A Word from the Pastor

September 30, 2022

Each year the Church observes October as Respect Life Month and, specifically, the first Sunday of the month as Respect Life Sunday. It is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the Church’s teaching that all human life is sacred from conception to natural death. This includes every stage and situation of the life of humans throughout the life cycle.

As Cardinal McElroy has stated: “It is this commitment to the sacredness of human life that lies at the heart of the Church’s call to protect unborn children, to feed the hungry and provide decent housing, to oppose the death penalty and protect the elderly and the disabled from being discarded or terminated in our society.”

Many of the issues that fall under the heading of “respect for life” have political implications. I dare say that virtually any issue today is painted with political brushstrokes. Some will ask, why is the Church involving itself in political issues?

The US Bishops have clearly taught that we each need to exercise our political responsibility, particularly through participation in the voting process. Political participation is an important part of the virtue of justice. 

Likewise, the bishops tell us that we need to vote based on our conscience. However, one’s conscience needs to be well-formed based on the moral teachings of the Church. Conscience is more than my opinion. Conscience is deeply rooted in the message of Scripture and the moral teachings of the Church.

While the Catholic Church will never endorse nor condemn particular candidates for political office, it does have a responsibility to teach courageously and prophetically the social teachings as they relate to the issues of the day. The Church plays an important role in society by applying Catholic morality to the evolving political landscape. Nearly every political issue of our day has a moral content. It is important for every Catholic to educate oneself to the teachings of the Church on the various issues that present themselves in an election cycle. There are many propositions placed before the voters of California. I encourage you to evaluate each one in light of Catholic social teaching.

And then vote!

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

[email protected]

Deacon Ed Moser



We are saddened by the untimely death of Deacon Ed Moser on September 26. Even though he faced many challenges due to his health issues, he persevered in his commitment to serve our parish community. We commend him to the loving and merciful embrace of the Lord. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Michelle and Ed's whole family. Funeral plans will be announced later.

40 Days for Life

Once again, we observe 40 Days for Life from Wednesday September 28 to Sunday November 6. It is 40 days of prayer & fasting for an end to abortion. You’re also invited to peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood, 1964 Via Centre, Vista (south of In & Out Burger). If you’d like more information – and especially if you’d like to volunteer to help, please contact go to 40daysforlife.com/vista

Did You Know?

St. Patrick Parish can offer Holy Communion with low gluten hosts. This is specifically for those who are gluten intolerant. The host is consecrated in a separate pyx to avoid cross contamination and it is consecrated at the specific Mass during which it will be received. 



If you or someone in your family needs to receive a low gluten host, come to the sacristy 15 minutes before Mass begins or call the parish office during the week prior to the Mass they will attend. If you have any questions, contact Fr. Ron at the parish office and he can explain how it works. It is quite simple, and we are happy to provide this service.

WHY THE CHURCH OPPOSES PROPOSITION 1

Praise to the Lord the Almighty

We are all familiar with this well-known hymn. You might be surprised that is not only used in Catholic churches but in many other Christian denominations as well. This hymn is based on Joachim Neander's German-language hymn Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, first published in 1680. 

Season of Creation

Click below to read this week’s installment of the series on the Season of Creation. This week’s topic is Transportation

Pope Francis on Respecting World Religions

In his weekly audience recently, Pope Francis reflected on his trip to Kazakhstan to attend the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He shared why it is important to engage in interreligious dialogue and why respecting the diversity of world religions is not relativism.

To read the text of his short address, click below.

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. The Bible is divided into two major sections. What are they?
2. Catholics divide the Old Testament into four sections. What are they?
3. Which English translation of the Bible is read at Mass in most parishes in the United States?
4. What is the name of the liturgical book from which the lector reads the chosen Scripture passages for each Mass.
5. In the 3-year cycle of readings for Sunday Masses, in what year are we currently?