We have all experienced grief. We know it is not a pleasant experience. Grief is our reaction to all kinds of loss in life. Think about how disrupted and disoriented you’ve felt in your own losses, great and small: in the death of a loved one, loss of a job or home or financial resources, miscarriage, a move, independence, or a loss of relationship or identity.
In the midst of these losses, we may not consider our reactions as “grief.” American culture seems to be “grief-averse.” We avoid vulnerability or any perceived sign of “weakness.” However, naming, accepting, and moving through grief actually requires courage! It takes a brave person to endure painful feelings and tears – our own and others!
Grief is a natural, normal reaction to loss. We all grieve, but we need to remember that each individual’s grief is unique. We do not need others to “get” or validate our sense of loss in order to experience grief and move through the process of grieving.
In parish ministry, we are asked to walk with people in their losses. Most frequently, it is the death of a loved one that causes the loss and pain associated with grief. We have been asking ourselves how we can better accompany people as they grieve.
Not too long ago, we gathered a group of people to reflect on this. It included the members of our funeral ministry as well as parishioners who were willing to talk about their own needs as they have grieved. We were happy that Jim Reiser and Julia Popovich from the Hospice of North Coast were able to join us. Many ideas were brainstormed, and we will try to implement them as we move forward.
Jim and Julia made the generous offer to share with us theHope Bereavement Center’s Monthly Grief’s Journey newsletter. There are twelve of them and for the next 12 weeks, we will make them available to our parishioners. Each week, one of them will be attached to our weekly email newsletter. In addition, paper copies will be available in the back of the church for those who do not receive the emails every week. (Do you want to sign up?) We will put out a new edition each week for the coming weeks.
I was so impressed by the amazing content of these newsletters. Each one addresses an area related to grieving. I hope you find them helpful. You will probably want to share one or another of them with a friend who would benefit from it too.
If you are struggling with grief, you may want to speak to one of our parish priests or a friend. Hope Bereavement Center offers programs related to grief and loss which provide a safe and nurturing environment for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more information about their programs, see the attached flyer.
Once again, the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday will be outdoors on the school grounds.
Confessions at St. Patrick’s
Throughout the season of Lent, confessions are heard at our parish every Wednesday immediately after the 8:00 amMass and immediately after the 5:30 pmMass.
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Confesiones en San Patricio
Durante la temporada de Cuaresma, las confesiones se escuchan en nuestra parroquia todos los miércoles inmediatamente después de la Misa de las 8:30 a. m. e inmediatamente después de la Misa de las 5:30 p. m.
This video was posted at the height of the pandemic. It is interesting to reflect on its meaning then and now. What do you think?
Stations of the Cross and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
During Lent communal praying of the Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 3:00 pm and again at 6:30 pm in the church. The church is open during the day for private praying of the Stations. Our outdoor stations of the cross are also available any time.
Every Tuesday, there will be an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 2:00-5:00 pm. (During Lent, adoration will end at 5:00 pm due to a Mass at 5:30 pm.)
Churches in the Ukraine
“Even if you destroy all our Ukrainian churches and cathedrals, you will never be able to destroy our profound faith in Ukraine and God,” said Ukrainian President V. Zelensky in his speech of March 3.
Below you will find two links. One is an article that speaks about the damage done to churches in the Ukraine. Tragic as it is, it is incomparable to the toll the war has taken on the Ukrainian people. Yet, their Christian faith remains strong.
The other link is a video that was posted over a year ago on YouTube. It shows some of the beautiful churches of Kyiv and speaks of the past damage to these places of worship.
To help Ukrainian refugees, you can still donate to Catholic Relief Service.
On this day (March 25 – Solemnity of the Annunciation) our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is consecrating all humanity, and in particular Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He intends this to be a gesture of confidence and solidarity with those who suffer. We entrust our suffering world to the Queen of Peace and her Son.
Pope Francis has asked bishops throughout the world to join him in this prayer. A copy of his letter to the bishops and the actual prayer is attached below. Bishop McElroy already consecrated our Diocese using this prayer this past Tuesday, March 22. On that day, all of the diocesan priests were gathered for their synod sharing, so it was an appropriate time for them to join in this special prayer.
At St. Patrick’s, we will unite with the Holy Father in his prayer for peace at each of our parish Masses on March 25. You can also use the attached prayer as a part of your personal prayer.
The Office of Family Life and Spirituality at the Diocese of San Diego offers support those offering foster care within the diocese. One of the main focuses of this ministry has been to create a foster care community program. A care community is three or more families/individuals/couples who “wrap around” the foster family with emotional support (check-ins and encouragement) and/or tangible needs (dinner drop-offs, baby-sitting, etc.). Depending on the unique needs of each foster family and the particular gifts/talents of the members of the care community, the structure and feel of each community may look a little different.
If you would like to know more about becoming involved in this ministry, visit the website below.
Please remember to log in to your Online Giving account to set up your Easter gift. You can also make sure your payment method is up to date and that your gifts are being processed.
For help with forgotten passwords, please contact Online Giving technical support at 800.348.2886, ext. 2.
Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.
We appreciate your support!
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.
What was the profession of Simon Peter before following Jesus?
Where did Jesus turn water into wine?
After Jesus was crucified, who took His body down from the cross?
Who is considered the 13th apostle to replace Judas Iscariot?
What city mentioned in the Book of Revelation is also the name of an American city?
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.
The Israelites celebrate the Passover in the promised land.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-7
A prayer of praise to God.
Second Reading
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Paul preaches our reconciliation with Christ.
Gospel Reading
Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Jesus teaches about forgiveness in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel is unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been teaching the crowds as he journeys to Jerusalem. As he teaches, the Pharisees and scribes complain and challenge Jesus because he is welcoming sinners at his table. Today we hear the third of three parables that Jesus tells in response to his critics. These three familiar parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and today's parable of the prodigal son—invite us to consider the depth of God's mercy and love.
The Pharisees taught a scrupulous observance of Jewish Law. In their interpretation and practice, observant Jews who shared table fellowship with sinners would be made unclean. Like Jesus, the Pharisees hoped to lead sinners back to God. The Pharisees, however, required that sinners first become ritually clean—observant of the Pharisees' interpretation of Jewish Law—before sharing table fellowship. This appears to be one of the major differences between the Pharisees and Jesus. Jesus reaches out to sinners while they are still sinners, inviting them to conversion through fellowship with him. Jesus is God acting among us; by befriending us, he is inviting us to return to friendship with God. Through friendship with Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we, in turn, bear fruit for God. Recall last Sunday's Gospel and the barren fig tree.
Our familiarity with today's parable risks dulling us to its tremendously powerful message. We call this the parable of the lost son or the prodigal son. Any focus on the younger son, however, must also be balanced by an examination of the unusual behavior of the father.
First we must imagine our first response to the audacity of a son who asks for his inheritance before his father has died. Indignation would certainly be a justifiable response to such a request. Yet the father in this parable agrees to honor the son's request and divides his property among his two sons. How might we describe such a father? Foolish comes to mind, but so does trusting. Without property of his own, the father must rely upon his sons to provide for his well-being.
The younger son takes his inheritance and leaves home. The older son remains, continuing to provide for the father and the household. Having been disgraced by the younger son, the father spends some time watching the road for the return of the lost son. When he eventually sees his wayward son returning, the father not only welcomes him but also runs out to greet him and then honors him with a party. We say that this father is loving and forgiving. Yet these adjectives only begin to describe the depth of love and mercy that characterize the father.
We find no surprise in the anger of the older son. Yet the father appears sad and even confused by the older son's indignation. He says in reply that they should celebrate because the lost son had returned. The father is filled with gratitude and love for the older son's faithfulness. This love is in no way diminished by the father's rejoicing at the return of the younger son. Yet the older son's jealousy reveals his limited understanding of the depth of his father's love.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Today's Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.
This collection of six well known Lenten hymns can give us some time to reflect on the meaning of this season.
God Of Mercy and compassion
Jesus Remember Me
Behold the wood Of the Cross
Were You there when they crucified My Lord
Old Rugged Cross
Above all.
ANNUAL LENTEN COLLECTION
This weekend has been designated for the 2022 Annual Lenten Collection. Special envelopes are available for the collection, which supports the works of Catholic Relief Services, the Church in Africa and the Church in Latin America. Place the special envelope in our one collection today.
COLECTA ANUAL DE CUARESMA
Este fin de semana ha sido designado para la “Colecta Anual de Cuaresma de 2022.” Hoy hay sobres especiales para esta colecta que apoya el trabajo de Catholic Relief Services, y ayuda a la Iglesia en África, y ayuda a la Iglesia en América Latina. Coloque el sobre especial en nuestra colección hoy.
Help for Showers of Blessings
As you probably know, Showers of Blessings provides for many needs of the people who come there. There is a clinic that can address basic medical needs and health-related services. This small clinic operates in tight quarters. We have determined that with some interior remodeling, we can add a second examining room that will ensure privacy as well as greater access to the medical personnel. The cost of the remodeling will be about $8,000. If you would like to help with the cost of this expansion of medical services, contact Fr. Ron or Maria Gonzalez in our parish office.
The Saint Patrick Parish Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will be hosting their annual Lenten food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank North County Branch! The food drive will begin on March 5th & 6th and continue through the weekend of April 2nd & 3rd. There will be Knights there before and after each Mass to collect donations. We are also hoping for help from the Boy Scouts! Non-perishable food items (except for glass containers) will be accepted. Or we will accept cash and/or checks made out to the San Diego Food Bank.
This food drive exemplifies giving to others in need as a way for us to show our gratefulness for our blessings that God has provided us! Just like last year, the donation station will be located at the back door of the Parish Hall. Stop by and donate from your car.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
“El hijo menor se puso entonces a reflexionar y se dijo, ‘¡Cuántos trabajadores en casa de mi padre tienen pan de sobra, y yo, aquí, me estoy muriendo de hambre! Me levantaré, volveré a mi padre y le diré, Padre, he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti; ya no merezco llamarme hijo tuyo. Recíbeme como a uno de tus trabajadores.’” Nos encontramos en la 4ª semana de Cuaresma, y la Iglesia nos da esta parábola muy popular de El Hijo Prodigo. A mi siempre me mueve esta historia de que habla de la gran misericordia del Padre (que es Dios). El Padre mira que su hijo regresa a casa, sale a su encuentro y celebra su regreso. ¡El Padre no le hecha nada en cara! Pero no perdamos la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre el hijo menor. El hijo menor, por su egoísmo, solo le interesa recibir la parte que le toca cuando su padre muera ahora mismo para que pueda irse y “vivir su vida”. ¿Cuántos de nosotros podemos identificarnos con la actitud del hijo menor? Que lo único que le importa y “vivir mi vida” sin preocuparnos de los otros. En la parábola nos dice que viene una gran hambre sobre la región, el hijo menor derrocha toda su fortuna y empieza a padecer necesidad. Y luego en su reflexión se acuerda de su Padre, su Padre lleno de amor y misericordia. Y piensa, “me levantaré y volveré con mi Padre y pediré perdón y que no me trate como su hijo, pero como un trabajador. ¿Cuántos de nosotros necesitamos imitar al hijo menor? ¿Cuántos de nosotros no vivimos en paz por lo que estamos haciendo o lo que hemos hecho, y pensamos que Dios no nos perdonará? ¡Dios es Amor y nos espera!
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
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