Christmas News, and more, from Fr. Ron, week 50

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

December 15, 2023 | Issue 50

A Word from the Pastor

December 15, 2023

During the Family Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, I spoke to the children about the Advent-Christmas season as a time of “not just getting but giving.” Children can easily become focused on “what am I going to get,” and forget that the central meaning of Christmas is giving. Love became incarnate and we have the task of continuing to give life and love to those who suffer or are in need. The Dead Sea is a good illustration of what happens if we only receive and have no outlet for the love and blessings we receive.

The Dead Sea is called the Dead Sea because it is a lifeless body of water where no organic life can exist due to its high salt content. The water is so salty that even fish from the ocean perish when put into it. The name “Dead Sea” is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but it is referred to as the “salt sea” and the “sea of the wilderness.” The high salt content of the Dead Sea is due to the fact that it receives over six and a half million tons of fresh water from the Jordan River and other affluents every day, but has no outlet to the ocean, resulting in high evaporation rates and the accumulation of salt.

So also, for us. If we focus on “getting” and not “giving,” our faith will become lifeless. That is why I am delighted with our many parish outreach programs. Our parish is a warm and welcoming community, but it also needs to be a community that reaches out, that extends to those beyond itself. Ministries like Showers of Blessings and the Christmas Star program show our desire to help those in need. Shoes to the World helps us extend our concern internationally. Our Knights of Columbus give us many opportunities throughout the year to combat hunger and support pro life causes. Our parish recently began a new outreach ministry which distributes food to families every Saturday at the Fr. Moore Center. These and other ministries like them show our desire to be a community whose life flows out to others and is not kept to ourselves.

Christmas is upon us. May this season remind us that the baby in the manger grew up to be “a man for others.” May our belief in him lead us to express our faith in special concern for the poor. As families and individuals, let us commit ourselves to discovering the ways that we can share in this ministry of outreach. If you would like to know how to become involved in any of our parish outreach ministries, call me or the parish office.

May the Prince of Peace bring peace to our hearts, to our families and to our world.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

[email protected]

Our Christmas Mass schedule is available below.

Christmas Mass Schedule here...

An Unusual Weekend

From a liturgical point of view, the weekend of December 23-25 is unusual and could be confusing. On the same weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).

The last day of Advent is December 24; it is also the Fourth Sunday of that season. We must try to keep the spirit of Advent even as we already have entered the Christmas celebrations.

Catholics have two obligations that weekend. We should participate in the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Those Masses are Saturday (December 23) at 4:30 and 7:00 pm, and Sunday (December 24) at the usual times of 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. That concludes Advent.

Christmas begins with the 4:00 pm Masses on December 24. We have additional Christmas Eve Masses at 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00 pm. On Christmas Day our Masses are at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm. (No Mass at 5:00 pm)

The question everybody is asking is: “Do I have to go to Mass twice this weekend?” The simple answer is: YES. Once for the 4th Sunday of Advent and another for Christmas.

Be A Welcoming Community

When we celebrate Christmas in another week, we will welcome many people to our church who do not always join us the rest of the year. This presents us with a challenge and an opportunity. It may be crowded, a bit confusing as people look for seats, and a frenzy in the parking lot.

But it is also an opportunity to be welcoming to those who are visitors or who don’t yet feel a part of our community. Extend a warm welcome as people enter your pew. Sit in the middle of the pew, encouraging others to join you. Welcome the latecomers and the crying babies. Be civil in the parking lot both coming and going. Invite people to come back.

St. Patrick’s has a reputation for being a welcoming community. Let’s put that on full display next Christmas weekend.

Please note: The parking lot of our neighbor New Song Church is available to us on Monday, December 25. However, please do not park there on December 24 as that congregation will have their Christmas Eve services.

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 the evening of December 20 (school Christmas program in the church).

Keep this list for future reference:

Advent Penance Services 2023

Advent Carol Service

Enjoy the video of this Advent Carol Service which took place on Sunday 26 November 2023, at Trinity College Chapel. Sung by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, directed by Michael Waldron Jonathan Lee, Augustine Cox, Organ Scholars.

It begins with 45 minutes of organ prelude, then another hour and a half of lessons and carols. Listen all at once, or in sections. What a beautiful way to enter into the spiritual meaning of the season.

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.

Click here to register...

Class on Church History

Many people have expressed an interest in knowing more about the history of the Catholic Church. That is why Fr. Ron is going to lead a course that will give an overview of the whole history of the Church.

There will be a limited number of students (12-15 max) and it will meet in the library of the parish offices. The participants will need to purchase the book The History of the Catholic Church which is published by Ave Maria Press and available on Amazon for $30.00. The book has 10 chapters and we will use a chapter as the basis for discussion each week (for 10 weeks). Participants will need to read the chapter in preparation. We will sit around the table and discuss what we have read. The first class will be January 24, 2024.

This book was chosen because it is basic and easy to read. It was actually written as a text for a high school religion class. It does not use complicated language but contains a wealth of information.

A famous person once said: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” To sign up for this course, contact Fr. Ron directly at [email protected] or call 760-727-2866.

James R. & Geraldine F. Bertelsen Scholarship

This $10,000 scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who will be attending a four-year Roman Catholic college or university for the 2024-2025 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 17, 2024, with a submission deadline of 2:00 PM PST on March 6, 2024. The application link available to students for the Bertelsen

Email [email protected] or call 619-814-1343 if you have additional questions.

Scholarship and other scholarships can be found here:

Application Link Here...

Our Women and Men Religious Offer Gratitude

A Sister shares, “I thank the Lord for all who give. I don’t think we would make it without them.” Thank you for giving to the Retirement Fund for Religious last week. Your donation makes a difference in the lives of elderly women and religious men. To learn more about how your gift helps, click the button below.

Read Here...

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

Sunday Collection for 12/10/2023

Envelope Collection - $6,408.00

Plate Collection - $18,151.00

Online Giving - $19,393.14

Total Collection: $43,952.14

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.

Several people are mentioned in the Bible stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. Who was Caesar Augusta?
Who were Zechariah and Elizabeth?
Who do the shepherds represent?
Who do the Wise Men (Magi) represent?
Who was Simeon?

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.

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read all of Fr. Ron's newsletters here

Third Sunday of Advent – Year B

First Reading

Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11

The Lord’s salvation will be made known to the poor and the oppressed.

Responsorial Psalm

Luke 1:46-50,53-54

Mary sings praise to God.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.

Gospel Reading

John 1:6-8,19-28

John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to continue our reflection on the person and mission of John the Baptist. Today we depart from the Gospel of Mark and read a selection from the Gospel of John.

The Gospel for today combines a brief passage from the prologue to John’s Gospel with a report about John the Baptist. As in Mark’s Gospel, the Gospel of John contains no birth narrative. Instead, John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection that has come to be called the “prologue.” This prologue places the story of Jesus in its cosmological framework. It speaks of Jesus’ existence with God since the beginning of time. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the culmination of the Word, the light that is coming into the world’s darkness.

Following this prologue, John reports on the ministry of John the Baptist. We learn about the attention that John the Baptist received from the Jewish authorities. Messengers from the Jewish priests, the Levites and the Pharisees question John about his identity and the meaning of the baptisms that he is performing. John’s Gospel uses these questions to establish the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is not the Messiah, nor is he Elijah or the Prophet. In John’s denials, we hear echoes of the kind of messianic expectations that were common in first-century Palestine.

The only affirmative response that John the Baptist gives is when he quotes the prophet Isaiah. Upon answering the next question, John announces that the savior they seek is already among them, but as yet unrecognized. John’s response highlights for us an important Advent theme: Jesus has already come into the world as our savior. During Advent, we pray that we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in our midst. Advent also reminds us that Jesus will come again to fulfill the promise of salvation. We pray that we will continue to be watchful as we anticipate that great day.

The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete, a Latin word which means “rejoice,” is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass. This theme is echoed in today’s second reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians. It is a reminder that Advent is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.

O Come, Emmanuel

This beautiful arrangement for piano and cello brings out the haunting and beautiful ancient melody of this traditional Advent hymn.

Parish Calendars for 2024

Parish calendars for 2024 will be available at the doors of the church this weekend. There are two different calendars and we thank Eternal Hills Mortuary and Holy Cross Cemetery for providing them for us. Feel free to take one of each.

Young Blind Pianist Play Bach

Lucy, an incredible 15-year-old blind and neurodivergent pianist from Yorkshire, plays the stunning Bach 'Prelude in C' alongside her teacher Daniel, for a 6,000-strong audience at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucy made her debut at the iconic concert hall Classic FM Live in October.

YEAR END GIVING - Got Deductions??

