A Word from the Pastor



April 11, 2025

“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” With these few words Carlo Acutis outlines the distinguishing feature of his brief life here on earth. Now the Church is ready to recognize him as the first Millennial Saint. He was only 15 when he died in 2006.

We may be tempted to think that he was an unusual boy with mystical habits. In reality, Carlo was a normal boy, like most of his peers, but with an absolutely special harmony, thanks to his great friendship with Jesus.

In addition to being a good student and son, he managed to find time to teach catechism to children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation; to volunteer at the soup kitchen of the Capuchins and the Sisters of Mother Teresa; to help the poor who lived in his neighborhood; to help children in difficulty with their homework; to do apostolic works with the Internet; to play the saxophone; to play soccer; to design programs with the computer; to have fun with video games; to watch detective films and to make films with his dogs and cats.

For Carlos, the Eucharist was a key way that he stayed united to Jesus. He wrote that when “you stand in front of the sun you get a tan... but when you stand before Jesus in the Eucharist you become a saint.” For Carlo “the Eucharist was his highway to Heaven”, and also the most powerful means to become a saint quickly. His famous phrase is: “Everyone is born an original but many die like photocopies.”

Carlo always drew strength from the Sacraments, which for him were the most powerful means to grow in virtue, effective signs of God’s infinite mercy for us. Thanks to the Eucharist, Carlo heroically strengthened the virtue of fortitude, which gave him that courage common to all saints, to always go against the current and oppose the false idols that the world constantly proposes to us. The Eucharist also nourished in him a very strong desire to constantly tune in to the voice of the Lord, and to always live in his presence. By doing so, Carlo managed to bring that lifestyle learned at the school of the Eucharist to every environment: being at school, at the pizzeria with friends or on the field for a soccer game, or using the computer. Each became the place the Gospel could be lived.

Carlo grew sick with leukemia and died at age 15 on October 12, 2006. His last words were reportedly, “I die happy because I didn't spend any minutes of my life in things God doesn't love.” He will be canonized as a saint on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27 in Rome during the Jubilee of Teenagers. 

I came across a short book entitled In Conversation with Saint Carlo Acutis, that invites the reader to imagine just that—a dialogue with the young saint who used technology to spread the Gospel and inspire countless hearts. The author is Bishop Brendan Leahy who says: My hope is that the pages of this book will become an opportunity for you to let yourself be guided by Carlo Acutis on what being “alive” in Christ means.

I was able to purchase 50 copies of this book at a bulk discount. So, they are only $10 each. They are available at the parish office and any copies still left will be made available on the patio on the weekend this young saint is canonized.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Sacred Triduum

The following Masses and Services mark this year’s celebration of the Sacred Triduum:

Holy Thursday - April 17

• 7:00 pm Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (bilingual) followed by quiet prayer in church until 9:45 pm Night Prayer

Good Friday - April 18

• 12:00 pm - Stations of the Cross with the testimony of the bystanders
• 5:00 pm Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord (English)
• 7:00 pm Liturgia de la Pasión del Señor (español) 

Holy Saturday - April 19

• 8:00 pm - Easter Vigil (bilingual)

Easter Sunday/Domingo de Pascua - April 20 

• 6:00 am (sunrise)
• 7:30 am (church) 
• 9:00 am (church), 
• 9:00 am (Family Mass parish hall) 
• 11:00 am (church) 
• 1:00 pm (Español iglesia)
• 1:15 pm (Español salón parroquial)

NO 5:00 pm Mass on Easter Sunday

Happy 55th Anniversary of

Fr. Bill Rowland, CJM



Ordained April 11, 1970

Dear friends in Christ,

Thank you all for the welcome during the recent parish mission.  It is a privilege to be invited to share our Catholic faith.  I appreciate the gift of your time, presence, and our personal chats.

Thanks to Fr. Ron for his kindness and hospitality. Thanks to Pat Clasby and all who helped handle details for the mission.

I hope that the messages I offered can give us all (myself especially) a reminder of God’s close presence in the realness of everyday life.  In our busy lives, there is always an invitation for us to be open to God's amazing grace through spending time with God in prayer—both in quick thoughts and moments especially set aside. God chose an ordinary family to become incarnate.  God still chooses our families—at home and the parish family—to make himself known.  It isn’t always easy to remember that.  I hope you and I can see Christ present in those closest to us. 

We are called to read our loved one’s hungers, to restore damaged and broken relationships, and to remember the value of people to God. We are also called and sent out to serve and bring Christ to others.  “The Master needs it.” 

I will continue to remember you all in prayer and ask that you pray for me.

Peace,

Mike Patin



“Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects of you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5: 16-18).

Palm Sunday Video

This video splices together Palm Sunday scenes from various movies and uses music that sings of the praises of Hosanna in the highest.

Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast

Carlsbad Troop 748 is celebrating Easter with the entire community again this year as we host our 67th Easter Sunday Pancake from 7:30 am-12:30 pm on April 20!

We're returning with our traditional menu of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit, and of course your cup of morning coffee, tea, or milk. Advance tickets are $7 (just $10 at the door) and as always, the proceeds will help send our Scouts to summer camp and a variety of other activities throughout the year!  

We will be at all Masses this weekend - April 12 and 13.

We thank you for your support. If you need your tickets delivered to your door or want more information on joining the troop, please contact Scoutmaster Bob Dixon at carlsbadtroop748@hotmail.com 

Showers of Blessings Clothing Drive

Showers of Blessings will be holding a clothing drive the weekend of April 26 and 27. There will be volunteers on the patio before and after all Masses. Our need for clothing items continues to grow as we are averaging almost 70 guests every Tuesday. We would greatly appreciate any of the following items:



• Men’s new or slightly used jeans ( especially waist size 30, 32,34)
• Men’s new boxer briefs and T shirts
• Men’s new or slightly used shirts and jackets
• Women’s new underwear and bras (regular or sports bras)
• Women’s new or slightly used jeans, shirts and jackets
• New or slightly used shoes for both Men and Women

Additionally, sleeping bags and backpacks are always in demand. Cash donations are ALWAYS appreciated and accepted. We sincerely appreciate all your donations and kindness as we continue expanding this ministry within our parish. We are always looking for additional volunteers to serve in many different capacities. To learn more about us check out our website: Showersofblessingscarlsbad.com  

Catholic Trivia Night

Building on last year’s success, we will hold our 2nd Annual Catholic Trivia Night on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm.

Anyone can participate. All you need is a team of three (3) bright and intelligent people who know lots about our Catholic faith and practice. There is no fee to enter and spectators are also welcome at no charge. Prizes will be awarded.

To enter your team, send the following to Fr. Ron at rmbagley@yahoo.com:



• The names of the 3 team members
• The name you are giving your team
• The phone number and email of the contact person for your team.

Start practicing!

Divine Mercy Sunday

The Lord Jesus constantly preached a message of the merciful love of God. He freely offered forgiveness to those who suffer, those who sinned, those who experienced loneliness or rejection. His message was that God’s mercy is available to all who turn to him.

In our time, this message of Divine Mercy is especially needed. With so many wars, so much disease, too much violence, and widespread division, we need to know the merciful love of God that is more powerful than hatred and sin. 

In 1931, Jesus appeared to Sr. Faustina in Poland and expressed his desire for a feast celebrating this mercy. The Feast of Mercy was to be on the Sunday after Easter, this year on April 7.

This promise of mercy has been affirmed by the Church, which has made Divine Mercy Sunday an occasion for receiving a plenary indulgence, “the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven” (CCC, no. 1471). The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions (Confession, Eucharist, prayer for the intentions of the pope, and complete detachment from sin, even venial sin). 

In addition to our regular parish Masses, we will have a Holy Hour on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 3:00 pm and include the praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 3:50 pm.

Thank You!

The Knights of Columbus St. Patrick's Council would like to thank everyone involved with the recent Lenten Food Drive.  The event was a great success.  Thanks to fellow parishioner Bob Dixon, the Scout Master, for bringing the Scouts to help collect donations.  Thanks to Catholic Charities for collecting and distributing the donations where they are needed most in the Diocese.  And thanks to Brother Craig Ryall who handled all the coordination for this event to happen. 

Most of all, thank you to the parishioners who gave the donations for the drive to provide food and diapers to those who need them most.  The Knights of Columbus are very grateful for your support.

Million Meal Event

The diocese’s deacons are inviting parish communities to participate in the upcoming Million Meal Event that will take place on June 14th, at Cathedral Catholic High School. 

The event has been very successful the past couple years, drawing more than 3,000 people who packed meals for hungry children in Tijuana and Africa. This year the goal is to pack 1 million meals in one day and raise $300,000. Parish teams, ministries, families and individuals can make an impact on a child’s life. Everyone is welcome to sign up. If you have any questions, please call the office and speak to one of the deacons.  

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

Catholic Trivia

"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.

1. Jesus was crucified at Golgotha. What does that Hebrew word mean?
2. Who is the procurator before whom Jesus stands trial?
3. According to the gospel of Mark, who was at the cross of Jesus when he died?
4. According to the gospel of John, do we know the names of anyone who stood at the cross of Jesus?
5. The sentence of Jesus was attached to his cross. In what languages was the sentence written?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com