A Word from the Pastor

December 8, 2023

This Sunday, December 10, we will have the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance at the 9:00 am Mass. It is part of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly known as RCIA). It is the first public event of the process of becoming Catholic. 

The Rite of Acceptance is an ancient rite that recognizes the Catechumen’s decision to begin the process of becoming a member of the Catholic Church through Baptism and welcomes the Candidates, those who have already been baptized in another faith and want to become Catholic, or those baptized Catholic as a child but were never catechized in the Catholic faith, into the process of full communion with the Church.

It is the first of the “threshold rites” of the OCIA, and the first public ritual in the process. In the Rite of Acceptance, a change of identity takes place: those previously known as inquirers become Catechumens. They are officially welcomed by the Church as disciples, members (albeit not yet full members) of the household of faith. The text calls this rite “the first consecration by the Church” of those seeking Christian initiation. They are literally marked with the cross of Christ as God’s own. This very symbolic ritual will take place during the Mass with the participation of the catechumen, candidates and their sponsors.

This rite is the first introduction of the catechumen and candidates to the community to which they will belong. It is also a time for the community to pray with and for them as they continue their journey toward full initiation into the Church.

At the beginning of Lent, there will be another “threshold event,” which is the Rite of Election with Cardinal McElroy. All of those from across the Diocese of San Diego who are preparing to enter the Church join in this rite of election on the First Sunday of Lent at a central location. Even so, we as a parish will celebrate a Rite of Sending as we once again assure them of our prayers as they go off to the Rite of Election.

The final “threshold rite,” of course, is the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Through these sacraments of initiation, the catechumens and candidates become “neophytes.” That ancient word literally means “a new plant.” We pray that their faith continues to take root and grow in the garden of the Christian community.

And so, you see that the process of joining the Church is not only a personal decision but a community experience. Please support our catechumen and candidates as they journey toward Easter. Encourage them and remember them in prayer.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 [email protected]

Our Christmas Mass schedule is available below.

Advent Penance Services 2023

These are the many Penance Services offered in our area during Advent. Some penance services are bilingual but, in every case, there will be many priests available for confessions in either English or Spanish.

In addition, confessions are heard at St. Patrick’s on Wednesdays at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. However, there will be no evening confessions on December 13 (but Penance Service at 7:00 pm) nor in the evening of December 20 (school Christmas program in the church).

Keep this list for future reference:

Support a Lifetime of Service

Women and men religious have spent their lives serving others in prayer, ministry, education and care for those in need—usually for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. As they age, they require essential care and medications. Please support them by giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your donation makes a difference for nearly 25,000 senior men and women religious. Please give generously.

Two Courses Offered in

North County

St. Patrick Parish will host two courses of the Diocesan Institute in the new year. Both are being taught by Eudist Fathers.

Fr. Azam Mansha, CJM, will teach a course on the Psalms. The course offers an introduction to the Psalms for contemporary prayer life. It will meet on Mondays, January 8 – February 12, 2024; 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM, will teach a course on Ecumenism. The course offers an overview of the different Christian faiths, their differences and common ground with Catholicism. It will meet on Tuesdays, January 30 – March 5, 2024; 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

Registration for these courses needs to be made through the Diocesan Institute link below.

Variations on O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

You have heard Paul Fey play the organ in past newsletters. He is a talented young organist. This is an original composition which he describes as a mysterious Prelude and the colorful Harmonizations on "O Come, o come, Emmanuel" for Pipe Organ!

Shoes to the World

This weekend December 9-10, Shoes to the World will be at the church patio, fundraising to provide new shoes benefiting children and homeless adults.  

DOUBLE THE BENEFIT OF YOUR DONATION WITH GIFT MATCH.

Gift matching applies to donations between $50 to $1,000, and up to a total of $4,000. A 100% of your donation will purchase NEW shoes to be distributed by volunteers to impoverished children and adults. Many of these poor currently wear bacteria filled worn-out hand-me-down shoes. Additionally, this event will also support our project with Fr. Azam to bring shoes to persecuted Christian children in Pakistan. 

Please visit www.ShoestotheWorld.Org to see donations at work; this 501(c)(3) non-profit works as a volunteer only organization.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON 

Complimentary for Seniors Thursday, December 14.

Sunday Collection for 12/3/2023



Envelope Collection - $7,906.00

Plate Collection - $12,809.00

Online Giving - $19,757.21

     Total Collection: $40,472.21

  We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.

Online Giving Reminder

Thank you for your generous support of our parish during our Celebrating Today, Planning For Tomorrow 

Program! 

We are beginning to see signs that our Sunday offertory collections are growing.

Thank you so very much to all who have chosen to participate in this very important program.

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you go into the application and update your giving to reflect your new commitment.



Don't forget to add the Christmas Collection to your giving selections!

Your generosity shows your willingness, as a faithful steward, to be a part of the ongoing mission of St. Patrick Catholic Community.  

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

We appreciate your support!

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.

1. What are some other names for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
2. How often are Catholics required to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
3. Do Catholics need to go to confession before receiving Holy Communion?
4. What are the three conditions that must be present for a sin to be considered “mortal”?
5. What is the usual name for the other type of sin that is less serious, not mortal?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]

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 [email protected] We will be pleased to add them.

Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

We have a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses.