I am pleased to announce that beginning this weekend, we will resume distributing Holy Communion during the usual time during the Mass. In other words, we will no longer give Communion after Mass as people are leaving. I know that this will please many people. Speaking personally, I never liked giving Holy Communion as people were walking out the door.
The procedure will be simple. Holy Communion will be brought to you in your seats. The minister will go between the rows. All remain seated until the minister comes to your row. All who wish to receive Communion will stand, receive Communion in the hand, lower your mask and consume the host. All in that row are then seated. The same process is followed row by row until everyone has received Holy Communion.
Last weekend, at two of our Masses (9:00 and 11:00 am) nearly all the chairs were used. (We are renting 150 chairs at the moment.) We are not limited to 100 participants outdoors but we do need to maintain social distancing and wear masks. You may bring your own chairs, if you wish, but keep six feet between non-related persons.
I noticed that the evening Masses were more windy than the morning Masses. Also the angle of the sun makes it more difficult to stay in the shade. Feel free to move chairs in order to avoid the sun if you wish. We will try to adjust the placement of the chairs but our weekend staff is limited. Which reminds me, we still need help wiping the chairs after most Masses. Please consider volunteering to help
While I am speaking about our outdoor Masses, I want to clarify one point. Since the court is a hard and somewhat dirty surface, it is difficult to kneel on it. For the sake of unity in the worshiping community, all are invited to remain standing during the entire Eucharistic Prayer and Communion Rite.
I am so grateful to the many people who continue to support the parish with their time and treasure. It takes a lot of people to organize and prepare for our seven weekend Masses. The task is more complicated now that we are outside. I hope you noticed that we made the transition from inside Masses to outdoor Masses without missing a single Mass. Many parishes are still trying to figure out how to conduct Masses outside. Thanks to everyone who has been generous with their time and talent. Everyone has been so cooperative.
The current state of affairs of our world is daunting. It’s overwhelming people and pushing spirits to imaginable limits. People are uncertain about what’s true, anxious about pandemics, peace, and politics, and restless about what the future will hold. In these trying times, many things are being eclipsed and forgotten, but the greatest casualty right now is hope.
Hope has become a rarity. It is a longed-for oasis in the midst of a desert of bewilderment, desolation, and confusion.
But what is hope?
As believers, we have a very different understanding of this powerful virtue. Perhaps it’s better to start with what hope is not. As Christians, we acknowledge that hope is not a trust in our own powers or abilities to change things or make them into what we want them to be. Such a view oftentimes leads us to failure or disappointment since our nature is fallen, our resources are limited, and our capabilities are finite.
As the Book of Psalms teaches us: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.”
The bankruptcy of such a self-focused hope is epitomized in the Greek myth about Prometheus and Pandora’s Box. In the fable, Prometheus stole fire from the heavens and Zeus sought to punish him. He presented Pandora to Prometheus’ brother. While in his care, she opened a box that was given by the gods. As she opened the box, death, suffering, sickness, and all the evils of the world poured out and were unleashed upon the world. After such an onslaught, the only thing left in the box was “hope.”
In reading the myth today, Westerners – influenced by the Christian faith – perceive this as a moment of encouragement, but that’s not how the Greek mind saw it.
According to the myth, hope was the worst curse of all, which is why it sat below all other horrors. Hope was hubris, pride, and arrogance. It taught humanity that it had the sole power to change things, when in reality humanity held no such power by itself. Hope was a bloated sense of self, a universal deception that misled humanity at every step. Hope was a self-curse. It was the final touch of Zeus’ hatred for humanity.
And yet, this same sense of hope is perpetuated in our world today. We are falsely told that we have the strength and wherewithal to change the world by ourselves.
In contrast, the Christian tradition shows us a loving Father, whose permissive will allows for suffering and pandemics while also giving us a promise of redemption. This saving promise gives us hope, and it is a hope in God himself, who alone can change the world.
In looking at the sorrows and sufferings of the world, hope is the virtue that helps us to realize our limitations, restrictions, weaknesses, and brokenness. It shows us the marks and bruises of a fallen world and a sinful humanity. Hope calls us outside of ourselves and points us the Power and Wisdom of God.
Rather than setting us up for frustration and failure, hope compels us to look for God’s providence, implore the help of his grace, and pine for his workings in our world today. Hope edifies us, enlarges our efforts, and elevates our spirits.
Amidst the struggles and sorrows of our fallen world, hope breaks us free from the heaviness of this world and reorients us to yearn for a happiness with God. It points us to an eternity that heals our fallenness, redeems our suffering, allows us to be fully alive, and empowers us to yearn for a perpetual dwelling place with God.
Such a hope ennobles us and strengthens us to be instruments of peace, healing, and reconciliation in our world today. It empowers us for selfless service and gives us fortitude to suffer for the sake of righteousness.
In our state of affairs, we have to decide which hope we will choose. False hope only disappoints and perpetuates the downward spiral of our spirits. A holistic hope will not make things easier, but it will invigorate us and compel us to be something greater than the fallenness around us.
The choice is ours, and the peace of our world and the continuity of civilization as we know it, will rise or fall based on our decisions.
This article appeared on CruxNow, a popular Catholic news site (cruxnow.com) on July 19, 2020. Fr. Kirby is a regular contributor. You may follow him on Twitter @fatherkirby or click the link below
Join the US Bishops in asking for a share of financial help for Catholic schools that are struggling during this health emergency. Click on the link below.
The 12 Catholic Bishops of California (including Bishop Robert McElroy) call on Governor Newsome to rapidly develop safe procedures to re-open schools.
A virtual choir and orchestra from over 300 countries reminds us that we are never alone. From a Christian perspective, Jesus walks walks with us on this journey through life.
Bishop McElroy’s Homily
Our Bishop Robert McElroy gave this beautiful homily on the occasion of the ordination of our new Auxiliary Bishop Ramon Bejarano. This homily has actually attracted national attention in some Catholic newspapers. You can read it by clicking on the link below.
"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.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, in what way did an angel appear to Joseph to tell him to Mary as his wife because the child to be born was of God?
In a parable told by Jesus, who was it that helped a man who had been robbed and wounded and left on the side of the road?
What are the first five books of the Bible called (as a group)?
Who was the longest serving Pope of the 20th century?
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.comWe will be pleased to add them.
We have opened a YouTube channel where we have daily and Sunday Masses as well as Fr. Ron's new Bible Study posted for the parish called St Patrick Church Carlsbad that you can subscribe to.
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 (shorter form: Matthew 13:44-46)
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.
The Birth Choice San Marcos Pregnancy Help Center banquet, Comedy Night, and baby bottle drives were canceled this year due to COVID-19. However, services are at an all-time high with ultrasounds increasing to five days per week, online parenting and prenatal classes, and an ever increasing demand for supplies. With the cancellations of events and baby bottle drives our donations are down 45% this year! Our parish council of the Knights of Columbus have raised money each year for Birth Choice but have not been able to do so this year.
Please consider Birth Choice donations "When Life Gives You Lemons!” Go to www.birthchoice.net/lemons, there is a page for people to give. In the donations section, where there is a drop down for “designation” please choose St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus. Thank you for your generosity.
La Iglesia, germen y principio del reino.
Un peligro para los cristianos de ayer era identificar el Reino de Dios con la institución de la Iglesia; hoy parece ocurrir el peligro opuesto, es decir, olvidar que la Iglesia, que ciertamente no se identifica con el Reino, sin embargo "de este Reino constituye el germen y el comienzo en la tierra" (LG 5).
Una verdadera evangelización, sensible a los valores humanos, se esfuerza por insertarse cada vez más profundamente en la vida, situación y cultura humana; pero tiende a posponer la invitación a la conversión, la predicación del mensaje, la propuesta para una inserción completa en la Iglesia, por respeto a los tiempos de madurez y el lento ritmo de conversión, a un futuro que no es fácilmente previsible. El peligro radica en una falsa concepción de la misión de la Iglesia y en el intento inconsciente de reducción del cristianismo. Por ejemplo, para ser fiel al hombre, tal catequesis ya no es fiel a Dios, y por lo tanto traiciona la fidelidad radical al hombre cuya vocación coincide con el plan de Dios.
Padre Carlos
Giving Thanks for Summer
Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun
and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,
and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to You this summer.
Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
Our parish is blessed by so many kind and generous people. Even in the midst of the ever-changing circumstances of parish life during a pandemic, many of our parishioners have continued to send or bring their contributions to the parish. Many have begun using online giving. I am so grateful that so many people have continued to contribute. It has been very helpful to the financial situation of the parish. While our income is down significantly, the generosity shown by so many has enabled us to maintain the parish complex, keep current with our bills, and pay our dedicated staff. Thank you all, very much!
Even as Masses are being celebrated outside on the school grounds, there will be specially marked baskets on the tables near the entrance to the field into which you can place your offerings. Of course, you can continue to mail us your contribution or drop it off at the office (8:30 am – 12:30 pm). Online giving remains a good option as well. Thank you for supporting your parish.
infuse in us an attitude of hope! Help us to trust in your divine providence.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are here to support you in forming your children in the Catholic Faith. In the fall, we plan to offer a blended program with several options. We are committed to finding creative ways, so you can stay connected to your parish family through faith formation classes and resources. Please know that for the times we cannot meet onsite all faith formation will be done in the home with lots of support from our office.
Sacramental preparation(Baptism, First Confession, First Communion age 6 and older)
It is a two-year process; Your child will need to attend a weekly class onsite or parents teach the lessons weekly at home. The material will be available as books or online and parents will get lots of support.
Continued Faith Formation (Kindergarten, 3rd grade and older)
Your children may attend a weekly class onsite or do the weekly lessons at home. The material will be available in print or online; students will meet in class or via video conference
Family Catechesis – For families with children of all ages: Making the family the heart of the church
We will have monthly themes with events (onsite or online) and provide materials that families may do at home to know, live, and grow in their faith. We will focus on the liturgical year, saints, family devotions, service projects, and more.
The Registration form with available options for the fall can be found on our church website at
www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com Please contact the Office for Religious Education at 760-729-8442 or email us at
mdornisch@stpatrickcarlsbad.comwith questions.
Blessings,
Margit Dornisch
Director of Religious Education for Children and Family Ministry
!
Queridas familias de San Patricio,
Con mucho gozo les comunicamos que ya estamos aceptando inscripciones para el año escolar para nuestros jóvenes de preparatoria en preparación de su sacramento de Confirmación. Los jóvenes deben estar en el noveno grado o al menos tener 14 años. El programa es de dos años, con sesiones los miércoles de 6:30-8:30pm. Inscripciones se puede ser en línea por la pagina web de la parroquia, o en persona en la oficina de ministerio jóvenes los martes a jueves de 2-6pm o por cita. Tarifa actual es de $130. Ayuda con pagos o becas disponibles.
A long-time parishioner shared this with me and I want to share it with you. It is funny, creative and has a good message. And I have always liked Billy Joel’s Music.
3821 Adams Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.729.2866
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Now Open
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm.
During this time of inactivity, we will use our parish email system to communicate with parishioners to offer spiritual reflections and make announcements.
In case of an emergency, you can always reach us by phone. We will be checking regularly for messages and respond as soon as possible. If need be, the answering service can get in touch with one of our priests quickly.
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 link below:
