With the end of August comes the close of the summer vacation season. Students are back in school and regular routines return in our homes. The same is true for the parish. Many of the activities that are suspended during the summer hiatus are resuming.
As much as we might like to think that everything “can go back to normal,” the reality is that we begin this academic/pastoral year under the shadow of Covid-19 and its delta variance. Those who tried to proclaim that the pandemic was over a few months ago were sadly mistaken. While I don’t think we will need to go back to the strict measures of last year, we still need to exercise a high degree of caution.
This fall we are planning to hold many of the activities and ministries that we have had in the past, but with some modifications. Our school children and religious education students will have in person learning, but they will be required to wear masks when indoors. I highly encourage those coming to Mass or other indoor parish activities to wear face masks. This includes those who have been vaccinated as well as those who have not.
Speaking of vaccinations: as I am writing this letter, the FDA has just given full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. One would think the same approval will be given for the Moderna vaccine in the near future. This is good news. The vaccines are no longer only approved for emergency use. We need to follow the guidance of good science. The vaccines and mask wearing are the best weapons we have at this moment against this dreadful virus. Once again, I highly encourage those who have yet to be vaccinated (and are eligible) to do so. Despite claims by some uninformed religious leaders, there is no moral difficulty with Catholics receiving any of the vaccines that are available.
Our parish will continue to do everything possible to provide a safe place for everyone to worship and grow in our faith. But we also need the cooperation of all of those who come into our church and other buildings. Let us work together to ensure the health and safety of others as we worship together. Let us also pray for those who continue to suffer from this terrible and deadly disease.
The opening words of this Sunday’s second reading (James 1:17) inspired a traditional 18th century hymn entitled “All Good Gifts.” The words for that hymn were given a new melody by the classic rock opera Godspell (1971). Either melody can lift our heats to praise God for all the gifts that we have received. Here is the Godspell rendition.
Three spiritual exercises for facing a long future with
Covid 19
This article appeared in the August 20 issue of America magazine, a well-known national Jesuit publication. The author shares how a few principles from Ignatian spirituality can help us as we continue to deal with the coronavirus.
Gently Used Shoes and Belts for La Posada de Guadalupe
As another way to support those in our community who are in need, the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a gently used men's shoes and belts drive. All varieties and sizes are needed. Dress shoes, athletic shoes and work boots will be graciously accepted. This is also true for belts. The drive will take the weekend of August 28-29 at all Masses. You should be able drop the donations into designated boxes.
Encounter with Jesus is more important than all of the commandments
In his weekly audiences, Pope Francis continues to reflect on St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians. One of the questions Paul addresses concerns the place of the Law now that we have been set free by Christ. By clicking below, you can read the Pope’s speech at the audience on August 11, 2021.
Our Online Giving is getting an upgrade to a newer, easier-to-use platform! If you currently give online, you will be receiving an email next week with instructions on how to log into the new system. Best of all, your existing payment and donation information will be migrated over so you will not have to set up your gifts again! The email address that you used to create your account, will now be your username. Keep an eye on your email for more information coming very soon.
BACH - TOCCATA, ADAGIO & FUGUE C MAJOR
Jonathan Scott performs Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Toccata, Adagio & Fugue C Major BWV564 on the organ of The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK.
The Office of Family Life and Spirituality invites survivors of suicide loss to attend our annual Mass on Saturday, September 4, at 5:00 pm at San Rafael Parish, San Diego. You are invited to bring a photo of a loved one who had died by suicide and place it at a designated table of honor. Auxiliary Bishop John P. Dolan will preside.
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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 cardinal virtue which can be defined as "firmness of soul" in the general sense, but as a cardinal virtue, it is the virtue needed to endure the trials of life?
What is the name for the part of the Mass during which the readings from the Bible are proclaimed?
According to the Gospels, every Passover, the Roman Governor offered to release a prisoner. Who was the criminal who the crowd called to be freed in preference to Jesus?
To what religious order did Martin Luther belong?
What is the proper title for addressing a Cardinal of the Catholic Church?
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 tells the Israelites to observe the commandments that God gave them.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 15:2-3,3-4,4-5
Those who do justice will find favor with God.
Second Reading
James 1:17-18,21b-22,27
James teaches that Christians should be doers of the Word.
Gospel Reading
Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
Jesus teaches that it is that which comes from our hearts that defiles us.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday, our lectionary returns to Mark’s Gospel after a number of Sundays in which we heard the Bread of Life discourse from the Gospel of John. Recall that we focus on the Gospel of Mark in Lectionary Cycle B, but substitute John’s report of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for Mark’s report of this event.
