for several years in the Philippines. He was a huge help in our new mission in that country.
Last year, he was entrusted with the new parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Davie (Togo). This is a very poor part of the country and Fr. Edem has very little resources to work with. He immediately recognized that there was a great need for helping children get an education.
Faced with the economic difficulties that many families are going through, he noted that many young people dropout of school for lack of means. He recognized that something needed to be done.
Fr. Edem told me, “For one year we have started, with our limited resources, a project intended for the neediest children to support their education. It is often said in such poor countries ‘as education goes, so goes the worth of the nation.”
So the parish has organized volunteers who are giving free tutoring classes (help with homework, etc.) on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings to the most deprived children whose parents don’t have the means to pay for help. The parish runs three classes: a class for preparatory children, another one for elementary school children, and finally, a class for those in middle school.
At this point, the project’s needs are basic. They need a shelter for the children (protection from sun and rain), some desks and tables, and a small stipend to pay for the transportation of the volunteer tutors.
In countries like Togo, it is possible to do a great deal with a relatively small amount of money (compared to our reality). Our goal is to send $3,500 to St. Michael Parish in Togo. This is enough to pay for the shelter, buy the desks and give a stipend to the tutors.
I am asking who would like to help?
We have some parish funds that have been earmarked “for the poor.” We would need some additional money to make up the difference. If you would like to help, put your donation in an envelope marked “For St. Michael’s in Togo” or contact me to discuss this project.
I have included a picture of the children of the parish that we will be helping. Notice how they are sitting on the ground doing their homework with the tutor. Thank you for whatever you can do to help.
In the liturgical language of the Catholic Church, we refer to the most important feasts as Solemnities. In addition to this Sunday’sSolemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, we also celebrate two more solemnities this week: The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24) and the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (always on the Friday after the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; this year that being on June 26).
There are only three people whose birthdays are celebrated in the liturgical year: Jesus, his mother Mary and John the Baptist. The attached reflection on the birth gives some reasons why it is important.
The Church has celebrated a feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus since the 17th century. The first Mass for this feast was composed by St. John Eudes. Attached is a homily given by Fr. Ron for this solemnity.
Br. Jacques Berthier has composed some beautiful music over the years for the ecumenical community of Taize in France. People from around the world come to join this monastic community in prayer. This is one of his early compositions (1984).
Appointment of Bishop Dolan as Bishop of Phoenix
On June 10, Pope Francis announced the appointment of Bishop John Dolan, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, as the new Bishop of Phoenix. Bishop Dolan replaces Bishop Thomas Olmsted who had reached the retirement age for bishops.
Bishop Dolan is no stranger to North County, having served as pastor of Mary, Star of the Sea in Oceanside. We were pleased to have had Bishop Dolan celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 65 of our young people just a month ago. We assure Bishop Dolan of our prayers for him in his new ministry. Click below to read the statement of Cardinal-designate McElroy on the appointment of Bishop Dolan.
The Mystery of the Eucharistic in the Life of the Church
After many hours of discussion and debate, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document last January on the Eucharist. It is entitled The Mystery of the Eucharistic in the Life of the Church. This weekend’s solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord is a good opportunity to reflect more on what the bishops said. The entire document is available on pdf format by clicking below.
Returning to the Table of the Lord
The bishops note that the Covid-19 pandemic has discouraged some people from participating in the Mass in-person, while others have felt their desire to adore Christ in the Eucharist strengthened. The document urges Catholics to never forget Jesus’ words that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you” (Jn 6:53).
Sharing in communion of love
The Bishops’ document reflects at length on the “gift” of the Eucharist, and recalls that it “is nothing less than sharing in the very life of God, in the communion of love among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The Eucharist must be understood as a sacrifice, a “re-presentation of the sacrifice of Christ by which we are reconciled to the Father.”
Another essential aspect is the Real Presence of Christ. The Bishops say, “The reality that, in the Eucharist, bread and wine are truly transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ without ceasing to appear as bread and wine to our five senses is one of the central mysteries of the Catholic faith.” The Bishops also call on American Catholics to worship Christ in the Blessed Sacrament through private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, as well as receiving Holy Communion.
Our lives are our response
The Eucharistic document then turns to our response to the gift of the Eucharist. “Having been sanctified by the gift of the Eucharist and filled with faith, hope, and charity, the faithful are called to respond to this gift,” it reads. “Indeed, it is only natural that we give thanks to the Lord for all that He has given to us.”
Our gratitude is best expressed when we take “a full, conscious, and active part in the liturgical celebration.” This means paying attention to the prayers, Scripture readings, and homily, as we also participate with our bodies by singing, kneeling, sitting, and standing.
