This next week we will observe our parish feast day. March 17 is the feast of our patron saint St. Patrick. Like so many other occasions, we won’t be able to have a big gathering to mark the day. I encourage you to mark this feast day by attending one of our morning Masses or following that day’s Mass online.
The positive side of this year’s lack of festivities is that it gives us the chance to focus on the spiritual significance of our beloved patron saint. He was known as an outstanding missionary. Today we would call him a great evangelizer. Remembering his great desire to bring others to know and love Jesus can move us to greater zeal to share with others what our faith means to us.
Because St. Patrick lived so long ago, many of the details of his life have been lost to history and many legends swirl around him. I have attached below a one page biography that gives a good idea of what he is known for.
There is a beautiful prayer known widely as “Morning Prayer,” “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” or “The Lorica.” It’s not known for sure whether St. Patrick is actually the author or whether someone else wrote it years later and it was attributed to St. Patrick. But it is widely associated with him and his ministry. I have attached it below. Meditating on it would be another wonderful way to celebrate our patron’s feast day by imbibing his spirit.
To all of you, I wish a happy and blessed St. Patrick’s Day. My prayer for you is:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
With the arrival of Spring, we will return to our regular weekend Mass times. Beginning the weekend of March 20-21 (the weekend after daylight savings time begins), our Saturday Masses will be celebrated at 4:30 pm (English, on the covered court) and 7:00 pm (Spanish, in the church). The Mass on Sunday afternoon also returns to 5:00 pm (English, on the covered court). The remainder of the Mass schedule remains unchanged.
General Absolution
Although we will not be able to offer the usual Parish Penance Service again this Lent, we will offer General Absolution at each of the weekend Masses of Lent (excluding Palm Sunday). General Absolution is also available at our Friday morning Masses. Fr. Ron has recorded a prayer service that will help you prepare for General Confession and the reception of General Absolution. It is on our YouTube channel and the link is below.
Stations of the Cross
We offer various ways for you to pray the Stations of the Cross this Lent. Every Friday at 3:00 pm, the stations are prayed in the church. Our new outdoor station area next to the church is available at any time for you to pray in the open air. Many people have already discovered our “original, homegrown” format on our YouTube channel which features some of our priests, deacons and lectors. This can be used at home or anywhere you want to pray this beautiful prayer. The link is below.
Annual Lenten Collection
The Diocese of San Diego has the tradition of combining three national collections into one. It is usually taken up on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This collection supports the works of Catholic Relief Services, the Church in Africa and the Church in Latin America. We graciously ask you to respond generously to this worthwhile collection.
Please put your donation in the regular collection basket. Mark the envelope “Lenten Collection” and you can make your donation on any of the Sundays remaining in Lent. Thank you.
A Beautiful Contemporary Lenten Hymn
“In These Days of Lenten Journey” was composed by Fr. Ricky Manalo, a Paulist priest. We use it in our parish and is used in many parts of the English-speaking world. His music is also available on Apple Music.
Women's History Month
This week, we highlight another American Catholic woman who was canonized a saint. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American to be given such an honor.
Kateri Tekakwitha
Native American and consecrated virgin
Nicknames are generally silly, entertaining names given to people by affectionate relatives or friends. It's rare to hear an enviable one. But "Lily of the Mohawks?" Now, that's an elegant nickname. This is the nickname of St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
Orphaned at the age of four, she was raised by her uncle, the chief of the Mohawk village. When Catholic priests came to the village, Kateri was drawn by their teachings, and converted at the age of 19, heedless of the anger of her relatives. Because she refused to work on Sundays, she was denied meals that day.
Finally, a missionary encouraged her to run away to Montreal, Canada, to practice her faith freely. She followed his advice, and lived a life of extreme prayer and penance, taking a vow of virginity. She was beatified in 1980 and canonized on October 21, 2012.
Rev. Benoit Drapeau, CJM (better known to us as Fr. Ben) was ordained a priest in the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) on March 14, 1959. His ordination took place in New Brunswick (Canada) and coincided with a major snowstorm. The storm was so big that his family was delayed in arriving for the ceremony which began without them. As we celebrate with him in sunny southern California on his 62nd anniversary, we say thanks be to God and ad multos annos to Fr. Ben.
Historic Visit of Pope Francis
to Iraq
Pope Francis recently made a pastoral visit to the country of Iraq, the birthplace of Abraham who is a father in faith for Christians, Jews and Muslims. This is the first time that a pope has visited that region which is also considered the cradle of Christianity. Some of the earliest Christian communities were located there.
The US media did not give much attention to the pope’s visit, but you will find two things as attachments to this newsletter: the assessment of the initial impact of the visit by a Catholic journalist who accompanied the pope, and a prayer that Pope Francis prayed in the Iraqi city of Ur on March 6.
"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.
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 causes for the Israelites’ captivity in Babylon are described.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 137:1-2,3,4-5,6
A lament from exile for the loss of Jerusalem
Second Reading
Ephesians 2:4-10
In grace we have been saved, so that we may do the work of the Lord.
Gospel Reading
John 3:14-21
Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Traditionally, Sundays are named after the first word of the liturgy’s opening antiphon. On this Sunday, the antiphon is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:10-11). Even as we observe our Lenten sacrifices, we rejoice in anticipation of the joy that will be ours at Easter.
Today’s Gospel reading is taken from John’s Gospel. It consists of two parts. The first part is the final sentence of Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus, the Pharisee who approached Jesus at night. Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus as someone who had come from God and seemed to want to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus greeted Nicodemus with the observation that one must be born from above to see the Kingdom of God. The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus that followed was about the meaning of this phrase. Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus at every point, but there was no animosity in the questions he posed to Jesus.
In the part of the conversation with Nicodemus in today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to an incident reported in the Old Testament. When the Israelites grumbled against the Lord during their sojourn in the desert, God sent venomous serpents to punish them for their complaints. The Israelites repented and asked Moses to pray for them. The Lord heard Moses’ prayer and instructed him to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. All who had been bitten by a serpent and then looked upon the bronze serpent were cured. By recalling this story, Jesus alludes to the salvation that would be accomplished through his death and Resurrection.
The second part of today’s Gospel is a theological reflection on Jesus’ words to Nicodemus. The Gospel of John is known for this kind of reflection offered within the narrative. The words of the Evangelist are in continuity with the words of the prologue to John’s Gospel. In these reflections, John elaborates on a number of themes that are found in his Gospel: light and darkness, belief and unbelief, good and evil, salvation and condemnation.
In John’s reflection, we find an observation about human sinfulness. Jesus is the light that has come into the world, but people preferred the darkness. We wish to keep our sins hidden, even from God. Jesus has come into the world to reveal our sins so that they may be forgiven. This is the Good News; it is the reason for our rejoicing in this season of Lent and throughout our lives
This piece of Gregorian chant was once used in the first week of Lent. The painting in this video is "The calling of St. Matthew" by Caravaggio. The lyrics and translation to the hymn follow:
Dirigatur oratio mea sicut incensum in conspectu tuo, Domine.
Elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum.
Dirigatur oratio mea sicut incensum in conspectu tuo, Domine.
Let my prayer rise like incense in your sight, O Lord.
The lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Let my prayer rise like incense in your sight, O Lord.
The Passion Narratives of the Gospels
As we move into the second half of Lent, our attention becomes more focused on the suffering and death of Jesus. Fr. Ron has recorded a Bible Study and looks more closely at the Passion narratives of the gospels. While they tell the same story of the last days of Jesus, each offers a unique perspective.
This Bible Study is available on our YouTube channel. It consists of three pre recorded presentations, each about an hour long. This “on demand” Bible study can be viewed at your leisure. You can pause and return later. You might want to gather the family to listen together (although it is more suitable for adults and young adults).
The first session looks at the Passion Narratives in the gospels of Matthew and Mark. They can be studied together since they are so similar. The link is here:
St. Luke offers some unique additions to the story that show his particular touch. That video link is here:
The fourth gospel (John) offers the most unique description of the passion and death of the Lord. Much of his material is quite different from the other three gospels. This presentation focuses on his powerful message. the link is here:
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Lenten food drive to benefit the North County Branch of the San Diego Food Bank. Giving to those in need is a powerful way to do your part to participate with our church community during Lent. The drive will end this weekend March 13 and 14.
Donations will be accepted before/after all weekend Masses (Saturday and Sunday). The donation station will be set up at the back door of the hall. Drive up and the Knights will unload the food from your trunk. Our goal for this drive to 3000 pounds of food. That will serve a couple thousand meals.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
“Jesús es mi Todo”. Creo que todos hemos dicho estas palabras, “Jesús es mi todo”. ¿Pero que significas realmente esta frase? No puedo hablar por ustedes, pero al reflexionar sobre esta frase en mi propia vida personal, tengo que admitir que tengo mucho que trabajar para que esta frase sea real en mi vida. Me doy cuento que todavía estoy controlado por mi ego, por mis deseos y necesidades. Me preocupo de lo que otros piensan de mí, pero no debería, lo único que debe importarme es que soy hijo de Dios y El me ama incondicionalmente. Todavía me preocupe de ganar mas dinero para poder comprar las cosas que quiero, pero no debería, Dios me ha bendecido con todo lo que necesito y debería confiar que Él lo va a seguir haciendo. Seguimos en nuestra jornada hacia la Pascua, mírate hacia dentro, y pregúntate que significan para ti estas palabras, “Jesús es mi Todo”. Y después, compartirlo con tu cónyuge, y tu familia.
Por favor hagan clic en la reflexión y los videosindicados. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
Revisa el video de esta Semana con Dc Miguel y P. Ric
Detente, hablemos de Nicodemo
National Alliance on Mental
Illness
NAMI is offering their Family-to-Family course:
Are you over 18 years of age and struggling with the challenge of a loved one with a mental health condition?
If so, register now for the free NAMI Family-to-Family Course
New Dates!! Thursday, March 25 through May 13 - 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (8 online “Zoom” sessions)
To Register: Online – go to: Family to Family-NAMI San Diego and scroll down to “Add me to the interest list”
Or email: f2f@namisd.org; or call 619 543-1434 or 800 523-5933
NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. This course is being taught by St. Patrick parishioners. The group setting provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation – you are not alone.
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:
