Rejoice...and more, from Fr. Ron, week 10

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

March 8, 2024 | Issue 10

A Word from the Pastor

March 8, 2024

Lent began about three and half weeks ago. We all entered into this holy season with great fervor. The church was filled eight times on Ash Wednesday with people who expressed a desire and made a commitment to use Lent as a time to change, a time to turn from sin and be renewed in our desire to live the gospel.

So, how has it been going?

Midway through Lent, it is time for a gut check. The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) is an opportunity to encourage one another to keep going, or perhaps another chance to begin again. God always gives us a chance to start over.

Have you made progress in overcoming any of your faults? Have you at least made the effort? Have you become a more generous, more caring person? Have you made more time to pray? Have you made efforts to grow in your faith? Have you stuck to your Lenten resolutions?

As a parish, we have a few important events coming up that may help you along your Lenten journey. Our three-day Lenten mission offers an Evening of Reflection with Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla (March 18), Taizé Prayer around the Cross (March 19) and our Parish Lenten Penance Service (March 20). Join us for all three evenings or as many as you can make. On Saturday March 23, we will have a Bible Marathon. A fuller description of all these events can be found elsewhere in this bulletin or in our Lenten brochure.

You may also want to join Stations of the Cross on Friday afternoons or Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday afternoons. And of course, we have daily Mass at 7:00 and 8:00 am in English and at 5:30 pm in Spanish. On Friday March 22, Auxiliary Bishop Ramon Bejarano will celebrate the 5:30 pm Mass and give a conference in Spanish. All are welcome.

Now is a good time to review your Lenten commitment to change. These parish events are opportunities to strengthen your faith and deepen your prayer. The goal is not to see how many events you can attend but to allow these events to be opportunities of God’s grace which will renew you.

May God bless you and your families as you continue your Lenten journey. I hope to see you at some of these enriching parish events during Lent.

May you experience a true change of heart and behavior this Lent, and thus come to experience the peace and joy of the Lord.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

[email protected]

65 Years as a Priest

On March 14, Fr. Ben Drapeau, CJM celebrates his 65th anniversary of ordination. We thank God for the gift of this holy and generous priest. So many people have experienced God’s compassion through him over the years. May God grant him many more years of good health and faithful service. Ad multos annos.

On March 14, Fr. Ben will preside at the 8:00 am Mass. There will be a simple reception after the Mass in the parish hall. All are welcome.

OCIA Retreat

On March 3, our catechumen and candidates for the Easter sacraments had a day of retreat led by Fr. Ron Bagley. It was held at the House of Jesus and Mary (Eudist formation house) in Vista. The theme of the day was prayer which was explored in its many aspects and forms. Participants said they found it enriching. Now they are ready for the celebration of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil on March 30.

Three Day Lenten Mission

Continue the spirit of Lent by joining our three day Lenten Mission:

Day 1 – March 18 at 7:00 pm

Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla, CJM will speak about the passion account from the gospel of Mark and show how we can discover Jesus anew as our Messiah.

Day 2 – March 19 at 7:00 pm

Taizé Prayer around the Cross is a meditative and inspirational time to enter into the mystery of our salvation through chants, Scripture and prayer. We offer this again because so many people have enjoyed this peaceful, reflective time of personal and communal prayer in past years.

Day 3 – March 20 at 7:00 pm

Our annual Lenten Penance Service concludes our three day mission. As always, many priests will be available to hear individual confessions.

For more information about our Three Day Lenten Mission, see the Lenten brochure which is available through our website, the e-newsletter or at the doors of the church.

Taizé Chants

On March 19, as a part of our Lenten 3-day mission, we have Taizé Prayer around the Cross in the church at 7:00 pm. Part of the beauty of that prayer experience is the beautiful chants which come from the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France. Here is a sampling of some of those lovely chants in various languages. They are also great for personal prayer and reflection.

31st Annual Good Friday Walk with the Suffering

March 29, 8:30 am - 11:00 am

Students from Cristo Rey High School will reenact Jesus’ journey to Calvary. The procession through downtown San Diego will begin at the San Diego Rescue Mission (120 Elm St). Join Bishop Felipe Pulido and representatives from various organizations that serve the needy in walking and offering prayers and reflections on social justice issues. Free parking at the San Diego Rescue Mission parking structure. All are welcome!

