Dedication of the Lateran Basilica and more - Week 45

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

November 7, 2025 | Issue 301

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Pastor’s Reflection

Today we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the mother church of all churches and a powerful sign of unity within the Catholic Church. This feast reminds us that the Church is not merely made of bricks and stone, but is a living temple where God dwells among His people. Each one of us, as members of the Body of Christ, forms part of this sacred temple that reveals God’s presence in the world. In the Gospel, Jesus enters the temple and drives out those who had turned a place of prayer into a marketplace. His zeal for His Father’s house challenges us to look within and ask: Have I allowed distractions, selfishness, or indifference to take over the space meant for God? The cleansing of the temple is not only about buildings; it is about the cleansing of our hearts, where true worship begins.

The prophet Ezekiel describes water flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes. This image reminds us that when Christ dwells in us, His grace flows outward, renewing our families, workplaces, and communities. We are called to be channels of that same life-giving water, allowing God’s presence in us to touch others with mercy and compassion.

St. Paul reminds us that we are God’s building, His holy temple (1 Cor 3:9–17). This is both a great privilege and a responsibility. Holiness is not optional—it is part of our identity as Christians. To honor this calling, we must nurture prayer, charity, and justice in our daily lives.

Let us also remember three simple invitations for this feast:

1. Do not “negotiate” with God—faith is a relationship, not a transaction.

2. Care for what is sacred—show reverence in church, in dress, and in behavior.

3. Rebuild the Church—each of us has a role in helping the Church grow through love and service.

May this feast renew our desire to honor both the physical churches where we gather and the spiritual temple within us. Christ longs to dwell in you—let Him find a worthy home.

Fr. George G. Perez, CJM

Christmas Star Program Applications

Applications for the Christmas Star Program are now being accepted stating November 10 - 21 for individuals and families who need a little extra help this Christmas.

Please call the parish office at: 760-729-2866 for more details. This program benefits parish families in need. All applicant information is strictly confidential.

Thank You

Thank you The Knights of Columbus offer a big word of thanks to all those who contributed to the annual Tootsie Roll Drive. Donations from our parish totaled $1600. All of the proceeds will go to NAMI of San Diego (National Alliance for Mental Health).

Why is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Important?

Why is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Important? St. John Lateran is the official cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. All five Lateran Councils met there, and it is the location where a new pope is officially installed. Due to its historical and hierarchical preeminence, it holds the title of archbasilica and is considered the "mother of all churches". Commissioned by Emperor Constantine, it was the first major Christian basilica built in Rome. It served as the official papal residence for nearly 1,000 years before the papacy moved to the Vatican. The Lateran Treaty, which established the Vatican City as an independent state, was signed in the basilica. The inscription on the façade of the basilica, "Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput" (Mother and Head of all the churches of the city and the world), emphasizes its symbolic role as the symbolic center of Roman Catholicism.

Livestream Is Down

Due to technological difficulties, the livestream from our church will not be available for a few weeks. We are awaiting a new part for the system.

Thank you for your patience.

NYAC Youth Share Their Ghana Experience - This Sunday

This Sunday, November 9, all St. Pat's parishioners are invited to come listen to St. Patrick's National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) members (Natalie Myers, Tim Rivette, Hector Saldaña, & Valeria Torres) as they share their incredible experience of travelling to Ghana with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) this past August. Questions will be fielded from the audience during the presentation. Additionally, the NYAC youth will have a walk-through exhibit set up so people can take a more detailed look at their experience in Ghana. The exhibit will be open all morning in the parish hall on Sunday November 9. The panel presentation will take place between the conclusion of the 9:00 a.m. Mass and the beginning of the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

Come and hear about the amazing experience of our young people.

Help La Posada

Our Knights of Columbus are making an appeal to help La Posada. They are asking people to bring deodorant and underwear for La Posada Collection barrels (the blue ones) will be available to receive your donations November 8 through 23. Thanks for helping those in need.

Sing a New Church into Being

The Scriptures remind us that God is always calling us as a people – as a Church – to be renewed. With all of our differing gifts, we become a new people called by God to greater unity.

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

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

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

Donate to ACA here...

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 is the liturgical color used during Advent?
What is the liturgical color used during Ordinary Time?
What is the liturgical color used during Christmas time?
What is the liturgical color used during Lent?
What is the liturgical color used on Good Friday?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Give to Your Church here...Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

First Reading

Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12

I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 46:2-3,5-6,8-9

God is our refuge and our strength.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 3:9-11,16-17

You are the temple of God.

Gospel Reading

John 2:13-22

He spoke about the temple of his own body.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The story of the cleansing of the Temple is found in all four Gospels. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is upset with the deceitful practices of the vendors and expels them for that reason. But in John, Jesus' authority is contrasted with the authority of the Temple cult and is a criticism of the cult itself.

The story is composed of two parts, Jesus' action in the Temple and Jesus' predictions about the Temple's destruction. The time of year is the sacred feast of Passover. If the many pilgrims to Jerusalem during Passover were to have animals for the sacrificial rituals of the feast, it was necessary to sell cattle in the Temple and to change the unclean Roman money. By denouncing this, Jesus is cutting to the core of the Temple cult.

The story is really about Jesus' fate, not the Temple's fate, revealing that Jesus, not the Temple, is the locus of God's presence on earth. As they often do in John, the Jews misunderstand Jesus' words. This gives John the chance to explicitly state his point. Although this is the beginning of his ministry, Jesus is already speaking of his coming death and Resurrection.

John intentionally integrates a post-Resurrection perspective into the Gospel narrative. The statement that concludes this passage uses the fact of the Resurrection to prove the point of Jesus' words. Believers need to remember the words and actions of Jesus and claim them as affirmations of the truths of their faith.

Christians sometimes point to Jesus' anger in this passage as a way to point out Jesus' humanity. But this would miss the powerful point of the entire Gospel, that the Word became flesh. The point is not that Jesus' anger proves he is human. It is that a human being, in his words and actions, can claim the authority of God.

All Are Welcome

“Let us build a house where love can dwell.” This song by Marty Haugen invites us to be a Church that welcomes all God’s people. Our church building is a house for the Church.

Ye Olde Garage Sale

Ye Olde Garage will be having their Monthly Sale this Sunday, November 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come one come all.

We have our Christmas items out already (just like all the major stores in town). Come and visit and shop for those holiday items. Follow the signs to the Northeast parking lot. Look for the American Flag.

Christmas Boutique - Mark Your Calendars

Only Two Weeks until the Altar Society Boutique

The ladies of the Altar Society will be on the church patio on this Sunday, November 9 and next Sunday November 16 selling tickets for their Raffle Baskets to be given away on November 23 at their Boutique. Stop by and check out the amazing baskets they have put together, one valued at over $400.

We have a special treat for the kids this year: we just received notice from the North Pole that Santa will be at our Boutique on Sunday, November 23. In addition, we have a Santa Workshop for the kids on Sunday the 23rd where they can make their own Christmas ornament. This is a free workshop just for our young church members. While your kids are making their ornaments with the help of our members, parents will have time to check out all the wonderful items we have for sale.

Stop by and help our ladies make this a successful event.

Misa Diaria y dominical en directo

Debido a dificultades técnicas, la transmisión en vivo desde nuestra iglesia no estará disponible durante unas semanas. Estamos esperando una nueva pieza para el sistema.

Gracias por su paciencia.

Fiesta de la Dedicación de la Basílica de Letrán

Reflexión del Pastor

Hoy celebramos la Dedicación de la Basílica de San Juan de Letrán en Roma, la iglesia madre de todas las iglesias y un signo de unidad para toda la Iglesia católica. Esta fiesta nos recuerda que la Iglesia no está hecha solo de ladrillos y piedra, sino que es un templo vivo donde Dios habita en medio de su pueblo. Cada uno de nosotros, como miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo, formamos parte de este templo sagrado que manifiesta la presencia de Dios en el mundo. En el Evangelio, Jesús entra en el templo y expulsa a los que lo habían convertido en un mercado. Su celo por la casa de su Padre nos invita a mirar dentro de nosotros mismos y preguntarnos: ¿He permitido que las distracciones, el egoísmo o la indiferencia ocupen el lugar que pertenece a Dios? La purificación del templo no se refiere solo a los edificios, sino también a la limpieza interior del corazón, donde comienza el verdadero culto.

El profeta Ezequiel describe el agua que brota del templo y que lleva vida y sanación a donde llega. Esta imagen nos recuerda que cuando Cristo habita en nosotros, su gracia fluye hacia afuera, renovando nuestras familias, trabajos y comunidades. Estamos llamados a ser canales de esa misma agua viva, permitiendo que la presencia de Dios en nosotros toque a los demás con misericordia y compasión.

San Pablo nos recuerda que somos edificio de Dios, su templo santo (1 Cor 3,9–17). Esto es tanto un gran privilegio como una gran responsabilidad. La santidad no es opcional; es parte esencial de nuestra identidad cristiana. Para vivirla, debemos alimentar la oración, la caridad y la justicia en nuestra vida diaria.

Recordemos también tres invitaciones sencillas en esta fiesta:

1. No “negocies” con Dios: la fe es una relación, no un trueque.

2. Cuida lo sagrado: muestra reverencia en la iglesia, en tu vestir y en tu comportamiento.

3. Reconstruye la Iglesia: cada uno tiene un papel en su crecimiento mediante el amor y el servicio.

Que esta fiesta renueve nuestro deseo de honrar tanto los templos donde nos reunimos como el templo espiritual que somos. Cristo desea habitar en ti; deja que encuentre en tu corazón un hogar digno.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

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

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

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