Mortal sin and Communion
The document notes that the Eucharist also involves our transformation in Christ, which touches on every aspect of our Christian lives, including our public life. Receiving Christ in the Eucharist fills us with love that should extend to those around us, especially toward the poor and most vulnerable. Conversion is another important aspect, since our reception of the Eucharist can harm us if we receive the Sacrament in a state of mortal sin.
“There are some sins, however, that do rupture the communion we share with God and the Church,” reads the document. “These are referred to as grave, or mortal, sins. One commits a mortal sin by freely, knowingly, and willingly choosing to do something that involves grave matter and that is opposed to charity, opposed to the love of God and neighbor.”
When Catholics are in a state of mortal sin, we must seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation and absolution before receiving the Eucharist.
Eucharistic coherence
The document says that a Catholic who “has broken communion with Christ and his Church but receives the Blessed Sacrament acts incoherently, both claiming and rejecting communion at the same time.” The Bishops then repeat a portion of their 2006 document on the Eucharist, which called on Catholics who publicly reject “defined doctrines of the Church, or knowingly and obstinately repudiate her definitive teaching on moral issues,” to refrain from receiving Communion. They also note that “reception of Holy Communion in such a situation is also likely to cause scandal for others.” This was the issue that was widely reported in the media with reference to certain Catholic political office holders. By an overwhelming majority (95%), the bishops chose to approve a document which does not make any statement concerning denying Holy Communion to certain people.
Food for missionary disciples
In conclusion, the document recalls that the Eucharist is food for our Christian journey, one which pushes us to engage in the Church’s mission. “At the very end of the celebration of the Eucharist, we who have received the Body and Blood of Christ and have been incorporated more profoundly into his Mystical Body are likewise sent out to proclaim the Good News for the salvation of the world: ‘Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
As you know, Pope Francis has announced that there will be 21 new cardinals in the Church including our own Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego. Among this group of cardinal-designates is a Eudist bishop who will be the first member of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (The Eudists) to have this honor. Archbishop Emeritus Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal, CJM is the retired archbishop of Cartagena, Colombia. Along with the other 20 appointees, he will become a cardinal on August 27 at a Consistory in Vatican City.
Prior to becoming a bishop, his ministry was primarily in the formation of future priests. As a bishop, he was also active in CELAM (the conference of bishops of Latin America). Archbishop Jimenez retired from administration in 2021. Since he has reached his eightieth birthday, he will not be eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the next pope.
Register for the Six Week Summer Bible Study
The weekend of June 18/19 and next 25/26
After all the masses
Table at the church patio
Cost is $15; (cash or check payable to St. Patrick Church)
We continue with #11 of our Grief Newsletters graciously shared with us by Hospice of North Coast. Past issues of the Grief Newsletter are available in previous issues of our own newsletter (see our website).
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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.
In which books of the Bible do we find the “words of institution” by Jesus through which he first gave us the Eucharist?
Why is not necessary to receive Holy Communion both in the consecrated bread and in the consecrated wine?
In teaching how the bread and wine are changed to the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, what is the Catholic term for how that happens?
What is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
What do we call the locked receptacle in which the ciboria containing Holy Communion are placed? (Hint: it always has a candle burning nearby.)
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.
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord – Year C
First Reading
Genesis 14:18-20
Melchizedek, king of Salem, blessed Abram.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 110:1-4
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Gospel Reading
Luke 9:11b-17
They all ate and were satisfied.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today, the second Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate a second solemnity, which marks our return to Ordinary Time. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. At one time, this day was called Corpus Christi, Latin for “the Body of Christ.” In the most recent revision of the liturgy, the name for this day is expanded to be a more complete reflection of our Eucharistic theology.
The feeding of the 5,000 is the only one of Jesus' miracles to appear in all four Gospels. Luke places it between Herod's question, “Who is this about whom I hear such things?” and Peter's response to Jesus' question about who he thought Jesus was: “You are the Messiah of God.” In Luke the feeding is not the result of Jesus' compassion for the crowd but is instigated by the disciples. They wanted Jesus to send the crowd away to town. Instead Jesus tells the disciples to give them some food on their own.
The passage is meant to remind us of two feedings in the Old Testament: the feeding of the Israelites in the desert and Elisha's feeding of 100 people with 20 loaves in 2 Kings 4:42-44. It is also connected to the institution of the Eucharist. As in the Last Supper accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke and in Paul's account in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, Jesus takes bread, looks up to heaven, blesses the bread, breaks it, and then gives it to the disciples. In using this exact language, Luke is reminding his readers that in this miracle Jesus is doing more than feeding hungry people as God did for the Israelites and the prophet Elisha did as well. The bread he gives is his body, which he will continue to give as often as the community breaks bread in remembrance of him in the Eucharist.
