Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

First Reading

Sirach 35:12-14,16-18

God hears the prayer of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 34:2-3,17-18,19, 23

The Lord hears and answers the cry of the poor.

Second Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

Paul perseveres in faith, confident that God will rescue him.

Gospel Reading

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

Background on the Gospel Reading

The second parable that Jesus tells in Luke 18 addresses attitude in prayer. In contrasting the prayer of the Pharisee with the prayer of the tax collector, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in humility before God. Jesus again surprises his listeners by showing the tax collector as the example of faith, rather than the Pharisee. Remember that Pharisees were members of a sect of Judaism active in Jesus' time. They taught an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses as the basis for Jewish piety. 

If anyone would be a model for prayer, a Pharisee was a likely candidate. In contrast, Jesus offers the tax collector as a model for prayer. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman authorities in a system that allowed the tax collectors to line their own pockets by charging in excess of the defined taxes. Yet, in this parable, Jesus offers the humility of the tax collector as a model for the prayer of a disciple. The parable reminds us that when we pray, we must remember our need for God in our lives. If we are too full of ourselves, there is too little room for God's grace to work in us.

The Lord Hears the Cry of

the Poor



This song by John Foley, SJ is based on this Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm.

Clothing Drive for Showers of Blessings - This Weekend

Showers of Blessing will be holding a clothing drive this weekend, October 25 and 26. There will be volunteers on the patio before and after all Masses. Our need for clothing items continues to grow as we are averaging almost 70 guests every Tuesday. 

We would greatly appreciate any of the following items: 

• Men’s new or slightly used jeans (especially waist size 30,32,34) 
• Men’s new boxer briefs and T shirts 
• Men’s new or slightly used shirts and jackets 
• Women’s new underwear and bras ( regular and sports bras) 
• Women’s new or slightly used jeans, shirts and jackets 
• New or slightly used shoes for both men and women 
• Additionally sleeping bags and backpacks are always in demand. 

We sincerely appreciate all your donations and kindness as we continue this growing ministry within our parish. DONATIONS are ALWAYS appreciated and accepted. 

Learn more about us: Showersofblessingscarlsbad.com

Christmas Boutique - Mark Your Calendars 

The Altar Society will be holding their annual Christmas Boutique the weekend of November 22 & 23. By summer's end, you most probably have inventoried your youngsters' possessions of toys, stuffed animals and books that no longer interest them. Here is how we, the Ladies of the Altar Society, can help you find a home for these treasures. Donate them for our Christmas Boutique and we will find a new home for them. We are also looking for gently used household items, particularly Christmas decor that you no longer use.



Items can be dropped off at the church office Monday thru Friday from 8:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 4:30.

NYAC Youth Share Their Ghana Experience

On Sunday, November 9, all St. Pat's parishioners are invited to come listen to St. Patrick's National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) members (Natalie Myers, Tim Rivette, Hector Saldaña, & Valeria Torres) as they share their incredible experience of travelling to Ghana with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) this past August. Questions will be fielded from the audience during the presentation. Additionally, the NYAC youth will have a walk-through exhibit set up so people can take a more detailed look at their experience in Ghana.  The exhibit will be open all morning in the parish hall on Sunday November 9.  The panel presentation will take place between the conclusion of the 9:00 a.m. Mass and the beginning of the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  

Come and hear about the amazing experience of our young people.

Two More St. Patrick Youth Are Selected to Serve on NYAC 

As our four previous youth members from St. Pat's Youth Ministry complete their 2024/2025 term for the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), we are pleased to announce that two more young people from St. Patrick Parish have been named to NYAC for the 2025/2026 term that will conclude November 2026.  The two young people from St. Pat's that have been named to NYAC are Erin Gray and Olivia Rawson.  According to the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) the mission of NYAC “is to give a voice to the faith, hope, and love of youth by building bridges and nurturing safe spaces across generations, cultures, and backgrounds. Using our unique gifts and talents we aspire to be an example of joy and unity in the image of God for the young church.”  In 2022 the NYAC members were able to travel to Rome and have an audience with Pope Francis.  In August of this year, NYAC members travelled to Ghana with Catholic Relief Services.  While not guaranteed, it will be interesting to see what Erin and Olivia are able to do as a part of NYAC.  St. Pat's Parish thanks them and congratulates them for their service.

Día de Todos los Santos

El sábado 1 de noviembre es la Solemnidad de Todos los Santos. Nuestras misas parroquiales en ingles son a las 7:00 y 8:00 h. Habrá un Misa bilingüe a las 10:00 h. Al ser sábado, no es día de precepto este año.

Día de los Fieles Difuntos

El domingo 2 de noviembre es el Día de los Fieles Difuntos. Mantendremos nuestro horario habitual de misas dominicales y las lecturas y oraciones del Día de los Fieles Difuntos se utilizarán en todas las misas del sábado por la tarde y del domingo.

Misa Anual por los Difuntos

Nuestra misa anual por todos los fallecidos en el último año se celebrará el lunes 3 de noviembre a las 19:00 h. Todos están invitados a unirse a esta celebración, durante la cual se leerán los nombres y se ofrecerá una vela por cada uno de nuestros seres queridos fallecidos.

XXX Domingo ordinario

Reflexión Pastoral

Vivimos en un mundo que nos enseña que, para ser recordados, debemos ser vistos. Desde muy jóvenes, esta idea se convierte en la base de cómo muchas personas miden el éxito y el valor propio. Solo hay que mirar la televisión, las redes sociales o preguntar a un adolescente qué espera ser, y muchos dirán que quieren ser influencers. Pero como cristianos, sabemos que hay un único verdadero Influenciador en nuestro mundo: Jesucristo. Todos los demás, sin importar cuán famosos o populares sean, son simplemente voces que hablan sin transformar.

En el Evangelio de este domingo, Jesús nos cuenta la parábola del fariseo y el recaudador de impuestos, dos hombres que suben al Templo a orar. El fariseo se mantiene erguido, confiado en su propia justicia, y enumera orgullosamente sus buenas obras ante Dios. El recaudador, en cambio, se mantiene a distancia, sin atreverse siquiera a levantar la mirada al cielo. Con un corazón humilde, simplemente ora: “Dios, ten misericordia de mí, pecador.”

Jesús concluye con una verdad profunda: “Quien se enaltece será humillado, y quien se humilla será enaltecido.” Dios desea de nosotros un corazón humilde y contrito más que cualquier   demostración de piedad o logro. No se impresiona con títulos, logros o religiosidad externa; escucha la oración de quien se acerca a Él con sinceridad y humildad.

La primera lectura del libro del Sirácide lo confirma: “El Señor es un Dios de justicia que no hace acepción de personas.” Él escucha el clamor de los oprimidos, los huérfanos y las viudas. Dios no se deja llevar por las apariencias o el estatus; responde a la oración que nace de la honestidad y la necesidad. Por eso el humilde recaudador de impuestos, y no el orgulloso fariseo, sale justificado del Templo.

En la segunda lectura, San Pablo, cerca del final de su vida, escribe a Timoteo que ha “combatido el buen combate, terminado la carrera y conservado la fe.” La confianza de Pablo no viene del orgullo, sino de la confianza en el Señor que lo ha guiado y fortalecido. Su recompensa no es algo que haya ganado, sino un don de la gracia y misericordia de Dios.

Como Pablo, estamos llamados a perseverar en la fe, sabiendo que la salvación no se gana, sino que se recibe. La “corona de justicia” se promete a todos los que esperan la venida de Cristo. Esta semana, esforcémonos por orar con humildad, confiar en la misericordia de Dios y seguir el ejemplo del verdadero Influenciador: Jesucristo.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866