This weekend we observe our annual Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme focuses on healing and comes from the invitation to Holy Communion at Mass: “Say the Word and My Soul Shall Be Healed.” This ties in nicely with our diocesan Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative. Through our parish religious education programs, we help our young people deepen their Catholic faith. That certainly includes an appreciation of the reason that the Eucharist is the center of our lives as Catholics.
Catechetical Sunday is an important reminder that the faith growth of young Christians is a partnership between the family and the parish. For each of us, on the day we were baptized, our parents accepted the responsibility of raising their child in the practice of the faith. Likewise, the parish accepted the role of assisting parents in this important responsibility. Thus, a partnership was formed to provide the atmosphere in which Christian faith can be nurtured.
For its part, the family provides a community of faith in the home, what Pope St. John Paul II liked to call the domestic Church. By discussing the faith at home, by praying together, by coming to Mass as a family, and most of all by the witness of a Christian life, the family provides us with our first experience of Christian community.
Likewise, the parish fulfills its part of the partnership by offering joyful celebrations of the sacraments (especially the Eucharist) and by providing religious education programs at each grade level which aim to deepen the experience of faith found in the home. The systematic exploration of faith offered by the parishenables our young people to build on the faith foundation received in the home.
The bottom line is: both are necessary. For this partnership in faith formation to be successful, both the family and the parish need to be committed to fulfilling their responsibilities.
It is unfortunate that some parents only turn to our religious education programs when it comes time for sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation). Our registration goes up for those grades that are preparing for a sacrament. Then it goes down after the students receive the sacrament. I find that sad and puzzling. I strongly encourage that all our young people participate in our program every year from grade 1 to grade 10.
One final word: I think grandparents play an important role in the faith formation of their grandchildren. When you share your stories and speak of the importance of your faith, you will have an impact on your grandchildren. When they see you go to church, they will want to come along. When you encourage your own children to be attentive to the faith formation of your grandchildren, you become an evangelizer.
As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, I am especially grateful to all of our catechists who give of themselves to share their faith with our young people. I am also grateful for our religious education and youth ministry coordinators. May God bless you as you begin another year of working in the Lord’s vineyard.
These young people sing about bread that is broken and shared in the Eucharist. They have received the Bread of Life for the first time. Their First Communion took place in 2012. That makes them around 17 or 18 years old now. I wonder if they are still excited about receiving Holy Communion. Are you?
How to Receive Holy Communion
This short video reviews the basics about receiving Holy Communion. It was produced by Busted Halo, an innovative Catholic media outlet operated by the Paulist Fathers.
Be Renewed Eucharist Initiative
If you missed the first homily on the Eucharist that was given last weekend, you may view it by going to the diocesan website: sdcatholic.org/eucharist
The link is also available through our parish website.
Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers Needed for Weekend Masses
“Whoever receives you, receives me, and whoever receives me receives the One who sent me” (Matthew 10:40).
We are seeking volunteers to serve as Ministers of Hospitality for our weekend Masses. We need 4 volunteers scheduled per Mass.
Ministers of Hospitality enhance the beauty of our parish liturgies by assisting at Mass in welcoming and seating parishioners, gathering the collection, directing the flow of Communion lines, and preparing the sanctuary for the next Mass.
The Men's Bible Study group at St. Patrick's will begin meeting again in the Fr. Mullen Room at the school, every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There's no need to register; just show up. Face masks strongly encouraged for all. For further information, contact Joe Jean at j8j8e8a8n@gmail.com
Unlocking the Mystery of the Bibleand Romans: The Gospel of Salvation
Our Wednesday morning Bible Study – Ruah Adonai Breath of God – will begin soon. This year’s themes are “Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible” and then “Romans: The Gospel of Salvation.” All are welcome. Click below for a full explanation.
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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.
According to the Bible, what was the first way the early Christian disciples referred to the celebration of the Eucharist?
In which gospel does Jesus give The Bread of Life discourse?
Besides the gospels, where can we find the words of Jesus through which he gives us his Body and Blood?
Why aren’t we receiving both species (bread and wine) in Holy Communion any more?
But are we receiving “the whole Jesus” if we receive only the consecrated bread?
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.
Jesus teaches his disciples that the greatest are those who serve all.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus again predict his passion, death, and Resurrection to his disciples. The setting here is important. Jesus and his disciples are preparing to journey through Galilee, a Jewish territory in which Jesus has already encountered problems with the Pharisees. Perhaps this is why Mark indicates that Jesus was trying to journey in secret. In predicting his passion, Jesus is acknowledging the danger they will face and is trying to prepare his disciples for it. Yet Mark tells us that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask what he meant. Such hesitation on the part of the disciples is not characteristic behavior. Peter had no fear about rebuking Jesus in last week’s Gospel. Perhaps this is an indication that the disciples were aware that a new situation was emerging.
Mark paints a vivid picture in today’s Gospel. Having arrived at Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples enter a house. In this private place, Jesus asks his disciples about the argument they had while they were journeying. Again, the disciples are uncharacteristically silent and afraid to answer. They have been found out. Jesus then summons the Twelve, whom Mark identified earlier in his Gospel as those chosen by Jesus to preach and to drive out demons. To this select group of disciples, Jesus teaches that those who would be first in God’s kingdom must be servants of all.
Jesus then calls forward a child and teaches the Twelve that to receive a child in Jesus’ name is to receive both Jesus and the One who sent him. We might easily fail to understand the significance of this action. In first-century Palestine, children were without status or power, possessing no legal rights. In this action, Jesus is teaching his disciples and us that when we serve the least ones among us, we serve Jesus himself. Who are the people without power or status in our society that Jesus is calling us to serve? Do we do so willingly? Jesus teaches that God’s judgment of us will be based on this criterion alone.
Our Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will once again have a Flower Sale after all Masses this weekend (as long as supplies last). Purchase your flowers on the church patio after Mass. Proceeds will once again benefit Birth Choice.
Fall Spaghetti Dinner
The Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will be sponsoring a Fall Spaghetti Dinner to be held October 9, 2021, 6PM at the St. Patrick’s Church Hall. Funds will benefit our own Shower of Blessings ministry. Ticket donations: $10 per person or $25 for a family of four. Tickets will be on sale after all the Masses on the next two weekends. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Support Our Parish Altar Society
St. Patrick Altar Society is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, September 19, 4:00-8:00 pm. Buy your dinner at Panera’s restaurant and the Altar Society receives a portion of the proceeds. They in turn use the money they raise to pay for our church supplies for Mass. See the attached flyer for directions on how to order online or bring in the flyer and show it when you order in person.
This combination of words and music lasts about 30 minutes and offers a variety of styles and composers. (Be sure to listen to the story about the Rabbit Effect.)
1) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (1:08) German hymn tune, arranged by Mack Wilberg, lyrics by Joachim Neander, translated by Catherine Winkworth
2) All Things Bright and Beautiful (4:17) John Rutter, lyrics by Cecil Frances Alexander
3) Salvation (Organ Solo) (7:04) Gilbert M. Martin
4) Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain (w/ Anton Armstrong conducting) (9:07)
Carolyn Jennings, lyrics adapted from Isaiah 40
5) Antiphon, from Five Mystical Songs (w/ Anton Armstrong conducting) (13:10) Ralph Vaughan Williams, lyrics by George Herbert
7) Love One Another (19:53) Luacine Clark Fox, arranged by Mack Wilberg
8) How Firm a Foundation (22:54) Attributed to J. Ellis, arranged by Mack Wilberg, lyrics attributed to Robert Keen.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
¿Cuáles son nuestras prioridades? Creo que muchos responderemos así: 1. Dios, 2. Familia, 3. Yo, y 4. Trabajo. O algo parecido. Nuestra lucha constante es mantener nuestras prioridades en la orden apropiada. Cuidado, porque el trabajo puede moverse y tomar la posición #1. Creemos que es debido a nuestro trabajo, que tenemos la capacidad de ganar dinero y proveer lo que nuestra familia necesita para ser felices y cómodos. De acuerdo, todos necesitamos trabajar, pero ¿Qué pasa cuando nuestra capacidad de ganar dinero es lo más importante y toma la prioridad #1? Nos gusta la sensación de tener dinero en nuestras manos. Nos gusta cómo nos hace sentir como individuo. Nos gusta que podemos comprar lo que queremos. Pero, tener mucho cuidado. Porque en una manera despejada, quitamos nuestra mirada de Dios. En las lecturas de este fin de semana, escuchamos de no preocuparnos por el poder y estatus del mundo, que eventualmente nos lleva, nos dice el apóstol Santiago, “a las enviadas y rivalidades, al desorden y toda clase de obras malas”. Nos dice el apóstol que la sabiduría que viene de Dios, “ellos son puros, ante todo. Son amantes de la paz, comprensivos, dóciles, están llenos de misericordia y buenos frutos, son imparciales y sinceros. Los pacíficos siembran la paz y cosechan frutos de justicia”. Tomemos un tiempo de reflexión para examinar nuestra lista de prioridades. Hagamos esta reflexión en oración y en compañía de nuestra pareja.
Por favor haga clic en los enlaces indicados. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
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