Hail Mary, and more, from Fr. Ron, week 51

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

December 22, 2023 | Issue 51

A Word from the Pastor

December 22, 2023

The wonder and joy of Christmas has arrived in our homes and in our parish. We are ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Incorporating the true meaning of Christmas into our daily lives is a beautiful way to deepen our faith and live out the teachings of our faith.

One way to incorporate the true meaning of Christmas into our daily lives is by reflecting on the drama of history in which people, injured by sin, are perennially in search of happiness and a fulfilling sense of life and death. This reflection can help us recognize our own need for salvation and the profound gift that God has given us in the Incarnation of his Son. By meditating on the merciful kindness of God who came to us to communicate the Truth that saves, we can deepen our understanding of the significance of Christmas and allow it to shape our actions and attitudes.

Furthermore, we can follow the example of the countless men and women throughout Christian history who believed in the mystery of Christmas and became beacons of light and hope. Their lives serve as a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. By opening our hearts to Jesus and sincerely showing him our desire to live as his true friends, we too can become collaborators in his plan of salvation and witnesses of the joy that he gives us.

Incorporating the true meaning of Christmas into our daily lives also involves recognizing the needs of others, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable. Pope Francis reminds us that we can see Jesus in the faces of little children, particularly those who suffer and are in need. By reaching out to those who are less fortunate, we can emulate the selflessness and compassion of Christ, who came into the world to bring salvation and to ennoble the human creature.

Finally, we can strive to live our lives with simplicity, friendship, and solidarity, which are typical values of Christmas. By stripping away the consumerist and materialistic encrustations that often surround the holiday, we can rediscover the warmth of these virtues and cultivate a spirit of generosity and love towards others.

Incorporating the true meaning of Christmas into our daily lives is a lifelong journey that requires ongoing reflection, prayer, and action. Take some time this Christmas to reflect on the true meaning of the incarnate love of God coming among us. May the true meaning of Christmas guide our thoughts, words, and actions throughout the year, and may we always strive to live as true disciples of Christ, bringing His light and love to all those we encounter.

I wish you all a very blessed and joyful celebration of Christmas.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

rmbagley@yahoo.com

Offices Closed

All of our parish offices will be closed from December 23 to January 2, and will reopen on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

In case of an emergency, call the parish phone (760-729-2866) and when the recorded message begins, press extension 6. That will connect you to a priest. This is for urgent needs only.

A Week Off

Since the parish offices are closed next week, we will not publish a newsletter on December 29. The next issue of the e-newsletter will be January 5, 2024.

Happy New Year.

Our Christmas Mass schedule is available below.

Christmas Mass Schedule here...

Be A Welcoming Community

When we celebrate Christmas, we will welcome many people to our church who do not always join us the rest of the year. This presents us with a challenge and an opportunity. It may be crowded, a bit confusing as people look for seats, and a frenzy in the parking lot.

But it is also an opportunity to be welcoming to those who are visitors or who don’t yet feel a part of our community. Extend a warm welcome as people enter your pew. Sit in the middle of the pew, encouraging others to join you. Welcome the latecomers and the crying babies. Be civil in the parking lot both coming and going. Invite people to come back.

St. Patrick’s has a reputation for being a welcoming community. Let’s put that on full display this Christmas weekend.

Please note: The parking lot of our neighbor New Song Church is available to us on Monday, December 25. However, please do not park there on December 24 as that congregation will have their Christmas Eve services.

An Unusual Weekend

From a liturgical point of view, the weekend of December 23-25 is unusual and could be confusing. On the same weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).

The last day of Advent is December 24; it is also the Fourth Sunday of that season. We must try to keep the spirit of Advent even as we already have entered the Christmas celebrations.

Catholics have two obligations that weekend. We should participate in the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Those Masses are Saturday (December 23) at 4:30 and 7:00 pm, and Sunday (December 24) at the usual times of 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. That concludes Advent.

Christmas begins with the 4:00 pm Masses on December 24. We have additional Christmas Eve Masses at 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00 pm. On Christmas Day our Masses are at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm. (No Mass at 5:00 pm)

The question everybody is asking is: “Do I have to go to Mass twice this weekend?” The simple answer is: YES. Once for the 4th Sunday of Advent and another for Christmas.

Two Courses Offered in

North County

St. Patrick Parish will host two courses of the Diocesan Institute in the new year. Both are being taught by Eudist Fathers.

Fr. Azam Mansha, CJM, will teach a course on the Psalms. The course offers an introduction to the Psalms for contemporary prayer life. It will meet on Mondays, January 8 – February 12, 2024; 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM, will teach a course on Ecumenism. The course offers an overview of the different Christian faiths, their differences and common ground with Catholicism. It will meet on Tuesdays, January 30 – March 5, 2024; 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

Registration for these courses needs to be made through the Diocesan Institute link below.

Click here to register...

Class on Church History

Many people have expressed an interest in knowing more about the history of the Catholic Church. That is why Fr. Ron is going to lead a course that will give an overview of the whole history of the Church.

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 which is published by Ave Maria Press and available on Amazon for $30.00. 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. The first class will be January 24, 2024.

This book was chosen because it is basic and easy to read. It was actually written as a text for a high school religion class. It does not use complicated language but contains a wealth of information.

A famous person once said: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” To sign up for this course, contact Fr. Ron directly at rmbagley@yahoo.com or call 760-727-2866.

James R. & Geraldine F. Bertelsen Scholarship

This $10,000 scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college students who will be attending a four-year Roman Catholic college or university for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students must live in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos or Encinitas to be eligible.

The Bertelsen Scholarship will be available on the San Diego Foundation’s on-line Common Scholarship Application starting on January 17, 2024, with a submission deadline of 2:00 PM PST on March 6, 2024. The application link available to students for the Bertelsen

Email:

scholarships@sdfoundation.org or call 619-814-1343 if you have additional questions.

Scholarship and other scholarships can be found here:

Application Link Here...

Watch Daily and Sunday Masses Livestreamed from St. Patrick Church here:

Sunday Collection for 12/17/2023

Envelope Collection - $4,637.00

Plate Collection - $7,837.00

Online Giving - $16,009.31

Total Collection: $28,483.31

We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.

Online Giving Reminder

Thank you for your generous support of our parish during our Celebrating Today, Planning For Tomorrow

Program!

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you go into the application and update your giving to reflect your new commitment.

Don't forget to add the Christmas Collection to your giving selections!

Your generosity shows your willingness, as a faithful steward, to be a part of the ongoing mission of St. Patrick Catholic Community.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

We appreciate your support!

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.

Which gospels tell us about the birth of Jesus?
Which gospel begins with a theological reflection on the pre-existing Word of God who became flesh?
Which gospel speaks about an annunciation to Joseph in a dream?
According to the gospel, how many Magi visit the infant Jesus?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem but where did the holy family live when Jesus was growing up?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.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.

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read all of Fr. Ron's newsletters here

Fourth Sunday of Advent –

Year B

First Reading

2 Samuel 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16

The Lord promises David that he will raise from his descendants a kingdom that will endure forever.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 89:2-5,27,29

A prayer of praise to the Lord for his faithfulness to his covenant.

Second Reading

Romans 16:25-27

Paul praises God for making his revelation known.

Gospel Reading

Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel visits Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

This Sunday we read the story of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. This story is found only in Luke’s Gospel. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they both played instrumental roles in preparing the way for Jesus. Last week we reflected on John the Baptist’s announcement that the Savior was among us, although not yet recognized. This week we reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us.

We are familiar with the story of the Annunciation, and it is fitting that we recall how God announced the birth of Jesus as we make our final preparations for our celebration of the Incarnation. The angel Gabriel visited Mary, a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary greeted the angel’s news with awe and wonder and asked how it could be possible that she could give birth to a child. In his reply, the angel Gabriel announced the seemingly impossible reality: the child to be born would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and would be God’s own Son. The angel reported to Mary another miracle; her relative Elizabeth was also pregnant despite having been thought to be unable to have a child. Mary’s response to the angel, which is called her fiat, is an example of complete faith and obedience to God.

The story of the Annunciation calls to our attention God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a human person to give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already full of God’s grace, was able to cooperate in this great plan for our salvation. Thus, Jesus was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize God’s saving plan for us and are able respond with obedience.

12 Hours of Christmas Music

This playlist of traditional instrumental Christmas music can provide background for prayer as well as social gatherings.

Mary, Mother of God

January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It is also the annual World Day of Prayer for Peace. And it is the beginning of a new year. For all of these reasons, it is a wonderful day to join in the celebration of the Eucharist. We will have one parish Mass on January 1 at 9:00 am. (It is not a holy day of obligation.)

Blessing Your Christmas Tree

Here is a simple prayer service that can be used at home with the whole family. It is a wonderful way to keep our focus on what we are celebrating.

Read here...

Cathedral HS Applications

Cathedral Catholic High School invites 8th grade students at Saint Patrick, Carlsbad to apply for the Dons Class of 2028. Applications are available now, and due on January 27, 2024. Cathedral Catholic will also be hosting the Placement Test on January 27, 2024. Each student who has applied to attend Cathedral Catholic High School is automatically registered to take the exam.

Read about scholarships here...

YEAR END GIVING - Got Deductions??

Helpful Year-End Planning Tips

Online Giving users-please remember to login to your account and set up your Christmas or year-end gift.
Gifts given through Online Giving will be counted toward the 2023 tax year if given prior to 9:00pm PST on 12/31/23.
Be sure to complete all gifts by December 31, 2023, to qualify for tax savings on this year’s tax return.
Envelopes postmarked by Saturday, December 30, 2023, or dropped off at the Parish Office will be counted toward the 2023 tax year.
If you are 72 or older and have an IRA that requires you to take your Required Minimum Distribution by 12/31/23, consider contributing a portion to St. Patrick Church and avoid paying tax on that amount. Check with your tax advisor for specifics regarding your situation.
Remember gifts of stock made directly through the Diocese to St. Patrick Church, Carlsbad may reduce your tax burden. Please check with your tax advisor. Call the Stewardship Office for more information 760-729-0717.
Remember…a donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) reduces the parish's obligation to the Diocese.
Keep all gift receipts and acknowledgement letters, especially for donations of $250 or more.
Wills and Trusts: Naming of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlsbad is an excellent way to leave a legacy for our Parish.
If you sold securities this year and will owe capital gains tax, remember that gifts to St. Patrick Catholic Community of cash or other securities may reduce your gains. Please check with your tax advisor.
Contact the Stewardship and Development Office 760-729-0717, or mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com

Pray for Your Priests

Are you aware that the Diocese of San Diego has a prayer schedule that invites us to pray for our priests? On each day of the year, there is a priest for whom we are asked to pray. Take a look and include these priests in your daily prayer.

Read here...

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

María contestó, “Yo soy la esclava del Señor; cúmplase en mí lo que me has dicho”. (Lc. 1:38). Hoy celebramos el 4º domingo de Adviento. Este año la 4ª semana de Adviento es un periodo muy corte, porque dentro de unas horas regresaremos a la Iglesia para celebrar la Noche Buena, el nacimiento del Salvador del mundo, Jesucristo. Seremos tentados de correr a las festividades navideñas, a los tamales, posole, y otras comidas y bebidas tradicionales para nuestra familia. Pero deténganse otro rato más y no dejemos pasar las palabras fe y de amor, la disposición de María del Evangelio de este domingo de Adviento. Todos sabemos la historia del “Si” de María. Siendo una jovencita, comprometida a José, le llega el ángel Gabriel enviado por Dios para decirle a María que ella va a concebir y a dar a luz un hijo, el Hijo de Dios, y que Él reinará por los siglos y su reinado no tendrá fin. María, es una jovencita y responde con estas palabras tan fuertes. Y ¿qué tal si tú y yo, respondemos con estas mismas palabras de María? ¿Qué tal si viviéramos como “esclavos de Dios” reflejando todo lo que Dios nos dijo que hiciéramos? ¿Pensamos que nuestras vidas serian más fáciles? San Agustín dijo, “Nos hiciste Señor para ti, y nuestra alma no estará en calma hasta que no esté plenamente en ti”. Muchas veces nos cerramos y queremos seguir viviendo nuestra vida normal, aunque nos traiga soledad y tristeza. Nos falta más a Dios en nuestros corazones. Respondamos cómo Maria, diciendo, “Yo soy la esclava del Señor; cúmplase en mí lo que me has dicho”. Feliz Adviento y Navidad.

HACED ESTO EN MEMORIA MIA,“TRANSUBSTANCIACIÓN”. Haga clic aquí:

“LA NAVIDAD CON CRISTO” - Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN: “YO SOY LA ESCLAVA DEL SEÑOR”. Haga clic aquí:

Perspectiva: “¿Dónde nace Jesús hoy?”. Haga clic aquí:

Bendición del Nacimiento Navideño

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

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is open

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.

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 address below:

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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