A Word from the Pastor



January 3, 2025

The term "Little Christmas" is often used to refer to the Feast of the Epiphany. This designation highlights the connection between the two feasts—Christmas and Epiphany—while also emphasizing the unique aspects of the Epiphany celebration.

The Feast of the Epiphany is seen as a continuation of the Christmas season, which begins with the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. The Church recognizes that the mysteries surrounding the birth of Christ extend beyond December 25, culminating in the Epiphany, which celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the world.

While Christmas focuses on the historical event of Jesus' birth, the Epiphany emphasizes the revelation of Jesus as the Messiah to all nations, symbolized by the visit of the Magi. This broader revelation is significant as it marks the inclusion of Gentiles in the salvation offered through Christ, thus expanding the meaning of Christmas to encompass all of humanity.

The Epiphany is often referred to as a feast of light, where the glory of God is revealed through the humble circumstances of Christ's birth. The Magi's journey to find the newborn King signifies the light of Christ drawing all people to him. This theme of light is also present in the Christmas celebration, where the birth of Christ is seen as the arrival of divine light into the world.

In various cultures, the celebration of Epiphany includes customs and traditions that mirror those of Christmas, such as gift-giving and festive meals. This further solidifies its identity as "Little Christmas," as families continue to celebrate the joy of Christ's birth and his revelation to the world.

The liturgical calendar reflects this connection, as the Christmas season lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which follows the Epiphany. This period is rich with celebrations that highlight the mystery of Christ's incarnation and his subsequent manifestations.

In summary, the designation of Epiphany as "Little Christmas" underscores its role as a continuation of the Christmas celebration, emphasizing the broader revelation of Christ to all nations and the light he brings into the world. This connection enriches the understanding of both feasts within the liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the fullness of the mystery of Christ's incarnation and his universal call to salvation.

In one Heart,



Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

What Stars Do We Follow

in Our Lives?

A Meditation by Pope Francis as found in the book by Pope Francis entitled Christmas at the Nativity

How many stars there are in the sky! And yet the Magi followed a new and different star, which for them shone all the more brightly. They had long peered into the great book of the heavens, seeking an answer to their questions—they had restless hearts-, and at long last the light appeared. That star changed them. It made them leave their daily concerns behind and set out immediately on a journey. They listened to a voice deep within, which led them to follow that light. It was the voice of the Holy Spirit, who works in all people. The star guided them, until they found the King of the Jews in a humble dwelling in Bethlehem.

All this has something to say to us today. We do well to repeat the question asked by the Magi: “Where is the child who has been born the King of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Mt 2:2). We are impelled, especially in an age like our own, to seek the signs which God offers us, realizing that great effort is needed to interpret them and thus to understand his will. We are challenged to go to Bethlehem, to find the Child and his Mother. Let us follow the light which God offers us—that tiny light. The hymn in the breviary poetically tells us that the Magi lumen requirunt lumine—that tiny light. The light which streams from the face of Christ, full of mercy and fidelity. And once we have found him, let us worship him with all our heart, and present him with our gifts: our freedom, our understanding and our love. True wisdom lies concealed in the face of this Child.

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 on 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.

Funeral for Joni’s Mother

The Mass of Christian Burial for Connie Archaleda, mother of our Director of Liturgy Joni Yribe, will be on January 6 at 10:00 am at Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside. 

In order to allow our staff to participate, our parish offices will only open at 1:30 pm on January 6.

Tarantella 



Enjoy this short clip of a talented young man named Vincent playing a famous piece on a pipe organ in Utrecht.

Church History Course

After last year’s popular course on Church History, Fr. Ron will repeat it again. There will be a limited number of students (12-15 max) and it will meet in the library of the parish offices. The participants will need to purchase the book The History of the Catholic Church from the Encountering Jesus Series which is published by Ave Maria Press and available on Amazon for $31.00. The book has 10 chapters and we will use a chapter as the basis for discussion each week (for 10 weeks).

Participants will need to read the chapter in preparation. We will sit around the table and discuss what we have read. Classes will begin at 6:30 pm and are 90 minutes long. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings and the first class will be January 14, 2025.

About last year’s class Mr. Jim Burke said: As a history teacher I felt I had a good understanding of the Catholic church throughout history. What I loved about Fr. Ron's course is that it not only reinforced what I already knew but also gave me a much better perspective about my faith and the journey of the Catholic community as a whole. Highly recommended!. Thanks again for a very stimulating course!

To sign up for the course, email Fr. Ron at rmbagley@yahoo.com

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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. According to the Bible, how many Magi or wise men were there?
2. Does the Bible tell us the names of these wise men?
3. Who wrote the short story about the Other Wise Man?
4. What Catholic actor starred in the movie The Fourth Wise Man ?
5. What is the name given to this fourth wise man?

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.