Helpful Year-End Planning Tips

Online Giving users-please remember to login to your account and set up your Christmas or year-end gift.
Gifts given through Online Giving will be counted toward the 2023 tax year if given prior to 9:00pm PST on 12/31/23.
Be sure to complete all gifts by December 31, 2023, to qualify for tax savings on this year’s tax return.
Envelopes postmarked by Saturday, December 30, 2023, or dropped off at the Parish Office will be counted toward the 2023 tax year.
If you are 72 or older and have an IRA that requires you to take your Required Minimum Distribution by 12/31/23, consider contributing a portion to St. Patrick Church and avoid paying tax on that amount. Check with your tax advisor for specifics regarding your situation.
Remember gifts of stock made directly through the Diocese to St. Patrick Church, Carlsbad may reduce your tax burden. Please check with your tax advisor. Call the Stewardship Office for more information 760-729-0717.
Remember…a donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) reduces the parish's obligation to the Diocese.
Keep all gift receipts and acknowledgement letters, especially for donations of $250 or more.
Wills and Trusts: Naming of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlsbad is an excellent way to leave a legacy for our Parish.
If you sold securities this year and will owe capital gains tax, remember that gifts to St. Patrick Catholic Community of cash or other securities may reduce your gains. Please check with your tax advisor.
Contact the Stewardship and Development Office 760-729-0717, or [email protected]

Prophets: Messengers

of God's Mercy

“God sent prophets at critical times to call the people back to their covenant relationship. Prophets proclaimed the consequences of continued sin, called people to repentance, and declared God’s faithful love. They also spoke of the future to shed light on current events and to reveal God’s plans and purposes.”

Ruah Adonai - Breath of God Bible Study is open to men and women. No previous bible study experience needed. Our mission is to know, to love and to serve God. We meet Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10 am in the Parish Hall to view an engaging video presentation followed by a lively small group discussion and fellowship.

For more information contact Kelly Le Berthon at:

[email protected]

Watch a video clip below:

Christmas Flowers for

Our Church

Once again, we give our parishioners the opportunity to contribute to the beautiful flowers that will adorn our church for the Christmas season. There is an envelope in your packet of envelopes that is marked “Christmas Flower Offering.” On the front of the envelope there are spaces in which you can write the names of loved ones you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. You may also use an ordinary envelope to write down the names. Simply put your envelope in any collection or send it to the parish office. The names will be published after Christmas.

Nuestras religiosas y religiosos están muy agradecidos

Una hermana comparte: “Agradezco al Señor por todos los que donan. No creo que podríamos vivir sin ellos”. Gracias por donar al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos la semana pasada. Su donativo significa mucho para la vida de las religiosas y religiosos ancianos. Para saber más sobre cómo su donativo los ayuda, visite retiredreligious.org

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

“Le preguntaron, ‘Entonces dinos quién eres, para poder llevar una respuesta a los que nos enviaron. ¿Qué dices de ti mismo?’ Juan les contestó, ‘Yo soy la voz que grita en el desierto, ‘Enderecen el camino del Señor’, como anunció el profeta Isaías”. (Juan 1: 6-8, 19-28). Miramos la tensión en el Evangelio de este 3er Domingo de Adviento entre Juan el Bautista y los sacerdotes y levitas. Juan habla de la urgencia de cambiar sus vidas, porque el Mesías está por llegar. Esto incomoda a los sacerdotes y levitas porque ellos piensan, que ellos siendo los inteligentes y escogidos por Dios, ¿porque no han recibido este mensaje de Dios? Pero la verdad es que Dios les esta hablando a ellos por medio de Juan el Bautista y otros medios, pero los sacerdotes y levitas están sordos, no lo escuchan. Ellos están cerrados a “sus ideas” de la manera que Dios les hablará. Pero Dios ha creado todo y a todos. Dios puede hablarnos de tantas diferentes maneras. Aun por medio de esas maneras que “creemos” que Dios no puede usar. Dios se revela en nuestras vidas cotidianas. Se revela en nuestra pareja y nuestros hijos, por dondequiera que andemos, allí esta Dios hablándonos, demostrándonos que no estamos solos. ¿Estamos abiertos para mirar a Dios en todas partes? En el mundo miramos mucha violencia, odio, y racismo, pero pongamos nuestra mirada en Dios. Hagamos nuestra parte, sembrar semillas de amor y esperanza y Dios se encargará del resto. Pongamos atención a Juan el Bautista, que nos dice que “enderecemos nuestro camino con del Señor”. Acerquémonos a Él sin temor, somos sus hijas e hijos amados.

HACED ESTO EN MEMORIA MIA, “CONSAGRACIÓN”. Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN: “ENDERECEN EL CAMINO DEL SEÑOR”. Haga clic aquí:

“ORAR A CRISTO, CON MARIA” - Haga clic aquí:

“Caridades Católicas brindan ayuda a migrantes más vulnerables”. Haga clic aquí

Detente

Hablemos de La voz

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

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 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.

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 address below:

[email protected]

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