The Greatest Treasure - Week 29 - Friday, July 24, 2026

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

July 24, 2026 | Issue 29

Pastor’s Reflection

Seventeenth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on a fundamental question: What do we value most in life? In the Gospel, Jesus presents three brief parables—the treasure hidden in a field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea. Each reveals the incomparable value of the Kingdom of God.

In the first two parables, a man discovers a treasure and a merchant finds a pearl of exceptional worth. Both respond in the same way: they sell everything they possess in order to obtain what they have found. Jesus is teaching us that encountering God is not merely one good thing among many; it is the greatest treasure of all. When we truly recognize the presence of God in our lives, everything else finds its proper place.

The first reading from the Book of Kings gives us the example of Solomon. When God offered him anything he desired, Solomon did not ask for wealth, power, or long life. Instead, he asked for wisdom—an understanding heart to discern right from wrong. Solomon understood that closeness to God and the ability to live according to His will were worth more than earthly success. His prayer challenges us today. If God were to grant us one request, what would we ask for? Would we seek material blessings or the wisdom to know and follow His will?

Saint Paul, in the second reading, reminds us that “all things work for good for those who love God.” This does not mean that every experience is pleasant or easy. Rather, it assures us that God is always at work, even in our struggles, disappointments, and uncertainties. When God is our greatest treasure, we learn to trust Him in every circumstance, believing that His loving plan is unfolding in ways we may not yet understand.

The final parable of the net reminds us that our choices have eternal consequences. God’s Kingdom is offered to all, but each person must decide whether to accept or reject His grace. We are called not only to admire the treasure of the Kingdom but to surrender ourselves completely for its sake.

As Catholics, we find this treasure most profoundly in Jesus Christ, especially in the Eucharist. Every Mass is an opportunity to rediscover the pearl of great price. The Lord gives Himself to us and invites us into a relationship that surpasses every earthly possession.

Let us pray this week for the wisdom of Solomon, the faith of the merchant seeking the pearl, and the courage to place Christ above all else. May we recognize that the greatest treasure we can ever possess is not something we own, but Someone we follow—our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Blessings always,

Fr. George G. Perez, CJM

Word of the Week: Ultramontane

Ultramontane (etymology refers to the southern Alps)refers to a Roman Catholic theological and political stance that was emphasized in the 19th century and stressed supreme papal authority and the centralization of church power in the Vatican. Since Vatican II, the Church has implemented more decentralization of authority in synods, the local bishop and national bishops’ conferences. This includes the recent emphasis on synodality.

2026 Annual Mission Cooperative Appeal

August 1–2

St. Patrick's Parish is honored to welcome Fr. Niranjan (Niru) Kanmury of the Diocese of Nalgonda, India, as part of the 2026 Annual Mission Cooperative Plan. Fr. Niranjan will preach at all Masses on August 1–2 and share the missionary work of his diocese.

Ordained in 2001, Fr. Niranjan served in parish ministry in India before completing doctoral studies in Biblical Theology at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. Since 2017, he has ministered in the Diocese of San Diego and now serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

The Diocese of Nalgonda, located in southern India, continues a rich missionary tradition while serving families through evangelization, catechesis, charitable outreach, and Catholic education. This year's Mission Appeal will support Catholic schools that are facing significant financial challenges. Your generosity will help provide tuition assistance for students in need, educational resources, and improvements to school facilities, ensuring that these schools continue to form young people in faith and academic excellence.

Please keep the Diocese of Nalgonda in your prayers and consider making a generous contribution to this year's Mission Appeal. Thank you for your support of the Church's missionary work throughout the world.

Ss. Martha, Mary and Lazarus

The Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is celebrated annually on July 29. Pope Francis established this joint obligatory memorial in 2021 to honor the three siblings from Bethany, highlighting their evangelical witness, close friendship with Jesus, and the hospitality they offered Him during His earthly ministry.

The siblings personify the three theological virtues:

Marth represents faith. She is a model of Christian hospitality and service, most notably her confession of Jesus as the Messiah in the Gospel of John.

Mary represents love (charity). Known for sitting at the feet of Jesus, she chose the "better part" of contemplative listening and devotion.

Lazarus represents hope. Through his resurrection, he manifests the Christian expectation of new life and the resurrection of the dead.

Readings for the day draw from the Gospels where Jesus visits their home in Bethany or raises Lazarus from the tomb. The Collect (opening prayer) for this feast prays:

O God, whose Son called Lazarus back to life from the grave

and was pleased to be a guest in the home of Martha,

grant us, we pray, that, faithfully serving him in our brothers and sisters,

we, with Mary, may be found worthy to be nourished by the contemplation of his word.

A Magnificent Humanity

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical is entitled Magnifca Humanitas. As you know, it deals with the meaning of being human in an age of artificial intelligence. It asks what we are building — and reminds us that our grandeur is a gift, not an achievement. This brief article appeared in the July 1, 2026 issue of Colombia magazine, published by the Knights of Columbus. It is relevant to everyone.

Read article here...

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic?

Whether you have been baptized in another Christian church or never been baptized, OCIA is the process we use to welcome new members into the Church.

It is also for adults who have never finished receiving the sacraments of initiation (for example, they did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation when they were younger).

It is a process of discernment and formation, in the context of the Christian community, which leads to the decision to be fully initiated as a Catholic Christian. This happens when adults receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil (next March 27).

A new group will be formed over the summer. Then beginning in early September, candidates attend our formation sessions every Sunday morning immediately after the 9:00 am Mass. They attend the Mass and then meet in the parish hall until 11:00 am. Attendance is important and those who miss too many sessions will not be included in the celebration at the Easter Vigil.

To get the process started, those interested should contact Fr. Ron Bagley to arrange an interview. Email rmbagley@yahoo.com or call 760-729-2866, x 309.

Laudate Dominum

Cai Thomas sings Mozart's Laudate Dominum, accompanied by the London Mozart Players and Pegasus chamber choir, conducted by Robert Lewis. In the recording session for Cai's debut album 'Seren' at St John the Evangelist, Croydon, in September 2019.

Hector's 2nd Annual Backpack Drive

Please help!

Collection date Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. Read the flyer below for school supply donation information.

Read about backpack drive here English and Spanish

Watch Daily and Sunday Masses Livestreamed from St. Patrick Church here:

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your credit card information is up to date.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

Make your contribution to our ACA fund here...

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.

Which pope wrote Rerum Novarum , the foundational social encyclical addressing workers' rights, economic justice, and the moral responsibilities of employers and society.
Which 20th century pope wrote a long encyclical on the dignity of human work called Laborem Exercens?
Which principle of Catholic social teaching emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible?
What does the Church call the moral obligation to care for the poor and vulnerable?
Which modern Catholic encyclical by Pope Francis focuses heavily on care for creation and environmental justice?

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

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

YouTube channel here...

Give to Your Church here...Online Giving

Read prior newsletters here

Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

1 Kings 3:5,7-12

Solomon pleases God when he asks for a wise and understanding heart to better govern the people.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130

The law of the Lord is more precious than silver and gold.

Second Gospel Reading

Romans 8:28-30

God chose us to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel concludes three weeks of readings from the 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout these three weeks we have heard Jesus teaching crowds about the kingdom of heaven, and we have heard Jesus interpret some of his teachings for the disciples. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus offers three more short parables.

The first two parables describe the great value of the kingdom of heaven. In the first parable, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure that is worth possessing even if it means giving up everything else. In the second parable, Jesus proposes that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great worth for which one will sell everything else to possess. These parables teach us that we are to place everything we value in the service of the pursuit of the Kingdom of God.

The third parable that Jesus proposes in today’s Gospel is different from the first two, but it is reminiscent of the parable of the sower heard in last week’s Gospel. The kingdom of heaven is compared to fishing with a wide net. After the fish have been collected, the good fish are kept and the bad fish are thrown away; so too, in the final judgment, will the wicked and the righteous be separated.

Today’s Gospel concludes with a curious statement about the scribe who understands the kingdom of heaven. Here a metaphor is offered: this scribe is like the head of a household who “brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” The scribes referred to here are experts of Mosaic law. It is possible that Jesus is here instructing the early Christian community on how to proceed in the interpretation of Jewish law with respect to Jesus’ “new” teaching. Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of heaven does not replace the Jewish tradition; it interprets it in a different light.

Handel

“The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” is one of two instrumental movements in Solomon, an oratorio by George Frideric Handel written in May and June 1748 and premiered on 17 March 1749. It is a pleasure to listen to if you like light, lilting Baroque music.

Family Mass This Sunday

We will have a Family Mass this Sunday, July 26 at 9:00 am. Come and bring the whole family.

Family Night Spaghetti Dinner

The Knights of Columbus are holding a Family Night Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, August 22 at 5:30 pm.. Ticket sales will begin July 25 on the patio after Masses. Tickets will also be available in the Parish office. Price is $20 per person, children 10 and under are free. Proceeds will go to support our Parish Youth Programs. Tickets are limited so purchase yours early. There will also be a blow-up slide for the kids.

Religious Education Preschool to 8th grade

Registration Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

We are here to support parents in forming their children in the Catholic Faith and engaging them in our parish community where we worship and grow together in faith. We offer weekly classes for preschool through 8th grade and preparation for the sacraments for children in grades 1 through 8.

The online registration is open for all our classes from Preschool through 8th grade.

You may also register in person at the Office of Religious Education. Please contact us at mdornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.com or 760-729-8442 to make an appointment or with questions about faith formation or sacramental preparation.

Blessings,

Margit Dornisch, Religious Education and Family Ministry

Click here to visit our website to view the Religious Education Preschool to 8th grade site and register

Confirmation Registration

Now Open

Our Confirmation program is a two-year journey! To get started for the 2026–2027 school year, teens must be entering high school (9th grade or higher).

New Students: If you did not participate last year, please register for the Pre-Confirmation Year.
Returning Students: If you completed the first year, please register for the Confirmation Year.

This is the first of three registration tiers our office will offer for the 2026–2027 school year. Tier 1 runs from May 20th through June 30th and offers the lowest registration fee. Please note that fees will increase after June 30th.

Families can register either online or in person. If you prefer to register in person, please contact our office to schedule a time.

PClasby@stpatrickcarlsbad.com or 760-434-3278

Inscricpciónes para la confirmación estan abiertas

¡Nuestro programa de Confirmación es un camino de dos años! Para comenzar el año escolar 2026–2027, los jóvenes deben estar ingresando a la escuela secundaria (high school, 9.º grado o superior).

Estudiantes Nuevos: Si no participaron el año pasado, por favor regístrense para el Año de Pre-Confirmación.
Estudiantes que Regresan: Si completaron el primer año, por favor regístrense para el Año de Confirmación.

Esta es primer nivel de tres niveles de inscripción que nuestra oficina ofrecerá para el año escolar 2026–2027. El primer nivel estará vigente desde el 20 de mayo hasta el 30 de junio y ofrece la cuota de inscripción más baja. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que las cuotas aumentarán después del 30 de junio.

Las familias pueden inscribirse en línea o en persona. Si prefiere inscribirse en persona, por favor comuníquese con nuestra oficina para programar una cita.

MJimenez@stpatrickcarlsbad.com

760-434-3278

Bilingual Catechesis and Family Ministry

2026-2027 School Year

Catequesis Bilingüe y Ministerio Familiar

Año Escolar 2026-2027

Nuestra misión es acompañar a los padres de familia en la formación y transmisión de la fe cristiana de sus hijos, favoreciendo que conozcan a Dios, amen a Jesucristo y vivan conforme a las enseñanzas de la Iglesia. Asimismo, procuramos integrarlos a la comunidad parroquial mediante la oración, la celebración litúrgica y diversas actividades que contribuyan a su crecimiento en la fe.

Ofrecemos Catequesis Tradicional, Acompañamiento para niños de Preescolar, Catequesis Familiar e Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos adaptada para niños.

Para identificar el programa que mejor responda a las necesidades de su familia, le invitamos a hacer clic en el enlace a continuación.

clic aquí...

Notas Pastorales

XVII Domingo Ordinario

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:

Las lecturas de este domingo nos invitan a reflexionar sobre una pregunta fundamental: ¿Qué es lo más valioso en nuestra vida? En el Evangelio, Jesús nos presenta tres parábolas: el tesoro escondido en el campo, la perla de gran valor y la red arrojada al mar. Todas ellas nos hablan del inmenso valor del Reino de Dios.

En las dos primeras parábolas, un hombre encuentra un tesoro oculto y un comerciante descubre una perla preciosa. Ambos reaccionan de la misma manera: venden todo lo que poseen para adquirir aquello que han encontrado. Jesús nos enseña que el encuentro con Dios no es simplemente una cosa buena entre muchas otras; es el bien supremo, el tesoro más grande que podemos poseer. Cuando descubrimos verdaderamente a Dios en nuestra vida, todo lo demás ocupa su lugar correcto.

La primera lectura, tomada del Primer Libro de los Reyes, nos presenta el ejemplo del rey Salomón. Cuando Dios le ofrece concederle lo que desee, Salomón no pide riquezas, poder ni una vida larga. Pide un corazón sabio y prudente para gobernar a su pueblo y discernir entre el bien y el mal. Comprendió que la verdadera riqueza consiste en vivir según la voluntad de Dios. Su oración nos desafía hoy: si el Señor nos concediera una petición, ¿qué le pediríamos? ¿Buscaríamos bienes materiales o la sabiduría para conocer y cumplir su voluntad?

San Pablo, en la carta a los Romanos, nos recuerda una verdad llena de esperanza: “Todo contribuye para el bien de los que aman a Dios”. Esto no significa que todo lo que nos sucede sea fácil o agradable. Significa que Dios puede sacar un bien incluso de nuestras pruebas, sufrimientos y decepciones. Cuando el Señor es nuestro mayor tesoro, aprendemos a confiar en Él aun en medio de las dificultades, convencidos de que su amor guía nuestra historia.

La parábola de la red nos recuerda también la seriedad de nuestras decisiones. La red recoge peces de toda clase, pero al final se realiza una separación. Jesús nos enseña que el Reino de Dios está abierto a todos, pero cada persona debe responder libremente a su gracia. No basta con admirar el tesoro; es necesario estar dispuestos a entregar nuestra vida por él.

Como católicos, encontramos ese tesoro de manera especial en Jesucristo, presente en la Eucaristía. Cada Santa Misa es una oportunidad para redescubrir la perla de gran valor. Allí el Señor se entrega totalmente a nosotros y nos invita a una relación de amor que supera cualquier posesión terrena.

Pidamos durante esta semana la sabiduría de Salomón, la determinación del comerciante que busca la perla preciosa y la generosidad de aquellos que supieron dejarlo todo por Cristo. Que aprendamos a poner a Dios en el centro de nuestra vida y a reconocer que el tesoro más grande no es algo que poseemos, sino Alguien que nos ama y nos llama a seguirlo. Amen

Bendiciones siempre.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

Estudios Bíblicos en Español del Padre Ricardo Chinchilla, cjm... clic aquí

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866

Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm

In case of emergency, you can always reach a priest. Call the parish number 760-729-2866 and press number 6 which will connect you directly to one of our priests.

If you know someone who does not receive our emails, please forward this to them, or have them reply to this message.

To email a priest at St. Patrick Church click the address below: gperez@eudistsusa.org

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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