An old friend of mine, who lives in a country that does not have a Thanksgiving Day like we do, once asked me why the United States has such a holiday. I explained the importance of this holiday for families and churches. He told me that in his country every day is an opportunity to give thanks. I told him that Americans believe in giving thanks every day also. We don’t limit it to just one day.
As Thanksgiving Day draws near, I encourage you to take some time each day to reflect on the things for which you are grateful. As individuals or as a family, spend some time thanking God for the blessings that you have received. Don’t limit yourselves to the material things like your home, your job and your possessions. Think of the people that God has given to you. Think of the people you treasure most. As you get down to the basics, thank God for the gift of life that God has given you.
In this time of a great pandemic, it is easy to focus on what we don’t have or what we can’t do. Let’s try to focus on our blessings and thank God for them daily.
And while we are giving thanks to God, let’s not forget to thank the people who are so good to us and the people we love. Take some time this week to thank those people who are a part of our lives: spouses, children, parents, siblings, family members, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, and so many more. Try to be specific about what you are grateful for. Take the time to tell them what you appreciate about them. Let’s try to build up one another.
Thank you all for the many kindnesses you have shown to me, my brother priests, all of our staff, and our many volunteers. May God continue to bless our parish.
We join together in giving thanks for our many blessings by celebrating the Eucharist on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Our one and only parish Mass will be at 9:00 am on the covered court of the school. Fr. Ron will lead our bilingual celebration.
In keeping with tradition here at St. Pat’s, you are invited to bring bread and wine that you will be having with your Thanksgiving meal to be blessed. Please keep your items with you and Fr. Ron will come around at the end of the Mass bless the bread and wine you brought with you.
On Friday, November 27, there will only be one Mass at 9:00 am on the church patio.
In observance of the holiday weekend, our parish offices will be closed on November 26 and 27.
The Thanksgiving Song
This year Advent begins on
November 29, 2020
Advent Journey …
… to Reconciliation
Attending a Penance Service during Advent is a treasured practice. In Advent 2020 this opportunity for confession will not be available.
However, our priests will offer General Absolution at all Masses on each of the four Sundays of Advent.
During Advent, our priests will also offer brief teachings on forgiveness and reconciliations to help us prepare for and appreciate the graces that come from receiving General Absolution.
Join us on three Monday evenings from 6:30pm – 7:45pm. We will meet via zoom call.
Monday November 30, with Fr. Bill
Monday, December 7, with Fr. Ben
Monday, December 14, with Fr. Ron
Passages from the Sunday Advent Readings will be our map.
Our priests will be our guides on the journey to reconciliation.
We will have an opportunity to share in small groups.
Each evening stands on its own. There is no fee to participate.
Please email Carole King at carole32240@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
We will send out a separate zoom link for each Monday evening.
This weekend has been designated for the 2020 Collection for National Needs. This collection supports the Black and Indian Missions, the Catholic Home Missions, the Catholic Communication Campaign, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Catholic University of America. Please put your donation in a plain envelope marked “National Needs” and put it in the basket near the entrance.
COLECTA PARA NECESIDADES NACIONALES
Este fin de semana se ha designado para la "Colecta del 2020 para Necesidades Nacionales." Esta colecta ayuda a sostener a las Misiones para Negros e Indios, las Misiones Católicas Domesticas, la Campaña Católica para el Desarrollo Humano, la Campaña para la Comunicación Católica, y la Universidad Católica de América. Por favor, ponga su donación en un sobre sencillo marcado como “Necesidades nacionales” y colóquelo en la canasta cerca de la entrada.
No Advent Penance Services
For the protection and safety of both parishioners and priests, our Bishop has indicated that we will need to forego our traditional Advent Penance Services this year. Normally, each deanery offers a series of Penance Services in each parish of the deanery.
Instead, since these are not normal times, we will continue to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation through General Absolution. At the bishop’s suggestion, we will offer General Absolution at all the weekend Masses on the four Sundays of Advent (Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6, Dec 12-13, 19-20). We will also continue to offer General Absolution at both of our Friday Masses.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
In the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church (Lumen Gentium) of Vatican II, we read:
“Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors their conversion” (LG11.2; repeated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1422).
While this sacrament (also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation) has taken many forms over the history of the Church, the focus is always on the Lord who forgives. In various centuries, the People of God have expressed their need for forgiveness in differing ways. The essential attitude is the desire for forgiveness on the part of the penitent. The Church through its priests offers the assurance of God’s forgiveness in a sacramental ritual that has change over the years.
The attached article explains the History of the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a few more details.
Due to the Thanksgiving weekend, our next newsletter will be sent on Wednesday, November 25. The newsletter after that will be sent on December 4.
Now Thank We All Our God
On Thanksgiving Day, enjoy this traditional ecumenical hymn of praise and thanks to God.
Shoes to the World
St. Patrick’s has a tradition of supporting Shoes to the World. Due to the presence of Covid-19, we are being asked to help in a different way. Click on the link for details.
"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 English word that we associate with the Mass that derives from the Greek word for thanksgiving?
The Mass is a great prayer of thanksgiving. When did the first Mass take place in what is now part of the United States?
Where did that first Mass on US soil take place?
Which pope said: “Giving our lives in order to help others, by giving them a drink of cold water, for example, leads us to experience God’s generosity and gratitude.”
Which pope said: “Remember the past with gratitude; live the present with enthusiasm; look forward to the future with confidence.”?
Our parish is blessed by so many kind and generous people. Even in the midst of the ever-changing circumstances of parish life during a pandemic, many of our parishioners have continued to send or bring their contributions to the parish. Many have begun using Online Giving. I am so grateful that so many people have continued to contribute. It has been very helpful to the financial situation of the parish. While our income is down significantly, the generosity shown by so many has enabled us to maintain the parish complex, keep current with our bills, and pay our dedicated staff. Thank you all, very much!
Even as Masses are being celebrated outside on the school grounds, there will be specially marked baskets on the tables near the entrance to the field into which you can place your offerings. Of course, you can continue to mail us your contribution or drop it off at the office (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). Online giving remains a good option as well. Thank you for supporting your parish.
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.comWe will be pleased to add them.
We have opened a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses as well as Fr. Ron's new Bible Study posted for the parish called St Patrick Church Carlsbad that you can subscribe to.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - Cycle A
First Reading
Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17
God himself will shepherd the people of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-2,2-3,5-6
The Lord is our shepherd.
Second Reading
Corinthians 15:20-26,28
Because Christ has been raised from the dead, all those who have died will also be raised.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus teaches that when the Son of Man comes in glory, he will judge the nations, separating the sheep from the goats.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today’s Gospel passage is the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse with his disciples. It is about the end of time, the coming of the Son of Man, and the final judgment. We hear this description of the final judgment at the conclusion of our liturgical year, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. In the context of Matthew’s Gospel, this passage might also be read as a conclusion of Matthew’s report on Jesus’ life and ministry; the remaining chapters report the events of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to his disciples the scene of the judgment of the Son of Man. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep and goats upon their return from the pasture. The judgments made by the Son of Man will be based upon the acts of mercy shown to the least ones—the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. Indeed, Jesus, who suffered on the Cross, identifies himself with the least ones.
Recall that last week’s parable of the talents taught us that the gifts that we have been given are intended to be used for the service of others, especially the least among us. Our judgment before God will be based not only on how we have used these gifts and talents, but also on how we have extended ourselves in service to these least ones. Indeed, Jesus tells us that whenever we have served these least ones, we have served Christ himself.
When we read today’s Gospel in the context of the chapters that follow in Matthew’s Gospel, we learn the extent to which Jesus identifies with the least ones. In accepting death on the cross, Jesus shows himself to be one of the hungry, the naked, the ill, and the imprisoned. To accept Jesus is to accept him who suffered and died on the Cross as one of the least ones.
Applications for the Christmas Food Baskets are now being accepted for individuals and families who need a little extra help this Christmas. Please call the parish office at, 760-729-2866 for more details. Registration deadline is Monday, November 23. This program benefits parish families in need. All applicant information is strictly confidential. Spanish el lunes 23 de noviembre
Canastas de Navidad
Ya viene la Navidad. Si te encuentras necesitado, desempleado y no tendrás los recursos para proveer la cena de Navidad para tu familia, estaremos tomando aplicaciones por teléfono o en persona en la oficina parroquial. Fecha límite para apuntarse será el
el lunes 23 de noviembre. Este programa es solamente para los miembros más necesitados de esta parroquia. Oficina parroquial 760-729-2866.
Thanks to All!
Our Knights of Columbus held a very successful food drive during the month of October. Our parishioner donated over a total of 2,517 pounds of food as well as some monetary donations that will allow the Food Bank of San Diego to provide 2,673 meals to those who are hungry in our area. Likewise, on the weekend of November 14-15, our Knights held a diaper drive to benefit Birth Choice of San Marcos. Once again our parishioners showed their great generosity and many diapers and baby wipes were donated.
Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus of our parish for organizing these outreach efforts and enabling us to be the hands of Christ to those in need.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
Parece que donde quiera que miramos escuchamos gente sufriendo, llorando; gente sin trabajo o sin las posibilidades de proveer las necesidades básicas para sus seres queridos. También, las actitudes de discriminación y racismo se ven más cada día. Y en nuestra oración a Dios le preguntamos, “¿Por qué, Señor, ¿Por qué?” O si eres alguien que parece “tenerlo todo” y no mira o escucha el que sufre o llora, o al que le falta trabajo y no puede proveer las necesidades básicas para sus familias, en tu oración pregúntale a Dios, “¿Por qué, Señor, ¿por qué?” Ahora celebramos la Solemnidad de Cristo Rey. Cristo esta en todos y todo, y nos damos cuenta de que nuestra actitud y respuesta si cuenta para ser acogidos en la eternidad de su Reino de luz y paz.
