I am not one to rush and say that the Covid-19 pandemic is over, but I hope that we can say that the worst is behind us. We all remember too well the shutdown when people needed to isolate themselves. At first, in the parish we only offered Mass online, then we slowly began to return to in person Mass outside. We offered Bible Study and other religious education online.
People learned to work from home but some lost their jobs entirely. Distance learning was commonplace. So many people got sick and over 750,000 Americans lost their lives. The financial impact of the pandemic continues to challenge us as individuals, as a parish, as businesses and as a nation.
As time passed over the past year and a half, scientific advances and numerous studies have helped us discover what weapons are effective in the war against this deadly virus. I thank God for the researchers who were able to develop vaccines that have proven to be highly effective. I thank God for those medical personnel and companies that have refined the treatment protocols for those who have suffered from this disease. New medications are being developed to better treat those who catch the virus. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. Of course, we still need patience and prudence so that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves and forget what we have learned about what works in terms of prevention.
I have heard many people say that some good has come out of the shutdown and various restrictions. I am sure that we each have some examples from our own lives. I have learned to better use some tools of technology to spread the Good News. I am quite adept now with YouTube. I can hold meetings and teach classes using Zoom. I will actually be teaching a course to seminarians in the Philippines from the comfort of my office in Carlsbad, CA.
One of the pastoral discoveries that came as a result of the shutdown is this email parish newsletter that we publish weekly. We began it during the first week of the shutdown as a tool for keeping parishioners informed and connected while we could not meet in person. At first, we published it twice a week. As time passed, we settled into a weekly rhythm of sending it out every Friday. Now, you have one of the over 2,500 email addresses to whom we send this with amazing regularity. Next week will be our 100th issue of the newsletter.
It has become not only a tool for keeping people informed about activities happening in the parish, but also a vehicle for faith formation and ongoing education for our readers. As you can see, it contains videos, music, print articles and links to a variety of resources not readily accessible to the average Catholic. I am the copy editor and I try to include a variety of things that will appeal to a wide range of interests. People are always telling me what their favorite part of the newsletter is. And they are all different!
I am asking for your help. I would like to send this newsletter to even more parishioners. Please consider forwarding this newsletter to parishioners, neighbors or friends that you think might enjoy it. Ask them to send me their email address and I will add them. They can communicate with me through email, call the parish office, send a note through the parish website, or drop a note in the collection basket. Thanks for helping me share the Good News.
We have a wonderful tradition here at St. Patrick Catholic Community of having a single bilingual Mass on Thanksgiving Day. The whole community joins together in giving thanks for the blessings we have received in our families, in our parish and in our nation.
The Mass on November 25 will be at 9:00 am. In keeping our tradition, you are invited to bring the bread and wine that you will be having with your Thanksgiving meal. They will be blessed at the end of the Mass. In a small change from previous years, please keep your items with you at your seat in church. Father will come around and bless them before the final blessing and dismissal.
November: The Month for
All Souls
This short video is a reflection on the meaning of praying for the dead during the month of November as a part of our belief in the Communion of Saints.
In the Garden
Christian singer Rosemary Siemens offers a soothing interpretation of these comforting lyrics which remind us that the Lord is always with us, accompanying us on every step of life.
Enjoy this meaningful worship song as 143 singers from a wide range of countries and Christian denominations bring it to life in a simple but powerful way.
Collection for National Needs
Next weekend has been designated for the 2021 Collection for National Needs. Special envelopes are available in the pews for the collection, which supports the Black and Indian Missions, the Catholic Home Missions, the Catholic Communication Campaign, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Catholic University of America. Please place the envelope in our one collection.
Colecta Para Necesidades Nacionales
El próximo fin de semana se ha designado para la "Colecta del 2021 para Necesidades Nacionales." Habrán sobres especiales para esta colecta que ayuda a sostener a las Misiones para Negros e Indios, las Misiones Católicas Domesticas, la Campaña Católica para el Desarrollo Humano, la Campaña para la Comunicación Católica,
Year-End Giving
As the end of the year moves into sight, you might think about making an end of the year donation to St. Patrick Parish. Click on the link for the most up to date information. It includes new information that relates to the CARES Act. It is relevant if you itemize or not.
"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.
On what date do Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary?
Which sacraments does the Catechism call Sacraments of Healing?
How many non-Italian popes were there in the 20th century?
What are the three orders of the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
Rome has over 400 churches, but which four of them are major basilicas?
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.com We will be pleased to add them.
Daniel prophesies about the judgment of the last days.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 16:5,8,9-10,11
God protects us and shows us the path of life.
