For most Catholics the month May brings to mind our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traditionally, we dedicate the month of May to Mary. I recall how, as a child, I would make a “May altar” in our living room. I would keep fresh flowers on this small shrine throughout the month.
Giving honor to the Mother of Jesus is a very good thing. I encourage you to think about how you can honor Mary in your home during this month. Perhaps you can have a May altar like I did. Those who live in the same house can pray the rosary or other Marian devotions together. Reading the Bible passages about Mary or other good books about her can be enriching.
I am proposing an Octave of Prayer in honor of Mary at the end of the month. It will begin on the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church (May 24 this year). It will conclude on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin on May 31. I will send out materials for this octave of prayer in the next few weeks.
While it is appropriate to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is also important that we keep her in her proper perspective in the plan of salvation. Her “yes” – her fiat – made possible the Incarnation of her Son. Her ongoing role has always been to lead people to her Son. Mary always guides us to Jesus. There are some Catholics who give an exaggerated importance to Mary. She is not the Redeemer (and certainly not a co-redemptrix). She is certainly not on pare with Jesus. She is the Mother of all the faithful and serves as a model of faith and an intercessor to her Son.
St. John Eudes – the 17th century founder of my Congregation – was a strong Marian devotee. He wrote volumes about her and composed Masses and prayers in her honor. (One of his prayers is included later in this newsletter.) At his canonization he was declared to be the “father, apostle and doctor of liturgical devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.” However, in speaking about devotion to the Heart of Mary, St. John Eudes says quite clearly:Don't you know that Mary is nothing, has nothing and can do nothing except from Jesus, through him and in him? Don't you know that it is Jesus who is everything in her, can and does everything in her? Not only does Jesus live and remain continually in the Heart of Mary, he is himself the heart of her Heart. So, to have recourse to the Heart of Mary is to come to Jesus; to honor her Heart is to honor Jesus; praying to the Heart of Mary is praying to Jesus.
So let us come to Mary and she will lead us to Jesus, her Son.
William Wordsworth called Mary, the mother of Jesus, "our tainted nature's solitary boast." Who was this extraordinary woman, and how should we understand the key dogmas about her life and nature? In this Advent interview, Bishop Robert Barron gives what he calls “a crash course” on Mary.
Weekend Mass in the Church
We are pleased that, in addition to Masses on Saturday at 7:00 pm (Spanish) and Sunday at 7:30 am (English), now the Sunday Mass at 5:00 pm (English) will be held in the church beginning May 2. Here are a few things to remember if you choose to attend one of these Masses in church:
Everyone enters by the main doors (center) and everyone needs to wear a mask over their nose and mouth. Face masks and hand sanitizer are available on the table on the patio.
Social distancing must be observed. In order to do this, every other pew has been marked off and is not to be used. Social distancing of 6 feet applies to those who do not live in the same household.
The pews in the front of our church are quite short but can accommodate a small family or a couple individuals. The pews closer to the back are very long. People need to occupy the middle of those pews as well as the ends. Please be considerate of others and move into the pew or be ready to stand up to allow others to move into the pew. Our ministers of hospitality will try to help with that.
We ask that you do not gather in the area around the baptismal font. That area needs to remain clear of people. If you need to stand, do it along the back walls of the church and remain 6 feet away from people not from your household.
If you choose to stand outside on the patio during Mass, you must observe social distancing and do not stand in the doorways or block the doorways.
The children’s chapel (cry room) will remain closed.
The Sign of Peace remains “touchless.”
Holy Communion will be distributed only in the hand (not on your tongue). The ministers will bring Communion to you in your pew. Just wait there for someone to come to you.
We remind you not to leave the church until the Mass is ended.
Congregational singing is not permitted in the church. Instrumental music and a cantor will offer music to enhance a prayerful atmosphere. However, you areencouraged to join in the usual spoken responses of the Mass.
At the end of the Mass, you are asked to be seated and wait for your pew to be dismissed. Ministers of hospitality will begin with the last pews and move forward.
Thank you for your cooperation in making our Masses prayerful and keeping our environment as safe as possible.