Our Year 1 candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation had their retreat last weekend. Unfortunately, they were not able to go to a retreat center or camp like usual due to the danger of Covid-19. But they still had a wonderful retreat on Zoom, thanks to our Youth Ministers, catechists and core team.
Watch the slide show of our Year 1 candidates and say a prayer for each of them as they continue to prepare for Confirmation in 2022.
Currently, there are no in person weekly classes. We hold in person family events every three weeks with a devotion, and to hand out the materials for the at home learning as well as resources for the season of the church year. Catechists are assigned to accompany the families with the at home-learning.
Reflection:Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Recognizing Christ as King reminds us of our baptismal call. In Baptism we became God’s beloved sons and daughters. We are called to live our baptism graces every day and reflect God’s love in all we do. In what way does God’s love shine through me today?
Prayer Intention: Lord, give us the grace to be your spark of divine love in what we say and do.
Halloween Candy Drive
Thank you, parents, students, and parishioners, for your wonderful generosity!
We were able to fill 232 Freezer Quart-Size, Ziploc bags with Halloween candy.
We received 92 toothbrushes, 65 family size toothpastes, 20 family size bottles of mouth wash, and some blankets, jackets, and food items.
All donations will become part of the annual Christmas distribution to 1,700 impoverished families by the Franciscan Sisters of the House of the Poor.
Thanksgiving 2020
We might not be able to celebrate the way we usually do. But we can be grateful for God’s blessings in our lives, for the people who care for us and love us, for friends who support us, for food that nourishes us and for our faith community. Together, we give thanks to God through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
May you have a
blessed Thanksgiving.
Stay safe and
help protect the ones you love.
Please contact the Office for Religious Education & Family Ministry with questions and for information at MDornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.com or 760-729-8442.
MENTAL HEALTH CORNER
By Lorena Ramírez
Gratitude is an Attitude
In their effort to convey good manners to us, our parents teach us to accept and show gratitude by using the word “Thank You.” However, as we grow, this practice becomes more ingrained in us that we not only use it as a momentary expression, but it also becomes an attitude. We learn to appreciate things, people, and even difficulties. When this happens, it is because our gratitude goes from being just an expression of education to an attitude of life. The Merrian-Webster dictionary defines the word Thankful as a conscious expression for a benefit received, and Grateful as an expression of appreciation for the benefit received. These words are synonymous, but if we pay close attention to the way we use them we could conclude that Thankful is an act and Grateful is a feeling.
And speaking of feeling, the attitude of gratitude towards life, the goods received form a path of well-being that impacts our mental health because gratitude is not only something you feel from time to time, but it guides how you approach life. Studies have found that grateful people have less pain, sleep an hour longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed. So, be thankful not only because your parents taught it to you, but because it is also good for your health.
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LA ESQUINA DE LA SALUD MENTAL
La Gratitud en una Actitud
En su esfuerzo por transmitirnos buenos modales, nuestros padres nos enseñan a aceptar y a mostrar gratitud usando la palabra “Gracias”. Sin embargo, a medida que crecemos, esta práctica se arraiga más en nosotros que no solo la usamos como una expresión momentánea sino que se convierte en una actitud. Aprendemos a apreciar las cosas, las personas e incluso las dificultades. Cuando esto sucede, es porque nuestra gratitud pasa de ser solo una expresión de educación a una actitud de vida. El diccionario Merrian-Webster define la palabra Agradecido como una expresión consciente por un beneficio recibido, y Agradecido como una expresión de agradecimiento por el beneficio recibido. Estas palabras son sinónimos, pero si prestamos mucha atención a la forma en que las usamos, podríamos deducir que Agradecer es un acto y Gratitud es un sentimiento.
Y hablando de sentimiento, la actitud de gratitud hacia la vida, los bienes recibidos trazan un camino de bienestar que impacta en nuestra salud mental porque la gratitud no es solo algo que sientes de vez en cuando, sino que guía cómo afrontas la vida. Estudios han encontrado que las personas agradecidas tienen menos dolor, duermen una hora más, y se despiertan sintiéndose más renovadas. Así que agradece no solo porque tus padres te lo enseñaron, sino porque también es bueno para tu salud.
Scam Alert of Email and Texts from Fr. Ron Bagley
Once again, an email scammer is trying to take advantage of our parishioners. The person sends an email to parishioners claiming to be Fr. Ron and asks for gift cards or cash or asks for some favors. Fr. Ron will never make such requests of parishioners. Another indication that it is a scam is to look at the email address of the sender. It will have Fr. Ron’s name in it but it is not his email. Please delete these emails and block the texts immediately as such a request will never come from the parish through an email or text.
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm.
During this time of inactivity, we will use our parish email system to communicate with parishioners to offer spiritual reflections and make announcements.
In case of an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. We will be checking regularly for messages and respond as soon as possible. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly- 760-729-2866.
If you know someone who does not receive our emails, please forward this to them, or have them reply to this message.
To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the link below:
