Blood Drive this Sunday, and more- Week 4- Friday, January 30, 2026

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

January 30, 2026 | Issue 4

Fourth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

Pastor’s Notes

On this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Word of God challenges us to reflect on how we receive God’s message—especially when it comes to us in unexpected ways or through familiar faces.

In the Gospel, Jesus continues His visit to the synagogue in Nazareth. At first, the people are amazed by His words, but their admiration quickly turns into resistance. They know Him too well—or at least they think they do. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” Their familiarity becomes an obstacle to faith. When Jesus reminds them that God’s saving action extends beyond boundaries—beyond hometowns, traditions, and expectations—the crowd grows angry and rejects Him.

This passage reveals a difficult truth: God often speaks where we least expect Him, and His grace is never limited to our comfort zones. Like the people of Nazareth, we can struggle to accept that God’s mercy is wider than our own understanding, that He works in others as well as in us, and sometimes through people we overlook or underestimate.

The first reading from the prophet Jeremiah reinforces this theme. Jeremiah is called by God from the womb and sent to speak a difficult message to a resistant people. God does not promise Jeremiah an easy path, but He does promise His presence: “They will fight against you, but not prevail over you.” Faithfulness to God’s call often requires courage, perseverance, and trust.

In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds us that love is the greatest gift of all. Prophecy, knowledge, and even great acts of faith mean nothing without love. This love—patient, kind, enduring—is what allows us to proclaim the truth without fear and to receive God’s Word without hardening our hearts.

Taken together, today’s readings ask us important questions:

Am I open to hearing God’s voice, even when it challenges me?
Do I limit God by my expectations or judgments of others?
Do I speak and live the truth with love?

As disciples, we are called not only to hear the Word but to live it, even when it is uncomfortable. When we allow God’s love to shape our hearts, we become prophets in our own time—witnesses to a mercy that knows no boundaries.

May we ask for the grace to welcome Christ fully, to trust His Word, and to let His love guide all that we say and do.

Fr. George G. Perez, CJM

After Minneapolis We Need

A Way Forward

Archbishop José H. Gomez, the archbishop of the largest archdiocese in the United States and former president of the US Catholic Bishops Conference, expresses his concern over the present way our government is dealing with immigration. He calls once again for a comprehensive immigration policy. This article appeared in this week’s edition of Angelus.

Read article here...

Blessings, St. Patrick’s Catholic Community!

We are joyful to share wonderful news regarding our 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Thanks to your great generosity, we have successfully met our parish goal! Your faith and commitment truly make a difference—thank you.

Please be reminded that all funds sent to the ACA are allocated exclusively for ministry purposes. In addition, any funds received beyond our annual assessment are returned to the parish and may be used to address various parish projects and needs.

Fr. Ron to Offer Course on the Nicene Creed

Beginning this Tuesday, February 3, Fr. Ron Bagley will offer a six-week course on the Nicene Creed. If interested, register through the Diocesan Institute. Note that there is a text book for this course that students will need to order online. Contact Fr. Ron with questions.

Course information here...

Lenten Bible Study

Register after all the Masses on Feb 7 & 8 for the Six –week Lenten Bible Study The Book of Psalms - An Invitation to Prayer. The Book of Psalms is a school of prayer. Psalms offer us manifold and various ways to reach out to God. Discussing and praying selected Psalms will bring us to the heart of the Psalmist’s relationship with God and help us grow in our own prayer life.

There is an evening and a morning session:

Six Monday evenings, 6:45pm - 8:30pm, February 23 - March 30
Six Wednesday mornings, 9:30am -11:00am, February 25 – April 1

Cost is $15 for the booklet; (cash or check payable to St. Patrick Church). Contact Carol King at stpatbiblestudy40@gmail.com Or 760-434-5688 with questions or to register.

James R. & Geraldine F. Bertelsen Scholarship

These $10,000 scholarships are open to high school seniors and current college students who will be attending a four-year Roman Catholic college or university for the 2026-2027 academic year. Students must live in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos or Encinitas to be eligible.

The Bertelsen Scholarship will be available on the San Diego Foundation’s on-line Common Scholarship Application starting on January 14, 2026, with a submission deadline of March 4, 2026 by 2 PM PST.

Email scholarships@sdfoundation.org

or call 619-814-1343 if you have additional questions.

The application link available to students for the Bertelsen Scholarship and other scholarships can be found here:

Application here...

Toccata for Organ

Organist Jonathan Scott performs Toccata from Symphony No. 5 in F by Charles-Marie Widor OP. 42 No. 1 on the pipe organ of Ripon Cathedral.

Watch Daily and Sunday Masses Livestreamed from St. Patrick Church here:

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

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.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, how many gifts of the Holy Spirit are there?
How many of these gifts of the Holy Spirit can you name?
According to the Catechism, how many fruits of the Holy Spirit are traditionally listed?
How many of these fruits of the Holy Spirit can you name?
Where in the Bible do we find a basis for these gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Give to Your Church here...Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13

There will be a people who remain sheltered from God’s anger.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 146:6-10

The Lord is faithful forever.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chooses the weak to show his power.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:1-12a

Jesus teaches what it means to be happy.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s reading is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew’s Gospel. The form of the Beatitudes found here is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are found in the Old Testament, in the psalms, and in wisdom literature, for example. They are a way to teach about who will find favor with God.

We quickly note in this reading that the people whom Jesus calls “blessed” and “happy” are not people we think of as blessed or happy . . . the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted. This Gospel is one of reversals. Jesus’ blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness.

“Blessed” is sometimes translated as happy, fortunate, or favored. In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, those who mourn, those who are persecuted. This news might have been welcome—and surprising—to the crowds who heard Jesus that day.

The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. By referring to the good things that the faithful will experience, Matthew reminds us that those who act in the manner described in the Beatitudes will find their reward with God.

Lead Me, Lord

This hymn by John D. Becker is a perfect complement to the Gospel of Luke (Luke 6:16-26) and the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5: 3-12) where Jesus delivers the Beatitudes or "blessed sayings" from the famous Sermon on the Mount.

Blood Drive This Sunday.

As part of our commitment to our community, St. Patrick Catholic Church is hosting a blood drive this Sunday February 1, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. When you donate blood you are making a difference in someone's life. There is no substitute for your lifesaving gift.

Thank you for your commitment to saving lives!

Schedule your appointment today below.

Schedule here...

Ye Olde Garage

The Ye Olde Garage is back into full swing for the New 2026 Year. We have been receiving many, many, donations. Thank you so much!

A reminder if I may: The Ye Olde Garage does not accept furniture, electronics (computers or monitors), or Baby special items such as car seats, cribs, or anything that has to be sterilized. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to take care of this. We suggest that baby big items or electronics be donated to Fr. Joe's Village, Brother Bennos, or DAV.

We can accept all clothing and shoes for Men, Women and Children and household items such as pots, pans, glassware, dishes, or appliances. Our only request is that items donated to the Ye Olde Garage be clean and stain free and in good repair (not broken or not in working order).

Our February Sunday Sale is February 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We hope to see you at the Northeast corner of the north parking lot under the American Flag.

IV Domingo Ordinario

Notas Pastorales

En este Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, la Palabra de Dios nos confronta con una pregunta profunda: ¿cómo acogemos a Dios cuando nos habla de una manera que no esperamos?

En el Evangelio, Jesús continúa su enseñanza en la sinagoga de Nazaret. Al principio, la gente se maravilla de sus palabras, pero rápidamente esa admiración se transforma en rechazo. Creen conocerlo demasiado bien: “¿No es este el hijo de José?” Su familiaridad se convierte en un obstáculo para la fe. Cuando Jesús les recuerda que la salvación de Dios no está limitada a un solo pueblo ni a nuestras expectativas, el corazón de la gente se cierra y lo rechazan.

Este pasaje nos revela una verdad incómoda: Dios actúa más allá de nuestras fronteras y seguridades. A veces nos cuesta aceptar que Dios también trabaja en los demás, incluso en aquellos que no pensamos que “merecen” su gracia. Como los habitantes de Nazaret, podemos resistirnos cuando la Palabra nos desafía o nos invita a cambiar.

La primera lectura, del profeta Jeremías, nos recuerda que Dios llama y envía incluso antes de que estemos preparados. Jeremías recibe una misión difícil: anunciar la verdad a un pueblo que no quiere escuchar. Dios no le promete que será fácil, pero sí le asegura: “Yo estoy contigo para librarte.” La fidelidad a la llamada de Dios requiere valentía y confianza.

En la segunda lectura, San Pablo nos presenta el camino más alto: el amor. Sin amor, los dones, el conocimiento y hasta la fe pierden su sentido. El amor cristiano es paciente, comprensivo y perseverante; es el que nos permite decir la verdad sin violencia y escucharla sin orgullo.

Las lecturas de hoy nos invitan a reflexionar:

¿Estoy abierto a la Palabra de Dios cuando me incomoda o me corrige?
¿Limito la acción de Dios por prejuicios o expectativas personales?
¿Vivo y anuncio la verdad con amor?

Ser discípulo significa aceptar a Cristo incluso cuando su mensaje nos desafía. Con un corazón lleno de amor, podemos acoger su Palabra y convertirnos en testigos de su misericordia, una misericordia que no conoce fronteras.

Que el Señor nos conceda la gracia de escuchar, acoger y vivir su Palabra con fe y amor.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

Estudios Bíblicos en Español del Padre Ricardo Chinchilla, cjm... clic aquí

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

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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To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the address below: gperez@eudistsusa.org

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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