A Word from the Pastor

November 10, 2023

I am happy that we will soon return to the practice of offering the Blood of Christ from the cup at Communion time. As you know, we receive the whole Christ (Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity) when we receive either the consecrated Bread or the consecrated Wine), but it is clearly the intention of Jesus that we should “Take and eat, take and drink.”

Let me review a few things about receiving Holy Communion. To be reminded of these things seems especially timely in this Eucharistic Revival Year. Those who receive Communion should be prepared to accept this great gift and are encouraged to receive devoutly and frequently. We should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive Communion without prior sacramental confession. (Note: this applies only to grave sin.) A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged for all. 

Because sharing at the Eucharistic Table is a sign of unity in the Body of Christ, only those in spiritual union with the Catholic Church may receive Communion. To invite others to receive Communion implies a belief and unity which does not exist. All who are not receiving Communion are encouraged to come forward for a blessing (arms crossed over their chest) or prayerfully express in their hearts a desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

The Communion procession is an action of the Body of Christ. At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person, we move forward in procession to share in the sacred meal, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ as the sign and the source of our unity. Our procession should move with dignity; our behavior should be that of those who know they have been redeemed by Christ and are coming to receive their God!

Communion should be received standing and with a bow as an act of reverence made by those receiving. Those who receive Communion may receive either in the palm of the hand or on the tongue; it is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and grab the host from the person distributing. As we receive, we respond "Amen," a Hebrew word meaning "So be it!" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2856), indicating our belief that this small wafer of bread and the wine in this cup are the Body and Blood of Christ. Those receiving the Blood of Christ from the cup should take the cup in their hands as it is presented to them, take a small drink, and then carefully return it to the Communion minister. It is never permissible for a person to dip the host he/she has received into the cup. It is acceptable to receive either the host or the cup to receive the grace of the sacrament, but you should reverence both the host and the cup with a bow even if you choose not to receive both.

We will begin offering Communion from the cup at certain Masses beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3. I am sure that within a few weeks we will all remember how we did this in the past. 

Thank you for your spirit of joy and reverence as we come to the table of the Lord.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 [email protected]

“Celebrating Today, Planning For Tomorrow”

Thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted your Commitment Card to the church. For those parishioners who have not yet had the opportunity to submit their card, a letter will be mailed to you with a personalized Commitment Card.

Each and every one of you is a vital member of our parish community and we want to hear from you! This is an opportunity to reflect upon and renew your sacrificial commitment to support the mission of St. Patrick Catholic Community. For those who are able - there is an opportunity to make a one-time gift to the parish. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

We would like to have all Commitment Cards returned to the parish by Sunday, November 19.

For those of you who would prefer to fill out your Commitment Card online, by clicking the link below.

Scan this QR code for our electronic Commitment Card!

Clothing Needed at Showers of Blessings

Over the past months the number of people helped at Showers of Blessings has increased to almost 70 per week. The supply of clothing is running very low. We ask our parishioners to look in their clothing closets and donate anything they have not worn in a while. We are in need of:

• Men’s long and short sleeve t-shirts M, L and XL
• Men’s Sweatshirts and Hoodies L and XL
• Men’s walking shoes (sneakers) all sizes
• Men’s jeans (30, 32, 34, 36)
• Men’s and women’s jackets

Gently used clothing is fine, but new is always accepted.

Thank you!

A Prayer from Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. His autobiography, The Seven Story Mountain, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. Although he was a simple Cistercian monk, his spiritual writings have touched the hearts of many. The following prayer has been widely circulated and prayed by millions since he wrote in in the 1960s.

Thoughts in Solitude

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

― Thomas Merton

Joint Statement



Attached you will find an important and timely joint statement by Cardinal McElroy, Lutheran Bishop David C. Nagler and Episcopal Bishop Susan Brown Snook. It concerns the terrible situation that exists in the Middle East and its implications for all people of faith.

Finding a Way Between ‘Cafeteria Catholicism’ and Catholic Fundamentalism

Dr. Richard Gaillardetz, a well-known Catholic theologian at Boston College, explains the different forms of Catholic belief (dogma, doctrine, etc.) and the way we understand and live them. What can change and what is unchangeable?

Sunday Collection for 11/5/2023



Envelope Collection - $33,064.00

Plate Collection - $16,249.17

Online Giving - $18,944.46

     Total Collection: $68,258.17

  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.

1. Which Roman Catholic leader received the Nobel Prize for Peace and a special dispensation from the pope to expedite the process of her canonization?
2. Henry VIII’s marriage to which woman led to his break with the Roman Catholic Church?
3. Who was the first Frankish king to convert to Roman Catholicism?
4. The teachings of which Roman Catholic saint were condemned in 1277 by the university masters of Paris?
5. Which Roman Catholic organization, founded in 1928, has a name that means “Work of God”?

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.