We are already well into the season of Lent. I hope that this beginning has been a time of enrichment, growth in faith, and spiritual renewal for you and your family. If you got off to a slow start, the good news is that there are still almost five weeks to go before our annual celebration of the Paschal Triduum.
I remind you of the various ways that we offer you to pray the Stations of the Cross this Lent. Every Friday at 3:00 pm, the stations are prayed in the church. Our new outdoor station area next to the church is available at any time for you to pray in the open air. Many people have already discovered our “original, homegrown” format on our YouTube channel which features some of our priests, deacons and lectors. This can be used at home or anywhere you want to pray this beautiful prayer. The link is https://youtu.be/-5S3dyZVoWQ
Our Bible Study on Isaiah 40-55 continues. It is not too late to join. The information is included below. I will be uploading in the near future a Bible Study on the Passion Narratives as found in the gospels. I recently recorded these three sessions that you can view at your convenience. I would be interested in your feedback on them.
Although we will not be able to offer the usual Parish Penance Service again this Lent, I have recorded a prayer service that will help you prepare for General Confession and the reception of General Absolution. It is also on our YouTube channel and the link is https://youtu.be/9gHPLTtEbTI
I have also included in our e-newsletter the article I wrote last year about the History of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It not only explains the development of this sacrament but also shows how General Confession of Sins and General Absolution are truly a valid way to celebrate this sacrament.
Of course, our recorded Masses for each day of Lent will continue to be uploaded. For those who cannot attend daily Mass in church, praying along with these online Masses may be a way for you to enrich your Lenten journey.
Sharing with those in need and serving others are also important ways to grow in faith this Lent. I remind you of the Food Drive sponsored by our Knights of Columbus on the first four Sundays of Lent. Also our Showers of Blessings continues to serve those in need. Your donations are always appreciated. And don’t forget to make your contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). These are just a few suggestions for ways that we can develop our practice of Christian charity this Lent.
Prayer, fasting, sharing with others – these traditional Lenten practices help us to put God first in our lives and to grow in our relationship with Jesus. They move us to a greater love for all God’s people. May they enrich you as we journey together during this season of Lent.
This Sunday at the 11:00 am Mass, we will celebrate the Rite of Election. Our catechumen and candidates for the Sacraments of Initiation enter into the final phase of their preparation. They will be welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. Read this short article to better understand the Rite of Election and its place within the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
An uplifting song is just what we need to lift our hearts and minds to God who is the source of all life and mercy. It is sung by the virtual choir the Chicago Church of Christ.
Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA was a self-proclaimed, “old folks’ child.” Bowman was the only child born to middle-aged parents, Dr. Theon Bowman, a physician, and Mary Esther Bowman, a teacher. At birth, she was given the name Bertha Elizabeth Bowman. She was born in 1937 and reared in Canton, Mississippi. As a child, she converted to Catholicism through the inspiration of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity who were her teachers and pastors at Holy Child Jesus Church and School in Canton. During her short lifetime, many people considered her a religious sister undeniably close to God and who lovingly invited others to encounter the presence of God in their lives. She is acclaimed as a “holy woman” in the hearts of those who knew and loved her and continue to seek her intercession for guidance and healing.
The US Bishops Conference has endorsed the process that will eventually lead to her canonization as a saint of the Church.
To read a timely recent article about Sr. Thea, see below.
To read what Sr. Thea says about the richness of African American Sacred music, see below
To listen to a great African American spiritual song, click on “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.”
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.
6:45 pm-8:30 pm - March 1 ,8, 15 and 22.
We will not meet in person; we will meet via Zoom conference (from the comfort of your own home). You need a computer (desktop or laptop) or a tablet or cell phone to meet.All who register will get an email with information on how to join the meeting. There is no cost for the zoom conference to you.
"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.
Today’s trivia should come under the heading “Know the Gospels.” You might be surprised!
Are the temptations of Jesus reported in all four gospels?
Is the Transfiguration of Jesus reported in all four gospels?
In what other place in the New Testament is the Transfiguration reported?
Is the institution of the Eucharist recorded in all four gospels?
In what other place in the New Testament is the institution of the Eucharist recorded?
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.
Abraham obeyed God and prepared to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 116:10,15,16-17,18-19
A prayer of faithfulness to God
Second Reading
Romans 8:31b-34
God’s faithfulness is shown in his offering of his own Son for our salvation.
Gospel Reading
Mark 9:2-10
Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John.
Background on the Gospel Reading
On the second Sunday of Lent in each Lectionary cycle, the Gospel reading proclaims the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. This event is reported in each of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This year, in Lectionary Cycle B, we hear Mark’s report of this event.
The context for Mark’s Transfiguration story is similar to that found in both Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospel. The Transfiguration occurs after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ prediction about his passion. After this, in each of these Gospels, there is also a discussion of the cost of discipleship.
In each case, Jesus takes three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—to a high mountain. While they are there, Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus. In Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospel, there is reference to a conversation among Jesus, Elijah, and Moses, but only Luke’s Gospel includes the detail that this conversation is about what Jesus will accomplish in Jerusalem.
Elijah and Moses are significant figures in the history of Israel. Moses led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and received from Yahweh the Ten Commandments. In appearing with Jesus at his Transfiguration, Moses represents the Law that guides the lives of the Jewish people. Elijah is remembered as one of the most important prophets of Israel who helped the Israelites stay faithful to Yahweh. Some Jews believed that Elijah’s return would signal the coming of the Messiah for the Jewish people. This belief is evidenced in the question posed by Jesus’ disciples after they have witnessed the Transfiguration. The appearance of these two important figures from Israel’s history with Jesus signifies Jesus’ continuity with the Law and with the prophets and that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised to the people of Israel.
On seeing Jesus with Elijah and Moses and having witnessed his Transfiguration, Peter offers to construct three tents for them. Mark reports that the disciples are terrified by what they have witnessed and that Peter’s offer is made out of confusion. We also notice that Peter has reverted from his earlier confession that Jesus is the Messiah, calling Jesus rabbi instead. As if in reply to Peter’s confusion, a voice from heaven speaks, affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding the disciples to obey him. This voice from heaven recalls the voice that was heard at Jesus’ baptism.
In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, Jesus instructs the disciples to keep secret what they have seen until after the Son of Man has risen from the dead. The disciples’ confusion continues as they wonder what Jesus means by rising from the dead. The disciples cannot possibly understand Jesus’ Transfiguration until they also witness his passion and death. We hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration early in Lent, but we have the benefit of hindsight. In our hearing of it, we anticipate Jesus’ Resurrection, even as we prepare to remember Jesus’ passion and death.
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Lenten food drive to benefit the North County Branch of the San Diego Food Bank. Giving to those in need is a powerful way to do your part to participate with our church community during Lent. The drive will run the first four weekends of Lent. Donations will be accepted before/after all weekend Masses (Saturday and Sunday). The donation station will be set up at the back door of the hall. Drive up and the Knights will unload the food from your trunk. Our goal for this drive to 3000 pounds of food. That will serve a couple thousand meals.
Diacono Miguel Enriquez
“¡Que a gusto estamos aquí!” Al movernos a la segunda semana de cuaresma, mi oración es que todos están apartando un tiempo en sus vidas diarias “de sentarse con el Señor Jesús”. Este domingo escuchamos en el Evangelio el pasaje de la Transfiguración de Jesús. Pedro, aunque no entiende el significado de este evento, después de la transfiguración responde, “¡Que a gusto estamos aquí!” Es fácil, mirar la mano de Dios en momentos agradables de nuestra vida. Pero no sólo en los momentos agradables esta Dios con nosotros, pero Dios esta en todos los diferentes momentos vivimos incluyendo esos momentos que no son agradables. A veces alguien pregunta, “¿Porque Dios quiere que pasen cosas malas y terribles?” Dios no quiere que pasen cosas malas, pero promete estar con nosotros siempre aun cuando sucedan esas cosas malas. Por eso es importante orar con Jesús frecuentemente, “sentándonos a su lado, inclinándonos en su pecho”, para que nuestro espíritu este lleno de Sú Espíritu y podamos mirar la mano de Dios moviéndonos y fortaleciéndonos.
Por favor hagan clic en el video y reflexión indicados. Espero que les ayude en su reflexión.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide of all ages suffer from depression. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It affects more women than men and can lead to suicide.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17 million adult Americans suffer from depression during any 1 year of their lifespan. Depression is a real illness and carries a high cost in relationship problems, family suffering, and work productivity. However, depression is a highly treatable illness.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental disorder with the presence of common features such as sadness, emptiness, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function.
Some of the Criteria for a diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are:
Depressed mood, feeling down or hopeless.
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in doing things.
Sleep and eating disturbances.
Feeling tired or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
Trouble thinking or concentrating.
Being lethargic or the opposite, being so fidgety or restless.
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself
There are several depressive disorders listed in the DSM-5, but what differs among them is the duration, timing, and presumed etiology.
Depression can affect any type of person at any stage of their life. Although you may feel alone in your struggle against depressive moods, the truth is that many people experience these moods from time to time or even consistently. It is estimated that 1 in every 4 people experience a significantly depressed mood at some point in their life.
Why is it Important to Pay Attention to these Signs?
Because depression, like any other health condition, if leaves untreated, gets worst. Depression is a complicated condition, and so are the people it affects. You or a loved one may be feeling down for different reasons or situations. If you can handle it, there are few things listed below that might help, but if your depression is more significant than having a “blue day,” you want to consult with a mental health provider.
Many people with depression find relief in the following activities.
Exercising and being active.
Exposure to sunlight, especially during the morning
Spending time gardening.
Doing enjoyable activities: practicing hobbies
Keeping connected and avoiding isolation.
Educating about depression.
How to Help a Loved One Who is Depressed?
♥Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
♥Invite them out for walks, outings, and outdoor activities.
♥Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take prescribed medications.
♥Make sure they have transportation to therapy appointments.
♥Remind them that, with time and treatment, the depression will lift.
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:
