No doubt, many of you have already heard about the retirement of our St. Patrick School principal, Denise Nelson. She will finish the school year and leave us at the end of June. Her letter to the parish and the school is included below.
When Denise first told me of her plans to retire (some months ago), my first reaction was to say thank you for all that you have given to our parish school. Due in a large part to her determination and proactive leadership, our school has become one of the best parish schools in the Diocese of San Diego. Generations of Catholic ladies and gentlemen have been formed in their faith through her commitment to Catholic education. Besides receiving a solid academic foundation, they have been shaped in the values that exemplify Christian disciples. As pastor of St. Patrick’s, I think I can speak for the whole parish in extending to Denise our deepest gratitude and best wishes for a happy retirement.
Our school is also blessed to have an able and competent successor as principal. As of July 1, 2021, Brian Sestito will assume the position. He currently serves as the Assistant Principal which will ensure a smooth transition in leadership. Brian is committed to ensuring all students learn to their maximum potential and to fostering innovation through collaboration with teachers, staff, students, and families. He also has a strong commitment to ensuring that our school maintains its Catholic identity. Congratulations Mr. Sestito!
Moving into the Assistant Principal position will be Susan Kern. She has been a part of St Pats since 2008. Mrs. Kern is well known in the school community as she has taught first grade here for thirteen years. She was selected from a highly qualified pool of candidates that included current faculty and candidates from outside the school. Congratulations Mrs. Kern!
So you can see, that even as there is a changing of the guard in our school, we have every expectation that there will be a strong continuity in leadership that will foster a high quality educational institution with a strong Catholic identity.
“To Everything There Is A Season, And A Time To Every Purpose” (Ecclesiastes 3)
These seasons in which certain pursuits are proper are determined by God. His plan for life involves a variety of experiences and activities and it is up to us to acknowledge them and follow the path God has laid out for us. I believe that it is my time to step away from St. Pat’s and move on to another ‘season’ in my life.
I will miss our school and community. I will miss our students, staff and our teachers. I will miss the challenge of the work and having the privilege of serving with so many dedicated people who are devoted to Catholic education and excellence.
I am thankful beyond words for the support our parish community has provided the school. You have always embraced the mission of Catholic education and provided an environment in which it could thrive. One only has to look at our beautiful buildings to see your commitment.
I am thankful for the awesome grace of sharing life and ministry with the most amazing collection of disciples on the planet!
I am so thankful for our children, all of whom are an immense source of joy in our lives—in our schools, in our homes, in our world. They are truly our hope for tomorrow and the “Light “that we need for each day.
I am thankful that I've had the opportunity to be inspired over and over again by the work of our teachers as they help young people discover who God has called them to be.
I love you St. Pat’s, you have been the Light for me. You have made finding God and falling in love with him come alive for me every day. Thank you for the last 25 years and for allowing me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Thank you for inspiring me to be better and do better. Thank you for showing me God in our students, staff, parents and parishioners.
May you BE THE LIGHT for ever more.
Denise Nelson
Nothing is more practical than finding God,
that is than falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
~Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ
Bishop Robert Barron Preaches about the Ascension
This is the homily that Bishop Barron gave during Mass last year on the Solemnity of the Ascension.
Traditional Ascension Hymn
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square, and Bells on Temple Square present Mack Wilberg's arrangement of "Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise," by Robert Williams.
Ave Maria
Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) performs Schubert's "Ave Maria", live in concert with The Three Tenors in Los Angeles in 1994.
Octave of Prayer in Honor of Mary
To conclude the month of May in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will have a parish Octave of Prayer in honor of Mary. 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.
The focus will be on praising and honoring Mary, not so much on petitions or favors. (Of course, each of us can pray for whatever we want.) Materials have been prepared for this octave. A couple of prayers will be used at the morning Masses and everyone is encouraged to use the prayers at home, with your family or with whomever you live. The materials will be available in church as well as soft copies in next week’s newsletter.
Queenship of Mary
One of the titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Queen of heaven and earth. In this video Bishop Robert Barron (prior to being ordained a bishop) explains the significance of this title of Mary.
Filipinos Spread the Catholic Faith
The Philippines has the third largest Catholic population in the world (the only Catholic country in Asia). The densely populated archipelago has sent 10% of its population across the world to become OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers). These men and women continue to support their families back home even as they work abroad.
In many ways, they have also become missionaries to the world. Everywhere they go, they bring their Catholic faith. Many pastors of Catholic parishes have told stories about how the influx of Filipino Catholics has enlivened their parishes.
This article speaks a bit about how these OFWs spread the Catholic faith.
Showers of Blessings is running low on some clothing items that they offer to the clients who avail themselves of this ministry. If you are able to contribute to this important ministry to those who have no place to call home, you can drop your clothing donations at the parish office. The items most needed are men’s jeans (especially sizes 28-34), men’s t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts. But anything would be helpful. If you would rather make a monetary contribution, just indicate that it is for Showers of Blessings.
Thank you.
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.
"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.
What book of the Bible begins with a description of the Ascension of Jesus?
Which gospel(s) end by telling us that Jesus ascended?
In which gospel does Jesus say: “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”?
On what two days can the Solemnity of the Ascension be observed?
What is the next liturgical solemnity after the Ascension?
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.
Jesus is taken up to heaven in the presence of the apostles.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 47:2-3,6-7,8-9
Sing praise to God as he mounts his throne.
Second Reading
Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13 (shorter form: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13)
God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand.
Gospel Reading
Mark 16:15-20
Jesus is taken to heaven, and the disciples go forth to preach as Jesus commanded.
Background on the Gospel Reading
(In many dioceses in the United States, the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.)
Today is our liturgical celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus was taken to heaven on the fortieth day after Easter. In Cycle B, our Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark. Scholars have long noted some irregularities about the ending of Mark’s Gospel. There is a natural break in the story line at verse 8, when Mark’s report of the discovery of the empty tomb comes to an abrupt conclusion. This verse reports that the women were so frightened by what they had seen at the tomb that they told no one. This may be the original ending of Mark’s Gospel, but it is also possible that the more complete ending has been lost.
Some manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel, written between the fourth and ninth centuries, include what scholars have termed the Shorter Ending. This is often printed in our Bibles for reference. This ending indicates that the women told their story to Peter’s companions. Scholars believe that this ending is not original to Mark. They theorize that this ending was added by copyists who sought to resolve the original abrupt ending at verse 8.
Other early manuscripts include a Longer Ending that scholars also believe was written by someone other than the Evangelist. Nonetheless, quotations from this Longer Ending are found in the writings of the early Church Fathers, and it was accepted at the Council of Trent as part of the canonical Gospel of Mark. Our Gospel for today’s celebration of the Feast of the Ascension is taken from this Longer Ending.
There are similarities in the reports of Jesus’ Ascension found in the Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke. In each case, Jesus assigns his disciples the task of proclaiming the gospel message to the entire world. There are also notable distinctions. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, the disciples are sent by Jesus to baptize and to preach. In Luke’s Gospel, however, the commission to baptize is absent. Instead, Jesus directs the disciples to return to Jerusalem to await the fulfillment of his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. Curiously, only the Gospels of Mark and Luke actually report Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Matthew’s Gospel concludes with Jesus’ promise to remain with his disciples forever. Only the Gospel of Mark notes that Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. In noting this, Mark teaches that Jesus’ ascension affirms the glory Jesus received from God after his death and Resurrection.
Even if this ending to Mark’s Gospel was written by someone other than the Evangelist, in the commission that Jesus gives to his disciples, there are elements that are quite typical of Mark’s Gospel. The signs that will accompany belief in Jesus are as vivid as the action performed by Jesus during his ministry. Those who believe in Jesus will be empowered to do what Jesus himself has done. During his ministry, Jesus sent his disciples to preach, to heal, and to drive out unclean spirits. Now they are sent again to do these things and more. From his place with God in heaven, Jesus helped his disciples, and he continues to help us as we try to live as his followers.
Papa Francisco mando este tweet:“¿Qué camino sigo?Hay caminos que no llevan al Cielo: los caminos de la mundanidad, de la autoafirmación, del poder egoísta. Y está también el camino de Jesús: el camino del amor humilde, de la oración, de la mansedumbre, de la confianza, del servicio a los demás.” Todos los días se nos pide que escojamos el Camino de Jesús o el camino mundano. A veces la decisión es fácil. Fácil, porque no nos cuesta mucho en lo personal, no nos incomoda. Pero hay otras veces que escoger este camino no es tan fácil. No es fácil, porque a veces el camino de Jesús nosincomoda, nos pide sacrificio y humildad, nos pide que renunciemos a nuestro ego para andar con la gente que está sufriendo, con los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia ylos que están cansados. En el Evangeliode este fin de semana, Jesucristo se les aparece a sus discípulos y los manda a proclamar el Evangelio con fervor, sanando y salvando a todos que los escuchan. Los discípulos escogieron el camino de Jesús, tú y yo somos llamados a vivir y escoger el camino de Jesús también. ¿Cuál camino escoges tu?
Por favor haga clic en los enlaces indicados. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
Detente
Hablemos de la Ascensión
LA ESQUINA DE LA SALUD MENTAL
Lorena Ramírez
Comprendiendo los Trastornos Bipolares
Los trastornos bipolares, antes conocidos como depresión maníaca, son una condición de salud mental que causa altibajos en el estado de ánimo que incluyen extremos altos (manía o hipomanía) y extremos bajos (depresión). Estos altibajos cambian los niveles de actividad, los patrones del sueño y cambia la forma de pensar y de comportarse de la persona que los padece.
Hechos
Según el Instituto Nacional de Salud Mental, más de 5.7 millones de adultos estadounidenses o el 2.8% de la población de EE.UU. de 18 años o más en un año determinado tienen trastorno bipolar. La condición generalmente comienza al final de la adolescencia o al comienzo de la edad adulta, aunque puede aparecer en niños y adultos mayores. El trastorno bipolar también puede aparecer por primera vez durante el embarazo de una mujer o después del parto.
Tipos de Bipolar
Hay tres tipos de trastorno bipolar descritos en el DSM-V. Los tres tipos implican cambios evidentes en el estado de ánimo, y los niveles de energía y de actividad.
Trastorno Bipolar I: Definido por episodios maníacos que duran al menos siete días o por síntomas maníacos que son tan graves que la persona necesita hospitalización inmediata. Por lo general, también ocurren episodios depresivos, que generalmente duran almenos dos semanas. También son posibles los episodios de depresión con características mixtas (tener síntomas depresivos y síntomas maníacos al mismo tiempo).
Trastorno Bipolar II: Definido por un patrón de episodios depresivos y episodios hipomaníacos, pero no los episodios maníacos en todo el auge típico del bipolar I. El trastorno bipolar I solo necesita cuatro días con los síntomas para recibir un diagnóstico. Pero no es tan severo como Bipolar I.
Trastorno Ciclotímico (llamado también Ciclotimia): Se caracteriza por períodos de síntomas hipomaníacos y períodos de síntomas depresivos que duran al menos dos años (1 año en niños y adolescentes). Sin embargo, los síntomas no cumplen con los requisitos para un diagnóstico de un episodio hipomaníaco y un episodio depresivo.
Síntomas
Los síntomas del Trastorno Bipolar pueden variar con el tiempo; el trastorno bipolar suele requerir un tratamiento de por vida. Los siguientes son los síntomas descritos en el DSM-V.
El Episodio de la Manía
Aumento de energía, actividad, intranquilidad
Estado de ánimo eufórico
Extrema irritabilidad
Poca concentración y distracción
Pensamientos acelerados, hablar
rápido, vuelo de ideas
Disminución de la necesidad de dormir (La persona se siente descansada con solo 3 horas de sueño)
Autoestima inflada o grandiosidad
Gasto desmesurado
Aumento de actividad sexual.
Abuso de drogas, como cocaína,
alcohol y medicamentos para
dormir.
Comportamiento provocativo, intrusivo o agresivo
Negación de que algo anda mal.
Episodio Depresivo:
Estado de ánimo triste, ansioso o con sensación de vacío
Sentimientos de desesperanza y pesimismo
Sentimientos de culpa, inutilidad e impotencia.
Pérdida de interés o placer en actividades que antes disfrutaba, incluida la actividad sexual.
Disminución de energía, fatiga
Dificultad para concentrarse, recordar o tomar decisiones.
Inquietud e irritabilidad
Insomnio o dormir demasiado.
Cambio en el apetito, pérdida o aumento involuntario de peso.
Los síntomas corporales no son causados por una enfermedad o lesión física.
Pensamientos suicidas
Causas
Los investigadores están estudiando las posibles causas del trastorno bipolar. La mayoría está de acuerdo en que no existe una causa única y es probable que muchos factores contribuyan.
Estructura y Funcionamiento del Cerebro: Las investigaciones indican que los cerebros de las personas con trastorno bipolar pueden diferir del cerebro de las personas que no tienen trastorno bipolar o cualquier otro trastorno mental.
Genética: Algunas investigaciones sugieren que las personas algunos genes específicos tienen más probabilidades de desarrollar el trastorno bipolar. Las investigaciones también muestran que las personas que tienen una con predisposición genética con trastorno bipolar tienen una mayor probabilidad de desarrollar la enfermedad. Hay muchos genes involucrados y ningún gen puede causar el trastorno.
Tratamiento
El Trastorno Bipolar es una enfermedad que dura toda la vida y, aunque no existe cura para el trastorno bipolar, es tratable y manejable con psicoterapia y medicamentos. El trastorno bipolar se controla mucho mejor cuando el tratamiento es continuo. Los cambios de humor pueden ocurrir incluso cuando alguien está siendo tratado y reportado inmediatamente a un médico; Los episodios en toda regla se pueden evitar ajustando el tratamiento.
Además del medicamento, la psicoterapia brinda apoyo, orientación y educación a las personas con trastorno bipolar y sus familias. Las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas aumentan la estabilidad del estado de ánimo, disminuyen las hospitalizaciones y mejoran el funcionamiento general. Las intervenciones más comunes incluyen la terapia cognitivo-conductual, la psicoeducación y la terapia familiar.
Otras Opciones de Tratamiento
Algunas personas pueden encontrar otras opciones de tratamientos útiles para controlar sus síntomas bipolares:
Terapia Electroconvulsiva (TEC): es un procedimiento de estimulación cerebral que puede ayudar a las personas a aliviar los síntomas graves del trastorno bipolar.
Estimulación Magnética Transcraneal (TSM): un enfoque más nuevo para la estimulación cerebral que utiliza ondas magnéticas.
Suplementos: Aunque hay informes de que algunos suplementos y hierbas pueden ayudar, no se han realizado suficientes investigaciones para comprender cómo estos suplementos pueden ayudar a las personas con trastorno bipolar.
Más Allá del Tratamiento: Cosas Que Puede Hacer:
Ejercicio
Alimentación Saludable
Gráfica: Manteniendo la Vida (para registrar los síntomas del estado de ánimo a diario)
Presented by the Office for Family Life & Spirituality and the
Mental Health Ministry Network
CATHOLIC PRAYER PRACTICES
FOR MENTAL & SPIRITUAL WELLNESS
The pandemic has brought us a lot of exploration of coping mechanisms, usually regarding emotional or physical wellness.
Yet, our pain is also deeply spiritual.
How have our practices of prayer and spirituality “fortified” us for the unique challenges that the pandemic has brought. How do our prayer lives benefit our mental health?
Please join us for exploration of Catholic prayer
practices and their potential for mental wellness.
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:
