This past week our nation once again completed a peaceful transition of power. This solemn ritual is a treasured tradition in our great republic. It struck me as important that Inauguration Day began with the new president and vice-president, along with other national leaders, joining in prayer in a church. This is a piece of tradition that has been a part of many inauguration days in the past as well.
As a nation, we have a strong desire for national unity, an end to bigotry and discrimination, and a civil and respectful dialogue as we struggle to face the many challenges of our day. As a Christian, I firmly believe that our hope for our nation must be rooted in faith and prayer. We are one nationunder God. Therefore, we need to pray every day for our leaders.
The young St. Timothy urged the Christians of his time to pray for rulers and all those in authority. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) In our own day, we need to continue to support our elected and appointed officials with our prayers.
Here is a portion of a prayer that I came across recently. I invite you to pray it with me:
Heavenly Father, I pray, in the name of the Lord Jesus, for our president, the vice president, all the Cabinet and the chief justice and associate justices of the Supreme Court to receive the wisdom of God, to act in obedience to that wisdom and for the power of God to flow in their lives.
Heavenly Father, I pray for the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to find Your peace and direction, and for these men and women to act and lead according to Your Word. A house divided against itself cannot stand, therefore, I pray for them to be unified in righteousness for the sake of the nation. Amen.
A young 22 year old Catholic woman read a beautiful poem that she composed for the Inauguration of the President this past week. She is Amanda Gorman and she is a parishioner at St. Brigid Parish in south central Los Angeles. This parish is run by the Josephite Fathers. Her talent has now become known across the country and the world. God bless her as she uses her gift to bring hope to the world.
Catholic Schools Week
Now more than ever, St. Patrick Catholic School is committed to serving and providing our community with educational options. We are proud to be on campus, in-person and celebrating Catholic Schools Week with schools all over the nation. Read more by clicking below.
February 17 is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. It is an important day for Catholics because we receive ashes on our foreheads to indicate our desire to make changes in our lives through prayer, fasting and sharing with those in need. It is usually a day on which large numbers of Catholics come to church.
Of course, we need to make a plan at the parish to ensure that people are coming into a safe environment. One change will be that the ministers who place the ashes on your forehead will use a cotton swab (Q tip) so that they are not touching your forehead. A fresh Q-tip will be used for each person to avoid the chance of spread from person to person.
We do not have a precise schedule of our Masses and prayer services for that day. We will announce it soon. If you have not done so already, please answer the brief survey below.
Miércoles de Ceniza
El 17 de febrero es el miércoles de ceniza y marca el comienzo de la Cuaresma. Es un día importante para los católicos porque recibimos cenizas en la frente para indicar nuestro deseo de hacer cambios en nuestras vidas a través de la oración, el ayuno y el compartir con los necesitados. Suele ser un día en el que un gran número de católicos asiste a la iglesia.
Por supuesto, necesitamos hacer un plan en la parroquia para asegurar que la gente ingrese a un ambiente seguro. Un cambio será que los ministros que coloquen las cenizas en tu frente usarán un intercambio de algodón (Q tip) para que no te toquen la frente. Se usará un Q-tip nuevo para cada persona para evitar la posibilidad de contagio de persona a persona.
No tenemos un horario preciso de nuestras misas y servicios de oración para ese día. Lo anunciaremos pronto. Si aún no lo ha hecho, responda la breve encuesta a continuación.
You may have noticed the discussion in recent weeks about the “morality” of Catholics receiving the Covid vaccine produced by Pfizer or Moderna. There is a lot of misinformation out there and it is confusing to well-meaning Catholics. The attached article gives a clear and concise assessment from the point of view of Catholic morality.
The bottom line is: get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
After taking a break, our Showers of Blessings is reopening on Tuesdays beginning on January 26 from 7:30-11:30 am. The medical clinic will be coming back then too. There is a real need for this service in the community.
All proper protocols will be observed to decrease the possibility of contamination. Volunteers are needed to assist with food and clothing distribution as well. For further information, contact Chris Durnan at 760-533-7139.
We Are One Body, a Church with One Foundation
These songs can provide a great way to begin your prayer for Christian unity. One is a traditional hymn and the other is a more contemporary song.
Funeral for Rafael Cordova
As we have mentioned, our beloved friend and parish staff member Rafi Cordova died suddenly on January 2, 2021. His Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, January 23 at 1:00 pm on the covered court of the school. His family will be present to receive your condolences beginning at noon.
As a reminder, social distancing must be observed and face masks must be worn by all people during the entire time they are on the premises. Out of respect for the family and to protect their health and safety, please refrain from embracing or shaking hands. All Covid-19 protocols will be in place.
Funeral de Rafael Cordova
Como les compartía la semana pasada, el 2 de enero de 2021, Rafi Cordova, nuestro querido amigo y miembro del personal de la parroquia murió repentinamente. Su funeral se llevará a cabo el sábado 23 de enero a la 1:00 pm en el patio de la escuela. Su familia estará presente para recibir sus condolencias a partir del mediodía.
Como recordatorio, se debe observar el distanciamiento social y todas las personas deben usar máscaras durante todo el tiempo que permanezcan en las instalaciones. Por respeto a la familia y para proteger su salud y seguridad, absténgase de abrazar o estrechar la mano. Todos los protocolos Covid-19 se mantienen en vigor.
Online Giving Reminders
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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.
What is the meaning of the term ecumenism?
Name some other Christian denominations.
Are the Orthodox churches part of the Catholic Church?
Are the Eastern rite churches part of the Catholic Church?
Do you Unitarians believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
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 spared the people of Nineveh because they heeded the message God sent through Jonah.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-5,6-7,8-9
The Lord teaches us his ways.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Paul warns the Corinthians that they must act differently because the world in its present form is passing away.
Gospel Reading
Mark 1:14-20
Jesus calls the fishermen, Simon and Andrew, James and John, to be his disciples.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today we begin a continuous reading of Mark’s Gospel that will carry us through this segment of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. Remember that in Cycle B of the Lectionary, most of the Gospel readings are taken from the Gospel according to Mark.
The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a narrative about Jesus’ birth. Instead Mark begins by reporting on the preaching of John the Baptist. John is described as the voice in the wilderness sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Immediately after describing the work of John the Baptist, Mark reports on Jesus’ baptism and his temptation in the desert. Jesus’ public ministry begins after the arrest of John the Baptist. Mark wants his readers to understand the important connection between the end of the ministry of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ own ministry.
As we learn at the beginning of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus preaches the Kingdom of God in continuity with the preaching of John the Baptist. Like John the Baptist, Jesus’ pronouncement of the kingdom is a call to repentance. Yet Jesus’ preaching is greater than John’s. Jesus begins the time of fulfillment; the Kingdom of God is already here. This will be demonstrated again and again, both in Jesus’ words and in the actions that follow. Jesus’ healings and forgiveness of sins are signs of the Kingdom of God that he announces in his teaching.
In contrast to last week’s Gospel, in Mark’s Gospel Jesus takes the initiative in calling his first disciples. As mentioned last week, it was more typical of first-century rabbinical schools for students to seek out rabbis, asking to be their disciples. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus breaks with this tradition and invites his disciples to learn from him. Jesus is said to have first called four fishermen—Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Simon and Andrew are brothers. Jesus promises that he will make them “fishers of men.” James and John are also brothers. Mark does not report Jesus' words of invitation to them, but he does report that they left their fishing immediately; their father, Zebedee, was left behind in the boat.
Mark’s Gospel is told with a great sense of urgency and immediacy. Jesus is a person of action, and events occur in rapid succession. We see this in today’s Gospel. Time is of the essence; the fishermen immediately put aside their livelihood to become Jesus’ disciples. The Kingdom of God is here and now. The time of fulfillment is at hand. How might our lives be different if we more fully shared this sense of the immediacy of God’s kingdom?
For more than 100 years, January 18-25 has been observed as a week of prayer (or octave) for Christian unity. It is a time for joint prayer with our fellow Christians of other Christian churches. The Second Vatican Council (1952-65) encouraged Catholics to be involved in ecumenical prayer, dialogue and action.
It is difficult to plan events in this time of pandemic, hopefully next year we can have some parish events during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. To explore more about the meaning of ecumenism in the Catholic Church, browse around the link below. The Catholic Trivia at the end of this newsletter is also focused on the meaning of ecumenism.
After those beautiful days last week, it seems that winter has returned. The weather forecast contains the predictions of some rain in the coming days. (Of course, we need rain badly, so it would be a blessing.)
We will do everything possible to hold all of our weekend and weekday Masses as scheduled. However, if the weather is really inclement, we will be forced to cancel some individual Masses. It will be a decision made on the spot after assessing conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
Ten cuidado de Tu vida, Tal vez ella sea el único Evangelio que algunas personas vayan a Leer.” Estas palabras son atribuidas a San Francisco de Asís, un hombre que Dios uso en el Siglo 13 para “reconstruir su Iglesia.” Estas palabras deben ser importantes para nosotros ahora. Nos recuerdan que sí importa la manera que vivimos, en la manera que hablamos, y en la manera que reaccionamos. Siempre estamos rodeados de personas que por nuestra conducta serán afectados, negativa o positivamente. A veces nos preocupamos de que otros no leen la biblia “como pensamos que deben”. O no rezan “como pensamos que deben.” Mejor preguntarnos, ¿cómo reflejamos el amor y la compasión de Dios? Como reflejamos el perdón y la tolerancia de Dios. Nuestra manera de vivir si es importante, porque para muchos será el único Evangelio que miraran.
Por favor hagan clic en el Video y en Otra Reflexión para ayudarlos en su reflexión.
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress Goes Online
The LA Congress is a major Catholic educational event that began in the 1950s as a way to help catechists grow in their ability to teach CCD. Since then, it has grown and expanded to become an outstanding way for Catholics from across the US and beyond to receive ongoing formation in the faith. Since 1970, it has taken place in the Anaheim Convention Center. However, due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, the LA Congress has gone virtual this year.
While that is too bad from one point of view, it opens up the possibility for many more people to participate without leaving the comforts of their home. It will feature keynote speakers and over 50 workshops. Our own Bishop McElroy is one of the keynote speakers but the workshop speakers are nationally and internationally known presenters. There are also a variety of liturgies and prayer services. There is even a special track for youth. Your registration gives you access to all the presentations and events (either live or later on demand).
Here is the great news: you get total access to everything LA Congress has to offer for only $35.00. That is a huge bargain when you consider all that you are getting without having to pay for hotel, transportation, parking, food, etc. It may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
To learn more about this great event, take a look at the LA Congress website by going to LACongress.org. Browse around and see how much LA Congress has to offer. You can also register there.
Upcoming Lenten Bible Study with Isaiah 40-55: Build a Highway for God
God has a message of hope. It came in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Understanding Jesus as the heart of God’s message we might take a lesson from the early Church: after Jesus’ death and resurrection the Church turned to the book of Isaiah. Its poetic prophecies in chapters 40-55 provided rich insights into the significance of Jesus and how to speak hope into discouraging circumstances. Isaiah spoke to the hearts of early Christians. Let him move you as we journey together through Lent.
The 6 week study begins Monday, February 15, Time: 6:45 pm-8:30 pm
We will meet via Zoom conference – more details to come soon.
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.
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