May the Spirit of the risen Jesus fill you with peace and remove all fear! This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the Church came to birth by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a fearful group of disciples. May that same Holy Spirit continue to renew the face of the earth.
I am hesitant to use the phrase “re-opening our parish.” First of all, because I don’t recall that we ever closed. Of course, we stopped having public Masses in the church, we temporarily closed the parish offices, and many of our programs and ministries had to take on a new way of operating. But throughout the last three stressful months, St. Patrick Catholic Community has remainedvery much alive and connected.
The other reason that I hesitate to speak of “re-opening” is because some people think that we are ready to open up everything and go back to “normal.” Nothing could be farther from reality. The return to a more normal parish life will be a gradual development over a period of months. We cannot expect a quick resumption of activities such as meetings of organizations, prayer groups or Bible Study, various devotions, and social activities.
We are ready to try to have public Masses with limited attendance and other precautionary measures. We will be taking a “watch and see” approach and be attentive to the health and safety of our parishioners. Changes will be inevitable. Some changes may include expanding the numbers allowed in the church, but the change may go the other way by decreasing our capacity. There is no way of knowing now.
The one thing that is essential is the absolute cooperation of all those who will be attending Mass. The procedures outlined in our last newsletter and this one need to be followed. I am confident that we can do it.
Above all, let us be kind toward one another. Keep a safe distance out of love and respect for the other.Be extra patient with the requirements and with the people who will be assisting us. May the Holy Spirit continue to make us one Body in Christ.
A Major Change in the Procedure for Receiving Holy Communion
One of the things that will be different if you come to Mass will be the procedure for receiving Holy Communion. We have to distribute Communion in a way that is reverent and at the same time obviates the transmission of the virus and is safe for all involved.
First of all, Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand (i.e., no Communion on the tongue).
Secondly, Holy Communion will be distributed only as the consecrated host. Communion from the cup is suspended indefinitely.
Thirdly, Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass near the doors of the church. This is a change from what we first announced. Our bishop has requested that we follow this procedure. After the final blessing, everyone will be seated. Beginning with the last rows, it will be indicated when your row may exit. The Minister of Communion (wearing a mask) will be near the doors of the church to distribute Holy Communion to those who wish to receive. The Minister will place the host in the hand of each person (avoiding touching the hand of the communicant). After passing by the Minister, lift your mask and consume the host. Then put your mask back in place and leave the church immediately. Do not return to the church. As you wait to receive Holy Communion, be sure to maintain the six feet distance between yourself and the other people in line. This system is repeated row by row until all have received Holy Communion and left the church.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Volunteers Needed
In order to safely celebrate Mass together and gather in a respectful and holy manner, we are in need of some people who can serve as Ministers of Hospitality (ushers). Their role will be to help people find seats while observing social distancing. They can also answer questions people might have. Due to our concern for the health and safety of “vulnerable persons,” these volunteers need to be under 70 years of age. Those who volunteer will be trained by Fr. Ron either in person or through Zoom. We have many Masses and we will need many volunteers.
We also need additional Special Ministers of Holy Communion. Again, these people need to be under 70 years old and Fr. Ron will provide the training.
Please let Fr. Ron know as soon as possible if you are able and willing, to serve in either of these ministries (rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.com)
Cleaning and Sanitizing the Church
We can assure you that our church and other worship areas will be cleaned on a regular basis. At least once every 24 hours, the church will be thoroughly sanitized. In between the weekend Masses, there will be wiping of the surfaces that people have been touching.
The CDC advisory on the transmission of the virus through various surfaces is constantly evolving. You can be sure that our staff will follow whatever is recommended by the government guidelines.
Entering and Exiting the Church
For those who choose to come to church or other locations where Mass will be celebrated, you must put on your mask or face covering before you reach the patio or enter the space. If you forget your mask, one will be provided. No one will be allowed to enter the church or worship space without a mask. It must remain on your face, covering your mouth and nose, for the entire Mass.
You are asked not to gather in groups inside or outside the church. There will be hand sanitizing stations near the entrances, although things will move along more quickly if you bring your own hand sanitizer.
While waiting to enter the church or worship area, keep a space of 6 feet between you and others who are not in your family group. Half of the pews (every other row) will be marked to remain empty. Within each pew that is being used, you must observe the proper social distancing. Our ministers of hospitality will assist you in finding a seat. Please be patient.
When the Mass is ended and the priest or deacon dismisses the congregation, you will be asked to be seated. People will be instructed to exit row by row beginning with the back rows. Please do not leave until your row is instructed to do so. Once again, your cooperation will make this go smoothly and with great care for one another.
Please don’t linger or gather in groups on the patio or in the parking lot. We will not have coffee and donuts or any refreshments after Masses.
I would add that if you are not comfortable with these procedures, it may not be time for you to return to a Mass that has a large congregation. You might do better at a weekday Mass or watching our Mass online.
Social Distancing
This new term has crept into our vocabulary and become so familiar to us. Social distancing is the key ingredient for us as a parish to provide a safe environment in which to celebrate the Eucharist. Simply put, it means keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other non-related persons. It also means maintaining a “touchless” protection for one another.
Our church is very large, but in order to comply with the state directives we can only accommodate 100 people per Mass. More people can be welcomed to Mass on the field of the school, of course, always observing social distancing.
In order to comply with social distancing, every other pew in the church will be kept vacant. Within the pews that are being used, there is a need to maintain the standard 6 feet distance between individuals or groups.
There will also be markings on the field indicating how social distancing will be observed.
Our ministers of hospitality will assist you to find a seat. Please give them your utmost cooperation. Adjusting to change can be stressful for all of us, but at least we can be kind to one another.
Social distancing also needs to be observed on the patio and the parking lot. Please do not linger or gather in groups. If you are waiting to enter the church or field, please keep the appropriate distance from your neighbors who are also waiting. After leaving Mass, please go directly to your cars or start your walk home.
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 is the oldest Marian feast of the Roman Catholic Church?
Which saint of the Church is referred to as the Angelic Doctor?
Who is the patron saint of Ireland?
Vatican II renamed one of the sacraments as Anointing of the Saints. What was its pre-Vatican II name?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, what are the effects of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? (See how many of the five you can get.)
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles gathered in Jerusalem.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 104:1,24,29-31,34
God’s Spirit renews the earth.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
We already heard today’s Gospel proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter this year (Lectionary Cycle A). That Gospel passage, however, also included the description of Jesus’ appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led to reflect on belief and unbelief.
In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.”
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Comunión Espiritual
Creo, Jesús mío,
que estás real
y verdaderamente
en el Santísimo Sacramento del Altar.
Te amo sobre todas las cosas
y deseo vivamente recibirte
dentro de mi alma,
pero no pudiendo hacerlo
ahora sacramentalmente,
ven al menos
espiritualmente a mi corazón.
Y como si ya te hubiese recibido,
te abrazo y me uno del todo a Ti.
Señor, no permitas que jamás me aparte de Ti. Amen
El conjunto de lecturas del domingo pasado nos invita a ir más allá del evento de Ascensión descrito en términos de espacio-temporales: la "elevación" al cielo del Señor resucitado, los "cuarenta días" después de Pascua, son sólo una forma de indicar la conclusión de una fase de la historia de la salvación y el comienzo de otra. El Jesús con quien los discípulos "comieron y bebieron" continúa su permanencia invisible en la Iglesia. Ella está llamada a continuar la misión y la predicación de Cristo y recibe la tarea de anunciar el Reino y dar testimonio del Señor. Por esta razón, después de la Ascensión del Resucitado, los ángeles invitan a los apóstoles a no quedarse parados mirando al cielo: el acontecimiento que presenciaron no los involucra sólo a ellos; por el contrario, comienza un dinamismo universal, "salvífico" y "misionero" que será animado por el Espíritu Santo.
Por el poder de este Espíritu, el Cristo universal glorificado y constituido Señor, jefe del Cuerpo-Iglesia y del Cuerpo-humanidad, atrae a todos para acceder, con Él y para Él, a la vida con el Padre. De hecho, Él mismo anima a estos hombres en su búsqueda de libertad, dignidad, justicia y responsabilidad. De ahí su deseo de "ser más", su deseo de construir un mundo más justo y más unido. Así, la comunidad de creyentes, conscientes de haber recibido un poder divino, lleno de entusiasmo misionero y alegría pascual, se convierte en testigo en el mundo de la nueva realidad de la vida realizada en Cristo Señor.
Padre Carlos
Pentecost Mass for All Cultures
Bishop McElroy will celebrate a Pentecost Mass for All Cultures that will be available online on Sunday, May 31. To view this Mass on Sunday use this link:
Our parish staff has been working from home during most of this shut down. We are now able to open our parish office again on a limited basis. Parish office hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Monday to Friday (except holidays). You may come to the window with business for our staff or give us a call during those hours.
Mass Stipends Gratefully Accepted
With the resumption of public Masses in the parish, we have many openings for reserving a Mass for a deceased loved one, or for your special intention. Contact the parish office at 760 729 2866 or drop by during office hours.
Newsletter to Be Sent Out on Friday Only
This newsletter has proven to be an effective and well-received method of communication for our parish throughout these past months. It’s hard to believe that this is now the22nd issue of this popular tool. Many people have expressed the wish that it would continue. That’s great! We will continue to publish the newsletter once a week starting next week. As activity around the parish offices is picking up, many things are keeping the priests and staff busy as we prepare for the resumption of public Masses. But you can expect to receive this newsletter in your email every Friday.
Bilingual Religious Education video...please watch
I realize that some of you are experiencing budget problems of your own at this time and I am not asking to cut yourself short. But please keep in mind the needs of our parish during these uncertain times.
Those of you who use weekly offertory envelopes, please enclose your giving into the special mailing envelope that comes in your packet
Many of you pay your bills using online banking bill pay, you can choose St. Patrick Church to receive donations to Sunday Collection this way
This may also be a time to consider using Online Giving as a way of contributing to the parish during this time. https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/58
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.
Online Giving users - set up your Sunday Donation here
You can also make donations using your smart phone when you download the Online Giving app in the Apple or Android stores.
If you are not a regular financial supporter of St. Patrick Church, please consider making a donation by using Online Giving.
The church is open for private prayer every day from 7:00am - 11:00am, however the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is closed.
Our parish offices are open once again, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
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.
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:
