Two saints with similar names are celebrated during October: St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) on October 1 and St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) on October 15. Both are Carmelites, both women are Doctors of the Church, yet each followed a different path to the one goal of holiness.
Teresa of Avila did not have a theological background; her education was limited. But God led her on the path of mystical prayer. What was unique in her was her ability to understand and reflect upon the gift she had received and to articulate that gift especially in her writings. Her masterpiece The Interior Castle identified different stages of prayer, both ascetical and mystical, which form a path or natural progression in the Call to Holiness that any person can follow.
Therese of Lisieux had a big impact during her short life. She found the little way of holiness by scattering the flowers of good deeds and sacrifices. For her everything was a grace and she used every opportunity that presented itself in her ordinary life to give back to Jesus the love he showered on her. She presented herself to him as a trusting child.
When Thérèse read in the words of St. Paul that love is the most excellent way, it led her to enjoy that lofty contemplative prayer that St. Teresa of Avila described in her Interior Castle.
These two women lived in different eras, were of different backgrounds, had distinctive temperaments, but both entered cloistered Carmelite convents, became canonized saints, were recognized as Doctors of the Church, shared the same goal but followed it through different paths.
They teach us that holiness is accessible to everyone. It is not just for contemplatives in convents. Both believed that a relationship with God was accessible to everyone. There are many paths to holiness and we each need to find our way.
Phase Two of our diocesan-wide catechesis on the Eucharist is being called “A Walk through the Mass.” Over three weeks during the Masses on the weekends, we will hear an explanation of the various parts of the Mass. A summary of what is said at Mass will be included here in the e-mail newsletter.
Durante las próximas tres semanas a lo largo de la diócesis, estaremos realizando un “Recorrido por la Misa: Una Explicación Paso a Paso” Un resumen de lo que se dice en la Misa se incluirá aquí en el boletín por correo electrónico.
Evangelium Vitae – The Gospel of Life - El evangelio de la vida
Pope St. John Paul II wrote an encyclical in 1995 that appeals for respect for all human life as a basic principle of Catholic Social Teaching. Here is a summary of the main principles contained in that landmark document Evangelium Vitae.
El Papa San Juan Pablo II escribió una encíclica en 1995 que apela al respeto de toda la vida humana como principio básico de la Doctrina Social Católica. Aquí hay un resumen de los principios fundamentales contenidos en ese documento histórico Evangelium Vitae.
Members of Schola Diffusa, Latin for "dispersed choir," sang this song from their homes around the country, as well as Europe, during the height of the shutdown due to the Covid pandemic. They offer it as a ray of hope in the challenging days in which we live.
Post-Abortion Healing Retreat
Post-Abortion Healing Retreat for Catholic Women given by Rachel’s Hope on October 29-31, 2021. Professionally led. Held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 3888 Paducah Drive, San Diego. Confidentiality maintained. Closing Mass included. Group Size limited. Cost $60; partial scholarships available. Limited housing available. “Not judged, not lectured, just healed”. For information/registration call Rosemary Benefield (858) 581-3022; text (858) 752-9378 or email rachels_hope@juno.com. Visit us on our website: www.RachelsHope.org
Being family: What Latino Catholics can teach the rest of the U.S. church about community
Hispanic Heritage month comes to a close on October 15. Latino Catholics are a treasure in the Catholic Church. This article, which appeared recently in America Magazine, briefly explores some of this richness.
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, the Diocese of San Diego is hosting an Explorer Day for those men who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood. The day will be held at St. Francis Center on the campus of the University of San Diego from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If living a life of service for Christ and the people of God is attractive to you, take advantage of the opportunity to attend this upcoming Explorer Day. Please pick up a registration form at the parish office or call Fr. Lauro Minimo at St. Francis Center at (619) 291-7446.
Two-Day Training on “Caring for the Whole Person”
October 16 & October 23, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. Registrants are encouraged to attend both sessions. There is no registration fee. Caring for the Whole Person, (CWP), an initiative of California’s bishops and Catholic healthcare systems, is not a new ministry. It supports those who are seriously ill and provides resources to parish ministers who serve this vulnerable population. Priests, deacons, Eucharistic ministers, homebound, bereavement, Legion of Mary, and Order of Malta are encouraged to register by going to https://www.sdcatholic.org/event/caring-for-the-whole-person-cuidado-de-la-personal-integral/.
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"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.
Catholics celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. To whom does this article of faith refer?
Who instituted the rosary?
What are the four sets of mysteries of the rosary?
What is baptism by blood?
A recent tradition has the pope leading the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday in Rome. Where exactly does this take place?
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.com We will be pleased to add them.
A man with many possessions asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today we continue reading the Gospel of Mark from where we left off last Sunday. Last Sunday our Gospel told how Jesus was tested by the Pharisees about the requirements for divorce. Recall that these chapters come from the second part of Mark’s Gospel, which chronicles the beginning of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.
In today’s Gospel, an unnamed man approaches Jesus and inquires about what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replies that one must follow the commandments of the Law of Moses. The man acknowledges that he has observed all of these since his childhood. Jesus then says that only one thing is lacking: he must give his possessions to the poor and follow Jesus. The man leaves in sadness, and Mark tells us that this is because he had many possessions.
The belief in resurrection and eternal life was a relatively recent development in Jewish thought at Jesus’ time, and it wasn’t shared by everyone. The Pharisees taught that there would be a resurrection from the dead; the Sadducees did not share this belief. Jesus taught that there would be a final judgment for everyone and eternal life (the Kingdom of God) for believers.
Jesus makes two requirements of the wealthy man who approaches him. First, he must give up his possessions. Throughout history, some Christians have taken this literally. Their example witnesses to us a radical commitment to the Gospel of Jesus. Some have read this as a particular requirement directed to this specific individual. Still others have sought to explain the meaning intended by the word possessions as those things that prevent one from following Jesus. Christians have generally understood that at the least, following Jesus requires that believers hold material possessions loosely and remain vigilant against seeking security in accumulating possessions.
The second requirement Jesus makes of this man is the invitation that Jesus extends to all would-be disciples: “follow me.” Jesus very much wants this man to be his disciple. We believe that the Christian faith is one in which each believer is in a personal relationship with Jesus. Just as this Gospel tells us that Jesus loves the man and is sad when he departs, so too, Jesus loves us and is saddened when we are unable to follow him.
We see in this Gospel reading another example of Mark’s pattern, which shows Jesus offering further elaboration about his message and meaning to his disciples. To his disciples, Jesus laments the challenges faced by those who are rich in following him and entering the Kingdom of God. In reply to the disciples’ astonishment at the strictness of the standard that Jesus speaks about today, Jesus reminds his disciples that nothing is impossible with God. Salvation is determined by our ability to rely completely upon God.
Peter replies to Jesus by boasting that the disciples have already given up everything. Jesus acknowledges that those who have given up everything for the sake of the Gospel will be rewarded. This reward begins now, in the new community that one will gain in this life, and will continue in the eternal age to come. Our personal relationship with Jesus is also an invitation to the community of faith, the Church.
Jesus tells the man in today’s gospel: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Is Jesus saying there is a problem in owning things? Does the Church oppose having a lot of things?
The attached article offers an analysis of the teaching of Pope St. John Paul II on the place of the human person in an economic system. The article is a bit long and it will take a careful reading to pick up his important nuances.
Please save the date! As part of our commitment to our community, St. Patrick Catholic Church is hosting a blood drive on October 24, 2021 from 08:30 AM to 01:30 PM.
Donating blood is an easy and convenient way for you to make a lasting difference for someone in need. It is another way to be pro-life.
All donations will help people with intellectual disabilities, who need our support.
Members of St. Patrick Knights of Columbus will be on the church patio collecting monetary donations. Thank you!
The Summons
Once again, our gospel speaks of the call of Jesus to follow Him. It is a summons as well as a challenge. The lyrics are by John L. Bell, a prolific contemporary Christian song writer and a member of the Iona Community is Scotland.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
“Maestro bueno, ¿Qué debo hacer para alcanzar la vida eterna? Marcos 10:17b. Esta pregunta, la que hace el hombre rico en el Evangelio de este domingo, es la pregunta que hacemos todos, “¿qué es lo que tengo que hacer para obtener vida eterna?” Leemos libros que nos hablan de cómo obtener la vida eterna, escuchamos enseñanzas y sermones que nos hablan de este tema importante. El hombre rico pensó que ya se había ganado la vida eterna porque había cumplido con todos los 10 mandamientos, y se sentía confiado de que se la merecía. Pero Jesús mirándolo con amor, le dice, “Vende todo lo que tienes y da el dinero a los pobres, y así tendrás un tesoro en los cielos”. Y el hombre se fue entristecido porque tenía mucho y se le hacía difícil vender todo lo que él tenía, aunque era necesario para obtener la vida eterna. Creo que esto merece nuestra atención y reflexión. Todos tenemos nuestras ideas y enseñanzas muy fuertes detenidas y al soltarlas, aún para “obtener un tesoro en el cielo”, se nos hace difícil. Confiamos más en lo que nosotros creemos que es bueno y necesario para obtener la vida eterna y que en el amor y compasión de Jesús, que nos llama que vayamos más allá con Él. Dejémonos ver por Jesús, y comprometernos a vivir como Él quiere que vivamos; nos daremos cuenta de que sí es posible vivir la vida eterna desde aquí, en este rinconcito de nuestra vida.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
Detente
Hablemos del hombre Rico que encontró a Jesús
3821 Adams Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.729.2866
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