A Word from the Pastor

June 9, 2023

I appreciate it when people tell me that this brief column helps them grow in their faith or gives them a new insight. That is clearly my intent. On this weekend when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, I will offer a brief reflection on the meaning of this feast.

Some of you will remember when this feast was called Corpus Christi and it was celebrated on a Thursday. That changed after the Second Vatican Council when it was raised from a feast to a solemnity and moved to a Sunday so that more people could be present.

It began as a local feast in the 13th century and it spread to the whole Church in the 14th century. While the institution of the Eucharist is celebrated on Holy Thursday, a desire was expressed to have a feast that focused solely on the Eucharist. The liturgy on that Holy Thursday also commemorates Christ's washing of the disciples' feet and the institution of the priesthood. It was the night on which Jesus prayed in the garden and was arrested. So many other important things took place on that day that the theme of the Eucharist could be lost. The pope at that time gave this as the chief reason for the introduction of the new feast. Hence, the feast of Corpus Christi was established to put a spotlight on the meaning and importance of the Holy Eucharist.

One of the customs associated with this feast was a Eucharistic procession. In our parish, and in many other parishes across our diocese and country, this custom will be replicated as a kickoff for our National Eucharistic Revival. Our procession is on this Sunday (June 11) at the end of the 9:00 am Family Mass.

There are many interrelated themes that intertwine into a rich theology of the Eucharist. In the course of the coming year, we will look at each of them in turn. For example, we believe that the Mass is a continuation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. The Paschal Mystery is the central theme of every Mass. The word Eucharist itself means thanksgiving. The Mass is our greatest prayer of thanks to our God. We believe that during the Mass the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. In Holy Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Receiving Holy Communion is a very important way for us to fully participate in the Mass.

Jesus is present under these elements and that presence remains even after the celebration is over. That is why our church has a tabernacle. It is the place where the consecrated bread is kept for bringing Communion to the sick and for adoration by the faithful.

The Mass is also a meal of unity. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted this sacrament during a special meal in fellowship with his disciples. He instructed them to do this in remembrance of him. As St. Paul says, sharing this bread brings us together as one body. And as St. Augustine says, “Become what you receive. You receive the Body of Christ and so you must be the Body of Christ.”

These are some of the principal themes we will consider during this Eucharist Year. May it be a time for a revival in faith for each of us.

In one Heart,



Fr. Ron 

rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.com

Eucharistic Revival Begins

in Parishes

No doubt you remember how the Diocese of San Diego held a diocesan-wide Eucharistic renewal a couple years ago. Read this short article that summarizes what we did then:

https://sdcatholic.org/cardinal/eucharist-initiative/

Now we join the Church across the United States in a National Eucharistic Revival. Once again we will focus in on the meaning of the Eucharist at the parish level. Various special programs and devotions will be offered. Our ministries and organizations will be asked to spend time reflecting on the importance of the Eucharist. Some small group sharing will also focus on what the Eucharist means to us.

Tune into the free webinars entitled Liturgical Reform of the Mass through the Ages being offered by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. To watch live, sign up at this link. You can watch them later as long as you sign up.

https://fdlc.org/liturgical-reform-of-the-mass-through-the-ages/

Stay tuned for more about the ways this Eucharistic Revival will take shape in our parish.

Family Mass and Eucharistic Procession

On Sunday June 11, our Family Mass at 9:00 am will conclude with a Eucharistic procession. The homily will speak to the children at their level about the Eucharist. After Communion, all those who wish are invited to form a procession that will travel across our property, beginning at the church and walking to the covered court of the school. The priest will carry the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. The choir will sing as we walk. Children (and adults) are invited to bring flowers (with long stems) that they will carry in the procession and place in a vase at the altar. When we arrive at the outdoor altar, we will say some prayers and sing a hymn. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

[Note: as the procession passes through the parking lot on the way to the covered court, for a few minutes as a safety precaution, no cars will be permitted to drive through the parking lot.]



Everyone is welcome to join in this Eucharistic procession and honor Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Looking More Deeply into the Eucharistic Revival

In this webinar, (originally presented a year ago in June 2022) Timothy P. O'Malley, author of Real Presence and Becoming Eucharistic People, introduces a positive way of approaching the revival: as a chance to act on the idea--supported by many of the fathers of the Second Vatican Council--that the Eucharist builds the Church and the Church builds the Eucharist. O'Malley also address how every US diocese and parish can become a Eucharistic community grounded in the self-giving love of Jesus Christ.

Graduates Blessing This Saturday and Sunday!

Happy Birthday Fr. Ben

On June 12, our dear Fr. Ben Drapeau, CJM will turn 90 years old.

In order to celebrate this very special occasion, our parish will host a cake and coffee social on Sunday June 18 following the 11:00 am Mass (at which Fr. Ben will preside). Immediately following the Mass, Fr. Ben will be present in the Parish Center. Come share some food and friendship with Fr. Ben. (He asks that no gifts be given to him.)

Annual Catholic Appeal

We are now well into the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Our parish has a goal of $96,625.00. Up to this point our parishioners have donated or pledged $61,485.18. That means we still want to collect the balance of $35,139.82.

Please remember all the good things that ACA does. If you misplaced your brochure or did not receive one, they are available at the doors of the church and in the parish office. You can send your donation in or go online.



Thank you for all that you are doing to help those in need.

We are called to converse

with God



In this article, Fr. Jeff Kirby speaks about why it is important for us to move beyond set

prayers and really converse with God. The article appeared in the online publication

Cruxnow in the June 4, 2023 issue.

Panis Angelicus

Panis Angelicus (Bread of Angels)is the penultimate stanza of the hymn Sacris solemniis written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the feast of Corpus Christi. The setting in this video was composed in 1872 by César Franck for tenor voice, harp, cello, and organ as part of his Messe à Trois Voix. It is performed here by the Quorum Trio. The video includes the lyrics in Latin and English.

Please join St. Patrick Soup for Shoes for gourmet soup, bread, desert & camaraderie Thursdays 4:30-6PM. This week we are serving White Chicken Chili 😊

Kindly RSVP via QR Code or 760-889-1327.

All June & July Donations support Shoes to the World in partnership with Father Azam’s family & Eudist Fathers-Sowing the Seeds of Mercy to provide 1,000 pairs of shoes to Pakistan school children living in poverty. Your Support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!



Visit: www.shoestotheworld.org/donate or send check payable to Shoes to the World- Pakistan (IRS 501-c-3) to the church office or 3450 James Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Sunday Collection for 6/4/2023

Envelope:       $6,715.00

Plate:                $8,930.00

Online Giving:  $22,184.83

Total Collection: $37,829.33

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

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.

1. The word Eucharist comes from a Greek word. What does that word mean?
2. When Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist, it was held on what Jewish feast day?
3. What does transubstantiation mean?
4. What kind of wine is used in the celebration of the Mass?
5. What do we call the burning desire to receive Holy Communion when for some reason we are not able to do so?

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