In today’s Gospel, Mark provides a significant amount of information about the Jewish observance of ritual-purity laws. Most scholars believe that Mark includes this information because his audience includes Gentile Christians who have no knowledge or experience of these laws. We can infer, therefore, that many in Mark’s community were not Jewish Christians.
In this Gospel, Mark addresses the question of which Jewish practices would also be observed in the newly emerging Christian community. This was a significant question for the early Christian Church, especially in communities that included both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. We also hear this question addressed in the letters of Paul with regard to table fellowship. In Gospel passages such as the one today, we see the Gospel evangelists finding justification for a Christian practice distinct from Judaism in the remembrances of Jesus’ teaching and the practice of his first disciples.
Jesus first criticizes the Pharisees for putting human tradition above God’s Law. Here, Jesus is referring to the tradition of the elders, the teachings of the Pharisees, which extended the ritual-purity laws of Temple worship to everyday Jewish life. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for making this tradition equal to and as binding as the Law of Moses.
Next, Jesus comments on the meaning behind the Pharisees’ language of holiness—clean and unclean. Jesus teaches that a person is not defiled by the food that enters his or her body, but rather by sin that emerges from his or her words and actions. In this teaching, Jesus unmasks a deeper question behind the one posed to him by the Pharisees. The real issue is holiness, which is not found in external acts alone. Holiness comes from within and is evidenced in the actions and attitudes that emerge from a person’s life.
If we read today’s Gospel carefully, we will see a pattern in Jesus’ teaching method that will be repeated in the weeks ahead. Jesus’ first teaching is directed to the Pharisees who questioned him. Jesus’ words are then directed to the crowd, teaching that a person is defiled by his or her words and actions, not by the food that he or she eats. In verses omitted in today’s reading, we learn that Jesus returned home with his disciples, who in turn questioned him about what he had taught. The words we read at the conclusion of today’s Gospel are addressed to Jesus’ disciples. Mark’s narrative shows several audiences for Jesus’ teaching: his antagonists, the crowds, and Jesus’ disciples. As we see in this reading, the words to the Pharisees are often words of challenge. The teaching to the crowds is often a general, sometimes cryptic, message. With the disciples, who often misunderstand Jesus’ words, further explanation is offered about his message and its meaning.
Jesus’ words challenge us as well. In our desire to show that we are holy, we might also give too much credence to externals, following rules without thinking about the intention behind them. Jesus reminds us that we do not make ourselves holy by our actions. Rather, we become holy when we allow God’s Spirit to transform us. Our actions should be an expression of the conversion of our heart to God and to God’s ways.
“Acepten dócilmente la palabra que ha sido sembrada en ustedes…Pongan en práctica esa palabra.” Recuerdo escuchar estas palabras cuando era pequeño, “Practica lo que predicas”. Un consejo muy bueno. Creo que todos hemos escuchado estas palabras de una forma u otra y se las hemos pasado a nuestros hijos/as. ¿Fácil de seguir? No siempre. Fuera mas fácil, si el dicho fuera, “Haz lo que digo, y no lo que hago”. Este domingo, se nos está pidiendo que reflexionemos, ¿qué es lo que sale de nosotros, de nuestra boca y nuestro corazón? ¿Que sale de nuestra boca cuando hablamos? ¿Salen maldiciones al hablar del prójimo? ¿O cuando hablamos nos escuchamos arrogantes, o que somos mejores que otros? Todos, por medio de nuestro bautismo, se nos ha dado el gran regalo que Dios esta con y en nosotros. Que el Dios Padre, Dios Hijo, y Dios Espíritu Santo habita adentro de nosotros, sólo falta que tú y yo abrazamos ese gran regalo. Que seamos iluminados que nada ni nadie es más importante que esa verdad, y que Dios nos dará todo lo que necesitamos para vivir como seguidores de Jesús. Dios está cerca, permitamos que ese Dios que nos da su amor completamente nos inspire a ser instrumentos de amor a todos que cruzamos.
Por favor haga clic en los enlaces indicados. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
Registration Information for the 2021-2022 School Year
We support families to know, live, and grow together in their faith.
We offer weekly classes and at home learning options (PreK through Jr. High school, including preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion.)
Our catechists are looking forward to teaching students and engaging parents.
Families will be given materials to review at home and will gather for monthly family catechesis sessions in the parish center. First material pick-up: September 12
Youth Ministry and Confirmation
High School Registration for Confirmation is ongoing. Families interested in enrolling their son or daughter in Confirmation may go to the Confirmation website:
here you will find all the necessary information regarding Confirmation and how to start the registration process. We are currently in the middle tier of our registration process but that tier will be coming to an end on Friday, Sept. 3. After that, fees for Confirmation registration will increase. We really want to encourage families to register their young people as soon as possible.
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 an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly- 760-729-2866.
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