We Can Do This
Stopping the spread of this virus will take everyone’s help. Do you want to get back in church? Do you want to get back to normal?
Then get vaccinated ASAP!
All about Mary: A Good Resource on the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Believe it or not, it is difficult to find information about Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary that is accurate and theologically sound. Much of what you find on the internet is overly pious and exaggerated.
But there is also an excellent resource on Mary that compiles a lot of good information in one place. Whether you are a strong Marian devotee or a curious Catholic, this website will keep you interested for a long time. It is called All About Mary at the link
Designed for everyone from expert theologians to those simply exploring Marian devotion, this tool is created and maintained by the International Marian Research Institute in partnership with the Marian Library at the University of Dayton.
All About Mary includes a variety of content, much of which reflects the expertise, interpretations and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Marian Library or the University of Dayton.
Take some time to browse this site and return to it often during the month of May.
Month of Mary Song
Hail Joseph!
May 1 is the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. As you know, the Church celebrates two feasts in honor of St. Joseph, the other being March 19 which is the Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. In this Year of St. Joseph, we look to this great protector and example for good workers.
St. John Eudes wrote a prayer called Ave Joseph (Hail Joseph). It praises St. Joseph for who God has called him to be. It is a wonderful prayer to pray often during this Year of St. Joseph.
"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.
How much do you know about the history of Popes?
Who was the pope who called the Second Vatican Council?
Who was the pope during the whole of World War II
Who was the pope who challenged King Henry VIII about his demand for an annulment?
In what year of the 20th century were there 3 popes?
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 commands us to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another.
Gospel Reading
John 15:1-8
Jesus teaches that he is the vine and that his disciples are the branches.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today’s reading from the Gospel of John is part of Jesus’ discourse at the Last Supper. Recall that John tells the story of Jesus’ Last Supper differently from the other Evangelists. In John’s Gospel, the Last Supper begins with Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Jesus then provides them with a series of instructions. We call this section the Last Supper discourse or Jesus’ farewell discourse. In these chapters of John’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples about the importance of following his example of love and service, about the gift they will receive when Jesus sends them the Holy Spirit, and about their relationship with Jesus and with the world. The Last Supper discourse concludes with Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.
Today’s Gospel reading is taken from the middle of the Last Supper discourse. Jesus speaks about his relationship to his disciples. In his metaphor of the vine and the branches, Jesus is referencing the Hebrew Scriptures. In the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel is the vineyard, and Yahweh himself tends the vineyard. One of the primary themes of John’s Gospel is to show Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.
In this passage, Jesus teaches his disciples that his relationship with them will not end after his death; he will remain with them always. This unity between Jesus and his disciples is the basis for their ability to continue to do the work that he began.
Similarly, Jesus’ presence with us through the Gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the work of love and reconciliation that he began.
Jesus also teaches his disciples about the importance of the words he has taught to them. Just as Jesus will remain in the disciples, so too will his words. We come to know Jesus through the Scriptures, the living Word of God. Our commitment to be Christ’s disciples is sustained through God’s Word. This commitment is also strengthened by our life of prayer and nourished by the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist, Jesus dwells in us, remains with us, and transforms us so that we might bear fruit in his name.
We observe many people who act in ways that show their commitment to serve their neighbor. Christians and non-Christians feed the hungry, care for the sick, shelter the homeless, and give alms to the poor. These actions become acts of Christian discipleship when they are motivated by our relationship with Jesus. Whatever the immediate results, Jesus promises us that these actions will bear fruit when we undertake them in his name.
Once again our Knights of Columbus will be having a Mothers’ Day Flower Sale. Flowers will be on sale at all Masses Saturday and Sunday, May 8-9. After the quick sell out on Valentine's Day, this time the Knights have doubled the order from their supplier. The cost is $10.00 per bunch until they sell out. You will take your bunch of flowers from the container. Please have exact change which you will put directly into the box. This procedure allows the whole process to be “non-touch.” Thank you for your support.
Parish Blood Drive
Please save the date! As part of our commitment to the wider community, our parish is hosting a blood drive on May 30, 2021 from 08:30 AM to 01:30 PM. This is being organized by our Knights of Columbus.
Donating blood is an easy and convenient way for you to make a lasting difference for someone in need. If you have never donated blood before, make a commitment to save a life. All Covid-19 protocols are being followed. Check out these FAQs and make your appointment today. Thank you for your support.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
“No amemos solamente de palabra; amemos de verdad y con las obras.”
Frecuentemente, estamos en hablando con alguien en el teléfono, sea hablando o texteando, y lo último que sale de nuestra boca es, “love you. (Te quiero).” Decimos estas palabras porque pensamos que necesitamos decirlo en este momento y a esa persona para “mantener la paz”. Pero a veces esas palabras no coinciden con nuestras acciones. La primera carta de San Juan nos dice que necesitamos “amarnos de verdad y con las obras”. Nuestras obras tienen que coincidir con nuestras palabras. Si a nuestros hijos, o nuestro cónyuge, o abuelos/as, padres, les decimos, “Te Amo”, que lo que hacemos o decimos refleje el amor de verdad, el amor de verdad es “el Amor de Jesús”. Preguntémonos, ¿nuestro amor se parece al de Jesús? ¿Se ve el respeto, honor, perdón, gozo, y paz? La única manera en que podremos llevar a cabo este tipo de amor es de mantenernos conectados a Jesús. Necesitamos estar en El, y El en nosotros. Al lograr esto, el temor, tristeza, desesperanza no afectará nuestra vida. La gracia del Señor fluirá en nosotros, y seremos “una de sus ramitas conectada a su viña dando fruto en abundancia”.
Por favor haga clic en los enlaces indicados. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings. Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America organization.
“Every May, the world unites to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. Not that we think mental health awareness should be limited to just one month, but it is a great opportunity to highlight the growth and progress we as a society have made in accepting the realities of mental health while also raising awareness to the barriers, the sigma, that still stand in our way.
May 2020 was…you know. It was rough. We were in the midst of the pandemic – grasping at straws for information, a light at the end of the tunnel, a return to normalcy. Mental health was on our minds, but taking care of it was quite difficult then. And celebrating it? That was even harder. For Mental Health Awareness Month 2021, we want to CELEBRATE everything we have overcome this past year and continue to overcome. We want to honor the resilience of the mental health community, the lifesaving work done by our front liners and first responders, and the space and action needed for growth as a society with racial injustices across our nation. We may be bruised, but we are here – and we want to celebrate inclusively with all of you.”
County of San Diego Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240 Available 7 days a week 24 hours a day – trained professionals for help and resources
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 24-hour crisis line: 800-273-TALK (8255) San Diego Domestic Violence Hotline - 24-hour crisis line: 888-DV-LINKS (385-4657)
OSCER San Diego Mobile App – Organized Support Companion in an Emergency Situation Downloadable App gives you mental health support in the palm of your hand
Dial 211(7 days /24 hours) San Diego County Information Line All Services www.211sandiego.org Connects you to community agencies that provide emergency food, shelter, healthcare assistance and more.
PRAYERS TO ST. DYMPHNA
These prayers to Saint Dymphna, succinctly identify her as the
well-known patron saint of those with mental or nervous disorders or mental
During the last year, our ministry to the sick has been limited due to the exercise of caution concerning the spread of covid-19. Now that more people are getting vaccinated and some restrictions are easing, we can more easily reach out to the sick, those in hospitals and the homebound.
Most hospitals and nursing homes are allowing our priests to enter. If someone you know is sick in the hospital, nursing home or confined to their home, our priests can bring them the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Call the parish office to contact Fr. Ben or one of our other priests.
Those who would like one of our Ministers of the Eucharist to bring Communion to them at home, please contact the parish office to schedule a visit. It is desirable but not required that the sick person has been vaccinated.
Any of our Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick who have been inactive during the Covid outbreak, you may resume your visitation of the sick, if you have been vaccinated. For further information, contact Jayce at the parish office.
Our parish offices are now open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
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:
