We continue to live in very trying times and the threat of Covid-19 is very real. We need to continue to make every effort to keep one another safe. However, it is also important to find safe ways to practice our faith, especially as we approach Christmas.
The stay-at-home order in our region does not prevent us from celebrating Masses outdoors. We will continue to offer Masses on weekdays and weekends according to our regular schedule and in the same places outdoors that we have been using. We reiterate the importance of social distancing (feel free to move the chair or to bring your own), the necessity of face masks that cover your mouth and nose, and the caution to avoid conversations before or after Mass.
We remind you that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is still in place. Also, we will continue to offer our recorded Masses online, accessible on our YouTube channel with which you can connect through our parish website.
We will not be able to offer the ambitious Christmas Mass schedule that included 14 Masses in three locations. However, we will offer eight (8) Christmas Masses on the covered court of the school. No reservations are needed for any of these Masses. (For those who had made reservations, they will not be used. There is open seating for all Masses.)
Christmas Eve
12:00 noon – Mass for Children and Families (English)
2:00 pm – Mass in English
4:00 pm – Mass in English
6:00 pm – Misa en espanol
Christmas Day
7:30 am – Mass in English
9:00 am – Mass in English
11:00 am – Mass in English
1:00 pm – Misa en espanol
Let us continue to support one another through our prayers and encouragement. May the hope of Advent move us to joy at the Saviors birthday.
We would like to add some flowers to our worship spaces for the Christmas season. We will place flowers in the church so that it looks festive for our online Masses. We will add some Christmas flowers to our outdoor worship space as well.
If you would like to make a contribution to assist in paying for our Christmas flowers, please place your donation in a plain envelope and write on the envelope the names of anyone you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. Place your envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or drop in off. Those names will later be listed in our parish bulletin.
Thank you for your help.
Flash Mob Choir
At this time when we are not able to have choirs in church, enjoy this piece of a traditional Christmas oratorio
I Heard God Laugh
Thanks to the kind generosity of an anonymous parishioner, we have 500 copies one of Matthew Kelly’s latest book to offer as a gift. I Heard God Laugh offers practical advice on how to feed your soul. We all need that in these trying times. Thank you to our generous parishioner!
The books will be on the tables as you enter our covered court where we celebrate Mass. Please take one copy per household. To comply with Covid-19 prevention, do not handle the books. Do not browse through it and put it back. Just take one and bring it home.
Fr. Ron Speaks about Our Financial Situation
I want to share a few thoughts with you, our parishioners, about the financial situation of our parish as this pandemic drags on. First of all, there is the good news. So many of our parishioners have continued to support the parish with great generosity. Many have started or continued using Online Giving. Many others have mailed in or dropped off their envelopes. And, of course, people still place their offerings in the baskets at the entrance of our worship area. For all of these generous people, I am extremely grateful. Your generosity has enabled us to pay our bills and retain our staff members.
On the other hand, we have been dippinginto our cash reserve funds. Like everyone else, we are struggling financially in these times. Even though many people have continued to be generous, our overall contributions have decreased. Since the initial shutdown in March 2020, our weekly offertory has run a deficit of over $110,000, in a year to year comparison of collections. It is noteworthy that by not having Masses on Easter, we lost $50,000 in income on that weekend alone. We cannot afford to lose out on that much again at Christmas.
I just want to bring this to your attention. If you are doing all that you can for the parish, thank you and God bless you. If you find yourself in a position to donate more at this time, I would greatly appreciate it. There are some tax benefits available if you give before the end of the calendar year. Please read the article below on the CARES Act and Year End Giving.
I feel very blessed to be the pastor of St. Patrick Parish. I feel very affirmed and supported by all of you and your generosity to your Parish. I appreciate all that you do to help our parish continue to be lifegiving and spiritual. I thank you for the time, talent and treasure that you generously offer. May God continue to bless you and your families.
Merry Christmas!
In one Heart,
Fr. Ron
The CARES Act and Year End Giving
The CARES Act of March 2020 has created two new tax benefits for donors to non-profits.
The first change allows individual taxpayers to take a deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made in 2020 when they file their tax return in the spring.
Typically you can deduct charitable donations only if you itemize your personal deductions, rather than taking the standard deduction. Because this deduction can be taken "above the line", it reduces, by up to $300, your adjusted gross income.
The second change lifts the cap on how much a donor can deduct in charitable gifts in a single year. Thus, a donor can fully deduct gifts equal to as much as 100 percent of their AGI this year.
Please consult your tax professional for more information. For ways to make a gift to St. Patrick Church, contact Mary McLain in the Stewardship and Development office: 760,729.0717 or by email- mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com
No Advent Penance Services
For the protection and safety of both parishioners and priests, our Bishop has indicated that we will need to forego our traditional Advent Penance Services this year. Normally, each deanery offers a series of Penance Services in each parish of the deanery.
Instead, since these are not normal times, we will continue to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation through General Absolution. At the bishop’s suggestion, we will offer General Absolution at all the weekend Masses on the four Sundays of Advent (Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6, Dec 12-13, 19-20). We will also continue to offer General Absolution at both of our Friday Masses.
