Two celebrations call for our attention this week: November 21 is the Solemnity of Christ the King and this Thursday, November 25, of course, is Thanksgiving Day. I have a brief reflection on each of these.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (its full title) marks the end of the Church’s liturgical year. It is the 34th and last Sunday of Ordinary Time. The following Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. What does it mean to say that Christ is a King? What kind of king is he? This Sunday’s gospel asks us to recognize him as a king who suffers for his subjects, a king whose throne is the Cross. So great is his love for us, that he gave his life to set us free from sin. “There is no greater love…” This is why we honor him as the King of our hearts. But HOW do we honor this King? There are too many ways to count, but one is by imitating his selfless love. That means following his example of putting the needs of others before our own. This King is not demanding our homage. He is urging us to truly be of service to others like our King.
The Feast of Thanksgiving is a truly American holiday. While some form of it exists in other countries, nowhere is it raised to the level of a religious holiday that can be celebrated by people of any religion. Our giving thanks to God embraces Christians, Jews, Muslims and the whole spectrum of those who believe in God. As Catholics, we celebrate the Eucharist together because it is the best way that we have to thank the Lord for our blessings. We also gather around family tables in our homes to recall the blessings that we have received. The prayers for the Catholic liturgy for Thanksgiving Day invite us to express our thanks to God by sharing what we have with others.
This is where these two holy days converge. Christ our King urges us to imitate his generous self-giving. Gathering to express our thanks to God should move us to greater generosity to those in need.
As you gather for Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, I invite you to share at table about those things for which you are grateful. That was always a tradition in my family. But I also invite you to share ways that you can be of service to people who have less. As the Opening Prayer for the Thanksgiving Day Mass says: “…as we come before you on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for your kindness, open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman, and child, so that we may share your gifts in loving service.”
We have a wonderful tradition here at St. Patrick Catholic Community of having a single bilingual Mass on Thanksgiving Day. The whole community joins together in giving thanks for the blessings we have received in our families, in our parish and in our nation.
The Mass on November 25 will be at 9:00 am. In keeping our tradition, you are invited to bring the bread and wine that you will be having with your Thanksgiving meal. They will be blessed at the end of the Mass. In a small change from previous years, please keep your items with you at your seat in church. Father will come around and bless them before the final blessing and dismissal.
Advent Penance Services
The liturgical season of Advent will soon be here. Part of our preparation for Christmas is the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This year we will return to our practice of individual confessions during a Parish Penance Service. Our Parish Penance Service will be on Monday, December 6 at 7:00 pm. Sixteen priests will be available for confessions. If you click on the link below, you will find a complete list of the 14 penance services being held in various North County parishes. There will not be General Absolution given this Advent.
This Advent and in the new liturgical year, we will listen to the Gospel of Luke. In its beautiful narratives, Luke strives to present God's loving care for His creation with the human person as the primary recipient.
Our Advent reflection on December 7 will offer an early taste of this Gospel. We will discover the traces of the heart of God that wishes to beat in every Christian's life.
Guided through prayerful songs in Taizé style and brief reflections, we will turn the Gospel into prayer. We are invited to hear and see how Luke extends the possibility of living the Virgin Mary's joy to each of us.
Let's get into a spiritual journey with the Gospel of Luke as our compass leading us in God's direction.
Join us on Tuesday evening, December 7, 2021,
7:00pm- 8:00pm in the church.
The Olde Garage will be closed the week of Thanksgiving
November 22, 24, and 26.
We wish you all a very
Blessed Thanksgiving with your families.
How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints
This video explains in an upbeat way how the Church recognizes the saintliness of those who have gone before us.
Cantata 80 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott is a rather large-scale work (8 movements totaling about 30 minutes) written around 1728-31 for Reformation Day. As far as we know the work is an extended version of Cantata 80a Alles was von Gott geboren written in Weimar in 1715. Precisely when and for what purpose the cantata was written, we do not know. Bach appears to have added the opening chorus and central chorale (No. 5) later. Bach’s eldest son Wilhelm Friedemann reinforced the already large and festive instrumentation by adding trumpets and timpani in Nos. 1 and 5. The cantata opens with one of Bach’s very finest choral movements and ends with a simple and sober chorale to the tune of a well known hymn.
This weekend has been designated for the 2021 Collection for National Needs. Special envelopes are available in the pews for the collection, which 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 place the envelope in our one collection.
Colecta Para Necesidades Nacionales
Este fin de semana se ha designado para la "Colecta del 2021 para Necesidades Nacionales." Habrán sobres especiales para esta colecta que 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. Ponga su sobre en nuestra única colección.
Songs of Solace
These 8 beautiful songs and hymns have been used by the faithful and churches around the world during memorial services, funerals and times when the peace and love of God is needed to aid us through times of sorrow and distress. This contemplative collection of music is appropriate for this month of November when we hold our beloved dead in prayer.
Year-End Giving
As the end of the year moves into sight, you might think about making an end of the year donation to St. Patrick Parish. Click on the link for the most up to date information. It includes new information that relates to the CARES Act. It is relevant if you itemize or not.
"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.
When did the Catholic Church begin to celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King?
What was the original date for this feast?
Who changed the date of this feast and why?
What do you think Pope Benedict XVI said about the kind of power Christ the King exercises?
What is the liturgical color used on this solemnity?
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.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King – Year B
First Reading
Daniel 7:13-14
Daniel prophesies about the coming of the Son of Man.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 93:1,1-2,5
A prayer of praise to God our king
Second Reading
Revelation 1:5-8
Jesus is the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of all.
Gospel Reading
John 18:33b-37
Jesus is questioned by Pilate about the charge brought against him that he is “King of the Jews.”
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. On this Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Each year we set aside this Sunday to reflect upon this title that we have given to Jesus. In Lectionary Cycle C, we read a portion of the passion from the Gospel of John, which is also part of the Gospel reading proclaimed each year on Good Friday.
In John’s Gospel, Pilate is shown in a more favorable light than in the other Gospels. In today’s reading, we hear one of two dialogues between Jesus and Pilate that are reported in John’s Gospel. Pilate questions Jesus about the charges brought against him. Caiaphas and the high priests have charged Jesus with a political crime, one that would require a punishment of death. Pilate distances himself from the Jewish leaders who accuse Jesus; he is not a Jew, and he seems to want little to do with this Jewish affair.
In his responses to Pilate’s questions, Jesus distinguishes his kingdom from the political powers of this world. King and kingdom may be appropriate terms for Jesus’ mission and promise, but only by analogy. Jesus is king, but not the kind of king we imagine or expect. He was certainly not the kind of king Pilate feared he might be.
Jesus refers to a kingdom that does not belong to this world. This has been mentioned earlier in John’s Gospel. Recall that in his prayer during the Last Supper discourse (see John 17:6-18), Jesus prayed for his disciples who are in the world but do not belong to the world. Yet like Jesus, they are sent into the world for the world’s salvation. In today’s reading, we see Jesus identify the final proof that his kingdom is not of this world: If his kingdom were of this world, then there would be people fighting to save him. Again, we hear echoes of John’s theme—salvation is worked out through a cosmic battle. It is helpful to return to the first chapter of John’s Gospel to understand the context for Jesus’ words to Pilate. Jesus came into the world, but the world did not know him. In John’s language, the world prefers the darkness, and yet the light will not be overcome by the darkness.
Truth has been another important theme in John’s Gospel. We see it emphasized in the conclusion of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate. Those who know the truth will recognize Jesus as king and will know how to interpret this insight. Yet Jesus’ kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries. Only those chosen, those who have the eyes of faith, are able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we also struggle at times to recognize Jesus as king. Today’s Gospel invites us to see with eyes of faith that we might recognize that Jesus, through his crucifixion and death, is indeed king and Savior of all.
Did you know there is a Men’s Bible study that meets here at St. Patrick's for one hour on Wednesday nights starting at 6:30 p.m.? We read and study the Gospel to be proclaimed at Mass on the following Saturday and Sunday. By becoming more familiar with the Gospel and its context, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to move us more deeply when we hear it at Mass and the homily becomes more powerful for us as well. We use St. Ignatius of Loyola's practice of Lectio Divina (Divine reading) to explore the Gospel and how the Holy Spirit is calling us to put it into action in our lives. Why not give it a try?
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 beginning at 6:30 PM with fellowship; 7:00 PM—8:30 PM Program. It will be held at Mission San Diego’s St. Francis Chapel, 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA 9210. All are welcome to the Free event. Guest Speaker: Laurie Mikolaycik. If you have any questions, please contact Annie Korn 619-929-4660, anniekorn@gmail.com
Christmas Gift Baskets
Applications for the Christmas Gift 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.
This program benefits parish families in need. All applicant information is strictly confidential.
Canasta 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 solicitudes por teléfono o en persona en la oficina parroquial. Este programa es solamente para los miembros mas necesitados de esta parroquia.
St. Pat’s Youth Ministry had its Confirmation Retreat for our first year candidates this past weekend. It was a great success. We are blessed to have such dedicated and faith-filled young people and dedicated adults leaders working in our youth ministry. Read all about it below.
El Retiro de Confirmación
El Ministerio de Jóvenes de San Patricio tuvo su Retiro de Confirmación para los candidatos el pasado fin de semana. Somos bendecidos de tener jóvenes tan llenos de fe y líderes adultos dedicados que trabajan en nuestro ministerio juvenil. Lee todo sobre esto aquí.
Pilato le dijo, “¿Conque tú eres rey?” Jesús le contesto, “Tú lo has dicho. Soy rey. Yo nací y vine al mundo para ser testigo de la verdad. Todo el que es de la verdad, escucha mi voz”. Un Padre inicio el retiro preguntándoles a los participantes, “¿Quién quiere ir al cielo?” Todos levantaron las manos. En seguida les pregunto, “¿Quién quiere ir al cielo ahora, en este momento?”Todos bajaron las manos.
La lucha de rendirle todo de Dios es real; nos gustan las cosas del mundo y no queremos separarnos de ellos. ¿Es mala esta actitud? Solamente si esa actitud y nuestras acciones toman el lugar de Dios.
Al proclamar con nuestra voz que Jesús es nuestro Rey y su Reinado es ahora mismo y para siempre, requiere un gran cambio en la manera que pensamos y vivimos. Al aceptar que Jesús es el Rey del Universo indica que Jesús es el Rey de “toda” mi vida, de todas mis cosas, incluyendo esas personas que amamos. Rendimos todo a Jesús, porque confiamos que Jesús es de nosotros y nosotros somos de Jesús. En el Reinado de Jesús, hay un lugar para todos, nadie es excluido. En el Reinado de Jesús, existe el respeto, igualdad, y dialogo. Los dones y talentos de todos son aceptados. El reto para nosotros es de que el Reinado de Jesús se vea y se sienta por medio de nosotros. Tomemos tiempo para reflexionar si nuestras actitudes reflejan al Reinado de Dios.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
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