Salt & Light, plus more- Week 5- Friday, February 6, 2026

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

February 6, 2026 | Issue 5

Fifth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

Pastor’s Notes

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are simple, yet deeply challenging: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” These words are not addressed to a select group of holy people, but to all of us. Jesus looks upon ordinary men and women—people with weaknesses, fears, responsibilities, and daily struggles—and still entrusts them with an extraordinary mission.

Salt and light are small and ordinary, yet they have great power. A little salt transforms the taste of food, and even the smallest light can break through darkness. In the same way, our Christian witness does not need to be dramatic or perfect. God works quietly through the small, faithful actions of everyday life: a kind word spoken at the right moment, a listening ear offered with patience, a gesture of forgiveness, a quiet act of service done with love.

The first reading reminds us that true worship of God is not limited to prayer or ritual alone, but is lived out in love for others—especially the poor, the hungry, and those who feel forgotten. When we respond to the needs around us with compassion and generosity, God’s light shines through us. Faith is not only something we profess with our lips; it is something we live with our lives. When faith is put into action, it becomes a source of hope for those around us.

Many people today feel surrounded by darkness—violence, division, loneliness, and uncertainty. In the face of such challenges, it is easy to feel powerless and to believe that our small efforts make no difference. Yet Jesus assures us that they do. He does not ask us to solve all the problems of the world, but to be faithful where we are. By living with integrity, kindness, and love, we allow God to work through us in ways we may never fully see.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that our strength does not come from human wisdom or power, but from God alone. This is a source of great comfort. We do not need to have all the answers. We are simply called to trust God and remain open to His grace. When we rely on Him, even our weaknesses can become instruments of His love.

As we gather as a community of faith at St. Patrick’s Carlsbad, we are called to be salt and light together. Through our shared prayer, mutual support, and loving service, our witness to the Gospel grows stronger. May this Sunday remind us that each life has meaning, our faith has purpose, and our love has the power to make a real difference. Let us ask the Lord for the courage to live our faith with humility and openness, so that His light may continue to shine through us in the world.

Fr. George G. Perez, CJM

Ash Wednesday –

Miercoles de Ceniza

We observe Ash Wednesday on February 18 this year. Our schedule of services is the following:

Este año, el Miércoles de Ceniza se celebra el 18 de febrero. Nuestro horario de servicios es el siguiente:

7:00 am – Mass with Distribution of Ashes

8:00 am – Mass with Distribution of Ashes

9:30 am – School Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes

12:10 pm – Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes

3:30 pm – Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes

5:00 pm – Servicio Litúrgico con Distribución de Cenizas (español)

6:00 pm – Prayer Service with Distribution of Ashes

7:00 pm – Misa con Distribución de Cenizas (español)

NO CONFESSIONS ON ASH WEDNESDAY

NO HAY CONFESIONES EL MIÉRCOLES DE CENIZA.

Lenten Bible Study

Register after all the Masses this weekend, Feb 7 & 8 for the Six –week Lenten Bible Study The Book of Psalms - An Invitation to Prayer. The Book of Psalms is a school of prayer. Psalms offer us manifold and various ways to reach out to God. Discussing and praying selected Psalms will bring us to the heart of the Psalmist’s relationship with God and help us grow in our own prayer life.

There is an evening and a morning session:

Six Monday evenings, 6:45pm - 8:30pm, February 23 - March 30
Six Wednesday mornings, 9:30am -11:00am, February 25 – April 1

Cost is $15 for the booklet; (cash or check payable to St. Patrick Church). Contact Carol King at stpatbiblestudy40@gmail.com Or 760-434-5688 with questions or to register.

Monthly Serra Meeting Saturday February 14

More information on Serra Meeting...

Black History Month

February’s celebration of Black History Month in the United States traces its roots back to the 1920s, but it attained more formal recognition in the 1970s, as is obvious with President Gerald R. Ford’s 1976 Bicentennial Year message about its importance. Ford described Black History Month as an occasion to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Despite the many accomplishments of Black History Month’s goals, it's often secular narrative forgets the contributions of Black Catholics. It is important to celebrate some of the many Catholic individuals who have achieved greatness in the face of racism’s plight — and in many cases the supreme greatness of holiness. No national celebration of Black History Month would be complete without including these Catholic stories — or the countless stories of black Catholics left untold.

For a brief description of some of these outstanding Black Catholic persons, click below.

Read more here...

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

This beautiful hymn was composed by Kathleen Thomerson and reflects the recognition that as children of God our Father and brothers and sisters of Christ, we are called to bring the light of Christ to our darkened world.

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.

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.

At what two councils of the Church was the Nicene Creed composed and approved?
In what century did this take place?
What heresy did the creed address?
What does the word “consubstantial” mean in the Nicene Creed?
Which creed should be used at Mass?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Give to Your Church here...Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 58:7-10

In the work of justice, light shall break through darkness.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 112:4-9

The just person will be a light in the darkness.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul shows that he came to Corinth preaching Christ crucified.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus teaches that his disciples are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Following upon the teaching of the Beatitudes, Jesus uses the now familiar metaphors of salt and light to describe the life of discipleship. We take salt and light for granted in our society, but these commodities were more precious in ancient cultures. Just as now, salt was used in Jesus’ time for flavoring, as a preservative, and as a healing agent. Similarly, the widespread use of electricity in the modern world makes us less aware of the value and importance of light in our lives.

Still, our familiarity with this passage from Matthew’s Gospel speaks well to the abiding power of the imagery that Jesus presented. Jesus’ call to be salt for the earth and light for the world powerfully states our mission as Church and as Christians. Our commitment to social justice flows from the exhortation that Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel. Some of the activities that this commitment leads us to are given more concrete expression as the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. When we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, console those who mourn, and so on, we show ourselves to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. When we do these things with the community of faith, the Church, we are indeed acting as “a city set on a mountain” that cannot be hidden!

Christ, Be Our Light

This song by Bernadette Farrel reminds us that Christ is the light that shines in the darkness. We too are to be the light of Christ to others. The choir is from Notre Dame University 10 years ago.

Ye Olde Garage- Sale this Sunday

The Ye Olde Garage is back into full swing for the New 2026 Year. We have been receiving many, many, donations. Thank you so much!

A reminder if I may: The Ye Olde Garage does not accept furniture, electronics (computers or monitors), or Baby special items such as car seats, cribs, or anything that has to be sterilized. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to take care of this. We suggest that baby big items or electronics be donated to Fr. Joe's Village, Brother Bennos, or DAV.

We can accept all clothing and shoes for Men, Women and Children and household items such as pots, pans, glassware, dishes, or appliances. Our only request is that items donated to the Ye Olde Garage be clean and stain free and in good repair (not broken or not in working order).

Our February Sunday Sale is this Sunday, February 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We hope to see you at the Northeast corner of the north parking lot under the American Flag.

St. Patrick Day Dinner Dance

It's that time of year again! Come join us on Saturday, March 14 for a lively evening of fun and celebration at St. Patrick's Parish Hall.

The Knights of Columbus will be on the patio after Mass selling tickets for the annual St. Patrick's Dinner Dance celebration starting February 14-15. The cost is $25 per person under 12 free. Price includes entry and a great Irish dinner, entertainment, dancing. Beverages are sold separately.

V Domingo Ordinario

Notas Pastorales

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos dirige palabras sencillas, pero profundamente desafiantes: «Ustedes son la sal de la tierra… ustedes son la luz del mundo». Estas palabras no están dirigidas a un grupo selecto de personas santas, sino a todos nosotros. Jesús mira a hombres y mujeres comunes —personas con debilidades, miedos, responsabilidades y luchas cotidianas— y aun así les confía una misión extraordinaria.

La sal y la luz son cosas pequeñas y sencillas, pero tienen un gran poder. Un poco de sal transforma el sabor de los alimentos, y hasta la luz más pequeña puede vencer la oscuridad. De la misma manera, nuestro testimonio cristiano no necesita ser dramático ni perfecto. Dios actúa silenciosamente a través de los pequeños y fieles gestos de la vida diaria: una palabra amable dicha a tiempo, un oído atento ofrecido con paciencia, un gesto de perdón, un servicio discreto realizado con amor.

La primera lectura nos recuerda que la verdadera adoración a Dios no se limita solo a la oración o a los ritos, sino que se vive en el amor hacia los demás, especialmente hacia los pobres, los hambrientos y quienes se sienten olvidados. Cuando respondemos con compasión y generosidad a las necesidades que nos rodean, la luz de Dios brilla a través de nosotros. La fe no es solo algo que proclamamos con los labios; es algo que vivimos con nuestra vida. Cuando la fe se pone en acción, se convierte en una fuente de esperanza para quienes nos rodean.

Muchas personas hoy se sienten rodeadas de oscuridad: violencia, división, soledad e incertidumbre. Ante estas realidades, es fácil sentirse impotente y pensar que nuestros pequeños esfuerzos no hacen diferencia. Sin embargo, Jesús nos asegura que sí la hacen. Él no nos pide resolver todos los problemas del mundo, sino ser fieles allí donde estamos. Al vivir con integridad, bondad y amor, permitimos que Dios actúe a través de nosotros de maneras que muchas veces no llegamos a ver.

En la segunda lectura, san Pablo nos recuerda que nuestra fuerza no proviene de la sabiduría humana ni del poder, sino únicamente de Dios. Esto es un gran consuelo. No necesitamos tener todas las respuestas. Solo estamos llamados a confiar en Dios y a permanecer abiertos a su gracia. Cuando nos apoyamos en Él, incluso nuestras debilidades pueden convertirse en instrumentos de su amor.

Al reunirnos como comunidad de fe en San Patricio de Carlsbad, estamos llamados a ser sal y luz juntos. A través de la oración compartida, el apoyo mutuo y el servicio realizado con amor, nuestro testimonio del Evangelio se fortalece. Que este domingo nos recuerde que cada vida tiene sentido, que nuestra fe tiene un propósito y que nuestro amor tiene el poder de marcar una verdadera diferencia. Pidamos al Señor la valentía de vivir nuestra fe con humildad y apertura, para que su luz continúe brillando a través de nosotros en el mundo.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

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

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: gperez@eudistsusa.org

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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