Fr. Ron has recorded a prayerful preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It includes music, a reading from the Bible, a homily and an examination of conscience. It is available on our YouTube channel. Those who will receive General Absolution during Advent are strongly encouraged to view this video as a way of preparing for the worthy reception of this sacrament.
Count Your Blessings
The Notre Dame University chapel Choir sings a beautiful song with an important message.
I Chose Adoption
A brave woman shares the story of her choice to put her child up for adoption. She shares the joy and the struggles she has experienced since then. She pleads for people on all sides of the abortion debate to hear the stories of Moms who make that difficult decisions. The article appeared in a recent issue of the Jesuit magazine America.
St. Patrick Catholic School is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested in giving your child or grandchild the opportunity to experience the strong faith, positive values and high educational standards of our Catholic School, please stop by the school office and pick up an Application Packet or visit us at www.stpaddys.org and go to Admissions and download the packet. Questions, please call Cynthia Orozco (760)729-1333 ext.105.
Star Tree Program
The Annual Christmas “Star” program began last weekend. Many people already picked up their stars or tags which represent families and children who need our help. You are asked to bring the unwrapped gift or monetary donation this weekend. You can drop it off at the north side of the parish center after Masses or at the parish office during the week. If you missed the opportunity to get a gift tag last weekend, you can get one at the parish office during the week. Thank you for helping us make a difference.
"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 are the “four major prophets” (the ones who have the longest books in the Old Testament)?
How many “minor prophets” are included in the Old Testament?
Who is considered the last of the prophets who prepared the way for the Messiah?
What does the word “Bethlehem” mean in Hebrew?
According to the New Testament, in what city did the Holy Family live?
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’s salvation will be made known to the poor and the oppressed.
Responsorial Psalm
Luke 1:46-50,53-54
Mary sings praise to God.
Second Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.
Gospel Reading
John 1:6-8,19-28
John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to continue our reflection on the person and mission of John the Baptist. Today we depart from the Gospel of Mark and read a selection from the Gospel of John.
The Gospel for today combines a brief passage from the prologue to John’s Gospel with a report about John the Baptist. As in Mark’s Gospel, the Gospel of John contains no birth narrative. Instead, John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection that has come to be called the “prologue.” This prologue places the story of Jesus in its cosmological framework. It speaks of Jesus’ existence with God since the beginning of time. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the culmination of the Word, the light that is coming into the world’s darkness.
Following this prologue, John reports on the ministry of John the Baptist. We learn about the attention that John the Baptist received from the Jewish authorities. Messengers from the Jewish priests, the Levites and the Pharisees question John about his identity and the meaning of the baptisms that he is performing. John’s Gospel uses these questions to establish the relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is not the Messiah, nor is he Elijah or the Prophet. In John’s denials, we hear echoes of the kind of messianic expectations that were common in first-century Palestine.
The only affirmative response that John the Baptist gives is when he quotes the prophet Isaiah. Upon answering the next question, John announces that the savior they seek is already among them, but as yet unrecognized. John’s response highlights for us an important Advent theme: Jesus has already come into the world as our savior. During Advent, we pray that we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in our midst. Advent also reminds us that Jesus will come again to fulfill the promise of salvation. We pray that we will continue to be watchful as we anticipate that great day.
The third Sunday of Advent is also calledGaudete Sunday. Gaudete, a Latin word which means “rejoice,” is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass. This theme is echoed in today’s second reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians. It is a reminder that Advent is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.
On Christmas Eve, Fr. Ron will celebrate a special Mass for children and families. It will take place on the covered court of the school at 12:00 pm (noon). The readings, homily and music will be geared to children and their families.
Children are encouraged to dress like one of the principal characters of the Nativity story: Mary, Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, Magi, etc. They will sit with their families and remain socially distant from one another. They will also need to wear the usual masks or face coverings.
Young people, families and parishioners of all ages are invited to this special celebration!
Catholic Bishops Clarify Church Position on Covid-19 Vaccines
“All the arch/dioceses in California together with Catholic health care ministries and Catholic Charities support the eradication of disease that disrupts human life. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines promote health in face of a devastating pandemic that no one expected. We want to reemphasize that the origins of the vaccines are morally acceptable from a Catholic perspective and their advancement fosters the common good. We also affirm that those who are most vulnerable must have a privileged place in their distribution and allocation.”
These vaccines DO NOT RELY ON FETAL STEM CELLS AND THERE ARE NO MORAL IMPEDIMENTS TO RECOMMENDING THEIR USE.
Help our elders. In good times and bad, senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have dedicated themselves to service and acts of mercy. Today, they pray for an aching world. Yet years of serving for little or no pay have left their religious communities without enough retirement savings. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Place your envelope in the collection basket at the entrance or send it to the parish office. Please be generous.
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Al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos
Ayuden a nuestros mayores. En los buenos y en los malos tiempos, hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes católicos mayores de órdenes religiosas se han dedicado a servir y hacer obras de misericordia. Hoy ellos rezan por un mundo que sufre. Sin embargo, años sirviendo por poca o ninguna paga han dejado a sus comunidades religiosas con gran escasez en los fondos de jubilación. Su donativo al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos ayuda con las recetas médicas, cuidados de enfermería y otras necesidades. Sean generosos.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
Con la Carta apostólica Patris corde (Con corazón de padre), el Pontífice recuerda el 150 aniversario de la declaración de san José como Patrono de la Iglesia Universal y, con motivo de esta ocasión, a partir de hoy y hasta el 8 de diciembre de 2021 se celebrará un año dedicado especialmente a él. Abajo puede hacer clic para leer un resumen de esta Carta o puede leer la carta entera en el internet. (http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/es/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html) Continuamos nuestro camino hacia la Navidad. Meditamos sobre el SI de Maria; sobre el SI de José, y preguntémonos como ando yo con mi SI a Dios. Por favor hagan clic en el Video para ayudarlos en su meditación.
Thethird Sunday of Advent reminds us that we are meant to reflect the light of Christ.
John the Baptist shows us that our words and actions are in service to God. If we speak Christ’s words and bring his love, people will listen. What could you do for someone this week to spread joy?
Prayer Intention: Jesus, be our light. Help us reflect your love in what we say and do.
Third Week of Advent
The Lord, your God, is in your midst.
Gather your family.
Light two purple candles and the rose candle
on your advent wreath and pray:
Parent: Lord, you are always near. Your love for us makes us want to shout for joy.
All: We love you, God!
Parent: Lord, you have kept your promise, by sending your Son, Jesus. He is the greatest gift we can ever receive.
All: We love you, God!
Parent: Lord, we want to give you gifts too.
All: We love you, God!
Have everyone think of a gift they can give God: prayers, helping with chores, spreading joy.
Outreach Opportunity
We are collecting things that keep families warm (gently used blankets and jackets, scarves, gloves, warm socks) and family jars of peanut butter. Please drop off your donations at the parish office this week, marked: House of the Poor. Thank you for your generosity.
Please contact the Office for Religious Education & Family Ministry with questions and for information at MDornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.com or 760-729-8442.
MENTAL HEALTH CORNER
Parent Involvement and Modeling
In my previous article, I shared a few tips to help with anxiety during this difficult time of the pandemic. It is important to deal with feelings of anxiety because they escalate and become worse when ignored. Also, if you are a parent of a young one, your anxious thoughts and behaviors have a strong impact on your child.
In a research conducted by Burstein & Ginsburg (2010) children reported greater levels of cognitive anxiety and desired avoidance behaviors when parents modeled anxious behavior and cognitions.
Therefore, it is important to:
Model appropriate behaviors that are aligned with CDC guidelines. No more than that!
Vocalize thought process (in an age-appropriate manner) for children to fully understand
Manage your anxiety during the pandemic through self-care.
Continue to act as the child’s coach through exposure and response prevention practices.
Refrain from accommodating behaviors and providing reassurance: Provide validation instead.
Remember: You are not alone!
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LA ESQUINA DE LA SALUD MENTAL
Participación y Modelo de los Padres
En el artículo anterior del boletín, compartí algunos consejos para evitar sentir ansiedad durante este momento difícil de la pandemia. Esto es importante porque si no te ocupas de tu ansiedad, ésta se intensifica y empeora, pero también porque si eres padre de niños pequeños, tus pensamientos y comportamientos ansiosos tienen un fuerte impacto en tus hijos.
En una investigación realizada por Burstein y Ginsburg (2010), los niños presentaron mayores niveles de ansiedad, cogniciones ansiosas y evitación deseada cuando los padres modelaron el comportamiento y las cogniciones ansiosas.
Por tanto, es importante que:
- Modele comportamientos apropiados que estén alineados con las pautas de Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en ingles). ¡No más que eso!
- Vocalice el proceso de pensamiento (de una manera apropiada para la edad de los ninos) para que los ellos comprendan completamente.
- Maneje su ansiedad durante la pandemia a través del cuidado personal
- Continúe actuando como entrenador del niño a través de prácticas de prevención de exposición y respuesta.
- Absténgase de adaptarse a los comportamientos y brindar tranquilidad: en su lugar, proporcione validación.
Recuerde: ¡No está solo/a!
Happy Hanukkah to Our Jewish Brothers and Sisters
The Second Vatican Council called us to appreciate the heritage we share in common with our Jewish brothers and sisters as People of God. God first made a covenant with those “Chosen People'' and he has never revoked that covenant. Rejoicing in our common heritage, we pray with our Jewish friends as they celebrate Hanukkah.
Hanukkah (Hebrew חֲנֻכָּה, also anglicized as Chanukah or Chanuka) is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
This is the Hebrew Year 5781. On our western calendar Hanukkah begins this year at sundown on Thursday, December 10, 2020 and ends at nightfall on Friday, 18 December 2020.
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:
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