Throughout this Easter season we celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord. Traditionally, the Easter season is the most appropriate time to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. These sacraments are beautiful ways to share in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ.
Here at St. Patrick’s, we have enjoyed several such sacramental celebrations during this season. It began at the beautiful celebration of the Easter Vigil. During this celebration, 14 people were baptized (7 adults and 7 young children); and 9 previously baptized adults were received into full Communion with the Catholic Church. All of those adults plus another 21 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation. For many of these people, they also received Holy Communion for the first time.
On a few occasions since then, we have celebrated the baptisms of 13 children from our school and religious education programs. In addition, on April 15 we baptized 5 children from our Spanish community. They are now ready for their First Communion. Additionally, we baptize babies twice a month on Saturday mornings.
On Saturday, April 29, we celebrated First Holy Communion for 52 of the young people in our religious education program. On Saturday, May 6, we celebrated the First Holy Communion of 50 of our students from our school. On May 13, we will celebrate 38 First Communions from the Spanish community. I always enjoy these celebrations, especially the excitement and joyfulness of the young people to receive Jesus for the first time.
On Friday, May 5 we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for 76 of our high school students. We are so pleased that Cardinal Robert McElroy could be with us to call down the Holy Spirit upon our young adults. We pray that they may be faithful witnesses to Christ in the world.
I mention all these celebrations of the Sacraments of Initiation because I want you to know that the Church is alive and well. New members are coming into the Church. Catholic adults and youth are affirming and celebrating their faith in the Lord Jesus. Sometimes the negativity we read about in the news and social media would make us wonder if the Church is dying out. These celebrations along with the increased Mass attendance we have seen in the last few months give me great hope.
Let us together continue to build up our community of faith. Be missionary disciples who reach out and invite others to come and join us. We have every reason to be proud of our parish.
Due to a leak underneath the driveway in front of the church, there will be some digging and excavation starting on Wednesday, May 10. It will be at the area where the driveway meets the
parking area. Depending on the extent of the damage found underneath, it is hoped that repairs will be completed prior to the weekend.
Thank you for your understanding.
Why is May the Month of Mary?
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century. Some say because it was created to replace various pagan cults. The actual reason is the fact that this month is the time when spring is at the height of its beauty. Spring is also connected with nature renewing itself. In her way, Mary gave new life to the world when she gave birth to our savior Jesus Christ.
The link between Mary and the month of May became popular among the members of the Jesuit Order — by 1700 it had a firm hold among their students at the Roman College and a short time later it was publicly celebrated in the Gesu Church in Rome. From there it spread to the rest of the Church.
The pious practice of honoring Mary during the month of May has been especially promoted by the Popes. Pius XII made frequent reference to it and in his great Encyclical on the Sacred Liturgy Mediator Dei. He characterized it as one of “other exercises of piety which although not strictly belonging to the Sacred Liturgy, are nevertheless of special import and dignity, and may be considered in a certain way to be an addition to the liturgical cult: they have been approved and praised over and over again by the Apostolic See and by the Bishops.”
Devotion to Mary is an important part of the Catholic identity. As our mother she is an example of a committed “Yes” to the will of God. Because of the devotion to her, many people ask her for help in the most difficult moments of their life as any child does with his mother.
In our parish, we pray the Rosary daily after the 8:00 am Mass and on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Our school will have its May Crowning on May 12 at the 9:00 am Mass. There will also be a May Crowning at the end of the next Family Mass on Sunday May 21 at 9:00 am.
Mothers Day Novena of Masses
Once again this year, our parish will celebrate nine days of Masses for our mothers – living and deceased. These Masses are scheduled for May 15-23 at the regular parish Mass times.
To have your mother remembered at these Masses, please use the envelope from your bimonthly packet marked Mother’s Day, use a plain envelope, or envelopes are also available at the doors of the church.
Write on the envelope the names of your mother, grandmother, godmother or mother-figure. Put your envelope in the collection basket or send it to the parish office. These envelopes will be placed on the altar during this Novena of Masses.
An Imaginary Dinner Party with Saints and Biblical Figures
Last week Jonathan Scott performed an organ concert which brought together various musical pieces associated with royalty and royal occasions on the king of instruments in the stunning surroundings of Ripon Cathedral. Sit back and enjoy this beautiful 56-minute concert.
We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.
Online Giving Reminder
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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.
Which gospels mention the Blessed Virgin Mary by name?
What is the name of the town in which Mary grew up?
According to Luke 2:41-51, Mary and Joseph found Jesus Christ in the Jewish temple when he was twelve years-old. Prior to that, they had lost him and he had been missing for three days. What did Mary say after Jesus told her that he needed to be in his Father's house?
Do Catholics worship and adore Mary?
Roman Catholics believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven after her death. This dogma of the Assumption was declared by which pope and e in what year?
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 early Christian community chooses seven people to serve at table so that the Twelve can devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
The Lord is merciful toward those who trust in him.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2:4-9
Those who have faith are chosen in Christ to be a holy priesthood.
Gospel Reading
John 14:1–12
Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
Background on the Gospel Reading
The readings for the last few Sundays have been about the Resurrection, but today’s Gospel takes us back in time to an event in Jesus’ life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples’ reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he himself is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.
Philip then makes a request that challenges Jesus’ words. Philip wants Jesus to show the Father to the disciples. Recall that Jesus has just told his disciples, “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” As a good teacher, Jesus responds to Philip by repeating and elaborating on what he has just told the disciples: they have seen and known Jesus, so they have seen and known the Father. Then Jesus offers another reassurance about his departure: because of faith in God and in Jesus, the disciples will do the work that Jesus has done and more.
The connection between Jesus and his Father, between Jesus’ work and the work of the Father, is made clear in today’s Gospel. Jesus is in the Father, and God the Father is in Jesus. As God spoke his name to Moses, “I am,” so too Jesus speaks his name to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
The revelation of the Trinity is completed in the passage that follows today’s reading, and it is the Gospel for next Sunday. Because Jesus goes away, the Father will send in Jesus’ name the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will continue the work of the Father and of Jesus.
In the Breaking of the Bread
The very first name given to the weekly gathering for the Eucharist was “the breaking of the bread.” That is how the early Christians referred to the Mass. This beautiful song captures the many layers of meaning that are a part of our understanding of Jesus breaking his Body and pouring out his Blood for us.
Garage Sale
The Monthly Sunday Garage Sale will be held Sunday, May 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We hope you will come and visit us. We have so many wonderful things and we would love to see you. We are located at the far North Parking Lot. Just look for the Garage Sale Signs.
Our Next Blood Drive
Save the date! As part of our commitment to our community, St. Patrick Catholic Church is hosting a blood drive on May 21, 2023 from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. When you donate blood, you are making a difference in someone's life. There is no substitute for your lifesaving gift.
Please make a commitment to save a life on 05/21/2023.
If this is your first time donating please review our FAQs.
Thanks to our Knights of Columbus for organizing this Blood Drive.
Soup Suppers
Join us for delicious homemade soup and dessert in the parish hall every Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. This week, Thursday May 11, we will feature delicious Navy Bean and Ham Soup. No cost to join us for good food, conversation and music.
Volunteers are needed for any week to shop & cook, serve, cleanup, provide live music and deliver meals. If you can help, contact Mark Anderson – Manderson@icarusrt.com or 760-889-1327.
A Soup Suppers volunteer will be available on the patio after Masses this weekend to provide more information and answer your questions.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
“En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: "No pierdan la paz. Si creen en Dios, crean también en mí. En la casa de mi Padre hay muchas habitaciones. Si no fuera así, yo se lo habría dicho a ustedes, porque ahora voy a prepararles un lugar”. (Evangelio san Juan 14:1-2). Continuamos en nuestro camino hacia Pentecostés. Que regalo tan más grande que Dios le ha dado a la Iglesia en darnos siete semanas de Pascua para ir abriendo este regalo poco a poco para que entendamos el significado del Misterio Pascual. Hoy escuchamos en el Evangelio que Jesús les dice a sus discípulos, “No pierdan la paz”, les dice que en la casa de su Padre hay muchas habitaciones, y que va a prepárales un lugar. El discípulo Tomás y Felipe se encuentran nerviosos, no quieren que Jesús se vaya y los deje solos. Y le piden a Jesús más explicación. ¿Cuál hubiera ser nuestra reacción si hubiéramos estado allí con los discípulos en esta historia? ¿Qué pasa con nosotros cuando se nos presenta un problema o un conflicto? Entra la duda (la falta de fe), el temor y nos cierra a las cosas de Dios. Jesús les recuerda a sus discípulos que no están solos, “que él es el camino, la verdad y la vida”. ¡Vivamos con esa fe en nuestro corazón y mente! Por medio de nuestro bautismo, fuimos consagrados y ungidos para Dios. San Pedro nos dice, “Acérquense al Señor Jesús, la piedra viva, rechazada por los hombres, pero escogida y preciosa a los ojos de Dios; porque también ustedes son piedras vivas que van entrando en la edificación del templo espiritual…” ¿Cómo me siento al saber que “soy piedra viva” antes los ojos de Dios?
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
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