We have begun the inviting, challenging, consoling season of Lent. We have heard the call to repent and believe when we received the ashes on our foreheads.
That call is different for every person. And for every person the call changes as we move through the years of our lives. Our challenge is to listen, to be attentive to what God might be asking of us and to be generous in our response to that call when we understand it.
In the classic practice of the Church, we prepare ourselves to listen and to respond to God’s Lenten call by the triple discipline of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through these exercises we dispose ourselves to be in the right relationship with God, neighbor and ourselves. These practices are not ends in themselves. They are reminders of our need for internal conversion and a change of heart. They symbolize our desire to forget ourselves so that we might find God.
The discipline of prayer invites us to spend more time with the Lord in conversation. Can I be more faithful to my daily prayer during Lent? Have I prayed the rosary lately? How about praying the Stations of the Cross alone or with others? (Every Friday in the church) Will I make time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent?
The discipline of fasting invites us to make changes in our daily habits. Can I eat less and feel better? Can I give up something that I spend too much time on (social media, idle conversation, playing games on my phone, watching television, etc.)? Can I use the time that I save to help those in need?
The discipline of almsgiving means to share what we have with those in need. Right here in the parish we have so many ways to do that. Our Lenten Food Drive gathers food for hungry people every weekend. The annual Lenten Collection supports the works of Catholic Relief Services, the Church in Africa and the Church in Latin America. Special envelopes were sent in your regular packets of envelopes. And soon you will be hearing from me about the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Lent is an invitation to be generous with what we have been given.
The disciplines of Lent are not an exercise of spiritual muscle flexing. They are our way of opening our hearts anew to the wonders of God’s love. Rejoicing in all of that turns our hearts toward and prepares us to renew our baptismal promises at Easter.
I hope that those of us who have already been baptized in the Lord can pray for a deepening of our call during Lent that the Easter feast will find us excited about the life we enjoy and ready to share it with others. As we pray for one another, so too I hope we can pray for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, and for those already baptized who will be received into our faith community. Lent is a special time for us all.
As a part of our Lenten journey, we will offer a special Mass on Tuesday March 7, at 11:00 am during which we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament is open to anyone who has a chronic illness or is physically weakened because of old age or a serious health problem. The sacrament of the sick will be offered in bothEnglish and Spanish. Some of our priests will concelebrate and assist in the anointing of the sick persons. Anyone is welcome to join in the prayers of the Mass.
Lenten Penance Services
During the season of Lent, there are 16 Penance Services scheduled across North County. The priests of the various parishes of the deanery collaborate to provide many opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At each of these Penance Services, there will be many priests available for confessions. You may want to print this schedule and put it in a place that you can refer to it.
Our parish priests are also available for confessions in our church every Wednesday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm. Our parish Penance Service will be on Wednesday, April 5.
During Lent communal praying of the Stations of the Cross will be held in the church every Friday at 3:00pm and again at 6:30pm.
The stations of the cross at 3pm will be led by one of the Deacons.
The evening stations will be hosted by parish ministry groups and prayed either in English, Spanish, or with bilingual material.
February 24: Stations of the Cross in Times of Suffering
March 3: Scriptural Stations of the Cross
March 10: Viacrucis (Inmediamente ai terminar la Misa de 5:30pm)
March 17: Stations of the Cross for Families (bilingual)
March 24: Viacrucis (Inmediamente ai terminar la Misa de 5:30pm)
March 31: Stations of the Cross for Youth (Bilingual)
All parishioners are encouraged to make time on Fridays to pray the Stations in community. The outdoor stations of the cross are also available any time. The church is open during the day for private praying of the Stations.
Taizé Prayer around the Cross
Join us on Tuesday evening, March 28, in the Church. We will begin at 7pm in our quiet candle lit church.
The cross will be our focus as we listen to readings from Scripture, meditate in silence, and chant songs in the style of the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France.
Gather with us for an hour of prayer witnessing the sufferings of Jesus and our world.
In Our Darkness
The words are comforting and the melody is uplifting. This Taize chant announces: “In our darkness there is no darkness. With you, O Lord, the deepest night is as clear as day.”
Have Faith! A Mom’s Struggle
This short reflection appeared in the online edition of America Media on February 18, 2023.
It was written by Heather Trotta as she reflects on the highs and lows of faith. Growth in faith is a lifelong adventure that takes effort.
Please remember to log in to your Online Giving account to set up your Ash Wednesday and Easter gift. You can also make sure your payment method is up to date and that your gifts are being processed.
For help with forgotten passwords, please contact Online Giving technical support at 800.348.2886, ext. 2.
Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.
We appreciate your support!
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.
The word catholic comes from the Greek word katholicos. What is the English translation?
What is the name of the city where Pope Francis lives?
The Nicene Creed was composed at which two ecumenical councils?
What is the Latin expression used to indicate when the Pope speaks officially on the subject of Catholic faith and morals and cannot be in error?
The pope is considered the successor of which apostle?
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.
Eve and Adam eat from the tree that was forbidden to them by God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,17
A prayer for mercy
Second Reading
Romans 5:12-19
Through the obedience of Jesus, many will be made righteous. (shorter form: Romans 5:12,17-19)
Gospel Reading
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus fasts for 40 days in the desert and is tempted by the devil.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In each of the three Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke), after Jesus’ baptism by John, Jesus is reported to have gone to the desert to fast and pray for 40 days. In each case, while in the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil.
Matthew and Luke give more detail than Mark does, but each one tells how the devil tempts Jesus in the desert. In Matthew, as in Luke, the devil presents three temptations to Jesus. The devil tempts Jesus to use his power to appease his hunger; he tempts Jesus to put God’s promise of protection to the test; and he offers Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship the devil. In each case, Jesus resists the temptation, rebuking the devil with words from Scripture.
The account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert is filled with allusions and parallels to the Old Testament, including the story of the people of Israel. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert in Exodus, for example, and Jesus spends 40 days in the desert. As the Israelites were tempted during the Exodus, so too is Jesus tempted.
Each temptation offers insight into both God and the human condition. Jesus’ rejection of the temptations shows that he will not put God to the test. Grounding himself on the word and authority of Scripture, Jesus rebukes the devil, confident in God’s protection and faithfulness.
As we start our journey through Lent, our Sunday readings call us to adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God’s word alone will suffice; God’s promise of protection can be trusted; God alone is God.
Annual Lenten Food Drive
The Knights of Columbus will be collecting items for the Lenten food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank North County Branch!
The food drive will start February 25th and end on March 26th. Knights will be there to collect donations. Non-perishable food items (except for glass containers) will be accepted along with cash and/or checks.
The donation station will be located just outside the front door of the Parish Hall or look for the red food donation barrels on the patio.
Someone will be there to help with any heavy items.
Movie at the Mission
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth
Lent and a Journey of Ecological Conversion a new engaging and inspiring documentary featuring Pope Francis.
Thursday March 2, 6:30pm-8:30pm
For more information or to register, call (760) 757-3659, scan the code,
Our St. Patrick Dinner Dance sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will take place on Saturday March 11 in the parish center. Corned beef dinner with all the Irish trimmings. $20 per person or $60 per family. Cash bar opens at 6:00 pm. Music by Cillian Bridge. Tickets are available on the church patio after Masses or from the parish office.
Next Family Mass
The next Family Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, February 26 at 9:00 am. This will be the First Sunday of Lent. Bring the children to hear more about Lent.
World Youth Day and Eudist Pilgrimage
Support our parish young people for their pilgrimage by making a donation through Online Giving. Choose Fund "Other" and indicate for WYD!
En aquel tiempo, Jesús fue conducido por el Espíritu al desierto, para ser tentado por el demonio. Pasó cuarenta días y cuarenta noches sin comer y, al final, tuvo hambre. Entonces se le acercó el tentador y le dijo: "Si tú eres el Hijo de Dios, manda que estas piedras se conviertan en panes". (Mateo. 4: 1-3). El miércoles pasado inicio el tiempo de Cuaresma, la Iglesia nos invita a un tiempo de reflexión, conversión y restauración.
Y que prudente es la Iglesia que nos invita a hacer esto cada año, porque sabe que lo necesitamos, porque sin darnos cuenta caemos en una rutina de autosatisfacción que eventualmente nos en ciega o ensordecidos a las cosas de Dios. Todos conocemos nuestras tentaciones y la lucha contra el pecado, a veces le ganamos y muchas otras veces caemos, que nos hace sentir mal, sin dignidad, sin voluntad propia, y nos retiramos. Pero los 40 días de Cuaresma, no es que sólo nos enfoquemos en el pecado y en nuestra debilidad. Necesitamos ver el pecado, pero pidiéndole al Espíritu Santo que nos ayude, para dejar ese pecado poco a poco. Los 40 días son para enfocarnos en la misericordia de Dios. Dios conoce nuestras tentaciones, pero espera que nosotros lo dejemos entrar en nuestra vida. El diablo, el tentador, siempre va a estar en nuestras vidas, pero depende en nosotros que tanto poder le demos al tentador. En el Evangelio, miramos que el diablo también tienta a Jesús, pero Jesús se mantiene en oración y resiste. Que estos 40 días sean tiempo de reflexión sobre el significado de ser hijos e hijas de Dios; reflexionar que Dios no nos castiga, más bien espera que lo miremos y le extendemos nuestra mano en cada momento de nuestra vida.
La colecta de alimentos de Caballeros de Colón comienza el sábado 25 de febrero y recolectará artículos durante la Cuaresma. Busque los barriles rojos en la entrada de la iglesia o la carpa de los Caballeros de Colón junto a la oficina parroquial. Alguien estará allí para ayudar a transportar artículos pesados. No envases de vidrio por favor.
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:
