I am so pleased that we were able to make a smooth transition to offering Mass exclusively outside on the covered court of the school. We are making a few adjustments as we go along, but overall it has been a very positive experience. Even our attendance has increased.
When we first started having Mass in the church and outside, we rented 100 chairs to accommodate our parishioners. When Mass moved outside exclusively, we increased the rental to 150 chairs. The cost of renting those chairs for one month is $670.00.
Several people have suggested that it would be more cost effective to buy our own chairs. No one is sure how long we will continue having Masses exclusively outside, but it seems that using the outdoors for Mass and other gatherings will be part of reality for some time to come.
Would you like to help buy chairs for our outdoor Masses? We plan to order 200 chairs since our attendance has been increasing. The cost of the chairs is $13.50 each. Perhaps you would like to buy a dozen or half dozen, or more. Any amount would be a help. Please call the office or send me an email to tell me how you want to help with this project.
May God continue to bless us as a worshiping parish community.
Thursday, August 6 is the Feast of the Transfiguration
This gospel reflection by Fr. Michael Moore, OMI is an invitation to experience our own transfigurations:
Sometimes, without knowing it or even being aware of it, we can get locked into our own world and our particular situation. We can forget about or lose sight of the fact that we are part of a much bigger world.
In the gospel for today’s feast Jesus takes some of his friends away from the business of the village and marketplace. He invites them to travel with him as he makes his way up the mountain. This is not unusual. We know from the gospels that Jesus often went off by himself to the mountains to pray. While they were there praying something wild and wonderful happened. Jesus was transfigured; he was changed; his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Imagine how surprised, shocked and taken aback those with Jesus were. Once composed, Peter utters the famous words, “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here.” But more importantly than what was said, is what they heard; “This is my Son, the beloved, he enjoys my favor, listen to him.”
These words are as much meant for us today as they were for those who first heard them. Today, we are surrounded if not bombarded by news all the time. We now have twenty-four hour news on our televisions, news from around the world arrives in seconds to us through the internet and on our phones. There is no end to magazines and newspapers we can buy. They are filled with news, but not all of it good news; some of it may even be fake news.
The word and message that Jesus speaks to us and offers is life-giving and life-changing. The words of Jesus nourish, nurture, and sustain us, if we open our hearts and lives to hearing them. As John’s gospel reminds us, “Lord, you have the message of eternal life.”
The Transfiguration gives us a brief and fleeting glimpse of Jesus in all his glory. It is a taste of what is to come. It is offered to us to encourage and challenge us in our daily lives. It reminds us that our lives are far more than what we see, hear and experience every day. It is not just a matter getting through the day. Being a follower of Jesus is about living with meaning, purpose and hope. The transfiguration not only offers us a glimpse of Jesus in all his glory, it also offers each of us a foretaste of what God promises each of us in the fullness of the Kingdom.
We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration. But every day in countless and seemingly small ways God does break into our world and our daily lives. Every time we experience a moment of peace, joy, reconciliation or forgiveness, God is with us. Every time that we reach out to help another person is a moment of transfiguration both for ourselves and for those we help. Each time somebody shows care and concern for us is a moment when God is reaching out to us.
This week, let us open our hearts so that we may hear Jesus speaking to us. May we slow down and look for moments of small but important times of transfiguration in our own ordinary daily lives.
Everyone Praise the Lord
A boy soprano, Aksel Rykkvin sings praise to the Lord:
"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.
According to tradition (including non biblical sources), how many archangels are there?
What is unique about the bread which is consecrated at Mass and becomes the Body of Christ?
How many of the original 12 apostles were Jewish?
What was the hometown of Jesus while he was growing up?
Can you name the three bishops who serve the Diocese of San Diego?
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.comWe will be pleased to add them.
We have opened a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses as well as Fr. Ron's new Bible Study posted for the parish called St Patrick Church Carlsbad that you can subscribe to.
The Lord will renew his covenant with the descendants of David.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145:8-9,15-18
The Lord provides for his people.
Second Reading
Romans 8:35,37-39
Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus feeds the crowd with five loaves and two fish.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last week we heard Jesus conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative, Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts the story of John the Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading begins at this point.
Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw, but the crowds follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals the sick. At the end of a long day, the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagerness of their own provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does not even include the women and children.
Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples. In this action, Jesus offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we witness an example for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the four Gospels. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same miracle on two separate occasions. The story of this miracle is an anticipation of the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from the very beginning.
Unfortunately, due to the looming presence of the virus that causes Covid-19, we are still not able to offer traditional confessions on a regularly scheduled basis. The principal reason for this is simple: all of our priests are over 70 years of age and considered part of the vulnerable population. We cannot put them at greater risk.
Our priests are very generous and, if you have a serious need to ask for confession, they will agree. But please do not ask for confession just out of personal piety. Be considerate of the health and safety of our priests. For the same reason, please do not ask for a priest to come to your home for a house blessing, anointing of the sick (unless in danger of death), Holy Communion to the sick or a hospital visit. Most hospitals are not allowing priests to visit.
However, we can make greater use of General Absolution as a way to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As this pandemic drags on, we will offer General Absolution on a more regular basis. In fact, several parishioners have asked for it more frequently.
On the 2nd weekend of each month, General Absolution will be given at all the weekend Masses. During the next month it will be offered on August 8-9. In addition, General Absolution will be given at all three Masses on every Friday. This is appropriate since Friday is a traditional penitential day in the liturgical cycle of the Church. This will begin on Friday, August 7.
This practice gives us another way to celebrate the forgiveness of Christ extended to us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Jesús satisfizo a los hombres hambrientos. El reino de Dios, del cual Jesús proclama el advenimiento, no es de este mundo, sino que está en relación directa con él. No se puede pensar que no se manifieste también como una respuesta efectiva a esa necesidad básica del hombre, que es la necesidad de pan.
Pero la multitud siguió a Jesús para escuchar su mensaje. Ahora las Buenas Nuevas que proclama nunca se reducirán a una saciedad corporal. Lo esencial es otro, y la multiplicación de los panes es solo el signo de un pan de vida que satisface por la eternidad. Pero el pan divino que satisface al hombre lo hace capaz de amar más a sus hermanos; despierta en él un dinamismo humano que lo lleva a conseguir pan para quienes se ven privados de él. El milagro de la multiplicación de los panes es una señal y un atractivo para el cristiano.
Our parish is blessed by so many kind and generous people. Even in the midst of the ever-changing circumstances of parish life during a pandemic, many of our parishioners have continued to send or bring their contributions to the parish. Many have begun using online giving. I am so grateful that so many people have continued to contribute. It has been very helpful to the financial situation of the parish. While our income is down significantly, the generosity shown by so many has enabled us to maintain the parish complex, keep current with our bills, and pay our dedicated staff. Thank you all, very much!
Even as Masses are being celebrated outside on the school grounds, there will be specially marked baskets on the tables near the entrance to the field into which you can place your offerings. Of course, you can continue to mail us your contribution or drop it off at the office (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). Online giving remains a good option as well. Thank you for supporting your parish.
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm.
During this time of inactivity, we will use our parish email system to communicate with parishioners to offer spiritual reflections and make announcements.
In case of an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. We will be checking regularly for messages and respond as soon as possible. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly.
If you know someone who does not receive our emails, please forward this to them, or have them reply to this message.
To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the link below:
