A Word from the Pastor

January 6, 2023

Although we had been prepared for his passing, the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on December 31, 2022 still provokes both sadness and gratitude. We are sad at the passing of a man who gave his whole life to Christ and the Church. We give thanks to almighty God for giving us a pope who was “a man of immense faith, profound intellect, great wisdom and pastoral kindness” (the words of Cardinal McElroy). I have included below a link to a video of tributes made by a variety of Church leaders who highlight many of the strengths of Benedict XVI.

I would not attempt to summarize in this small space his many achievements as theologian, bishop and pope. In the week since his death, so many people have offered a balanced and fair assessment of his ministry as a “servant of the servants of God.” I will just comment on one idea that he emphasized at the time of his election as pope. I think it is on target and still food for great thought and reflection.

In his speech to the cardinals at the conclave that would ultimately elect him, the soon-to-be Pope Benedict XVI said: “We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate standard consists solely of one's own ego and desires.” He returned to this theme frequently in his writings and speeches as pope.

I think Pope Benedict was correct. At the risk of oversimplifying a profound insight by the deep-thinking theologian, I see relativism in our society today in the tendency of people of all faiths and no faith to set themselves up as the judges of what is true. Something is only true if I see it as true. Our society has rejected objected standards of truth. The individual is the sole arbiter of what is true. We hear people say: “Well, that may be true for you, but it is not true for me.”

For many people, truth is regarded as far too subjective a concept for us to find therein a universally valid standard. The distinction between genuine and fake seems to have been abolished. Everything is to some extent negotiable. People arbitrarily reject science, time-tested moral principles, the common good, and the Author of All Truth. It is part of our secular society. If there is no room for truth, there is no room for God.

I recall one of my classes in moral theology when I was a seminarian in the 1970s. Our teacher raised the question: do moral absolutes exist? As young students we had a great discussion on this issue. Many years later, I now see the danger of rejecting moral absolutes. Unfortunately, our society today no longer has a commonly accepted foundation based on what is true. Pope Benedict was insightful. We have slipped into a dictatorship of relativism.

Let us make his final words our own: “Jesus, I love you.”

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.com

Christmas Homily by Pope Francis

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is a continuation of the Christmas season. Some people call it “Little Christmas.” Here is the homily Pope Francis gave at the night Mass on the eve of Christmas. It is very good, so we are sharing it with you. You can read the text or listen to the broadcast on YouTube with English translation. It is appropriate any time.

An Ecumenical Night Prayer

On Thursday, January 19, St. Patrick Church is pleased to host an ecumenical prayer service at 6:30 pm. The following congregations have collaborated in planning this event: All Saints Episcopal,(Vista), Bethlehem Lutheran, (Encinitas), The Collective Table, (Encinitas), King of Kings Lutheran, (Oceanside), The Oceanside Sanctuary, (Oceanside), Mission San Luis Rey, (Oceanside), St. Andrew’s Episcopal, (Encinitas) and St. Patrick’s Catholic, (Carlsbad).

This is being held in conjunction with the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is held every January 18-25. The prayer service will be based on the materials prepared jointly by the Vatican Dicastery for Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. This year’s theme is Do Good, Seek Justice. Leaders of the service will come from the sponsoring congregations. Our parish choir will be joined by people from the other churches as well. Our featured speaker is Dinora Reyna, Executive Director of the San Diego Organizing Project.

Plan ahead and reserve the date. This is a wonderful opportunity for Christians of many religions to celebrate our common faith.

Uncertainty

We live in a world where there is plenty of uncertainty. The beginning of a new year can make us wonder what might be ahead. How can we face the uncertainties in our own lives?



Here are two brief articles that attempt to face the question of dealing with uncertainties. One is written by a highly-respected psychologist; the other is written by an experienced spiritual director. Both are very practical and, hopefully, applicable to our lives.

Christmas Groove

You may enjoy this contemporary version of the classic Little Drummer Boy.

Scholarship for Graduating Seniors and Students in Catholic Colleges

The James R. and Geraldine F. Bertelsen Scholarship Award was established more than 30 years ago to benefit residents of Carlsbad who attend Catholic colleges and universities. This scholarship is open to graduating Roman Catholic high school seniors and students currently attending a four-year Roman Catholic college or university. For details about it and how to apply, click below.

Walking in the Air

“Walking in the Air” is a song written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film The Snowman based on Raymond Briggs's 1978 children's book of the same name. Here it is sung by 12-year-old treble Malakai Bayoh and Aled Jones .It was filmed at the Actors Church, St Paul's in Covent Garden (London). If you hang around after this song, you may hear other Christmas songs sung by this duet.

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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. How many Wise Men (Magi) visited Joseph, Jesus and Mary in Bethlehem?
2. In which gospel does the story of the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) appear?
3. Which King of Israel wanted to kill the baby who would grow to become the Messiah?
4. What is myrrh?
5. “The Adoration of the Magi” was commissioned in the late 15th century as an altarpiece for the Augustinian monks of San Donato a Scopeto in Florence. It was unfinished and now hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Who painted it?

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Masses are available on our website www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com

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