Walk information here...

Annual Lenten Collection

This weekend has been designated for the 2024 Annual Lenten Collection which supports Catholic Relief Services, the Church in Africa and the Church in Latin America. You may designate your contribution to the causes listed on the collection envelope. Special envelopes were included in your packet of envelopes. Additional envelopes are available at the doors of the church, please place your envelope in our one collection.

40 Days for Life

From February 14-March 24, 2024, you’re invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life – 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You’re also invited to stand and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood, 1964 Via Centre, Vista, CA 92081 from 7am to 7pm Monday through Saturday, and also to help spread the word about this important community outreach.

Lenten Food Drive

The Knights of Columbus will be collecting items for the Annual Lenten Food Drive to benefit Catholic Charities, St Patrick Parish Food Bank and Showers of Blessings. The food drive lasts 4 weeks beginning February 24, and ends March 17.

Sharing with those in need is an integral part of our Lenten almsgiving. Look at the attached flyer to discover how you can contribute.

Food Drive info here...

Bible Marathon

A Public Reading of the Gospel of Mark

Saturday, March 23, 2024 — 9:00 am to 11:00 am

A “Bible marathon” is an ancient practice of publicly reading the Word of God (cf. Nehemiah 8:6-8). In a Bible marathon, the community reads the entire Bible for days. But don’t worry! We won’t be doing that! Since this is Liturgical Year B, which uses the Gospel of Mark, we will only read the entire Gospel of Mark in the parish church.

The goal of this spiritual exercise is not to memorize the passages, but to bless our tongues as we read the Word of God; our ears as we hear the Word of God; and our hands as we hold the Word of God.

Lenten Activities at St. Patrick Parish

Click here to see the brochure which describes all of our Lenten programs and activities. A hard copy of the brochure is available at the doors of the church.

Lenten Activities- read here...

Lenten Penance Services

Our parish Lenten Penance Service is Wednesday March 20. Click here to see the full schedule of Lenten Penance Services in the parishes of North County.

Schedule here...

Lenten Evening of Reflection for the Divorced & Separated

For those in our Catholic community who are either separated or divorced. This workshop, which will be held on Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at Corpus Christi Parish (450 Corral Canyon Rd. Bonita, CA 91902), will address what our faith teaches about divorce, as well as discuss strategies for meeting our challenges with grace. After the presentation, we will join the parish for Stations of the Cross. For more information, visit https://sdcatholic.org/event/lenten-evening-of-reflection-for-the-divorced-separated/

Catholic in Recovery

Catholic in Recovery provides healing from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. Meetings combine the spiritual principles of 12-step recovery and the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Join others in recovery as we overlap scripture from Sunday’s Mass readings, liturgical themes, and recovery topics with honest discussion and prayer. Confidentiality is protected.

Join Catholic in Recovery at Saint John the Evangelist Parish on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. For more information visit www.catholicinrecovery.com or contact Penelope W. at (760) 803-1835, [email protected].

Financial Report

February 2024

Total Income $ 215,453.12

Total Expenses $ 186,151.42

Year to Date (2024)

Income $ 382,904.34

Expenses $ 385,781.71

Watch Daily and Sunday Masses Livestreamed from St. Patrick Church here:

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.

Remember to set up your Easter donation!

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.

Which sacraments are called Sacraments of Initiation?
Which sacraments are called Sacraments of Healing?
Which sacraments are called Sacraments of Service?
Which sacraments use oil as a part of the rite?
Which sacrament is no longer called Extreme Unction?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]

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 [email protected] We will be pleased to add them.

Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

We have a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses.

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read all of Fr. Ron's newsletters here

Fourth Sunday of Lent –

Year B

First Reading

2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23

The causes for the Israelites’ captivity in Babylon are described.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 137:1-2,3,4-5,6

A lament from exile for the loss of Jerusalem

Second Reading

Ephesians 2:4-10

In grace we have been saved, so that we may do the work of the Lord.

Gospel Reading

John 3:14-21

Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The fourth Sunday of Lent is sometimes called Laetare Sunday.

Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Traditionally, Sundays are named after the first word of the liturgy’s opening antiphon. On this Sunday, the antiphon is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:10-11). Even as we observe our Lenten sacrifices, we rejoice in anticipation of the joy that will be ours at Easter.

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from John’s Gospel. It consists of two parts. The first part is the final sentence of Jesus’ reply to Nicodemus, the Pharisee who approached Jesus at night. Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus as someone who had come from God and seemed to want to be a follower of Jesus. Jesus greeted Nicodemus with the observation that one must be born from above to see the Kingdom of God. The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus that followed was about the meaning of this phrase. Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus at every point, but there was no animosity in the questions he posed to Jesus.

In the part of the conversation with Nicodemus in today’s Gospel, Jesus referred to an incident reported in the Old Testament. When the Israelites grumbled against the Lord during their sojourn in the desert, God sent venomous serpents to punish them for their complaints. The Israelites repented and asked Moses to pray for them. The Lord heard Moses’ prayer and instructed him to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. All who had been bitten by a serpent and then looked upon the bronze serpent were cured. By recalling this story, Jesus alludes to the salvation that would be accomplished through his death and Resurrection.

The second part of today’s Gospel is a theological reflection on Jesus’ words to Nicodemus. The Gospel of John is known for this kind of reflection offered within the narrative. The words of the Evangelist are in continuity with the words of the prologue to John’s Gospel. In these reflections, John elaborates on a number of themes that are found in his Gospel: light and darkness, belief and unbelief, good and evil, salvation and condemnation.

In John’s reflection, we find an observation about human sinfulness. Jesus is the light that has come into the world, but people preferred the darkness. We wish to keep our sins hidden, even from God. Jesus has come into the world to reveal our sins so that they may be forgiven. This is the Good News; it is the reason for our rejoicing in this season of Lent and throughout our lives.

John 3:16 Set to Music

This Sunday’s gospel reading includes the famous verse from the gospel of John: ”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Here are two contemporary music renditions of those important words.

The first is performed by We the Kingdom. It is in the praise and worship style that many Christians like.

The second video is also praise and worship style. It features two teens who incorporate movement and gestures to enhance the words and music.

Why is the Fourth Sunday of Lent called Laetare Sunday?

The name comes from the first words of the Entrance Antiphon for Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" — "Rejoice, O Jerusalem".
The fourth Sunday marks the half-way point of the Lenten season, even though the Thursday before Laetare Sunday is the actual middle day of Lent.
Signs of joy are allowed on this day, expressing our belief in the hope of the resurrection and to inspire us as we continue our Lenten commitments to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Symbolizing joy, rose-colored Mass vestments may be worn instead of purple, to indicate the contrast between Laetare and the other Sundays of Lent.
The tradition of using the color rose is thought to come from the tradition of the Golden Rose; at one time popes sent golden roses to Catholic heads of state in Europe on this Sunday.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to St. Patrick Catholic School for finishing 3rd overall in the Diocese of San Diego Junior High Academic Decathlon on March 2nd at St. Augustine High School. Thirty-three diocesan schools competed in a rigorous day of testing in a variety of subjects including a Super Quiz and Logic Quiz. The team prepared for weeks and placed in many of the individual subjects as well, scoring well in both team quizzes. Great job, St. Pats students! We are proud of you!

St. Patrick Day Dinner Dance

Our St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance, Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus, will be held on next Saturday, March 16, in the parish center.

We will have a corned beef dinner with all the trimmings, Irish beer and more! A DJ and Irish Dancers!

$20.00 per person or $60.00 per family. The cash bar opens at 5:30pm.

Tickets will be available in the Parish office during the weekday, or online below.

Click here to buy tickets..

Easter Boutique

The Altar Society's Annual Easter Boutique will be held the weekend of March 23rd and 24th. We are looking for donations of gently used items to sell at this event (please no furniture or clothing) We also need Easter Baskets and toys to fill the baskets for the children.

Colecta Anual de Cuaresma

Este fin de semana ha sido designado para la “Colecta Anual de Cuaresma de 2024.” Hoy hay sobres especiales para esta colecta que apoya el trabajo de Catholic Relief Services, y ayuda a la Iglesia en África y a la Iglesia en América Latina. Por puede designar su contribución a las causas indicadas en el sobre de la colecta.

31º Viacrucis anual “Caminando con los que Sufren,”

Viernes Santo, 29 de marzo, 8:30-11:00 am. Estudiantes de la preparatoria de Cristo Rey escenificarán el camino de Jesús al Calvario. La procesión comenzará en la Rescue Mission (120 Elm St, Centro de San Diego). Representantes de varias organizaciones que sirven a los necesitados, incluyendo el obispo Felipe Pulido, caminarán en oración y reflexionarán sobre temas de justicia social. Estacionamiento gratuito en Rescue Mission. El evento será en inglés. ¡Todos son bienvenidos! Más información en

Haga clic aquí:

Noche Cuaresmal de Reflexión para Divorciados y Separados

Invitamos a los miembros de la comunidad católica separada y divorciada a compartir sus experiencias entre sí en la https://sdcatholic.org/event/noche-cuaresmal-de-reflexion-para-los-divorciados-y-separados/

Únase a nosotros el jueves 14 de marzo en Corpus Christi (450 Corral Canyon Rd. Bonita, CA 91902) de 7 p.m., mientras nos reunimos para aprender y orar. Este taller discutirá lo que nuestra fe realmente enseña sobre el divorcio y discutirá estrategias para enfrentar nuestros desafíos con gracia. Ven y sana a través de la luz de vivir tu fe.

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

“Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que le entregó a su Hijo único, para que todo el que crea en él no perezca, sino que tenga vida eterna”. (Evangelio según san Juan 3:14-21). Continuamos nuestro camino hacia la Pascua. Hoy celebramos el 4º Domingo de Cuaresma. Si vienes a Misa el domingo, escucharás el Evangelio (del Ciclo A porque tenemos hermanas y hermanos en el proceso de RICA) del hombre ciego de nacimiento, pero Jesús, con sus palabras y su toque lo sana, y este joven puede ver por primera vez, creando un escándalo dentro de la comunidad. Pero si vienes a Misa el sábado, escucharás el Evangelio de San Juan (Ciclo B). Un fariseo llamado Nicodemo, de noche va a conversar con Jesús, ¿Por qué va de noche? ¿Acaso no quería que nadie lo viera? ¿Cuántas veces también nosotros nos acercamos a Jesús “en secreto”, que nadie nos vea? Jesús habla con Nicodemo diciéndole que todos tenemos que “nacer de nuevo desde arriba”. Nicodemus no entiende cómo puede nacer de nuevo. Jesús continúa instruyéndolo, hablando del gran amor de Dios. “Tanto amo Dios al mundo que mando a su Hijo Único para que todos que crean en él, no mueran”. Esto vale repetirse, “¡Tanto amo Dios al mundo que mando a su Hijo Único para que todos que crean en él, tengan vida eterna!” Merece que meditemos sobre el significado de estas palabras de Jesús para nosotros. Miramos al Cristo crucificado en la Iglesia, pero no nos quedemos sólo adorando el crucifico, sino tiene que movernos desde adentro de nuestro corazón; que nos cambie nuestra manera de ser, de actuar, de amar y de perdonar. De esta manera “nacemos de nuevo desde arriba” y nuestras acciones reflejarán a Dios.

“Comunión en el Cuerpo de Cristo: Rezar por los vivos y los difuntos”. Haga clic aquí:

EXPLICACIÓN: “¿QUÉ SON LOS ESCRUTINIOS?” - Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN: “TANTO AMO DIOS AL MUNDO…”. Haga clic aquí:

PERSPECTIVA: “¿DÓNDE ESTÁ JESÚS CUANDO LAS COSAS SE PONEN DIFÍCILES?”. Haga clic aquí:

Estudios Bíblicos en Español del Padre Ricardo Chinchilla, cjm... clic aquí

Detente

Hablemos de Nicodemo

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm

In case of emergency, you can always reach a priest. Call the parish number 760-729-2866 and press number 6 which will connect you directly to one of our priests.

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To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the address below:

[email protected]

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