The gospel for this Sunday presents with the challenge to forgive those who have hurt us. One thing is for sure: it is not as easy as it sounds.
Over the years I have heard many confessions, given many retreats and other talks, and listened compassionately in spiritual direction. The challenge to find a way to forgive is a frequent subject on the minds of Christians who are really trying to live forgiveness in concrete ways.
I came across a book about 20 years ago by Fr. John Monbourquette. It is called How to Forgive: A Step-by-Step Guide. He combines the wisdom of a psychotherapist and the compassion of a good pastor.
I have used parts of it in talks, retreats, counselling and spiritual direction. I especially like the first part of the book which starts by going over some myths about forgiveness.
Then he moves into part two where he walks through 12 steps of forgiveness that need to be addressed in order to achieve forgiveness. He offers exercises for each step.
1. Decide against seeking revenge and put a stop to the offense
2. Recognize our pain
3. Share with someone
4. Identify what we have lost and grieve it
5. Accept our anger and desire for revenge
6. Forgive ourselves
7. Start to understand offender
8. Discover what the pain means in our life
9. Know we are worthy of forgiveness and are already forgiven
10. Stop trying so hard to forgive
11. Open to the grace of forgiveness
12. Decide whether to end the relationship or renew it
There are other books similar to this one. Each of them emphasizes that forgiveness is a process and sometimes it takes hard work and a good deal of time to achieve. A book like this does not take away the need for courage and determination. But it definitely helps to have a road map when you are on a difficult journey.
Posted online 4 years ago by Msgr. James M. McNamara
On this 15th anniversary of September 11th, we remember once again the tremendous evil that befell our country and that so deeply affected so many people on Long Island. As we remember loved ones who remain precious to us, let us pray for those who continue to experience their loss and who yearn for the peace of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel for this Sunday speaks about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. In each instance Jesus says that there is more joy in heaven over one person who repents than over 99 people who have no need of repentance. It is God’s deep desire that each of us live with Him forever in heaven. In the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, love triumphed over evil. God’s love exploded upon the earth when Jesus Christ walked among us and gave His life in love of us.
When we look back to September 11, 2001 and bring back the overwhelming feelings of abandonment that day and the days soon after, we may very well wonder: “Where was God.” At the time there were stories of people not getting to work that day because a child missed the school bus or they were ill. People would say that God saved them from the disaster. I found such explanations to be unhelpful. If God saved this person, why did He not save others? God is not arbitrary. God is not a puppeteer pulling on the strings of life and capriciously altering the fates of our loved ones. God is love and we live in a world estranged from God through the power of evil and the possibility of sin.
Where was God on September 11, 2001? He was weeping with us. Just as Jesus suffered the anguish of Calvary and death on the Cross, Jesus was in anguish and pain on September 11th. He was not outside this world managing events and deciding people’s fates. Quite simply, on September 11th Jesus wept with us and He continues to do so today.
In the days after September 11th many parishes celebrated Masses. I was pastor at Our Lady of Grace in West Babylon. On that Tuesday evening our large Church was packed with people, all looking for a sense of comfort, a word of hope. I read the Gospel where Jesus raises His friend, Lazarus, from the dead. When Jesus arrived in Bethany and was told that His friend had died, Jesus wept. How generous and how human of Jesus, the Son of God. After reading the Gospel, I preached the shortest sermon of my life. I said: “And Jesus wept.”
To all who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones and to all who may question how evil could be so powerful, I offer the gift of peace and the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist we celebrate each Sunday where the Prince of Peace nourishes us for love and comforts us in our sorrow, our doubts, and our fears.
May the Lord give you peace.
Meeting with Fr. Ron
Fr. Ron would like to meet with representatives of all parish organizations in order to discuss what this new pastoral year will be like for the organizations of the parish. We will discuss what we can and cannot do.
It will be a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm. It is open to all but each organization is asked to have at least one representative in attendance.
In order to attend, you must send Fr. Ron an email and he will send you a Zoom invitation to the meeting. Send your request to rmbagley@yahoo.com
Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz
On Saturday, September 12, our Bishop McElroy will celebrate Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first native saint of the Philippines. The Mass will begin at 10:00 am and you can join it live streamed by clicking the link below.
Ordinarily, a collection is taken up on Good Friday in all the Catholic churches of world which benefits the upkeep of the shrines in the Holy Land. This includes the shrine of the Holy Sepulcher, the Basilica of the Nativity and some lesser know Catholic shrines. These places are entrusted to the care of the Franciscans who also offer pastoral care to many Christian people of the region.
Due to the pandemic caused by the Corona virus, it was not possible to take up this collection on Good Friday. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has designated September 13 as the day on which Catholics are asked to show our solidarity with our brothers to maintain these shrines and reach out to those in need.
If you would like to make a donation for this cause, place your donation in the basket on the table near the gate on September 13 or any other day. Place your money in an envelope marked “Holy Land” and we will direct it to the proper people.
Thank you on behalf of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. For more information, visit the website www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday/
God So Loved
Thank You for Your Generosity
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.
"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.
Who was the Franciscan priest who was killed during the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001?
Speaking of first responders, who is the patron saint of firefighters?
Who is the patron saint of police officers?
What is the Church’s definition of social justice?
What are the two days of fast and abstinence (from meat) that are observed by the entire Catholic Church?
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.
Those who seek God's mercy must be merciful toward others.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-4,9-12
A song of praise to God who is kind and merciful.
Second Reading
Romans 14:7-9
We belong to the Lord.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus teaches that we must forgive one another as God has forgiven us.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today's Gospel reading directly follows last week's Gospel in which Jesus taught the disciples how to handle disputes and conflict within the Christian community. In today's reading Peter asks Jesus how many times one ought to extend forgiveness to another. Peter proposes a reasonable number of times, perhaps seven. Jesus replies by extending Peter's proposal by an enormous amount; not just seven times should one forgive, but 77 times. The parable of the unforgiving servant is Jesus' elaboration of his initial reply to Peter. Through the parable we come to understand the depths of God's mercy toward us and the results of our acceptance of God's forgiveness.
The king in the parable decides to settle accounts with his servants. We are told that one servant in particular owes the king an enormous sum of money. Despite the promise of the servant, it is unlikely that he would ever be able to repay the debt that he owes. The king is moved by the humility of the pleading servant and mercifully forgives the debt. Rather than displaying gratitude for this forgiveness, the servant confronts a fellow servant who owes him a small debt—a pittance when compared with the amount that was owed to the king. The unmerciful servant refuses the pleas of his fellow servant and sends the servant to prison.
A few other servants tell the merciful king about the actions of the unforgiving servant. The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy he had himself received from the king. Jesus concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another.
There is a temptation to quantify forgiveness as Peter tried to do, but Jesus' point is that forgiveness is not about quantity—the number of times we extend forgiveness to another. In the parable the king's forgiveness is like God's forgiveness, and it transforms us, helping us to be as forgiving as God. The lesson is clear: If we hoard God's mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God's mercy in our lives.
Beginning this Sunday, in an effort to be more culturally inclusive, the second reading at the 5:00 pm Mass will be in Spanish. Eventually, some Spanish music will also be introduced.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Our Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume on October 7. It will explore the Acts of the Apostles, an important but little understood New Testament book. A new feature of this Bible Study is that it is open to both men and women. It will meet online.
Click on the link for additional information on how to register and whom you may contact for further information.
We are happy to welcome a new member to our parish staff. Deacon Miguel Enriquez is no stranger to St. Patrick Catholic Community. He and his wife Lola have been involved in various ministries here for many years.
Effective September 19, Deacon Miguel will become Pastoral Associatefor Hispanic Ministry. In this capacity, he will oversee and coordinate our parish’s vibrant Spanish-speaking community. He will continue to call forth leaders from the community and support them in their service. He will provide pastoral care to the sick and those preparing for Baptism, Marriage and sacraments. He will handle the scheduling of priests for our Spanish Masses.
Deacon Miguel will also be ministering to the sick and dying through Hospice by the Sea. He will be dividing his time between this important ministry and our parish community. We look forward to the gifts that Deacon Miguel brings to our parish.
Nuevo miembro de nuestro equipo parroquial
Estamos felices de dar la bienvenida a un nuevo miembro a nuestro personal parroquial. El diácono Miguel Enríquez no es ajeno a la comunidad católica de San Patricio. Él y su esposa Lola han estado involucrados en varios ministerios aquí durante muchos años.
A partir del 19 de septiembre, el Diácono Miguel se convierte en Asociado Pastoral del Ministerio Hispano. En esta capacidad, supervisará y coordinará la vibrante comunidad de habla hispana de nuestra parroquia. Continuará llamando a líderes de la comunidad y apoyándolos en su servicio. Proporcionará atención pastoral a los enfermos y a los que se preparan para el bautismo, el matrimonio y los sacramentos. Él se encargará de la programación de sacerdotes para nuestras misas en español.
El diácono Miguel también atenderá a los enfermos y moribundos a través de Hospice by the Sea. Él dividirá su tiempo entre este importante ministerio y nuestra comunidad parroquial. Esperamos los regalos que el Diácono Miguel trae a nuestra parroquia.
Religious Education & Family Ministry
Registration Information for the 2020-2021 School Year
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our program is set to begin in the week of September 27.
The weekly materials follow the Sunday readings; they are age appropriate and fun to engage with for the different grade levels.
Families can easily use the material at home, and we plan to use it in onsite classes.
Families that do not need sacramental preparation can opt for weekly teaching at home/on site or a monthly family catechesis.
Families will receive support from catechists.
We will offer regular family devotions.
Information and Registration-
Please contact us to find out more about our program or to discuss what option might be best for your family. You can adjust your choice later in the year if a different option is a better fit for your family then. You may register online at our Church website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com or by calling our office at 760.729.8442.
Weekly Newsletterfor family time, prayer, and outreach
We are happy to add your email to the distribution list so you can stay connected to our parish family.
For questions about program choices, fees, or payment plans, contact the Office for Religious Education & Family Ministry at MDornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.com or 760.729.8442.
Reflection: Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Being forgiven for our wrongdoings, large or small, is healing and lifegiving. Forgiving another person, who hurt us, can be challenging. We learn from Jesus how to do it.
For parents:How does your faith help you to forgive someone?
For children:Whom do you need to forgive? Let Jesus help you.
Prayer Intention: for our (parish) family: Give us the grace to forgive others how Jesus forgives us.
United in prayer,
Margit Dornisch
Director of Religious Education for Children and Family Ministry
Mental Health Ministry
The St. Patrick Mental Health
Ministry is here for all people seeking assistance for themselves or their loved ones experiencing Mental Health challenges. We provide resources, a listening ear and prayer companionship. Call the confidential Mental Health Ministry support line to receive a call back from one of the ministry members – 760.729.2866 ext. 393.
For immediate assistance call 888.724.7240 – 7/24 Access and Crisis Line.
You can also go to the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego link on the home page of the St. Patrick’s Parish website, then click on Pastoral Offices, Family Life and Spirituality, Mental Health Ministry for more information and resources.
For resources in Spanish, on the Diocese website click Pastoral Offices, Life, Peace and Justice, Resources, 2020 recursos para inmigrantes afectados por la crisis de covid-19.
Pray for Survivors of
Suicide Loss
If you are a survivor of suicide loss, join the virtual Mass of remembrance to pray for your loved ones on September 13th at 7:30 a.m. at https://www.sdcatholic.org/event/mass-for-survivors-of-suicide-loss/. The recording will be available after Mass at the previous link. Please provide the name of your loved ones to KCallier@sdcatholic.org. Let’s pray for the families affected by suicide and raise awareness in September, National Suicide Prevention Month. Visit www.soslsd.org/ to learn about suicide.
Orar por los sobrevivientes de
la pérdida del suicidio
Únete a la misa virtual para recordar y orar por aquellos que se han quitado su propia vida. La misa virtual será el 13 de septiembre a las 7:30 a.m. en https://www.sdcatholic.org/event/mass-for-survivors-of-suicide-loss/. La misa será en inglés con un mensaje en español y la grabación estará disponible después de la misa en la liga anterior. Envía los nombres de tus seres queridos a KCallier@sdcatholic.org, ora por las familias afectadas por el suicidio y crea conciencia en Septiembre, Mes Nacional de la Prevención del Suicidio.
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:
