A Word from the Pastor



January 17, 2025

Now we have returned to “Ordinary Time” in the Church calendar. Ordinary Time consists of thirty-three or thirty-four weeks, divided into two segments. The first segment begins on the Monday following the Sunday after January 6 (the Feast of the Epiphany) and continues until the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The second segment resumes on the Monday after Pentecost and concludes on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. This structure allows the faithful to engage with the teachings of Jesus and the life of the Church in a more reflective and less liturgically intense manner.

The term "ordinary" does not imply a lack of significance; rather, it emphasizes the ordinary aspects of Christian life and the call to live out the teachings of Christ in everyday situations. During this time, the Church encourages the faithful to deepen their understanding of the Gospel and to apply its lessons in their lives. The readings during Ordinary Time often focus on the teachings of Jesus, His parables, and the call to discipleship, which are essential for spiritual growth.

Returning to Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar signifies a period in which the Church reflects on the fullness of the mystery of Christ, rather than focusing on specific aspects of His life and ministry, as is the case during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Ordinary Time is characterized by its continuity and the opportunity for spiritual growth through the regular celebration of the Eucharist and the readings from Scripture that guide the faithful in their daily lives.



The liturgical color associated with Ordinary Time is green, symbolizing hope and growth. This color serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey of faith and the importance of nurturing one's spiritual life. The use of green during this period reflects the Church's emphasis on the growth of the faithful in their relationship with God and their commitment to living out the Gospel.

Since we are in Year C of the lectionary of readings for Sunday Mass, we will be following the ministry of Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Luke. We will hear the special emphases of this gospel which include universal salvation, mercy and forgiveness, and concern for the poor and forgotten.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Evening Prayer for Christian

Unity

Once again, St. Patrick Parish will participate in the Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The principal event will be the Third Annual Evening Prayer for Christian Unity. This ecumenical experience is sponsored by the North County Clergy Group (of which Fr. Ron is a member).

The evening prayer will be held this year at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. It will take place this Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 pm. Once again, St. Patrick Parish choirs will lead the music. 

The theme for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity “Do you believe?” This theme was approved by the Catholic Church’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, in collaboration with the ecumenical monastic community of Bose in Italy.

In John 11:17-27, Jesus arrives in Bethany and raises Lazarus from the dead. A part of that story is the encounter between Jesus and Martha, at the end of which Martha confesses faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. This year’s theme was chosen in recognition of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325), at which the words “I believe” were chosen to anchor the Creed as an instrument of universal Christian unity.



Save the date and plan to join this beautiful expression of unity in Christ.

I Believe

The theme of this year’s Week of prayer for Christian Unity is “I Believe.” It recalls the important historical event of the Council of Nicea at which our beliefs were defended and enshrined in a creed. This song praises God for some of our most cherished beliefs.

Sunday of the Word of God

In 2019, Pope Francis established the Sunday of the Word of God to be celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. As the Holy Father stated in his apostolic letter instituting the observance, “Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world” (Aperuit illus, no. 2).

On January 26, 2025, in observance of the Sunday of the Word of God, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through a grant from the American Bible Society, will offer a “Sunday Seminar Series” of six videos about Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church. These videos, available in English and Spanish, will feature some of the bishops and biblical scholars and will be accompanied by discussion/reflection questions.

The videos will be made available on January 24, 2025 at: https://catholic.bible/sunday-of-the-word-of-god/

Through these videos, we have an opportunity to encounter God through the Scriptures. May we be inspired and challenged to see, understand, and engage with Scripture in a new and prayerful

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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.

1. What was the “new commandment” that Jesus gave to us disciples in John 13:34?
2. When Paul speaks of the body having many parts, in 1 Corinthians 12:4-28, what is he using the body to represent?
3. Where do we find Jesus praying that his disciples “may be one.”?
4. Who was the Apostle to the Gentiles?
5. What was Matthew doing before he became a follower of Jesus?

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

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.

Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

We have a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses.