I am happy to announce that for the last three weekends our Mass attendance has been over 1,000 people. That is a milestone as our attendance has been steadily increasing over the last several months. I think this is a good sign. To me it indicates that more people are comfortable with our arrangements for in person Masses on the covered court. Especially through social distancing, face coverings and shorter time together, we have been able to create a space for worship that is relatively safe.
Coming together as a community to celebrate the Eucharist is crucial to our identity as Catholics. The Greek word for Church (ecclesia) means “those who are gathered.” The Mass is a time for us to come together to give praise and thanks to God. While watching Mass on television or internet can be a substitute for those who cannot or should not gather, it is not the same as being together.
People often ask me if they should return to Mass at the parish. That is a question each person needs to answer for him/herself. For those who have compromised health conditions or who have Covid-19 symptoms, the answer is clearly NO. For such people, the dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday Mass still applies.
I would like to help you decide if it is time for you to return to Mass with a few questions: Do you go to the grocery store or other places to do shopping? Have you been out to a restaurant? Have you gone to visit family or friends at their homes or other places? Do you or your children go to school or work? Your answers to these questions may guide you to decide if you are ready to return to the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Patrick’s.
We will continue to record Masses and put them on our YouTube page. We began doing this for every day of the week since the shutdown began. We have not missed a single day. We will continue to offer online Masses as long as it is necessary. But for those who are able, it would sure be nice to see you at the Table of the Lord.
This is a talk given by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle at the 2018 World Meeting on Families. The topic is “Choose Life: Pope Francis in a Throw Away Culture.” It is an informative and provocative talk but it is almost an hour long. So find some time to settle in and listen to what Cardinal Tagle offered to the participants at this international conference. He stresses our identity as relational persons who have a God-given dignity.
Cardinal Tagle is the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, a very important office in the Vatican.
Pope Francis Speaks to the United Nations
On September 25, 2020, Pope Francis gave an address to the United Nations General Assembly. He is the fourth pope to speak to the UN and it is the second time for him in his seven years as pope. Of course, the speech was given remotely, but over 200 world leaders were tuned in.
In a wide-ranging speech, he urged action on drug trafficking, armed conflict, terrorism, education, inequality, and corruption — reminding the UN General Assembly that “solemn commitments” without follow-through could ultimately do more harm than good. Using the links below, you can read the entire speech in the text provided by the Vatican, or watch the live speech as the Holy Father gave it in Spanish (with simultaneous English translation).
The Our Father might be the most used and cherished Christian prayer. Many of us cannot remember when we learned it. We seem to always have known it. The prayer is a part of us. Thus, you might wonder what is to gain from studying such a familiar prayer.
The Our Father is not only a prayer. It is a model prayer; it holds a pattern, presents a lesson. Introducing it, Jesus does not say, “Pray this prayer,” but “Pray this way.”
Some have spoken of the Our Father as a whole school of prayer. No matter how familiar we are with it, the Lord’s Prayer leads us to depths in our heart we have not yet plumbed, lessons we have not yet mastered.
We will study The Our Father along with a few other texts in Scripture that will shed light on questions like: What are we asking God for? What are we committing ourselves to?
Join us Monday evenings in October Dates: 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, and 23
This virtual choir has a lot of locals in it. These women sing a traditional spiritual hymn that invites to be refreshed in the river of God’s love and mercy...
Thank You for Your Generosity
Our parish is blessed by so many kind and generous people. Even in the midst of the ever-changing circumstances of parish life during a pandemic, 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!
Even as Masses are being celebrated outside on the school grounds, there will be specially marked baskets on the tables near the entrance 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.
"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.
Who gave $2,000 to build the first church at Harding and Oak?
In what year was St. Patrick’s designated as a parish?
What congregation of Sisters staffed St. Patrick School when it opened in 1962?
When was the Parish Center dedicated to serve as an all-purpose building and church?
Who was the bishop who dedicated the present church on Tamarack on March 17, 1985?
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.
Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Ordinary Time – Year A
First Reading
Isaiah 5:1-7
The Lord compares the house of Israel to a vineyard.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 80:9,12-16,19-20
The Lord protects his vineyard, the house of Israel.
Second Reading
Philippians 4:6-9
Paul encourages the Philippians to stay faithful to the teaching they received from him.
Gospel Reading
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus tells the parable about the wicked tenants.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today's Gospel follows directly after last Sunday's Gospel in which Jesus was questioned by Jewish religious leaders about the source of his teaching authority. After refusing to answer their questions, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and then criticizes the priests and elders for their lack of belief in John the Baptist.
In today's Gospel, Jesus once again speaks to the priests and elders with a parable. In this parable, the landowner leases his vineyard to tenants and sends his servants to collect the portion of the harvest that the tenants owe to him. Several times the servants are sent to collect payment, and each time they are beaten and killed by the tenants. Finally, the landowner sends his son to collect his rent. The tenants, believing that they will inherit the vineyard if the landowner dies without an heir, plot together and kill the landowner's son.
After telling the parable, Jesus questions the chief priests and elders about what the landowner will do to the wicked tenants. They all agree that the landowner will kill the wicked tenants and give the land to new tenants who will pay the rent.
In telling the parable, Jesus is clearly drawing upon Isaiah 5:1-7, which is today's first reading and one that the priests and elders would have known well. Jesus doesn't, therefore, have to explain the symbolism of the parable; the Pharisees would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel, the landowner represented God, the servants represented the prophets, and the bad tenants represented the religious leaders. Yet Jesus nonetheless explains the meaning of the parable for his audience: the Kingdom of God will be taken from the unbelieving and given to the faithful. The chief priests and elders have condemned themselves with their answer to Jesus' question.
Today's Gospel has a parallel in Mark 12:1-12. There are some notable differences, however. In Matthew's version, the religious leaders condemn themselves; in Mark's Gospel, Jesus answers his own question. Matthew names the religious leaders as Pharisees and chief priests. Clearly this Gospel shows the tension that was mounting between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders who thought that his message was dangerous. Matthew's Gospel was written about 70 years after Jesus' death and reflects the conflicts and tensions found in the Christian community for whom Matthew was writing. Many biblical scholars believe that the tension between Matthew's community and their Jewish neighbors can also be heard in today's reading.
This Gospel reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. God speaks to us in many ways—through Scripture, through our Church tradition, in our Church's teaching, and through modern-day prophets. Are we attentive and receptive to God's word to us through these messengers?
We have a limited supply of green face masks with the St. Patrick Parish logo embossed in white. They are only $5.00 and are available at the parish office on weekday mornings. Please bring the correct change.
Reminder: the effectiveness of face masks or coverings is their ability to stop the spray that comes from our nose and mouth. It is important to wear the face covering properly. It should cover the mouth and nose. Thank you for helping to keep one another safe and healthy.
Parish Food Drive for San Diego Food Bank
Our council of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank. See the attached flyer to see which items are most needed and which items are not acceptable. It will be conducted on the four Sundays of October (not on the Saturdays). Bring your donations to the parish hall during or after any of the Masses on those Sundays. Drive up to the door near Adams Street and pop open the back of your vehicle. Remain in your car and the Knights will take you bagged or boxed donation from the trunk.
Colecta de alimentos parroquial para el San Diego Food Bank
Nuestro consejo de Knights of Columbus está patrocinando una colecta de alimentos en beneficio del San Diego Food Bank. Consulte el folleto adjunto para ver qué elementos son más necesarios y cuáles no son aceptables. Se llevará a cabo los cuatro domingos de octubre (no los sábados). Traiga sus donaciones al centro parroquial durante o después de cualquiera de las misas de esos domingos. Conduce hasta la puerta cerca de Adams Street y abre la parte trasera de tu vehículo. Quédese en su carro y los Caballeros le llevarán la donación empaquetada o en caja del maletero.
The Office for Family Life & Spirituality continues to host its online Celebrating Your Love Days (the “Pre-Cana”) in English and in Spanish on a monthly basis. To register and to view upcoming dates, visit sdcatholic.org/cyl.
Engaged Encounter is also hosting virtual EE Weekends, including on October 17 and November 7. Couples can continue to register at engagedencountersd.org.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Our Wednesday morning Bible Study will resume on October 7. It will explore the Acts of the Apostles, an important but little understood New Testament book. A new feature of this Bible Study is that it is open to both men and women. It will meet online.
Click on the link for additional information on how to register and whom you may contact for further information.
Musings on Confirmation from Our Recently Confirmed
Hello St. Pat’s Families,
May this edition of the e-newsletter find you well. Our Year One & Two Confirmation candidates have begun having their sessions and we’re off and running. We have been meeting with the youth via Zoom and it is working about as well as can be expected. Of course we’d all rather meet in person but that isn’t possible for now so we’re making the most of what we can do.
In the attached video, you’ll see some of our St. Pat’s youth sharing about their experiences of Confirmation. At the conclusion of the video, Stephy, the moderator of the interviews, invites people to comment down below. This is because the video will also be posted to our Instagram page where young people can post their thoughts, feelings, & experiences. If you’d like to share, go ahead and email us at pclasby@stpatrickcarlsbad.comor jtejeda@stpatrickcarlsbad.com and we’ll add your comments to the mix. We may even invite you to be a part of a future video. Thanks so much!
Many Blessings,
Pat Clasby
Director of Youth Ministry
St. Patrick Parish
Religious Education & Family Ministry
Our program has begun with a combination of in-person family events and teaching at-home. At the events that parent/s and students attend together they will receive the materials for the at-home learning. Catechists are assigned to accompany the students; our office will offer family devotions.
Reflection: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
The key to living in the Kingdom is the willingness to honor and respect God’s gifts of creation and to be kind and compassionate to all that are in our care.
Prayer Intention: for our (parish) family: Help us to notice where violence has crept into our life (our words, attitudes, and actions). Give us the grace to express kindness in what we say and how we act.
St. Francis of Assisi - Feast day on October 4
Francis was born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy, into a wealthy family. He had a life of fun growing up. As a young man Francis went war. His shiny suit of armor and magnificent horse did not prevent him from being captured. Francis spent almost a year in jail and fell very ill. After his father paid a ransom to free him, Francis recovered at home. He began to pray more and felt that Jesus was speaking to him to rebuild his church. The Church of San Damiano in Assisi needed repairing. And Francis did try to rebuild it. But Jesus wanted Francis to rebuild his church by teaching people about God’s love, and spreading joy by living a simple life and serving the poor. Since Francis loved God, he also loved all things that God had created. He tried to live in peace and harmony with all of nature. Francis is the Patron Saint of the Environment.
Family Outing
Go outside with your family and look all around with an attitude of awe and wonder. The earth, our common home, teaches us about God with naturally beautiful places and all creatures big and small.
Thank God for our common home. Maybe you want to thank God for a particular place or the beauty around you; maybe you might want to whisper or shout, “Thank you!” to the part of the earth where you are. Or you might want to be very quiet and listen with your heart to what the earth is saying to you.
Family Prayer
O God, You filled St Francis with awe and love for all that you created.
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.
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:
