The Joy of Christmas, and more from Fr. Ron - Week 51

St. Patrick Parish News & Updates

December 20, 2024 | Issue 51

A Word from the Pastor

December 22, 2024

As Advent draws to a close, it is a time rich with meaning and reflection for all of us. This liturgical season serves as a profound reminder of the dual nature of our anticipation: the joyful expectation of Christ's birth at Christmas and the hopeful longing for his glorious return at the end of time.

Advent is characterized by a spirit of waiting, conversion, and hope. It invites us to prepare our hearts not only for the historical event of Christ's first coming but also for his promised second coming.

As we approach the culmination of Advent, it is essential to reflect on the journey undertaken during these weeks. The season has been a time to cultivate hope and to recognize God's presence in daily life. Pope John Paul II articulated that Advent is a time of "confident expectation" and "joyful openness" to encounter the Lord, who comes to save and to establish his covenant with humanity. This expectation is not passive; it calls for active participation in the life of faith, urging us to embody the hope we profess.

The concluding days of Advent serve as a reminder of the urgency of watchfulness. We are encouraged to remain alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord, as emphasized in the Gospel readings during this time. The message of hope is intertwined with the call to be ready, as the Lord's coming is both a promise and a challenge to live in accordance with His teachings.

As Advent ends, we are invited to embrace the joy of Christmas with renewed hearts. The anticipation built during Advent culminates in the celebration of the Nativity, where the light of Christ enters the world. This light, which shines brightly in the darkness, is a source of hope and salvation for all. We are called to carry this light into our lives, sharing the joy of Christ's birth with others and living out the message of love and peace that he brings.

As we gather this week to celebrate the birth of the Savior, we are reminded that Advent has prepared us to receive the gift of Christ anew, fostering a spirit of joy, hope, and love that extends beyond the Christmas season into their daily lives.

I look forward to seeing you at our Christmas celebrations. (The schedule of Masses is below.) And I wish you and your loved ones all the blessings that the Child Jesus came to bring. May his wish for peace on earth become a reality in our hearts, in our homes, in our nation and in our world.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron

rmbagley@yahoo.com

Offices Closed

All of our parish offices will be closed from December 24 to January 1, and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2024.

In case of an emergency, call the parish phone (760-729-2866) and when the recorded message begins, press extension 6. That will connect you to a priest. This is for urgent needs only.

Newsletter Schedule

There will be no St. Patrick e-newsletter on December 27, 2024. You can expect the next newsletter on Friday, January 3, 2025. Happy New Year!

Christmas Mass Schedule – Horario de Misas de Navidad

Christmas Eve:

December 24, 4:00 pm, Family Mass in Parish Center

December 24, 4:00 pm, Mass in the Church (English)

December 24, 6:00 pm, Mass in the Church (English)

24 de diciembre, 8:00 pm, Misa en español en iglesia

December 24, 10:00 pm, Mass in the Church (English)

Christmas Day:

December 25, 7:30 am, Mass in Church (English)

December 25, 9:00 am, Mass in the Church (English)

December 25, 11:00 am, Mass in the Church (English)

25 de diciembre, 1:00 pm, Misa en español en iglesia

No evening Mass on

Christmas Day

Last Opportunity for Confession

The last scheduled Penance Services in North County will be:

Friday, December 20, at 6:30 pm, at St. Mark (San Marcos)

Monday, December 23, at 6:30 pm, at St. Mark (San Marcos)

Parish Calendars for 2025

Parish calendars for 2025 will be available at the doors of the church this weekend. There are two different calendars and we thank Eternal Hills Mortuary and Holy Cross Cemetery for providing them for us. Feel free to take one of each.

Be A Welcoming Community

When we celebrate Christmas this week, we will welcome many people to our church who do not always join us the rest of the year. This presents us with a challenge and an opportunity. It may be crowded, a bit confusing as people look for seats, and a frenzy in the parking lot.

But it is also an opportunity to be welcoming to those who are visitors or who don’t yet feel a part of our community. Extend a warm welcome as people enter your pew. Sit in the middle of the pew, encouraging others to join you. Welcome the latecomers and the crying babies. Be civil in the parking lot both coming and going. Invite people to come back.

St. Patrick’s has a reputation for being a welcoming community. Let’s put that on full display next Christmas Eve and day.

Please note: The parking lot of our neighbor New Song Church is available to us on Wednesday, December 25. However, please do not park there on December 24 as that congregation will have their Christmas Eve services.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Experience the beauty of the season with a breathtaking performance of "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful," performed by the BYU Combined Choirs and BYU Philharmonic. This special rendition was the finale number from the Celebration of Christmas concert and features the rich sounds of the newly installed organ at the BYU Concert Hall.

Church History Course

After last year’s popular course on Church History, Fr. Ron will repeat it again. There will be a limited number of students (12-15 max) and it will meet in the library of the parish offices. The participants will need to purchase the book The History of the Catholic Church from the Encountering Jesus Series which is published by Ave Maria Press and available on Amazon for $31.00. The book has 10 chapters and we will use a chapter as the basis for discussion each week (for 10 weeks). Participants will need to read the chapter in preparation. We will sit around the table and discuss what we have read. Classes are 90 minutes long. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings and the first class will be January 14, 2025.

About last year’s class Rebecca Langford said: I really enjoyed the History of the Church. The book was easy to read and follow as well. Learning the origins of our faith was so helpful in understanding how and why we practice as we do today.

See attachment for more information.

To sign up for the course, email Fr. Ron at rmbagley@yahoo.com

Church History Course info here...

California bishops promise migrants advocacy for ‘dignity and family unity’...read here

The deadline for filing claims of sexual abuse is February 3, 2025. Click here for full information

Aviso de plazo para presentar reclamaciones: 3 de febrero del 2025 Haga clic aquí para obtener información completa

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 payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

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

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 prophet announced this Advent prophecy? "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots."
Who appeared to Mary to ask her to accept to be the mother of the Messiah?
Who does Mary visit to share her joy at the news of her being called to be the mother of the Lord?
What are the most important words spoken by St. Joseph in the Bible?
In which gospel does Joseph have a dream that tells him to take Mary as his wife?

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.

YouTube channel here...

Answers to Catholic Trivia here!

Online Giving

Read all of Fr. Ron's newsletters here

Fourth Sunday of Advent –

Year C

First Reading

Micah 5:1-4

The ruler of Israel is promised to come from Bethlehem.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19

A prayer for God's salvation

Second Reading

Hebrews 10:5-10

Through his obedience to God's will, Christ consecrated all.

Gospel Reading

Luke 1:39-45

Mary visits Elizabeth, who sings praise to Mary and her child.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On this the last Sunday before Christmas, our Gospel reading prepares us to witness Christ's birth by showing us how Jesus was recognized as Israel's long-awaited Messiah even before his birth. The Gospel turns our attention from the ministry of John the Baptist to the events that preceded John the Baptist's birth. The story of John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are reported only in Luke's Gospel. Luke pairs the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing John's early connection to the Messiah.

Our Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.

In Luke's Gospel the Holy Spirit helps reveal Jesus' identity as God to those who believe. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and sings Mary's praise because she bears the Lord. We sing these words of praise to Mary in the Hail Mary. Even John the Baptist, the unborn child in Elizabeth's womb, is said to recognize the presence of the Lord and leaps for joy.

It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God's plan of salvation. Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God's word to her would be fulfilled. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan for salvation.

Angel Gabriel to Mary

"The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came" is a traditional hymn that speaks of Gabriel's message to mother Mary, and Mary's acceptance of God's will to give birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. This arrangement by Gail Lund is particularly beautiful with the piano counterpoint weaving throughout the carol.

Mary, Mother of God

January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It is also the annual World Day of Prayer for Peace. And it is the beginning of a new year. For all of these reasons, it is a wonderful day to join in the celebration of the Eucharist. We will have one parish Mass on January 1 at 9:00 am. (It is not a holy day of obligation.)

Also, there will be no confessions on January 1, 2025.

YEAR END GIVING - Got Deductions??

Helpful Year-End Planning Tips

Online Giving users-please remember to login to your account and set up your Christmas or year-end gift.

Gifts given through Online Giving will be counted toward the 2024 tax year if given prior to 9:00pm PST on 12/31/24

Be sure to complete all gifts by December 31, 2024, to qualify for tax savings on this year’s tax return.

Envelopes postmarked by Tuesday, December 31, 2024, or dropped off at the Parish Office will be counted toward the 2024 tax year.

If you are 72 or older and have an IRA that requires you to take your Required Minimum Distribution by 12/31/24, consider contributing a portion to St. Patrick Church and avoid paying tax on that amount. Check with your tax advisor for specifics regarding your situation.

Remember gifts of stock made directly through the Diocese to St. Patrick Church, Carlsbad may reduce your tax burden. Please check with your tax advisor. Call the Parish Office for more information.

Remember…a donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) reduces the parish's obligation to the Diocese.

Keep all gift receipts and acknowledgement letters, especially for donations of $250 or more.

Wills and Trusts: Naming of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlsbad is an excellent way to leave a legacy for our Parish.

If you sold securities this year and will owe capital gains tax, remember that gifts to St. Patrick Catholic Community of cash or other securities may reduce your gains. Please check with your tax advisor.

Thank you for remembering your parish in your charitable giving.

Christmas Flowers Offering

Before long we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. We want to make our church festive for our celebration of Christmas. In your packet of envelopes that we mail to you, there is an envelope marked Christmas Flower Offering.

If you would like to make a contribution to assist in paying for our Christmas flowers, please place your donation in that envelope (or a plain envelope) and write on the envelope the names of anyone you would like remembered at our Christmas Masses. Indicate if they are deceased (“In memory of…”) or living (“In honor of…”) Place your envelope in the collection basket, mail it to the parish office or drop it off. If you use Online Giving, write the names on a paper and put it in the collection. All the names will be listed in our parish bulletin and newsletter shortly after Christmas.

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

“Isabel llena del Espíritu Santo levantando la voz, exclamo, ‘¡Bendita tu eres entre todas las mujeres y bendito el fruto de tu vientre!’” (Evangelio según San Lucas 1: 39-45) A leer este texto, podemos captar la alegría de Isabel cuando María entra a su casa. En ese instante, Isabel sabía que Maria estaba embarazada del niño que era el Salvador del mundo. Isabel llena del Espíritu Santo la saluda con esas palabras que todos conocemos cuando recitamos el Ave Maria. Después del saludo Isabel le dice, “Dichosa tú que has creído, porque se cumplirá cuanto te fue anunciado de parte del Señor”. ¿Qué significa esta oración para ti y para mí? ¿Qué significa creer en Dios completamente? Maria creía en Dios y en sus promesas. Y ahora Isabel le confirma todo con su saludo y palabras. Isabel también era una mujer de fe, ella creía que Dios que caminaba con ellos, que Dios sufría con ellos, que Dios que era fiel. María e Isabel nos demuestran esa fe y confianza. Ahora celebramos el 4º Domingo de Adviento, sólo quedan unos días para la Navidad. ¿Qué es lo que sale de nuestra boca cuando hablamos de relaciones con nuestras familiares o cuando hablamos del prójimo, del futuro, u de otras cosas? Preguntémonos, si ¿por medio de nuestras palabras y acciones, ¿otros reconocerán que él Espíritu Santo habita en nosotros? Nadie es perfecto, pero Dios nos ha dada lo que necesitamos para que seamos esos “cristos” (cristos significa ungidos) allí donde vivimos. Pidamos al Señor Jesucristo que nos ayude a ser Templos vivos del Espíritu Santo. Ese es el regalo mas grande que podemos dar. Feliz Adviento…

“UN LUGAR PARA DIOS EN ESTA NAVIDAD” HAGA CLIC AQUÍ:

VIVIENDO NUESTRA FE - “LA NAVIDAD CON CRISTO”. Haga clic aquí:

OTRA REFLEXIÓN – “¡BENDITA TÚ ENTRE LAS MUJERES!”. Haga clic aquí:

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:

rmbagley@yahoo.com

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