Second Reading
Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Jesus’ offering for sin has made all to be consecrated perfect forever.
Gospel Reading
Mark 13:24-32
Jesus teaches about the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This Sunday is the second to last Sunday of our liturgical year. As we approach the end of the Church year, our Gospel invites us to consider Jesus’ predictions and teaching about the end of the world. In the context of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words about this are spoken to his disciples as he prepares them for his passion and death.
Before we consider Jesus’ words, it is important to note the political backdrop against which many think Mark’s Gospel was written. Most scholars concur that Mark wrote his Gospel for Christians living in or near Rome about 30 to 40 years after the death of Jesus. This was a time of political turmoil in Rome. Some Christians experienced persecution by the Romans during the reign of the emperor Nero (about 64 A.D.). Jewish revolutionaries rebelled against the Romans, which led the Romans to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. In this time of political turmoil and persecution, many in Mark’s community might have wondered if the end times predicted by Jesus were in fact quite near.
Last Sunday we heard Jesus’ observation about the contributions being made to the temple treasury and the example of sacrificial giving that he saw in the poor widow’s offering. If we had been reading Mark’s Gospel continuously, we would have heard Jesus predict the destruction of the Temple, his teaching about the costs of discipleship, and the woes that will accompany the end times. Finally, we would have heard Jesus instruct his disciples about the need for watchfulness so that they will not be caught unprepared for this final day of judgment.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues this teaching by offering his disciples signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is near. His words and images draw upon Old Testament imagery, especially images found in the Book of Daniel. Next, Jesus offers the lesson of the fig tree, a parable that teaches that if one knows how to read the signs, one can be prepared for the end times. Jesus also teaches, however, that no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father. In the verses that follow this reading in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus continues to warn his disciples to be on watch for this end time.
Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetimes and at the end times. Our consolation and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.
Cardinal Blaise Cupich is the archbishop of Chicago. He recently wrote an article for Commonweal magazine on the Eucharist. It is a very good article that hits on some of the themes that were presented during the last two months of reflection on the Eucharist.
Applications for the Christmas Gift Baskets are now being accepted for individuals and families who need a little extra help this Christmas.
Please call the parish office at, 760-729-2866 for more details.
This program benefits parish families in need. All applicant information is strictly confidential.
Canasta de Navidad
Ya viene la Navidad. Si te encuentras necesitado, desempleado y no tendrás los recursos para proveer la cena de Navidad para tu familia, estaremos tomando solicitudes por teléfono o en persona en la oficina parroquial. Este programa es solamente para los miembros mas necesitados de esta parroquia.
Jesús dijo a sus discípulos, “Cuando lleguen aquellos días, después de la gran tribulación, la luz del sol se apagará, no brillará la luna, caerán del cielo las estrellas y el universo entero se conmoverá. Entonces verán venir al Hijo de hombre sobre las nubes con gran poder y majestad. Y él enviara a sus ángeles a congregar a sus elegidos desde los cuatro puntos cardinales y desde lo mas profundo de la tierra a lo más alto del cielo”. Toda nuestra vida hemos escuchado que vendrá el fin del mundo y que teníamos que estar listos. En otras religiones se les habla mucho sobre el fin del mundo, señalan a ciertos eventos actuales que se ven en nuestro alrededor cómo indicadores que el fin ya está aquí, como los terremotos, inundaciones, grandes incendios, hambre, sed, injusticias, la pandemia, etc., y muchos se espantan. En el Evangelio de esta semana, escuchamos un mensaje similar sobre el fin del mundo. Marcos le está escribiendo a una comunidad cristiana que es perseguida, y quiere animarlos a que no pierdan la fe. Marcos les dice que la muerte de Jesús iniciaba una etapa final y que Jesús pronto regresaba por ellos. Pero aquí estamos todavía esperando la segunda venida de Jesús. Jesucristo vendrá de nuevo, pero “nadie conoce el día ni la hora”. Que esto este claro en nosotros, somos hijos e hijas de Dios, y Dios nos dará todo lo que necesitamos para vivir como hijos e hijas. Aun en medio de desastres en nuestro mundo, en momentos de conflicto y estrés, en enfermedades y muertes, Dios está presente y proveyendo lo necesario. Dios cuenta en ti y en mi a ser instrumentos de fe, esperanza y amor. Ayudémonos a perseverar en nuestra peregrinación en este mundo recordando que pertenecemos a este Dios de amor, y que Dios no rechaza a nadie.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
In case of an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly- 760-729-2866.
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