In keeping with the theme of this Sunday’s solemnity, here are some favorite Eucharistic hymns sung by the Sunday 7pm Mass Choir of Ajax, Ontario (Canada). The website describes them as “a collection of 8 of the most beloved Communion Hymns and Catholic Eucharistic Songs.”
Diocesan Eucharistic Procession
The US Catholic Church is launching a National Eucharistic Revival this month. All in the diocese are invited to mark the beginning of the revival with a Corpus Christi Procession. Sunday, June 26, 2022, at 4:00 PM. The procession will move from Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 1668 State St. and conclude at St Joseph’s Cathedral, 1635 Third Ave. come as families or with friends, neighbors or members of your organization. Please consider carpooling or using public transportation. The Little Italy trolley station is only two blocks away from Our Lady of Rosary. More information at: www.sdcatholic.org/event/diocesan-corpus-christi-procession
Fathers Day Remembrance
Throughout the month of June, we will be praying for all fathers, living and deceased. The names of those requested will be placed on the altar in the church. There is an envelope for this purpose in your packet of envelopes. Additional envelopes are available in the back of the church. Or you can use a plain envelope and write on it the names of any fathers you want to be included. Simply place your envelope in any collection or send it to the office.
Let the Little Ones Come to Me!
In the summer month we offer Liturgy of the Word for children during the 9am Mass.Children ages 5-9 years old that attend Mass with their family have the opportunity to hear the Word of God in language they can understand and reflect on in their own words.
Following the Opening Prayer, the presider calls forth the children, and we send them along with the adult catechist to the church basement classroom. The catechist will proclaim the readings from the Lectionary for Masses with Children, a translation that is more comprehensible to young children and approved by the US Catholic Conference of Bishops. The children will engage in age-appropriate activities based on the weekend Scriptures. The children then return to their family at the time of the Offertory to continue the celebration of the Eucharist with the entire assembly.
We will begin the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sunday June 26at the 9:00 am Mass. It will continue each Sunday throughout the summer.
Youth Ministry Office
St. Patrick Youth Ministry Office will be closed from June 20 – July 4 since we will be taking our youth core leadership team to the Diocesan Leadership Camp, Camp Emmaus. The office will open again on July 5. We appreciate your understanding.
July 5is also when the Tier 2 registration window opens for year one and year two confirmation candidates. Families may go to the parish website to register or email our office with questions. Thank you.
Religious Education for Children and Family Ministry
We offer faith formation for students in Preschool through Jr. High school, including preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion. Our class times are Sunday morning and weekday afternoons.
Jesús dijo a sus discípulos, “Después Jesús tomó en sus manos los cincos panes y los dos pescados, y levantando su mirada al cielo, pronuncio sobre ellos una oración de acción de gracias, los partió y los fue dando a sus discípulos, para que ellos los distribuyeran entre la gente. Comieron todos y se saciaron, y de lo que sobró, se llenaron doce canastos”. Hoy celebramos la Fiesta del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo (Corpus Christi). En la misa se lee del Evangelio según San Lucas el texto del gran milagro de Jesús, que, con sólo cinco panes y dos pescados, le da de comer a más de 5,000 personas, que comen hasta saciarse y después se recogen las sobras. La multitud sigue a Jesús para escucharlo hablar del Reino de Dios, un pueblo oprimido y cansado y que le agrada lo que escuchan de Jesús sobre el gran amor y misericordia de Dios. Y al seguirlo no se preocupan de llevarse algo de comer, confían que su hambre y sed será saciada por Jesús, y nada más se necesita. ¿Qué significa para nosotros el Cuerpo de Cristo? ¿Creemos y confiamos que nuestra sed y hambre es saciada al comer del Cuerpo de Cristo? Durante la pandemia, las iglesias se cerraron y por mucho tiempo no pudimos comer del Cuerpo de Cristo, ¿qué sentíamos cuando se nos decía que debíamos tener una “Comunión Espiritual”? No dejemos pasar esta oportunidad de reflexionar y meditar sobre la importancia de este Sacramento Sagrado; Jesús no lo da para que recordemos la Alianza que Él ha hecho con nosotros, para que seamos nutridos espiritualmente y seamos distribuidores de su paz y amor a otros.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su reflexión.
Taste and see the goodness of God. This beautiful setting for Psalm 34 was composed by Bob Hurd.
A Celebration of Family:
The World Meeting of Families
in San Diego
Everyone is invited to join us on Saturday, June 25 at the Pastoral Center for a celebration of family life in association with the global World Meeting of Families. Activities will include a family picnic with food trucks; a bounce house for the kids; family rosary; family ministry fair, and Family Mass with Bishop John Dolan at 2:00 pm.
Come one, come all! Free family event! No need to RSVP. Sponsored by the Office for Family Life & Spirituality. Call 858-490-8299 for more information.
3821 Adams Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.729.2866
The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is open
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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