On the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the early disciples of Jesus. The Spirit comes to bestow gifts on each of us and the whole community. As St. Paul says in the second reading for this feast: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.”
Gifts that are given must be received. What can we do to be more receptive to the gifts of the Holy Spirit? I am going to suggest several ways we can do that. The first thing we need to do is to make time to pray every day. We welcome the Holy Spirit into our day and give God space to work in us. Say a simple prayer of invitation as you begin each morning with a thankful mindset, asking that the Holy Spirit would make his presence known throughout that day’s activities.
Secondly, welcome the Holy Spirit as you read Scripture. As we spend even a few minutes each day reading the Word of God, we are reminded that these are words inspired by the Holy Spirit. What might God be saying to me through these words?
Thirdly, be attentive throughout the day for ways that the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you through the events and people you encounter. God often speaks to us in very ordinary ways, through ordinary people. But we have to be attentive to the ways the Spirit speaks.
Fourth, pay attention to the needs of others. An encounter with someone in need is often an invitation from the Holy Spirit. How might the Holy Spirit be inviting us to reach out to those in need?
We can also put religious items in our room, car or office that remind us of the presence of God. Having physical reminders about God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus for us to see as we go about our day can be incredibly helpful to welcome the Holy Spirit and keep God at the forefront of our mind.
Throughout the day let your mind turn to the Holy Spirit frequently. A short spontaneous prayer that comes from the heart is the best prayer of all. It might be simply to ask for guidance, or to praise God for the beauty of creation, or to thank God for gifts evident in others. These simple prayers keep us attuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
With the whole Church we pray today: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.” Let us open our hearts to the love of God given through the Holy Spirit.
The Solemnity of Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples gathered together in fear. They became courageous witnesses.
One of the great signs of the presence of the Spirit on that day was the tongues of fire that appeared over each person. That’s one of the reasons RED is the liturgical color for this solemnity. The vestments and liturgical décor are resplendent with red. To carry the theme through the whole congregation, we invite you to wear red to church on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, this weekend.
Your presence in whatever red clothes or accessories you may have will add to the festivity of our celebration.
The Challenge of Pentecost
This short article by Daniel J. Harrington gives an overview of the meaning of Pentecost and the challenge it brings to the Church in every age. The article first appeared in the May 5, 2008 issue of America magazine.
On June 12, our dear Fr. Ben Drapeau, CJM will turn 90 years old. In order to celebrate this very special occasion, our parish will host a cake and coffee social on Sunday June 18 following the 11:00 am Mass (at which Fr. Ben will preside). Immediately following the Mass, Fr. Ben will be present in the Parish Center. Come share some food and friendship with Fr. Ben. (He asks that no gifts be given to him.)
Father’s Day Novena of Masses
In the same way that we had a Novena of Masses for Mother’s Day, we will also have a Novena of Masses for Fathers (living and deceased). These Masses are scheduled for June 19-27 at the regular parish Mass times. To have your father remembered at these Masses, please use the envelope from your bimonthly packet marked Father’s Day. Envelopes are also available at the doors of the church. (Or just use a plain envelope.) Write on the envelope the names of your father, grandfather, godfather or father-figure. Put your envelope in the collection basket or send it to the parish office. These envelopes will be placed on the altar during this Novena of Masses.
Medical Personnel Needed
Our medical clinic at Showers of Blessings Carlsbad needs volunteer Physician Assistants (PA), Nurse Practitioners (NP) and/or physicians. This would be a few hours a week or a month on Tuesday mornings. Very flexible. This position would be serving our Carlsbad Barrio community as well as our clients who are homeless.
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers.
Please come and meet members of
St. Patrick’s Mental Health Ministry team on the patio this weekend May 27th and 28th. We will be sharing information about our ministry and providing Mental health resources. Hope to see you there!
If you need support or resources please call St. Patrick’s Mental Health Support line at 760-729-2866, ext393
De Colores, Cursillastas!
We are back!
The next North County Coastal Ultreya will be Sunday 06/11/23 at 2pm at St. James Catholic Church. We will be meeting in the Parish Hall adjacent to the Parish Office. Potluck begins at 2pm please bring a dish to share. We invite everyone to attend Mass at 5pm after our fellowship. Ultreya’s are open to all. For more information about Cursillo or to get added to the Evite list, email nccultreya@gmail.com or call Rebeca Sheehan 760-473-1607
We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.
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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.
What does the word Pentecost mean?
What does Pentecost celebrate?
What is the Jewish feast that is a parallel to Pentecost?
What were some signs of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost that are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles?
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as mentioned in the bishop’s prayer for the sacrament of Confirmation?
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.
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 theSecond 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.
Support Our Youth, so they can attend World Youth Day!
After All Sunday Morning Masses
This Sunday ~ 5/28 delicious homemade food will be on sale by the Parish Hall
In the summer months we offer Liturgy of the Word for Children during the 9:00 am Mass. Children ages 5-9 that attend Mass with their family have the opportunity to hear the Word of God in language they can understand and reflect on in their own words.
Following the Opening Prayer of the Mass, the presider calls forth the children, and we send them along with the adult catechist to the church basement classroom. The catechist will proclaim the readings from the Lectionary for Masses with Children, a translation that is more comprehensible to young children and approved by the US Catholic Conference of Bishops. The children will discuss how to share the good news with others.
They will be brought back to their family at the time of the Preparation of the Gifts to continue the celebration of the Eucharist with the entire assembly.
Veni Creator Spiritus
Here is a beautiful rendition of the traditional Gregorian chant version of the Veni Creator Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit). Latin and English lyrics are provided.
Veni Sancte Spiritus from Taize
Here is a more contemporary version of the traditional hymn to the Holy Spirit. We ask the Holy Spirit to come upon God’s people. Latin and English lyrics are provided.
Country-Western Celebration
The Knights of Columbus and the Altar Society are selling tickets for the Country-Western celebration to be held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, June 10beginning at 5:30 pm.
Tickets are $15.00 per person, $40.00 for a family ticket. There will be hot dogs and burgers, a live band and dancing.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
Jesús les dijo a sus discípulos, “La paz este con ustedes. Como el Padre me ha enviado, así también los envío yo”. Después de decir esto, sopló sobre ellos y les dijo, “Reciban el Espíritu Santo. A los que les perdonen los pecados, les quedarán perdonados; y a los que no se los perdonen, les quedarán sin perdonar”.Celebramos hoy la gran Fiesta de Pentecostés, Jesús cumple lo que les había prometido a sus discípulos, que iba a enviar el Paráclito, el Espíritu Santo, para ayudarlos, recordarles, guiarlos, y animarlos en su camino de fe. Ahora, leímos en el Evangelio de San Juan, que Jesús sopló sobre ellos y les da ese mismo Espíritu de Jesucristo. ¡Tú y yo somos templos vivos del Espíritu Santo! A causa de este Espíritu Santo que está en nosotros, podemos llamarle a Dios, “Abba/Papi”, porque somos hijas e hijos de este Dios amoroso. Por este mismo Espíritu Santo, podemos llamarle a Jesús, “mi Señor y mi Dios”, porque es el #1 de toda nuestra vida. Por este mismo Espíritu Santo, podemos mirarnos como hermanos y hermanas, un Pueblo de Dios, un Cuerpo de Cristo. No siempre será fácil, a veces lo que vivimos o escuchamos en las noticias, como la violencia en este país y en otros, guerras, niños y niñas llorando, masacres dondequiera, indiferencias, racismo y muchas otras cosas. Que nos hace mirar hacia el cielo y decirle a Dios, “¡Ya basta, por favor!” Pero más que nunca, tenemos que mantenernos fieles a Dios, confiando que Dios es fiel y nos acompaña en cada paso de nuestra vida. Y recordar esas palabras de Jesucristo, que “Él está con nosotros siempre, hasta el final de los tiempos”. Somos suyos, el Espíritu Santo está en ti y en mí, y desea llenarnos de su paz. Aceptemos este regalo. ¡Feliz Pentecostés!
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![Veni Sancte Spiritus (Taizé) [with lyrics for congregations]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l8yOAxWyfvA/hqdefault.jpg)
