A Word from the Pastor



January 24, 2025

The Catholic Church is an active participant in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is part of the Church’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue. This week always takes place on January 18-25.

Ecumenical dialogue encompasses various forms that facilitate communication and cooperation among different Christian denominations. These forms are essential for fostering understanding, addressing differences, and promoting unity within the Christian faith. The primary forms of ecumenical dialogue include the following:

Dialogue of Life - This form involves everyday interactions and relationships among Christians from different traditions. It emphasizes living in a spirit of openness and neighborliness, sharing joys, sorrows, and common human concerns. The dialogue of life nurtures the existing bonds of baptism and encourages collaboration in various social and cultural contexts.

Dialogue of Love - The dialogue of love focuses on personal encounters and cooperative efforts that deepen relationships among Christians. It promotes prayer, conversion, and holiness for the sake of Christian unity. This form of dialogue is characterized by a commitment to mutual respect and understanding, fostering a sense of community among believers.

Dialogue of Truth - This form addresses the doctrinal aspects of Christian faith, seeking to clarify and resolve theological differences that divide denominations. It involves serious discussions about faith, doctrine, and the teachings of the Church, aiming to find common ground while respecting the distinct beliefs of each tradition. The dialogue of truth is crucial for overcoming misunderstandings and building a shared understanding of Christian teachings.

Cultural Ecumenism - This involves collaboration in social and cultural activities, promoting shared values and addressing common societal issues. This form of dialogue is essential for engaging with contemporary challenges and fostering a united Christian witness in the public sphere. It emphasizes the importance of working together on social justice, peace, and environmental concerns, while ensuring that such efforts are rooted in the pursuit of Christian unity.

These forms of ecumenical dialogue are interconnected and mutually enriching, contributing to the overall goal of Christian unity. They reflect the Church's commitment to fostering relationships among Christians, promoting understanding, and addressing the divisions that have historically separated them. Each form plays a vital role in the broader ecumenical movement, encouraging a spirit of cooperation and shared witness among all believers.



With Jesus we pray: “May all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you.”

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Sunday of the Word of God

In 2019, Pope Francis established the Sunday of the Word of God to be celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. As the Holy Father stated in his apostolic letter instituting the observance, “Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world” (Aperuit illus, no. 2).

On January 26, 2025, in observance of the Sunday of the Word of God, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, through a grant from the American Bible Society, will offer a “Sunday Seminar Series” of six videos about Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church. These videos, available in English and Spanish, will feature some of the bishops and biblical scholars and will be accompanied by discussion/reflection questions.

The videos will be made available on January 24, 2025 at:



https://catholic.bible/sunday-of-the-word-of-god/

Through these videos, we have an opportunity to encounter God through the Scriptures. May we be inspired and challenged to see, understand, and engage with Scripture in a new and prayerful

Ruah Adonai Breath of God Bible Study

The Gospel of Luke takes you on a journey that begins with the foretelling of John the Baptist’s birth and culminates in Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Along the way, you will witness key moments in salvation history, including the Annunciation; the Nativity; Jesus' baptism; his public ministry; the Last Supper; and Jesus’ suffering, death, and glorious Resurrection. The Gospel’s powerful prose and beautiful details will deepen your desire to draw closer to Jesus and be transformed by his teachings.

The Gospel of Luke continually reveals how Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. With Luke: The Story of Salvation Fulfilled, you will experience joy as you see how God has been faithful throughout the ages and how God’s promise can guide you in your everyday lives.

Join us for Luke: The Story of Salvation Fulfilled  beginning February 20, 2025, from 8:30 to 10:00 am in the Parish Center, and continuing every Thursday for 8 weeks.

For more information or to register for the study, contact Lisa Albers by email lalbersphone@gmail.com

Below is a preview video:

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, also known as 'Pathétique', is one of the very great symphonies in the history of music. The famous work was performed by the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Marek Janowski in this concert at the Kulturpalast Dresden 2019.

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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. What are the three “orders” that are included in the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
2. What is the branch of theology that gives reasoned explanations for Church teaching and corrects errors?
3. What branch of Christian theology is the study of the "last things," including death, judgment, heaven, purgatory, and hell?
4. How old is Pope Francis?
5. To what religious order does Pope Francis belong?

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

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.

Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

We have a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses.