Commitment Weekend, and more... from Fr. Ron, #42 Friday, October 20, 2023

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

October 20, 2023 | Issue 42

A Word from the Pastor

October 20, 2023

Thank you for listening closely to my message last weekend and to the lay parishioners who are speaking at all Masses this weekend. We are calling this Commitment Weekend. That is because we are asking you to make an annual commitment to our parish as we continue to reflect on our theme: “Celebrating Today, Planning for Tomorrow.”

At the same time that we give thanks to God and to those who have come before us for the great parish that is St. Patrick Catholic Community, we recognize the need to plan for tomorrow and to continue to bring life to our community.

I am so pleased that many new liturgical ministers have stepped forward in recent months (altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, choir members, ministers of hospitality). Our Bible studies are overflowing with participants. We are pleased to have new catechists and members of our Youth Ministry Core Team. Many other ministries have recently begun or been reinstated. These are just a few of the signs of the welcoming and caring community we have.

As I mentioned last weekend, we each need to make supporting our parish a priority. Good stewardship means that every Catholic is willing to share their time, their talent and their treasure with the parish and other important opportunities for service.

At this time, we are also focused on the need for your financial support. You have seen the snapshot of our last fiscal year in the brochure that you received. I ask you to carefully and prayerfully consider what amount you and your family can commit to the parish.

I am asking that all faithful parishioners complete a Commitment Card. This card was included in the mailing you received, or will receive at Mass this weekend.

I ask you to:

mail it to the church using the pre-addressed envelope included in this mailing.
or bring your card to Mass this Sunday.
or you may visit our parish website at https://www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com/ and complete an electronic Commitment Card. Or simply use the QR code below.

The back of the Commitment Card has a place for you to include any prayer intentions you wish to share. These intentions will be prayed for collectively over the next few weeks at all our Masses.

Our goal is 100% participation! Thank you for your generosity and support of St. Patrick Catholic Community!

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

[email protected]

View our Brochure here...

Scan this QR code for our electronic Commitment Card!

Called to Stewardship

As disciples of Christ, we are all called to be good stewards. This brief video gives a wonderful explanation of what stewardship means for us as Christians.

A Day of Prayer and Fasting

for Peace

Pope Francis once again spoke of the need for our prayers as a solution is sought for the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He said, “War does not solve any problem, it sows only death and destruction, foments hate, proliferates revenge… I urge our faithful to take just one side in this conflict, that of peace. But not in words – in prayer, with total dedication."

The Holy Father asks all believers to observe Friday, October 27, 2023, as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace. On this day we are urged to pray personally, with our families, or in groups for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. At our parish Masses next Friday, we will offer the Mass for Peace and Justice from the Roman Missal.

If anyone is looking for a way to contribute to humanitarian aid to those affected by the war, Catholic Relief Services is a good resource:

Give Here...

What Makes for a Just War according to Catholic Teaching?

According to the Catholic Church's teaching on just war theory, the decision to go to war should be taken as a last resort after all other political, economic, and diplomatic means have been exhausted. It should always be an act of self-defense and not an act of aggression. War must have a just cause, which means it should oppose a great evil that cannot effectively be opposed by any other means.

In the case of the war between Israel and Hamas, it is important to consider the principles of just war theory. The Church teaches that war always involves the use of lethal force and results in the loss of life, including innocent civilians. Therefore, any use of military force must be proportionate and discriminate between combatants and noncombatants. Direct and intentional attacks on noncombatants in war are never morally acceptable.

It is also important to consider the principles of self-defense and the legitimate authority to wage war. The Church acknowledges that governments possess a right to lawful self-defense. However, the decision to go to war must be made by a legitimate ruler and authorized by international law or mandate. The intentions of those who fight the war must be upright, acting for the sake of the stated cause and not for strategic or economic gain.

Furthermore, the Church emphasizes the importance of seeking peace and using all means to prevent warfare. The Church encourages the building of competent international authorities to prevent war and limit the outbreak of war. It also calls for the reduction of reliance on weapons of mass destruction and the pursuit of progressive disarmament.

In applying just war theory to the war between Israel and Hamas, it is necessary to carefully assess whether the principles of just cause, last resort, proportionality, discrimination, and legitimate authority have been met. It is also important to consider the pursuit of peace and the reduction of reliance on destructive weapons. The specific circumstances and actions of both parties would need to be evaluated in light of these principles to determine the moral evaluation of the war.

In light of these criteria, how do you judge the current war between Hamas and Israel?

You may want to watch this video for a fuller explanation:

Daddy and Daughter Duet

Paul Burton wrote this arrangement of Handel’s Passacaglia in G minor so that he and his daughter could play it as a piano duet. Enjoy it!

Learning about the Priesthood

On Saturday, November 4, the Diocese of San Diego is hosting Explorer Day for those men who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood. The day will be held at the St. Francis Center on the campus of the University of San Diego from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If living a life of service for Christ and the people of God is attractive to you, take advantage of the opportunity to attend this upcoming event. Pick up an application at the parish office, or call the St. Francis Center at (619) 490-8389.

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

Sunday Collection for 10/8/2023

Envelope Collection $4,372.00

Plate Collection $10,136.50

Online Giving $13,665.13

Total Collection: $28,173.63

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

Online Giving Reminder

Celebrating Today, Planning for Tomorrow

Please remember to log in to your Online Giving account frequently. You can increase your giving to our Sunday collection, and make sure your payment method is up to date.

For help with forgotten passwords, please contact Online Giving technical support at 800.348.2886, ext. 2.

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.

What does St. Paul call the greatest of all virtues?
Who succeeded Pope John Paul II?
What prominent heresy did the First Council of Nicaea condemn?
Is San Diego a diocese or an archdiocese?
According to the stations of the cross, Jesus falls three times. Which stations recount these three falls?

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

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 45:1,4-6

The Lord chooses Cyrus to subdue the nations for the sake of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 96:1,3-10

Sing praise to the Lord.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Paul greets the Thessalonians, recalling the Gospel they received.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees send their disciples to test Jesus with a question about taxes.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today’s Gospel Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes.

Matthew sets up an unusual partnership between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas, a Jewish political leader who collaborated with the Romans. Such collaboration would have required a compromised observance of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. Herodians favored the payment of taxes; the Pharisees opposed it. The Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus, asking that he take sides in their dispute. If Jesus answers with the Pharisees, he shows himself to be an enemy of Rome. If he answers with the Herodians, he offends popular Jewish religious sensibilities.

Jesus’ response to this attempt to trap him exposes the guile of his questioners. From his first words to them, Jesus shows that he is very much aware of what they are trying to do. He asks to see a Roman coin, which is readily provided to him. It may have come from the hand of a Herodian, but the Pharisees show themselves to be quite willing to accept this compromise. Jesus has already exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites.

Jesus takes his response one step further. He asks that his questioners examine the coin. Agreeing that it is Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus tells them that it must belong to Caesar. Avoiding the question of lawfulness altogether, Jesus answers their question with simple logic. Then, going further still, Jesus tells them that their obligation is to pay to God that which belongs to God.

Jesus’ response to the Herodians and Pharisees suggests the ethic that Christians ought to adopt. It reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honor that we owe to God?

Healthcare Professionals Mass

October 22, 9:00 a.m. at Our Mother of Confidence Church (3131 Governor Dr. San Diego 92122). The Healthcare Professionals Mass is a special celebration to acknowledge the unique contributions made by all medical professionals (physicians, nurses, chaplains, pharmacists, mental health specialists, hospice workers, medical students, caregivers, pharmacist and lab workers). Bishop Ramon Bejarano will be the main celebrant. Reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. Please wear your white coat or uniform. For more information, go to https://sdcatholic.org/event/healthcare-professionals-mass/

All Souls Day Mass

Our annual All Souls Day bilingual Mass will be celebrated on November 2 at 7:00 pm. It will include a special remembrance for those who have died in the past year. The names of all parishioners who have died since last November 2 will be read and a candle lit for each of them.

Everyone is invited to join in this special celebration.

Calling all men of St. Patrick Parish!

The announcement made last week about the St. Patrick Men’s Bible Study incorrectly said that the group meets on Tuesdays. It actually meets on Wednesdays in the Fr. Mullen Room at St. Patrick School, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It’s the corner room closest to the Pie Shop

We are a group of men who have been meeting here for years trying to bring more Jesus into our lives. And it’s working too! Every meeting we use the time tested Lectio Divina method of learning about Jesus. Specifically, we read and study the gospel we will hear at Mass that coming Sunday. You don’t need to bring anything or prepare in advance to participate, there’s no signing up, and it’s free. For more details, please reach out to Joe Jean at [email protected]

Next Family Mass

Our Family Mass for the month of October will be next Sunday October 29 at 9:00 am. As always, the children will play a special role in this Mass and be included in the homily. Come and bring the whole family.

Josh Groban

For you Josh Groban fans, here is a vocal/piano version of Broken Vow.

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

“Maestro, sabemos que eres sincero y enseñas con verdad el camino de Dios, y que nada te arredra, porque no buscas el favor de nadie. Dinos, pues, qué piensas: ¿Es lícito o no pagar el tributo al César?” (Evangelio según San Mateo, 22:15-21). Impuestos, ¿a quién le gusta pagar los impuestos? Estoy seguro de que todos nos gustaría que los impuestos fueran menos. En el Evangelio de este XXIX Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario que también en el tiempo de Jesús se pagaban impuestos a los Romanos. Y también para ellos era una cantidad alta, pero no tenían otra opción. Porque si no pagaban los impuestos eran encarcelados y luego más problemas para la familia. En el Evangelio miramos que los fariseos están buscando cualquier cosa para hacer Jesús caer y ser arrestado y le hacen esta pregunta, “es lícito o no pagar el tributo al César”. Jesús no cae en la trampa, les dice, “Hipócritas, ¿porque tratan de sorprenderme?”, y continua, “Den al Cesar lo que es del Cesar, y a Dios los que es de Dios”. Los impuestos son necesarios para ayudarnos a todos, no importa si eres rico o pobre. Por eso es importante de votar, ser ciudadanos responsables y no alinearnos con partidos políticos. Ningún partido político se alinea con los criterios cristianos. Los Demócratas y los Republicanos nos fallarán. ¿A quién pone Dios más atención? A los pobres y marginados, a los homeless y ancianos, a los migrantes y a los que lloran. Nosotros, ¿a quien escuchamos y miramos? Nuestra vista tiene que estar puesta en Jesús. Nuestra manera de vivir debe reflejar los valores de Dios y no los del Cesar.

“Un taller sobre la Salud Mental para los Jóvenes” Haga clic aquí:

La Misa: Paso a Paso - “El Prefacio”. Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN: “JESÚS, ESCUCHA A LOS POBRES”. Haga clic aquí: 

“NUESTRA ESPIRITUALIDAD LITÚRGICA” - Haga clic aquí:

“EL PODER DE LA VULNERABILIDAD”. Haga clic aquí:

Detente

Hablemos de «Pertenecer»

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

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To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the address below:

[email protected]

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