Family Mass this Sunday, and more - Week 12

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

March 21, 2025 | Issue 12

A Word from the Pastor

March 21, 2025

You recently received a letter from me asking for your support for the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Not only is it an important way for us to contribute to the support of important charitable works. It is also a way to join in the Lenten practice of almsgiving.

A simple definition for almsgiving is the act of giving charity to another. Almsgiving has been around for thousands of years and is referred to as charity, philanthropy, or giving to the poor. Giving (alms) is the primary means by which many Christians and other faith traditions express faith. Some Christians tithe 10% of their income (or something close to it) to the church, give offerings to pastors and missionaries and attend camps, retreats, and mission trips.

Giving alms, or giving to the poor, is another way someone can express their faith and is a way in which they can put “love our neighbors as ourselves” into action. That said, giving to the poor is not about giving handouts, nor is it about charity; it is about sharing one’s blessings with those experiencing poverty. It also provides a way for us to share in the Church’s ministry of evangelization and outreach.

Not all of us can directly serve the poor, or educate people in the faith, or evangelize in formal ways. But we can support the various ministries and agencies of the Church in San Diego that reach out on our behalf.

By contributing to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) of the Diocese of San Diego, we are engaging in almsgiving. Lent is a good time to remind ourselves of our obligation to share with others. No matter how much we have been given, we each have an obligation to share.

ACA supports the many charitable works of Catholic Charities of San Diego. With government cutbacks to charitable organizations, our support of Catholic Charities through ACA is more important than ever. In addition, ACA supports the formation of future priests and enables the diocese to provide a variety of services to our parish.

I know that some people are concerned that this money might be used to pay legal fees or taken through lawsuits. Since this money is contributed for a specific purpose and designated funds, it cannot be touched by the courts or used for any other purpose. The intention of the donor must be respected. It would be a shame if the good works that ACA makes possible were deprived of our support because of needless fears about legal proceedings. I can assure you that your donations will be used only for the purpose which you intend them.

On behalf of all those who benefit from your contribution, thank you for your generosity and almsgiving. As Mother Teresa said: “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.”

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

rmbagley@yahoo.com

Donate to ACA here...

Bishop Michael Pham

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Michael Pham, auxiliary bishop of San Diego, has been elected (by the Board of Consultors) to be the administrator of the Diocese of San Diego until such time that Pope Francis appoints a new diocesan bishop for us. Please keep Bishop Michael Pham in your prayers.

Lenten Penance Services in North County

Monday March 24 - St. Mary Star of the Sea 7:00pm

Tuesday April 1 - St. John the Evangelist 7:00pm

Wednesday April 2 - St. Margaret’s 5:00pm

Thursday April 3 - St. Peter the Apostle 10:30am, and 6:00pm

Tuesday April 8 - St. Elizabeth Seton 7:00pm

Wednesday April 9 - St. Patrick 7:00pm

Monday April 14 - St. Mark (English) 6:30pm

Wednesday April 16 - St. Mark (Spanish) 6:30pm

A Common Date For Easter?

There is a rare occurrence this year: Easter Sunday will be celebrated on the same day in almost every Christian church, be it Protestant, Catholic or Eastern Orthodox.

Did you know that?

Did you know that it doesn’t usually happen?

Do you know why we don’t have the same date for Easter?

Why is it important?

This article by the editors of America magazine gives a short but complete analysis of this occurrence and summarizes the problem and possible solution.

Read article here...

Parish Mission 2025 –

Reality Living

Reality TV shows are everywhere we turn. Using themes from few of these programs, our Parish Mission will explore connecting our Catholic faith to today’s true realities.

Night One: Amazing Race (Make Room for PRAYER) - Monday, March 31

The show Amazing Race has people navigating through tasks, challenges, and roadblocks. Our life and its busy pace can feel like an Amazing Race. Tonight, we will look for cues to find God in the stress and busyness. We’ll talk about a shift from Amazing Race to Amazing Grace.

Night Two: Fixer to Fabulous (Make Room for FRIENDS AND FAMILY) - Tuesday, April 1

Home improvement shows are very popular because they promise a re-make, or do-over, which sounds so awesome. Tonight, we will focus on using our faith to re-model how we see the people closest to us: family, friends, and others.

Night Three: The Voice (Make Room for SERVICE) - Wednesday, April 2

In this TV show, four famous musicians search for the best voices in America and mentor these singers to become artists. Tonight, we’ll talk about gifts and being mentored to make a difference in our homes, schools, workplaces, and beyond.

Speaker: Mike Patin, “The Engagin’ Cajun” :

In 1984, his ministry career began as a high school teacher & coach. He then moved to diocesan youth ministry in New Orleans for 13 years. Since 2003, he has been a full-time speaker and “faith horticulturist.”

He has engaged groups from 10 to 23,000 in over 130 U.S. and Canadian dioceses, speaking at parish missions, conferences/rallies, retreats, and in-services. His audiences have includes youth, adults, families, clergy & seminarians, faculties, businesses, athletic teams and hospital staffs.

Mike has published two books: A Standing Invitation, and This Was Not in the Brochure: Lessons from Work, Life and Ministry. In 2006, he received the National Catholic Youth Ministry Award.

Mike uses energy, humor and stories to remind people of God's presence among us while inviting others (and himself) to take the "next step" in our journey with God.

All three nights will be presented in the Church and will begin at 7:00PM.

Lent at St. Patrick Parish

Our Lenten brochure describes all the special activities for Lent and Holy Week, including the Easter Sunday schedule. Pick up a copy in church or click here to download a pdf copy.

View Lenten Brochure here...

Scholarship to St. Patrick School

At St. Patrick Catholic School, we believe every child deserves access to a quality Catholic education, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why we’re proud to offer the Larin Scholarship, a 9-year tuition award designed to support families in need. This scholarship provides a unique opportunity for students to receive a comprehensive education from kindergarten through 8th grade, helping families overcome financial barriers. If you're seeking an enriching academic environment grounded in faith and values, the Larin Scholarship is here to make your child's educational journey more accessible. Apply today and give your child the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive at St. Patrick Catholic School!

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.

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.Which cardinal virtue helps us recognize and choose right from wrong?

2.Which cardinal virtue helps us practice self-control in our choices?

3.Which cardinal virtue helps us to have the courage to face challenges?

4.What cardinal virtue helps us to see what is fair and reasonable?

5.What are the three theological virtues?

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

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Third Sunday of Lent – Year C

First Reading

Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15

God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and sends him to the Israelites.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 103:1-4,6-7,8,11

A prayer in praise of God's mercy

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12

Paul teaches that the Scriptures were written to set an example for us.

Gospel Reading

Luke 13:1-9

Jesus preaches a lesson on repentance.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Now into the third week of the Season of Lent, our Sunday Gospel prepares us to hear Lent's call to conversion and repentance. Today's reading is found in the chapters of Luke's Gospel that describe Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. During this journey, Jesus teaches and heals. He must also respond to those who question and challenge his authority and actions. There is no parallel in Mark's or Matthew's Gospels for today's reading from Luke. While Mark and Matthew describe an incident in which Jesus curses the fig tree, today's reading makes the barren fig tree the subject of a parable.

Luke tells us that some among the crowds report to Jesus a massacre of Galileans by Pilate. The intention of the crowd seems to be to ask Jesus to explain why these people suffered. It was commonplace to render people's suffering as evidence of their sinfulness. Jesus challenges this interpretation. Those who were massacred were no more or less sinful than the ones who reported the situation to Jesus. Jesus replies that even a fatal accident, a natural disaster, ought not to be interpreted as punishment for sin.

Jesus' words at first appear to have a fire-and-brimstone quality. Jesus says in essence, “Repent or perish as these people did; all are sinful before God and deserving of God's punishment.” The tone changes, however, in the parable that follows. The parable of the barren fig tree contrasts the patience and hopefulness of the gardener with the practicality of the property owner. When told to cut down the fig tree because it is not producing fruit, the gardener counsels patience. If properly tended, the barren fig tree may yet bear fruit.

Throughout his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus has been teaching about the Kingdom of God. In this parable, we find an image of God's patience and hopefulness as he prepares his Kingdom. God calls us to repent, and it is within his power to punish us for our failure to turn from our sinfulness. And yet God is merciful. He delays punishment and tends to us so that we may yet bear the fruit he desires from us.

This, then, is our reason for hope: Not only does God refuse to abandon us, he chooses to attend to us even when we show no evidence of his efforts. Next week's Gospel will give an even clearer picture of the kind of mercy that God shows to us.

Family Mass

The next Family Mass will be this Sunday, March 23 at 9:00 am. Come and bring the whole family.

Easter Boutique

The ladies of the Altar Society are starting to prepare for their upcoming Easter Boutique to be held on Palm Sunday weekend, April 12 and 13. Beautiful Easter baskets brimming with treats and toys will entice you.

To help us on this occasion, if you find treasures which you have tucked away in boxes or drawers, the Ladies will heartily welcome what you can give us. New or gently used small plush animals or toys are greatly appreciated. Your donations can be dropped off at the parish office, just designate it for the Altar Society.

Thank you!

Get on the Bus

The Get on the Bus program is bringing family members to visit incarcerated men at Calipatria on April 12, 2025. We are being asked to support this ministry by helping to pay for the bus. If you would like to contribute, place your donation in an envelope marked “Calipatria” and put it in the collection or bring it to the parish office.

Thank you on behalf of some very appreciative families.

Mass for the Divorced and Separated

The celebrant will be Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano. All who are divorced or separated are invited to this bilingual Mass on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center (3888 Paducah Drive San Diego, CA 92117).

Divorce and separation are never part of the plan. The Church is here to help. For some in the divorced or separated Catholic community, there remains misunderstandings or shame surrounding their experience of Mass and the sacraments. Pope Francis reminds us that in these times of grief and pain, we need God’s blessings the most!

There will be a post-Mass dessert reception where divorce support ministers will be available to offer testimonies and answer questions about resources across the diocese. For more info, visit https://sdcatholic.org/event/mass-for-the-divorced-separated/ or contact Janelle at jperegoy@sdcatholic.org.

Please Support Shoes to the World

We are seeking donations to fund our global outreach initiatives, which include vital distributions led by Fr. Azam's family in Pakistan. Tax-deductible donations may be made at our new website www.ShoestotheWorld.org or be dropped off at the church office and made payable to Shoes to the World.

From now until Divine Mercy Sunday, all donations will be gift-matched! Gift matching applies to contributions between $50 and $1,000, up to a total of $4,000. Every dollar of your donation will go directly toward purchasing brand-new shoes, which will be distributed by volunteers to impoverished children and adults. Many of those we serve are currently wearing worn-out, bacteria-filled, hand-me-down shoes.

In 2024, STTW distributed over 5,000 pairs of new shoes. New shoes were provided to our local homeless population in partnership with Showers of Blessings, a North County school, and impoverished children in Honduras, Colombia, Pakistan, Togo, and Guatemala. We’ve now launched a distribution program in Kenya. At STTW, we are committed to ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to help those in the greatest need. Learn more about our impact at www.shoestotheworld.org.

Shoes to the World is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) organization, and we deeply appreciate your continued support. Thank you for helping us change lives, one pair of shoes at a time.

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

El dueño de la higuera va en busca de higos y a no encontrar, le dice al viñador, “Córtala. ¿Para que ocupa la tierra inútilmente?” El viñador le contesto, “Señor, déjala todavía este año; voy a aflojar la tierra alrededor y a echarle abono, para ver si da fruto. Si no, el año que viene la cortaré”. Hoy celebramos el Tercer Domingo de Cuaresma y se lee este texto de San Lucas (13:1-9) en el cual Jesús nos habla de esta parábola de “la higuera que no da fruto.” El dueño de la higuera una vez que se da cuenta de que la higuera no está dando fruto ordena que sea cortada. Pero el viñador le suplica que no la corte, que él se encargará de hacer lo que tiene que hacer para ayudarle a dar fruto. Dice, “moveré la tierra y le echaré abono, para ver si da fruto”. ¿Quién es viñador? Es Jesús. ¿Quién es la higuera que no da fruto? Somos nosotros. En el tiempo de Cuaresma, la Iglesia siempre nos habla de la necesidad de la conversión, de la necesidad de mirarnos hacia dentro y ver esas cosas o ideas que nos esclavizan y no nos dejan mirar la gracia divina que Dios nos ofrece para que demos fruto. Cuidado de no caer en el error de mirar los errores de otros y pensar, “Mis errores no son como los de ellos. Yo estoy bien.” Pero eso no es lo que Dios quiere de nosotros. Dios insiste que nos miremos nuestra vida, nuestras acciones y respuestas, y permitamos que Él mueva la tierra en nuestra vida y que le hecho abono, gracia divina, para que demos fruto de amor y paz a los que nos rodean. Hermanas y hermanos, nunca es tarde para empezar de nuevo.

“Milagros de Gracia en los Peores Días”. Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN – “Volvernos más Plenamente hacia Dios” Haga clic aquí.

VIVIENDO NUESTRA FE - “LA SEMANA SANTA ATRAE A LOS FIELES A CRISTO”. Haga clic aquí:

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

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm

In case of emergency, you can always reach a priest. Call the parish number 760-729-2866 and press number 6 which will connect you directly to one of our priests.

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

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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