A Word from the Pastor

October 6, 2023

In the Catholic Church, the month of October is observed each year as Respect for Life month. It is an annual reminder and proclamation that we believe that human life is a gift from God and that only the Creator can bring our earthly life to an end. The Church teaches that human life is sacred and must be protected from the moment of conception until natural death.

All of our recent popes as well as our US Bishops have reminded us of our duty to promote a Culture of Life. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of respecting and promoting the dignity of every human life. He has warned against the tendency to view certain individuals as disposable in our "throwaway culture" and has called on Christians to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn, the elderly, and those who are poor and disabled. 

Pope Francis has also spoken out against the death penalty, affirming that even a murderer does not lose their personal dignity and that God guarantees this dignity. In addition, the Pope has called for opposition to activities that contribute to a "throwaway culture," which includes practices such as abortion, euthanasia, genocide, and human trafficking. The Catholic Church, under the guidance of Pope Francis, strives to promote universal fraternity and respect for the dignity of every human being. 

The US Bishops in recent years have also stressed the need to provide adequate and sustained pastoral care for those facing life and death choices. Among these are women who choose to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. We need to provide the necessary spiritual, psychological, and material assistance. The Church also provides counseling and reconciliation for those who have chosen to have an abortion and later regret their choice. It is not enough for us to simply be opposed to abortion.

Another current issue that calls for our attention is the growing number of countries and US states that are passing “right to die” or “assisted suicide” laws. It is dangerous when we try to play God by deciding who can live and who should die. The end of our life is in God’s hands. That is not a decision that we can make for ourselves. The Church carefully distinguishes between “causing” a person to die (direct intervention) and “allowing” nature to take its course and not use “heroic” or “extraordinary” means to keep a person alive. But again, we have an obligation to provide pastoral care for those in the final stages of life – not only spiritual support but adequate medical care and pain management (e.g., through Hospice).

Let us be totally pro-life, not just on specific issues. Let us pray and act and vote in a way that shows our belief in the dignity of all human life. 

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

To send an email to Fr. Ron Bagley, please use [email protected]

Other addresses may not work.

Celebrating Today, Planning

for Tomorrow

Over the next couple weeks, you will be hearing about our upcoming stewardship program “Celebrating Today, Planning for Tomorrow”. This effort continues to be very important as we move forward with the mission and vision of St. Patrick Catholic Community. We, as a parish family, have changed so many lives in our community! In order to continue our mission and ministries, we encourage all parishioners to spend time in prayer and discussion with your family reflecting on the work we do. 

On the weekend of October 14-15, Fr. Ron will be sharing our plans and dreams as he asks for your help and support. Our special Commitment Weekend will be held on October 21-22. 

If you have any questions regarding “Celebrating Today, Planning for Tomorrow”, please feel free to contact the parish office.  

October is the Month Dedicated to the Holy Rosary

During this month of October, we are asked to remember to pray the rosary as a cherished Catholic prayer. The rosary is primarily a personal prayer but we also can pray it with others (for example, in our families). At St. Patrick’s, some parishioners gather to pray the rosary together on weekdays immediately after the 8:00 am Mass and on Saturdays at 4:00 pm.

This article by Fr. Kirby can add new insight to even the person most devoted to the rosary.

World Mission Sunday

The Church celebrates World Mission Sunday on October 21 and 22.

There is an envelope in your packet for this donation. There are also envelopes available at the back of the church. Please place your envelope in our one collection. You may also use the special tab in our Online Giving.

Saturday, Oct 14th Serra Meets!

Parish Center (following 8 am mass) 8:45 - 10:15 am Guest Speaker: Fr Bradley Easterbrooks, Associate Pastor of St Mark’s, ordained 2022!

Fr Bradley, grew up in the Carlsbad area, attended St Patrick Church/School…a “homegrown” priestly vocation!

*Breakfast is potluck. Please bring a dish to share or donation. First time attendees are free.

The International Part of the Synod of Bishops Begins

You remember last year when we had synod listening sessions in our parish and across the Diocese. These sessions were repeated all around the Catholic world. All that input was collated and used to prepare a working document

[https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/universal-stage/il/ENG_INSTRUMENTUM-LABORIS.pdf] that will be used to stimulate reflection at the Synod in Rome. The meeting will extend from October 4 to 29, with both bishops, priests, religious and laypeople participating. At the end of the month, the participants will return home and continue the discussion and reflection until October 2024 when the same delegates will come together to continue.

This is a graced time for the Church. Our bishops along with members of the People of God will pray, reflect and discuss together what it means to be a synodal Church, a church that listens, collaborates and serves. The Holy Spirit will be guiding the whole process as the participants work to discern where the Spirit is leading us.

We know that Cardinal McElroy is a participant along with all the US cardinals. Another participant is Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle. Read this short article in which he describes how he is preparing for the Synod

Healthcare Professionals Mass

October 22, 9:00 a.m. at Our Mother of Confidence Church (3131 Governor Dr. San Diego 92122). The Healthcare Professionals Mass is a special celebration to acknowledge the unique contributions made by all medical professionals (physicians, nurses, chaplains, pharmacists, mental health specialists, hospice workers, medical students, caregivers, pharmacist and lab workers). Bishop Ramon Bejarano will be the main celebrant. Reception immediately following in the Parish Hall. Please wear your white coat or uniform. For more information, go to https://sdcatholic.org/event/healthcare-professionals-mass/ 

Frédéric Chopin

For those with classical taste, enjoy Fantaisie Impromptu, Chopin Op. 66

Learning about the Priesthood

On Saturday, November 4, the Diocese of San Diego is hosting Explorer Day for those men who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood. The day will be held at the St. Francis Center on the campus of the University of San Diego from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  If living a life of service for Christ and the people of God is attractive to you, take advantage of the opportunity to attend this upcoming event. Pick up an application at the parish office, or call the St. Francis Center at (619) 490-8389.

Sunday Collection for 9/24/2023

 Envelope Collection    $7,921.00

Plate Collection             $11,270.00

 Online Giving     $13,498.03

     Total Collection: $32,689.03

  We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.

Online Giving Reminder



Please remember to log in to your Online Giving account frequently. You can increase your giving to our Sunday collection, and make sure your payment method is up to date.

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.

1. When did the rosary originate?
2. What was the rosary called before it became known as the rosary?
3. Why is it called the rosary?
4. Why is the rosary considered a biblical prayer?
5. Where is the world’s largest rosary?

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.