Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

First Reading

Malachi 3:19-20

The day of justice is coming, says the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:5-6,7-8,9

Sing praise to God, who rules with justice.

Second Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

Paul urges the community to follow his example and to earn their keep.

Gospel Reading

Luke 21:5-19

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and warns his followers that persecution will come before the end time.

Background on the Gospel Reading

In the context of Luke, today's Gospel appears near the end of Jesus' teaching in Jerusalem, just prior to the events that will lead to his crucifixion. His warnings and predictions are ominous but can be read in many ways.

To those who first heard Luke's Gospel, those may have been words of encouragement. The destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans was history (70 A.D.); Luke's Gospel, Catholic scholars propose, was written between 80 and 90 A.D. His audience was probably Gentile Christians. Luke here tries to interpret the fall of Jerusalem for them and to locate it in God's plans for humankind (salvation history). At the same time, Luke is suggesting to his audience that there will be a considerable elapse of time before Jesus' final coming. Luke's listeners have likely seen much upheaval and are anxious to know if these are the signs of Jesus' coming. Luke is urging greater patience.

In the second part of today's Gospel, Jesus warns that his followers will face persecution for their beliefs. Luke presents persecution as an opportunity for the followers of Jesus for “It will lead to your giving testimony” (Luke 21:13). In persecution God's wisdom and power will be shown in the example of followers of Jesus. Perseverance in the face of persecution will lead to their salvation.

Here Jesus is assuring his followers that God is present to all believers, even in times of trouble. Ultimately, Jesus will witness this with his own death. As disciples of Jesus, we try to follow his example, trusting in God's mercy and protection, even when we are facing difficulties.

Nada te turbe

"Nada te Turbo" is a prayer of the sixteenth century Spanish mystic St Teresa of Avila. The tune, 'Nada te Turbe' is by Jacques Berthier of the ecumenical Christian Taizé community and was published in 1986. It is performed by The Paul Leddington Wright Singers.

Family Mass

Our next Family Mass will be on Sunday, November 23 at 9:00 am in the church.

During this Mass we will have the joy of welcoming two young people into God’s family, the Church, through the waters of Baptism.



Also, after the Mass we will be selling Advent wreaths for use in your family. The metal ring costs $10 each and a set of four candles is $5.00. Cash only. Correct change is appreciated. And candles and rings left over will be offered for sale at the 11:00 am Mass

Christmas Boutique - Next Weekend

The Ladies of the Altar Society will be holding their Annual Christmas Boutique and Bake Sale next weekend November 22 & 23. Saturday hours will be from noon to 6pm and on Sunday from 7:30am to 1:00 pm. 

Plan to stop by and see all the beautiful items the ladies have for sale, along with all their delicious baked goods. Donations of baked goods are always appreciated. 

Santa will be arriving at 8:30am on Sunday and will stay until noon to greet all the kids. In addition, we have a Santas Workshop where the kids can make their own Christmas Ornament to take home and hang on their tree. 

We look forward to seeing all our very supportive Church members who make our Boutique a success every year!

Food Drive Was a Big Success

Our recent food drive was a big success. We 32 barrels were filled, totaling 3950 pounds of food, lots of diapers and wipes and $2762 in donations from our Parishioners and the school. It will all go to Catholic Charities and directly to our pantry. We will be able to more than stock our pantry and we will have plenty to share with other pantries around the diocese.



This was a cooperative venture of our Knights of Columbus, Food Pantry, parish school and the boy scouts. Thanks to all who donated. 

Flower Sale



The Knights of Columbus are holding another flower sale to benefit Birth Choice of San Carlos. The flowers will be sold on the patio on the weekend of November 22-23. 

Giving Tuesday



GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

It is held on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. People are encouraged to support the many non-profits who do good for so many people.

Consider making a generous donation to St. Patrick Catholic Community. It will build up our ability to be a community that nourishes faith and reaches out to others.

If your company or business offers matching gifts, include St. Patrick in your plan.

Colecta Para Necesidades Nacionales



El próximo fin de semana se ha designado para la "Colecta para Necesidades Nacionales." Habrán sobres especiales para esta colecta que ayuda a sostener a las Misiones Afroamericanas e Indígenas, las Misiones Católicas Domesticas, la Campaña Católica para el Desarrollo Humano, la Campaña para la Comunicación Católica, y la Universidad Católica de América. 

Trigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

Reflexión Pastoral

Mientras nuestro camino de fe nos conduce a las promesas de la Navidad, llegamos al final de un nuevo año litúrgico. La Iglesia, en su sabiduría, nos invita a detenernos un momento para reflexionar: a mirar con sinceridad el paso del tiempo y a recordar que, en medio de los cambios y desafíos, la promesa de Dios permanece. 

Las lecturas de este domingo nos hablan de momentos difíciles: de guerras, confusión, falsos profetas y sufrimientos. Y no nos cuesta relacionar esas palabras con nuestro propio tiempo. Vivimos en medio de divisiones, desconfianza y cansancio. Muchos se sienten angustiados, inseguros sobre el futuro, preguntándose dónde pueden poner su esperanza. 

Sin embargo, el mensaje del Evangelio no es un mensaje de miedo, sino de confianza y perseverancia. Jesús dice a sus discípulos: «Con su perseverancia salvarán sus almas.» No nos invita a huir del mundo, sino a enfrentarlo con valentía y con fe. La perseverancia cristiana no es obstinación ni negación de la realidad; es una fuerza serena, nacida de la certeza profunda de que Dios sigue siendo fiel, incluso cuando todo a nuestro alrededor parece inestable. 

A lo largo de la historia, los seguidores de Cristo han vivido tiempos de prueba: guerras, injusticias, persecuciones, confusión. El Evangelio nunca se ha vivido en sociedades perfectas. Pero en todo momento, Dios ha seguido obrando a través de su pueblo. Por eso, la verdadera pregunta no es si los tiempos son difíciles, sino cómo elegimos vivir como discípulos en medio de ellos. ¿Permitiremos que el miedo y la ira dominen nuestro corazón, o daremos testimonio de la paz, la compasión y la verdad? 

Nuestra fe nos invita a mirar más allá de lo visible. No negamos el dolor ni el desorden del mundo, pero tampoco perdemos de vista una realidad más profunda: Cristo es el Señor de la historia. Su Reino ya está creciendo, muchas veces en silencio, a través de gestos de misericordia, de perdón y de justicia. Cada palabra amable, cada reconciliación, cada servicio a los pobres es un signo de que el Reino de Dios está cerca. 

Al concluir el año litúrgico —y mientras nuestro camino de fe nos acerca cada vez más a las promesas de la Navidad— recordamos que todo pasa, pero el amor de Dios permanece para siempre. No se nos pide predecir el fin, sino ser fieles en el presente. En este tiempo de incertidumbre y tensión, mantengamos nuestra mirada fija en Aquel que es nuestra paz. Que nuestra perseverancia y confianza en Dios se conviertan en una luz para los demás, demostrando que, incluso en medio del caos, la esperanza de Cristo sigue ardiendo con fuerza, guiándonos hacia la plenitud de su Reino.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866