I am excited that we are going to have Masses this weekend in the parish (14 Masses, in fact). But I must also confess that I am a bit worried. That is because our capacity has been drastically reduced to 100 persons per venue (church + covered court = 200 people). I fear that we will not be able to accommodate everybody who shows up.
I am confident that before long our capacity will be increased. I don’t know when or by how much. Until such time, you might want to wait a while longer before returning. Our bishop has extended the dispensation from Sunday Mass. Our recorded Masses will continue online. And there is plenty of room at our weekday Masses (7:00 am, 8:00 am and 7:00 pm).
I think this is another instance in which staying home may be an act of love. Staying home on Sunday can be seen as a sacrifice: I give up my seat so that someone else can attend. Like I said, you can always attend on another day of the week. Just a thought…
At any rate, even with all the restrictions and extra planning this new arrangement is demanding of us, it is good to be together, physically or virtually. For we are a Eucharistic people.
It is important to remember that the resumption of public Masses in the church does not signal the resumption of all ministries, activities and events. We are not ready to schedule events that would take place in the next few weeks. Any church service or gathering has the same limitations as Mass (number of people, social distancing, masks, etc.). Even more challenging is the need to clean the church after every Mass or event. This impinges on the scheduling of events more (time in between for cleaning) and the demands placed upon our staff in constantly re-cleaning the church or other spaces.
We are optimistic that some of these restrictions will be loosened by the state and county in the coming weeks. Until such modifications are made, we ask for your understanding and patience.
Remember, we are not having public Masses because the pandemic is over. We are able to have public Masses because we know better how to manage health and safety in the time of the pandemic. That includes social distancing, wearing masks, hand washing and all the other things we have learned are necessary to live with Covid-19 in our midst. Let’s keep doing those things that we know work.
June is the month of the Sacred Heart
The month of June is traditionally the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus falls within this month. This year it falls on June 19. (The date changes each year. It is celebrated on the Friday after the feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord.)
Many people associate this feast with St. Margaret Mary Alocoque (1647-1690). Actually, the idea of having a feast in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus predates her and was begun by St. John Eudes (1601-1680). He received permission to celebrate this feast for the first time on October 20, 1672. It was the first time in the history of the Church that there was a public celebration of a Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
For St. John Eudes, the Sacred Heart of Jesus was spiritually united to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On February 8, 1648 he celebrated a Mass that he composed in honor of the Heart of Mary. These two hearts symbolize the great love of Jesus and Mary for each other, for God the Father, and for all of God’s people. St. John Eudes did not put a lot of emphasis on devotions to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He stressed that celebrating the love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary on liturgical feasts should move us to greater love for God and for God’s people.
When St. John Eudes was canonized on May 31, 1925, he was declared to be “Father, Apostle and Doctor of liturgical devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.” More to follow next week…
Blessing for Graduates
We congratulate all of our parishioners who are graduating from grammar school, high school and all levels of college.
Gracious and Loving God,
We ask for your guiding hand to be upon our graduates as they and their families thank you for their achievements.
May they find comfort from our community's continued embrace and support as they journey through life.
May they find strength in the solid faith formation they have received along the way.
Bless their lives from this day forward with goodness and success.
Enable them to stay true to their dreams for your greater glory, to discern what is right, good and just, and to use their gifts wisely and in service to others.
Empower them to walk into the future with faith, hope, and great love guided by the light and may they always strive to make a difference in our world.
We ask all this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen
Volunteers STILL Needed
In order to safely celebrate Mass together and gather in a respectful and holy manner, we are in need of some people who can serve as Ministers of Hospitality (ushers). Their role will be to help people find seats while observing social distancing. They can also answer questions people might have. Due to our concern for the health and safety of “vulnerable persons,” these volunteers need to be under 70 years of age. Those who volunteer will be trained by Fr. Ron either in person or through Zoom. We have many Masses and we will need many volunteers.
We also need additional Special Ministers of Holy Communion. Again, these people need to be under 70 years old and Fr. Ron will provide the training.
Please let Fr. Ron know as soon as possible if you are able and willing, to serve in either of these ministries (rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.com)
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 saint’s feast day does the Church celebrate on the day after Christmas?
How many gospels tell about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples?
What color of liturgical vestment does the priest wear the most in the course of a year?
According to the book of Genesis, who was the third son born to Adam and Eve?
In the current rite for the Anointing of the Sick, which parts of the sick person’s body are usually anointed with the blessed oil?
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.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi)
June 14, 2020
First Reading
Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a
Moses tells the people to remember how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Praise God, Jerusalem!
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Though many, we are one body when we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus says, “I am the living bread.”
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday we celebrate a second solemnity during this period of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This day was once called Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ.” In the revised Lectionary the name for this day is expanded to reflect more completely our Eucharistic theology.
Today’s Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to John. The reading is part of a discourse between Jesus and a crowd of Jews. The discourse comes shortly after the miracle of Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In John’s Gospel, miracles such as this are identified as “signs” through which people come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. These signs are followed by dialogue, or discourse that interprets and explains the miracle. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves is said to have occurred near Passover, thus linking it to the Exodus story and God’s saving action toward the Israelites.
Having seen Jesus multiply the loaves and fishes, the crowd pursues him, perhaps seeking more food but also looking for another sign. Jesus tells the crowd that he is the bread of life. He explains that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. It is in this context that Jesus repeats those words in today’s Gospel and tells them again that he is the living bread that came down from heaven.
Jesus’ words are not well understood by the crowd; they argue that Jesus is not from heaven but born of Mary and Joseph. The crowd also has trouble understanding how Jesus could give them his flesh to eat. Jesus tells them that when they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they will remain forever connected to him. These are difficult words, but they are important because they seek to show us our intimate connection with Jesus.
This is the mystery that is at the heart of our Eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s Body in the world.
General Absolution
Many people have expressed a concern about the fact that they have not been able to go to confession in these months of quarantine. They have asked if it is okay to receive Holy Communion without confession first. Since we will not be able to immediately resume our regular schedule for confessions, we are able to offer an alternative.
In the Rite of Penance of the Catholic Church, there is an extraordinary form of absolution of sin that is to be used only in exceptional circumstances. It is called general absolution. It is a way of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation without individual confession. Yet the person’s sins are forgiven and the graces of the sacrament are given.
Bishop McElroy has extended to all the priests of the Diocese the special delegation and permission to use this extraordinary form of absolution. We are indeed living in a time of exceptional circumstances. With a particular concern for not exposing our priests to contact with large numbers of penitents who seek forgiveness, we will use this faculty to give general absolution.
On the first two weekends of public Masses (June 13-14 and June 20-21), the priest presider at each of our Masses will use the form of general absolution at the beginning of the Mass. He will briefly explain what is happening and invite you to dispose yourself to receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
You should prepare for general absolution in the same that you would prepare for confession and individual absolution. Before coming to church that day, spend some time reflecting on your own need for God’s forgiveness and on God’s great mercy. Make an examination of conscience and recall the specific sins for which you need to be forgiven. When the priest at Mass invites you to recall your sins, confess them to God in the quiet of your heart. The priest will then give you absolution along with the others who are at Mass.
Once we are able to schedule times for individual confession, you can go to individual confession again. However, since you have already been absolved, you do not need to repeat your sins again.
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Comunión Espiritual
Creo, Jesús mío,
que estás real
y verdaderamente
en el Santísimo Sacramento del Altar.
Te amo sobre todas las cosas
y deseo vivamente recibirte
dentro de mi alma,
pero no pudiendo hacerlo
ahora sacramentalmente,
ven al menos
espiritualmente a mi corazón.
Y como si ya te hubiese recibido,
te abrazo y me uno del todo a Ti.
Señor, no permitas que jamás me aparte de Ti.
Amen
Fathers Day Novena of Masses
Soon Fathers’ Day will be here: a special time to honor our fathers, pray for them and thank God for their presence in our lives. As is our custom, we will have a Novena of Masses for Fathers, living and deceased.
In order to remember the special Dads in your life, just send us the names on a piece of paper or an envelope. Indicate if each Dad is living or deceased and include an offering of any amount. Put your names in our donation boxes at Mass, mail it to the office or drop it off during office hours (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). All of these papers and envelopes will remain on the altar during all the Masses in the church during the month of June.
A Message from Fr. Carlos
DIOS ES UNA COMUNIDAD DE AMOR
Cuando el hombre mira dentro de sí mismo para considerar su propia experiencia religiosa, tiene el presentimiento de una profundidad infinita. Este fondo inalcanzable dentro de nosotros está relacionado con la palabra "Dios". ¿Por qué? Dios representa la máxima profundidad de nuestra vida, la fuente y el objetivo de todo nuestro ser. Esta profundidad íntima de nuestra persona se manifiesta en la apertura de nuestro "yo" hacia un "usted", y en la seriedad de esta inclinación. Así vemos impresos en nosotros la realidad profunda y exaltante de Dios: la Trinidad; impreso en nosotros el misterio de Dios-Comunidad, el misterio de la comunión de la vida: Dios que es Padre, Hijo, Espíritu Santo.
En nuestra existencia diaria, a veces gris, a veces trágica, a veces muy complicada, en la que tenemos que cuidar cientos de cosas que nos impulsan desde todos los lados, la luz de Dios es amor. Debemos avanzar hacia esta luz si no queremos fallar el verdadero propósito de nuestra existencia. Nos encantaría poder decir: «Aquí está Dios; Dios es tan...» Pero no es posible. Dios mismo sale de las pinturas e iconos y se esconde en cualquiera que nos necesita y dice: "¡Aquí estoy!". Se esconde en los pequeños de la tierra y dice: "¡Búscame aquí!" Quien quiera vivir con Dios no se enfrenta a una conclusión, sino siempre a un comienzo. Siempre nuevo como cada nuevo día.
Padre Carlos
Your Contributions
Throughout the time during which we have not had public Masses, many of our parishioners have continued to send or bring their contributions to the parish. Many have begun using online giving. I am so grateful that so many people have continued to contribute. It has been very helpful to the financial situation of the parish. While our income is down significantly, the generosity shown by so many has enabled us to maintain the parish complex, keep current with our bills, and pay our dedicated staff. Thank you all, very much!
As we begin to celebrate public Masses, we will not be passing the collection basket (for obvious reasons). There will be specially marked containers near the entrance to the churchor near the gate to the field into which you can place your offerings. Of course, you can continue to mail us your contribution or drop it off at the office (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). Online giving remains a good option as well. Thank you for supporting your parish.
Fr. Ron
Religious Education & Family Ministry
Know Live Grow
For the coming school year, we plan to offer a blended program that allows at-home learning and in-class gathering that will have digital and on-site resources with materials and events for students and parents to engage families to know, live, and grow in their faith.
More details and registration information available in July.
Registration for Confirmation Preparation Has Begun
Hello St. Pat’s Families,
We’ve started the first tier of registrations for Year One & Two Confirmation for the 2020/2021 School year. Please watch this video for more info and, please go to www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com to begin the online registration process.
As we look to an eventual re-opening of our services to people without a home, Showers of Blessings is looking for volunteers under 65 to help us with this important ministry. To sign up or to find out more, contact Chris Durnan at chrisdurnan4@gmail.com
Last week we reported that Showers of Blessings received a well-deserved grant of $10,000. The correct name of the grantor is Carlsbad Charitable Foundation which is administered by the San Diego Foundation.
3821 Adams Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.729.2866
The church is open for private prayer every day from 7:00am - 11:00am, however, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is closed.
Our parish offices are open once again, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
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.
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:
