Happy Thanksgiving, and more, from Fr. Ron, week 47

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

November 22, 2023 | Issue 47

A Word from the Pastor

November 22, 2023

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus speaks about the final judgment, where he separates the righteous from the wicked. He says that when the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will sit on his throne and gather all the nations before him. He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Jesus identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. He teaches that when we show mercy and kindness to those in need, we are doing it for him.

This passage reminds us of the importance of practicing the works of mercy. Pope Francis, in his document Gaudete et exsultate, emphasizes that Jesus' words in Matthew 25:35-36 provide a clear criterion for judgment. He says that if we seek holiness pleasing to God, we must feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison.

When Pope Francis spoke to young people as he handed over the World Youth Day Cross, he told them the story of Saint Martin, who shared his cloak with a poor man. In a dream, Martin saw Jesus wearing the half of the cloak he had given to the poor person, and Jesus said, "Martin, you covered me with this cloak." This story illustrates how acts of mercy towards the poor are acts done to Jesus himself.

Pope John Paul II, in a homily on the final judgment, highlights the connection between faith and morality. He explains that Jesus, as our Judge, has the right to make this judgment because he became one of us, our Brother. Jesus judges in the name of his solidarity with each person and in the name of our solidarity with him. He identifies himself with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. Our actions towards these "least of these" are actions done to Jesus himself.

I was pleased to pray a blessing last Saturday for the beginning of our new ministry of distributing food to those in need. This is a wonderful partnership with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego. It joins our many other outreach programs like Showers of Blessings and Soup Suppers (to name a few) which show our desire to fulfill the mandate of Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel.

This gospel passage for the Solemnity of Christ the King teaches us that our actions towards those in need have eternal significance. When we show mercy and kindness to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, we are doing it for Jesus himself. These acts of mercy are a clear criterion for judgment and are closely linked to our faith and morality. Let us strive to put these works of mercy into practice, knowing that in doing so, we are serving and honoring our Lord.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

[email protected]

Advent Begins Soon

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.

Our Parish Advent Penance Service will be on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 pm. Many priests will be available for confessions. Next week we will publish the full schedule of Penance Service for our neighboring parishes as well.

The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, we focus on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. Advent is short this year since Christmas falls on a Monday, and the Fourth Sunday of Advent is celebrated on December 23-24. Next week we will also publish our complete Christmas Mass schedule.

Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier

Read here...

Waiting in Joyful Hope: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2023-2024

Once again, we are pleased to make these small booklets available for free to our parishioners. They will be available on the patio on the First Sunday of Advent (December 2-3). One per family.

Esperando con alegre esperanza: Reflexiones diarias para Adviento y Navidad

2023-2024

Una vez más, nos complace poner estos pequeños folletos a disposición de nuestros feligreses de forma gratuita. Estarán disponibles en el patio el Primer Domingo de Adviento (2-3 de diciembre). Uno por familia.

Communion from the Cup

We will begin offering the Blood of Christ from the cup beginning next Sunday, December 3. For the first weeks, it will be offered at Sunday Masses at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. We will add more Masses as we are able to recruit and train additional Ministers of Holy Communion. Would you like to become a part of this ministry?

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

Complimentary for Seniors Thursday, December 14.

Luncheon Details here....

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

Sunday Collection for 11/19/2023

Envelope Collection - $ 9,691.00

Plate Collection - $10,121.00

Online Giving - $15,543.51

Total Collection: $35,355.51

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!

We are beginning to see signs that our Sunday offertory collections are growing through the generosity of many, many parishioners. Thank you so very much to all who have chosen to participate in this very important 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. If you do not remember what you have committed to or if you need help logging in to Online Giving,, please contact the parish office. 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.

Coptic Catholics reside mainly in which country?
What was the name of Adam and Eve’s third son?
What is the name of the sister of St. Benedict of Nursia?
How many Ecumenical Councils have there been?
Who was the first American citizen canonized?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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

Solemnity of Christ the King – Year 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.

Christmas Giveaway at Showers

Showers of Blessings is having a Christmas giveaway for our community experiencing homelessness and we’d like to invite our parishioners to help us celebrate by giving a gift.

Here is a list of things we have thought of. These should be new items.

men's jackets - Lg and XL (Costco has many)

Hoodies

sleeping bags

backpacks

warm gloves

ground pads for sleeping

You can get these on our Amazon wish list using this link

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MMZJNSGGRNSN?ref_=wl_share

or at Costco, Walmart or Target.

Family Mass

Our next Family Mass will next Sunday, December 3 at 9:00 am. This is the First Sunday of Advent, and we will focus on the meaning of this season. Come and bring the whole family.

We will also have a Family Mass on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 4:00 pm in the Parish Center.

Prophets: Messengers of

God's Mercy

“God sent prophets at critical times to call the people back to their covenant relationship. Prophets proclaimed the consequences of continued sin, called people to repentance, and declared God’s faithful love. They also spoke of the future to shed light on current events and to reveal God’s plans and purposes.”

Watch a video clip below.

Ruah Adonai - Breath of God Bible Study

Is open to men and women. No previous bible study experience needed. Our mission is to know, to love and to serve God. We meet Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10 am in the Parish Hall to view an engaging video presentation followed by a lively small group discussion and fellowship.

For more information contact Kelly Le Berthon at [email protected]

Novena a

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

3 de diciembre –

11 de diciembre

Novena de Rosarios: Haga clic aquí

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe festividades: Haga clic aquí:

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos, “Cuando venga el Hijo del hombre, rodeado de su gloria, acompañado de todos sus ángeles, se sentará en su trono de gloria. Entonces serán congregadas ante él todas las naciones, y él apartará a los unos de los otros, como aparta el pastor a las ovejas de los cabritos, y pondrá a las ovejas a su derecha y a los cabritos a su izquierda”. (Mateo 25: 31-46). Parece que donde quiera que miremos hay sufriendo y llorando, en voz alta y en silencio. Guerras en el mundo y el efecto negativo que va a tener en hermanas y hermanos en las futuras generaciones. Miramos a tantos “homeless”, a otros con adiciones y salud mental. Miramos las actitudes de discriminación y racismo más y más cada día. Y en nuestra oración a Dios le preguntamos, “¿Por qué, Señor? ¿Por qué permites esto?” A veces, sin saberlo, nos cegamos en nuestro propio mundo y no vemos ni escuchamos a ese “hijo e hija de Dios” que está en frente de nosotros pidiendo nuestra ayuda. Hoy, celebramos la Solemnidad de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. El Evangelio de este domingo, leemos la parábola del juicio final. Es texto nos dice que el Hijo del Hombre apartará a los unos a los otros, como el pastor separa las ovejas de los chivos. Las ovejas las pone a su derecha y los chivos a su izquierda. ¿Para cuál lado nos pondrán a nosotros? Cristo está en todos y en todo; nuestra actitud y respuesta si cuenta para ser acogidos en la eternidad de su Reino de luz y paz. Los invito que mediten sobre este texto.

TESTIGOS EUCARÍSTICOS PARA NIÑOS:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN: Haga clic aquí:

“OTOÑO MARIANO” - Haga clic aquí:

Detente

Hablemos del Juicio Final

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

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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:

[email protected]

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