We are now entering the second week of the inviting, challenging, consoling season of Lent. We have heard the call to repent and believe which we received with the imposition of ashes on our foreheads.
That call is different for every person. And for every person the call changes as we move through the years of our lives. Our challenge is to listen, to be attentive to what God might be asking of us and to be generous in our response to that call when we understand it.
In the classic practice of the Church, we prepare ourselves to listen and to respond to God’s Lenten call by the triple discipline of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through these exercises we dispose ourselves to be in the right relationship with God, neighbor and ourselves. These practices are not ends in themselves. They are reminders of our need for internal conversion and a change of heart. They symbolize our desire to forget ourselves so that we might find God.
I know that you live a very busy life. But I do encourage you during this holy season to incorporate into your daily living some generous but reasonable expression of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
You might pray at the long red light or while waiting in line at the supermarket. How about passing on a latte each day and sending the money to Catholic Relief Services for the refugees from Ukraine? Would you think of writing a letter to someone you know to be very lonely? And isn’t it about time to break the icy silence that has existed for too long between you and you-know-who? Is there a caregiver for whom you might provide a break? Have you said the rosary in a while? Or pray the Stations of the Cross alone or with others.
There are so many small, ordinary ways in which we can remember and contemplate deep in our hearts the wonders of God’s compassionate and enduring love for every one of us. The disciplines of Lent are not an exercise of spiritual muscle flexing. They are our way of opening our hearts anew to the wonders of God’s love. Rejoicing in all of that turns our hearts toward and prepares us to renew our baptismal promises at Easter.
I hope that those of us who have already been baptized in the Lord can pray for a deepening of our call during Lent that the Easter feast will find us excited about the life we enjoy and ready to share it with others. As we pray for one another, so too I hope we can pray for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, and for those already baptized, who will be received into our faith community. Lent is a special time of prayer and preparation for them.
Throughout the season of Lent, confessions are heard at our parish every Wednesday immediately after the Mass at 8:30 am and immediately after the Mass at 5:30 pm.
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Confesiones en San Patricio
Durante la temporada de Cuaresma, las confesiones se escuchan en nuestra parroquia todos los miércoles inmediatamente después de la Misa de las 8:30 a. m. e inmediatamente después de la Misa de las 5:30 p. m.
Bach for Lent
Lord God, Now Unlock Heaven! My time draws to a close, I have completed by course, which makes my soul rejoice, I have suffered enough, am tired with struggling, send me off to eternal rest, let go that which prefers to find blessedness on earth.
Prelude & Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
Not Too Late to Sign Up
Parishioners tell us it is a wonderful experience!
Saturday, March 12, 9:00-11:00 am (both English and Spanish) in the Parish School
Sunday, March 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon (English) in the Parish Center
Sunday, March 13, 2:00- 4:00 pm (Spanish) in the Parish Center Friday,
Friday, March 18, 6:00 - 8:00 pm (both English and Spanish) in the Parish School
Sunday, March 20, 10:00 am-12:00 noon (English) in the Parish Center
Sunday, March 20, 2:00-4:00 pm (Spanish) in the Parish Center
The focus is on listening to the People of God as they express their joys, hopes and concerns for the Church.
You may sign up by going to the parish website, use the QR below, or call the office at 760-729-2866
Click below to sign up for one of the remaining Listening Sessions or use the QR code to take you to the sign up site.
Whether Orthodox or Catholic, the Ukrainian people turn to their faith in God during this time of great peril. This article describes a little about their faith.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Is Helping the People of the Ukraine
Bishop McElroy and all the bishops of the United States are inviting all the faithful to contribute to a fund that will provide assistance to the victims of war in Ukraine. Our contributions, which are an expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, will assist the Church’s pastoral response and provide resources for humanitarian assistance.
Your donations will go to the people who need it, in particular, the refugees fleeing the country. The money will be channeled through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) You may use the link below or put an envelope marked “UKRAINE” in our regular collection; then we will make sure it goes to CRS.
You can read an article about what CRS is already doing for the refugees who are fleeing the Ukraine.
The media has plenty of stories about the great crisis in the Ukraine. Included here are a couple stories about the Vatican’s response to the situation. Pope Francis has sent two of his top aides as his personal envoys to see what the Vatican might be able to do about the crisis of the Ukrainian people. Not only do they bring humanitarian aid but also will explore other ways the Vatican can help.
Our parish will hold a mini-Lenten retreat on March 21-23 (Monday-Wednesday) in our parish church beginning at 7:00 pm. Each session will be approximately one hour. On Monday and Tuesday, the program will also be offered at 8:30 am (after the morning Mass).
On Monday March 21, the theme is Living the Mission. Fr. Ron will speak about how Baptism and the other sacraments call us to share in the mission of the Lord. Three parishioners will give brief witness talks about how they try to live the mission of Jesus in their family, workplace and the world.
On Tuesday, March 22, we will have a time of prayer called Taizé Prayer around the Cross. The cross will be our focus as we listen to readings from Scripture, meditate in silence and chant songs in the style of the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France.
On Wednesday, March 23, we will have our annual parish Lenten Penance Service. After a brief prayer service and examination of conscience, many priests will be on hand to hear individual confessions and give absolution.
Try to come to all three evenings or one or two if you can make it.
Stations of the Cross and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
During Lent communal praying of the Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 3:00 pm and again at 6:30 pm in the church. The church is open during the day for private praying of the Stations. Our outdoor stations of the cross are also available any time.
Every Tuesday, there will be an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 2:00-5:00 pm. (During Lent, adoration will end at 5:00 pm due to a Mass at 5:30 pm.)
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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.
The first Catholic diocese in the United States was established in Baltimore, MD in 1789. Who was the first bishop?
What percentage of the world’s population is Catholic?
Which US state has the highest percentage of Catholics
Which US state has the lowest percentage of Catholics?
Who was the first pope to visit the United States?
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.
Paul encourages the Philippians to remain firm in their faith that Christ will subject all things to himself.
Gospel Reading
Luke 9:28b-36
Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, John, and James.
Background on the Gospel Reading
On the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert and temptation by the devil to the glory shown in Jesus' Transfiguration. On the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel always tells the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday, we always hear the story of Jesus' Transfiguration.
The report of Jesus' Transfiguration is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The context for Luke's Transfiguration story is similar to that found in both Matthew and Mark. The Transfiguration occurs after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus' prediction about his Passion. After the prediction there is a discussion of the cost of discipleship in each of these Gospels. The placement of the Transfiguration story close to Peter's confession and Jesus' prediction encourages us to examine the Transfiguration in the larger context of the Paschal Mystery.
The Transfiguration occurs on a mountain in the presence of just three of Jesus' disciples—Peter, James and John. These are among the first disciples that Jesus called in Luke's Gospel. We recently heard this Gospel at Mass, on the fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Only Luke's Gospel, which often describes Jesus at prayer, indicates that Jesus is praying as his appearance changes to bright white. Luke indicates that the three disciples were sleeping while Jesus prayed. They will be sleeping again as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane before his Passion and death.
As they awake, Peter and the disciples see Jesus Transfigured and Elijah and Moses present with Jesus. Elijah and Moses, both significant figures in the history of Israel, represent Jesus' continuity with the Law and the Prophets. In Matthew's and Mark's Gospels, there is reference to conversation among Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, but only Luke's Gospel explains that this conversation is about Jesus' later accomplishments in Jerusalem. Luke describes this as his exodus, connecting Jesus' Passion, death, and Resurrection with Israel's Exodus from Egypt.
On witnessing Jesus' Transfiguration and seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses, Peter offers to construct three tents for them. Having just awoken, perhaps Peter's offer was made in confusion. We also notice that Peter reverted from his earlier confession that Jesus is the Messiah, calling Jesus “master” instead. As if in reply to Peter's confusion, a voice from heaven speaks, affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding that the disciples listen to him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus' baptism which, in Luke's Gospel, spoke directly to Jesus as God's Son.
In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus' Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, the disciples keep secret what they have seen. Not until they also witness his Passion and death will the disciples understand Jesus' Transfiguration. We hear this story of Jesus' Transfiguration early in Lent, but we have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of it, we anticipate Jesus' Resurrection even as we prepare to remember Jesus' Passion and death.
This a very bold arrangement of Psalm 27, this week’s Responsorial Psalm. The arrangement is by Paul Thompson. The recording is from the concert presentation "Hope" 4/17/2016 Stonebriar Community Church.
Pope Francis to Canonize More Saints on May 15
A diverse group of holy men and women will be officially recognized as saints by the Catholic Church on May 15. They include a martyr from the Dachau prison camp, a layman who converted from Hinduism to Catholicism in the 18th century, and a French nun who founded the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1796 during the time of the French Revolution when many Catholic convents were closed and religious activities were outlawed.
For the complete list of 15 new saints, click below.
The Saint Patrick Parish Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will be hosting their annual Lenten food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank North County Branch! The food drive will begin on March 5th & 6th and continue through the weekend of April 2nd & 3rd. There will be Knights there before and after each Mass to collect donations. We are also hoping for help from the Boy Scouts! Non-perishable food items (except for glass containers) will be accepted. Or we will accept cash and/or checks made out to the San Diego Food Bank.
This food drive exemplifies giving to others in need as a way for us to show our gratefulness for our blessings that God has provided us! Just like last year, the donation station will be located at the back door of the Parish Hall. Stop by and donate from your car.
Story of the Transfiguration Told for Kids
The gospel for 2nd Sunday of Lent tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus. This cartoon-style video tells the story in a way young people may understand.
Thank You from the Knights of Columbus Council 15076
The Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Council would like to thank the St. Patrick Catholic Community for its generous charitable support of the Valentine’s Day flower sale supporting Birth Choice. The Knights were able to present Birth Choice with a $769 check.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
No había terminado de hablar, cuando se formó una nube que los cubrió; y ellos, al verse envueltos por la nube, se llenaron de miedo. De la nube salió una voz que decía, “Este es mi Hijo, mi escogido; escúchenlo.” En esta segunda semana de cuaresma, en el Evangelio escuchamos la historia de la Transfiguración, donde Jesús mientras oraba con el Padre su divinidad es revelada. Se nos ha dicho que Jesús era 100% Divino y 100% humano. La semana pasada leemos el texto de las tentaciones de Jesús y cómo humano pudo vencerlas. ¿Pero qué significa para nosotros la Transfiguración? ¿Qué es lo que Dios nos quiere enseñar con este acto? El Cielo, la Vida Eterna, es nuestro destino.San Pablo en la segunda lectura nos dice “que somos ciudadanos del cielo, de donde esperamos que venga nuestro Salvador, Jesucristo”. O sea que cada momento de nuestra vida, cada experiencia agradable y no agradable, es oportunidad para nosotros reflejar a Dios, a quien adoramos y glorificamos, cómo nos enseñó Jesús. Yo se que no es fácil, el temor y la ansiedad; el coraje y la vanidad nos ganan y sentimos que Dios no está con nosotros y que hemos sido abandonados. Dios siempre está en nuestra historia. ¿Qué reflejamos a otros? ¿Reflejamos a personas alegres que viven cómo ciudadanos del cielo, de donde esperamos que venga Jesucristo, nuestro salvador? ¿O, somos influidos y esclavos a las cosas de este mundo?
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
Here is an interesting family activity for Lent. It’s not too late to try it at your house.
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
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