Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. It is a reminder that our world, created by our loving and generous God, is our common home that we share with billions of other people. We thank God for our great and beautiful world. We are also reminded that every one of us has a responsibility to care for this great gift that the Creator has given us.
This was the theme of Laudato’Si, the first encyclical of Pope Francis. “If the simple fact of being human moves people to care for the environment of which they are a part, Christians in their turn realize that their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith.” (#64)
The subtitle of this encyclical is “On Care for Our Common Home.” Certainly we each realize our responsibility to care for our world. We need to recommit ourselves to doing those small but important things that we learned when we were young and that conserve water, improve air quality, eliminate unnecessary waste, etc.
Pope Francis also highlights that more needs to be done. He focuses on what he calls “an integral ecology.” By this he means it is important to see the many challenges in today’s world as interrelated issues. People of the world need to understand the interconnection of issues such as respect for all human life, poverty, depletion of natural resources, consumerism, the global economy and so many more. Any approach to deal with one issue needs to be seen in its relationship to the others.
There are also several summaries of it available online. This one was prepared by a parish in the Diocese of Raleigh for their adult faith formation program. It contains reflection/discussion questions: https://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/pope-francis-laudato-si-summaries/
However you may choose to observe Earth Day, let us pray in thanks to God for our common home and spend some time thinking about what we can do to preserve it for future generations.
In his encyclical Laudato ‘Si, Pope Francis included a long and beautiful prayer that sums up the message of the encyclical. It can be used by individuals, families, and groups of all kinds. It is attached here for your own use.
Stunningly beautiful video clips of God's creation provides the visual to accompany Brian Doerksen's awesome worship song "Creation Calls." The lyrics ask the question "How can I say there is no God, when all around Creation calls?" This is a very moving video, and a must-see for anyone who experiences God's presence in nature.
Earth Day Song
This is a song for kids. Share it with any kids around your house. You might enjoy it too.
Amoris Laetitia
Along with being the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19th was also the start of Amoris Laetitia Family Year. Marking the fifth anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis has asked the Church to celebrate the family throughout the year and to reflect upon how her ministry supports married couples and families at every level of Church life. This year also happens to mark the fifth anniversary of our diocesan synod on the family. The USCCB's Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth (LMFLY) is coordinating the anniversary celebration in the United States, which will run until June 26, 2022.
Learn more about Amoris Laetitia Family Year, including resources from the USCCB:
Every Year the Vatican publishes a yearbook of statistics about the Catholic Church across the world. Here is a sampling of some of the most recent statistics.
As a follow up to Bishop McElroy’s letter urging people to be vaccinated against Covid-19, the Diocese has dedicated a special section of its website to address the questions Catholics may have about the moral acceptability of receiving the vaccines. It contains a wealth of information.
"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 was the former name for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (before it was reformed after Vatican II)?
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also known by what other name?
According to Catholic teaching, what are the four categories or types of one virtue of justice?
According to Vatican II, what is the ultimate aim of the liturgy?
Who is the first canonized saint who was born in what is now considered part of the United States?
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.
Peter preaches that Jesus has been raised from the dead and calls upon the people to repent.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 4:2,4,7-8,9
A prayer seeking God’s favor
Second Reading
1 John 2:1-5a
Those who know God keep his commandments.
Gospel Reading
Luke 24:35-48
Jesus appears again to his disciples and shares a meal with them.
Background on the Gospel Reading
On the third Sunday of Easter, we continue to hear Gospel accounts of Jesus’ appearances to his disciples following his Resurrection. Today’s reading, taken from the Gospel of Luke, follows immediately after the report of Jesus' appearance to his disciples on the road to Emmaus. This is the event being recounted by the disciples in the opening verse of today’s Gospel.
Consistently in the reports of Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances, Jesus greets his disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.” This is a most appropriate greeting. The disciples have witnessed the death of someone they loved, and they now fear for their own lives as well. Peace is what they need more than anything else. Jesus often connects this greeting of peace with another gift—forgiveness. In today’s Gospel, this connection is made in the final verses.
Even as they hear Jesus’ greeting of peace, the disciples are startled and terrified. They are uncertain about what to make of the figure before them and, quite understandably, they mistake Jesus for a ghost. Yet the figure before them is not a ghost; Jesus invites them to experience his resurrected body with their senses, to look and to touch. The figure before them is flesh and bone, still bearing the marks of crucifixion. Although the disciples cannot forget his suffering and death, peace begins to take root in their hearts, as their fears turn to joy and amazement.
As further proof of his identity and of his resurrected body, Jesus eats with his disciples. The disciples have known Jesus best through the meals that he has shared with them. Descriptions of these meals are a defining element of Luke’s Gospel. By eating with his disciples after his Resurrection, Jesus recalls all these meals, and most importantly, he recalls the Last Supper.
Luke’s report of the Last Supper and the meals that Jesus shared after his Resurrection unveil for us the significance of the Eucharist. Having shared a meal with his disciples, Jesus now uncovers for them the significance of what was written about him in the Scriptures. So, too, our celebration of the Mass is an encounter with Jesus, through the Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses to what Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us. Like the disciples, we are sent to announce the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins.
“Haz brillar sobre nosotros el resplandor de tu rostro.”
No hay nada más precioso para un ser humano de sentir la mirada de un sincero amor de otra persona. Por ejemplo, después de una batalla con uno de tus hijos/as que no quiere cooperar con las reglas de la casa, pero después de esa batalla, prevalece la reconciliación y se termina uno en abrazos con el/ella mirándose a los ojos, y sin decir nada, la mirada habla fuerte y dice, “Te amo y estaré siempre contigo.” O quizás viene después de un fuerte desacuerdo con tu cónyuge, que parece que seguramente terminara la relación. Pero después de más conversación y escucha, la paz gana. Y tomándose de las manos y un fuerte abrazo, se miran a los ojos, y la mirada dice, “Te amo y estaré siempre contigo.” Esa es la mirada que nuestro Señor quiere brillar sobre nosotros, una mirada de amor y compasión, una mirada de sanación y calma, una mirada que te dice, “Te amo, y siempre estaré contigo.” Estemos despiertos de este Jesús que se presenta en lugares y momentos inesperados y no perder esa oportunidad de experimentar su mirada brillar sobre nosotros. Estemos atentos.
Por favor haga clic en los videos indicados, y en la Otra Reflexión. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
90% of people who die by suicide suffer from one or more psychiatric disorders.
Most suicides result from untreated mental illness, not just a single stressful event; however, significant life stressors can trigger suicidal ideation.
Tend to go along with depression, although it can be co-occurring with other mental conditions.
It can be recurrent and pervasive.
Research shows that in our lifetime:
20% of us will have suicide within our family.
60% of us will personally know someone who dies by suicide.
Asking a depressed person about suicide will not push him/her to die by suicide.
The highest rates of suicide are in the Spring. The lowest is during the Holidays.
Warning Signs
Threatening suicide, expressing suicidal ideations, or bringing up the topic of suicide
Developing a specific suicide plan.
Giving away prized possessions, settling affairs.
Changes in behavior (poor work or school performance)
Signs of depression: Sad mood, loss of pleasure, changes in sleep or eating habits, irritability, agitation, feelings of failure or shame.
Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness.
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Risky behavior (unsafe sex, racing, or aggression)
Social isolation.
Writing or drawing about suicide or death.
Depression
Untreated depression is the #1 cause of suicide.
Signs of Depression:
Sad mood lasting two weeks or more.
Loss of pleasure
Feeling of hopelessness and helplessness
Significant weight loss or gain.
Poor concentration
Changes in sleep or eating habits.
Feeling worthless.
Depression can affect all ages and often goes unrecognized. Depression is treatable with medication and talk therapy.
How to Help
Express your concern about factors you have observed. Be empathetic, non-judgmental and show that you care.
Accept the person’s feelings as they are. Do not try to cheer him/her up by making positive, unrealistic statements.
Ask directly about their suicidal thoughts, “are you thinking of killing yourself?”
Take suicidal thoughts and feelings seriously. Four out of five people who die by suicide give warning signs.
Ask if he/she has developed a plan of suicide. The presence of a well-developed plan indicates a higher risk of suicide.
Safely remove lethal means of suicide from the person and assist in finding alternatives to suicide.
Let him/her know those suicidal feelings are temporary, that depression can be treated, and that problems can be solved.
Never agree to keep serious suicidal thoughts in confidence. Inform family members and friends.
Call 911 or the Suicide Prevention Center if suicide is imminent.
Resources for the County of San Diego
911 PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team): 911 – and say, “having a psychiatric emergency” or “need the PERT team.”
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 / Hours: 24 hours a day/7 day a week.
San Diego Access and Crisis Line: (888) 724-7240 / Hours: 24 hours a day/7 day a week.
Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL): 619-482-0297
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program San Diego: 760-635-5904
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – San Diego Chapter: 855-869-2377
Youth Helpline Your Life, Your Voice: 800-448-3000
Teen Line: 800-852-8336
Emergency Screening Unit (ESU): 619-421-6900 – For children and adolescents under 18 who are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis.
Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press “1” for Veterans
Our parish offices are now open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
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:
