This past week you probably received a letter from me (or will receive it soon) asking once again for your support for our Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). It is a longstanding tradition in the Diocese of San Diego that Catholics from San Diego and Imperial counties generously support the wonderful projects that this appeal underwrites.
This year’s ACA theme is: Renewing Hope. How appropriate that theme is in a year which has seen so much misery and suffering. So many of our brothers and sisters are struggling not only with their health but also emotionally and financially. Those of us who can help those in need have a wonderful opportunity through ACA.
The Annual Catholic Appeal this year will help fund the formation of and care for our priests, who shepherd our parishes in this time of suffering and renewal. It will support our Catholic schools and faith formation programs, which bring hope and faith to our young people. The Appeal will support our diocesan office of marriage, family life and spirituality in its focus on strengthening the family at this key moment in our history. And the Appeal will help Catholic Charities to reach out to those who have suffered most greatly from the social and economic devastation of the past year.
It is timely that this appeal coincides with Lent. Our Lenten disciplines move us to share with those most in need. Once again our parish goal for this year’s ACA is $92,000. It will be a challenge for us as a parish to reach that goal. Thank you for whatever you are able to contribute so that as part of the Church of San Diego, we may continue to bring hope to those who suffer.
Under the creative direction and technical skills of Fr. Ricardo, the parish has produced its own recorded version of the Stations of the Cross. It features several of our priests, deacons and lectors. The scripture verses, prayers and visuals will lead to a deeper reflection on the suffering and death of our Lord.
It is available on YouTube in two formats. One of them has the fourteen stations on a playlist. That means that you can pause after each station before you go on to the next one. The link for that that is below.
The other format features one file with all fourteen stations flowing continuously and has Gregorian chant interspersed between the stations. The link for that is below.
You can also find the stations individually on our YouTube channel. You can pray these stations on your phone, tablet, computer or anywhere you can connect to YouTube. Consider praying the stations outside in our new outdoor area next to the church. It is a nice area to pray the Stations of the Cross in the open air. Or pray them from the comfort of your home.
Also, on each Friday of Lent, Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3:00 pm in the church. Of course, masks and social distancing are required.
Listen to these reflections by Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington DC and first Black Cardinal in the United States.
Black History Month
This week we consider two outstanding Black Americans who are on their way to canonization: Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854-1897) and Servant of God Julia Greely (died 1918).
Father Augustus Tolton was the first U.S. Roman Catholic priest publicly known to be black when he was ordained in 1886. A former slave who was baptized and reared Catholic, Tolton formally studied in Rome. He was ordained in Rome on Easter Sunday at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Fr. Tolton led the development and construction of St. Monica’s Catholic Church as a black "National Parish Church”, which was completed in 1893. Tolton’s success at ministering to black Catholics quickly earned him national attention within the Catholic hierarchy. “Good Father Gus,” as many called him, was known for his eloquent sermons, his beautiful singing voice, and his talent for playing the accordion. He is the subject of the 1973 biography From Slave to Priest by Sister Caroline Hemesath.
Julia Greeley was born into slavery in Hannibal, Missouri sometime between 1833 and 1848. Freed by Missouri's Emancipation Act in 1865, Julia subsequently earned her keep by serving white families in Missouri, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico—though mostly in the Denver area. Julia entered the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver in 1880 and was an outstanding supporter of all the parish. The Jesuits who ran the parish considered her the most enthusiastic promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus they had ever seen. Every month she visited on foot every fire station in Denver and delivered literature of the Sacred Heart League to the firemen, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. A daily communicant, Julia had a rich devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin and continued her prayers while working. She joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1901 and was active in it till her death in 1918. As part of the Cause for Canonization, Julia's mortal remains were transferred to Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on June 7, 2017.
"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.
In what city was St. Paul born?
What was his original name?
Where did Paul meet the risen Jesus and experience conversion?
Where in the Bible do we read about the conversion of St. Paul?
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.
God establishes a covenant with Noah, giving a rainbow as its sign.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-5,6-7,8-9
A prayer praising God for his covenant
Second Reading
1 Peter 3:18-22
In our baptism, we are saved through Christ’s death and Resurrection.
Gospel Reading
Mark 1:12-15
Jesus is tempted in the desert by Satan.
Background on the Gospel Reading
On the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading in each Lectionary cycle is about Jesus’ temptation in the desert. This event in the life of Jesus is reported in each of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—but it is not found in John’s Gospel. This year we read Mark’s account of this event.
Compared to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the details throughout Mark’s narrative are sparse. This is evident in Mark’s account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Mark tells us only that Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit and that for 40 days he was tempted by Satan. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke explain that Jesus fasted while in the desert, that Satan presented him with three temptations, and that Jesus refused each one, quoting Scripture. Only the Gospels of Matthew and Mark report that angels ministered to Jesus at the end of his time in the desert.
In each of the Synoptic Gospels, the temptation of Jesus follows his baptism by John the Baptist. In Mark’s Gospel, we are told that Jesus went into the desert immediately after his baptism, led by the Spirit. Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee begins after his temptation in the desert. Mark’s Gospel makes a connection between the arrest of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ preaching about the Kingdom of God is in continuity with the preaching of John the Baptist, but it is also something new. As Jesus announces it, the Kingdom of God is beginning; the time of the fulfillment of God’s promises is here.
The fact that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert is significant. This recalls the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert after being led from slavery in Egypt. The prophet Elijah also journeyed in the desert for 40days and nights, making his way to Horeb, the mountain of God, where he was also attended to by an angel of the Lord. Remembering the significance of these events, we also set aside 40 days for the season of Lent.
In Mark’s Gospel, the desert marks beginning of Jesus’ battle with Satan; the ultimate test will be in Jesus’ final hours on the cross. In a similar way, our Lenten observances are only a beginning, a preparation for and a reinforcement of our ongoing struggle to resist the temptations we face in our lives. During Lent, we are led by the Holy Spirit to remember the vows of Baptism in which we promised to reject sin and to follow Jesus. Just as Jesus was ministered to by the angels, God also supports us in our struggle against sin and temptation. We succeed because Jesus conquered sin once and for all in his saving death on the cross.
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Lenten food drive to benefit the North County Branch of the San Diego Food Bank. Giving to those in need is a powerful way to do your part to participate with our church community during Lent. The drive will run the first four weekends of Lent. Donations will be accepted before/after all weekend Masses (Saturday and Sunday). The donation station will be set up at the back door of the hall. Drive up and the Knights will unload the food from your trunk. Our goal for this drive to 3000 pounds of food. That will serve a couple thousand meals.
Bible Study
on Isaiah 40-55
God has a message of hope. It came in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
Understanding Jesus as the heart of God’s message we might take a lesson from the early Church: after Jesus’ death and resurrection the Church turned to the book of Isaiah. Its poetic prophecies in chapters 40-55 provided rich insights into the significance of Jesus and how to speak hope into discouraging circumstances. Isaiah spoke to the hearts of early Christians. Let him move you as we journey together through Lent.
The study begins Monday, February 15, - 6:45 pm-8:30 pm
It continues February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22.
We will not meet in person; we will meet via Zoom conference (from the comfort of your own home). You need a computer (desktop or laptop) or a tablet or cell phone to meet.All who register will get an email with information on how to join the meeting. There is no cost for the zoom conference to you.
You will need the Booklet – cost $15. The study booklets are available at the parish office; office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
No bible study experience needed. Join us and bring a friend!
Spectacular Fireworks
The opening of the 2020 Olympics in Japan was scheduled to include a spectacular fireworks display. However, the fireworks were to be in Tokyo for the opening ceremony and because of COVID-19, the games were postponed.
The fireworks could not be stored until 2021 so they were set off recently under beautiful Mount Fuji. This video is set to the William Tell Overture so turn up the sound. You'll see a fireworks display like you’ve never seen before!
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
Hacer visible el Amor Incondicional de Dios. “Siempre que amamos a nuestro enemigo, demostramos algo del amor perfecto de Dios que reunirá a todos los seres humanos como hijos de un solo Padre. Cada vez que perdonamos en vez de enojarnos; Bendecimos en vez de maldecirnos; Atender las heridas de los demás en vez de frotarles sal; Animarnos en vez de desanimarnos; Dar esperanza en vez de llevar a otros a la desesperación; Abrazarnos en vez de burlarse; Dar la bienvenida en vez de ser fríos; Agradecer en vez de criticarnos… en resumen, cada vez que escogemos unirnos y separarnos, hacemos visible el amor incondicional de Dios; estamos disminuyendo la violencia y dando a luz a una nueva comunidad.” Les comparto esta oración por Pr. Henri Nouwen. Que estos 40 días de preparación para la Pascua sean de mucho beneficio y salgamos con una actitud y perspectiva totalmente diferente a como entramos impactando primero nuestras familias.
Por favor hagan clic en el video y reflexión indicados. Espero que les ayude en su reflexión.
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- 760-729-2866.
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:
