A Word from the Pastor

August 25, 2023

I have always been intrigued by the influence of St. Monica on her son St. Augustine. (The memorials of these two saints are celebrated back-to-back on August 27 and 28. This year the 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time replaces St. Monica.)

The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law, and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism.

Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy—”all flesh is evil”—and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on, she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact, she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted. 

When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan.

In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and died.

Almost all we know about St. Monica comes from the writings of St. Augustine, especially his Confessions. He portrays her as a mother who patiently prayed for her wayward son. At every moment of her life, she expressed her love for him. She rejoiced that God used someone else to touch his heart and lead him to faith. In these ways, she can serve as a model for mothers for all times.

In one Heart,



Fr. Ron 

[email protected]

Fr Ron’s Email



To send an email to Fr. Ron Bagley, please use [email protected] Other addresses may not work.

Hurricane Aftermath



We are grateful that our parish property did not suffer any damage as a result of this “historic storm.” However, lower attendance at Mass last weekend resulted in a much smaller collection. Please add your usual weekly contribution to your next offering at Mass (or use online giving). Our parish budget depends on your regular support.

Aid to Maui

Being residents of California, we know the horrible effect of wildfires. Yet the devastation in Maui is catastrophic. As Christians we see in this disaster an opportunity to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, bringing healing to the sick, comforting those who mourn, and so on.

There are many ways for us to help but the greatest need at the moment is for cash for immediate relief, supplying very basic needs, and starting the long rebuilding process. Many organizations are coming to the aid of Maui, most of them quite legitimate. But there are scammers out there. The following organizations can be trusted and will make sure that help gets to those who need it. Consider a donation to help those in need.

Click the links below for:

Hawaiian Community Foundation

Maui Food Bank

American Red Cross

Hawaii Fires Response Special Collection

Our parish is participating in a special collection to assist the Church in Hawaii recover from the devastation caused by the recent fires.

Proceeds from this collection, which is being taken up on this weekend August 26 and 27 and will be sent to the Diocese of Honolulu. 

Checks can be made payable to St. Patrick Parish, or use our Online Giving.

Annual Catholic Appeal

As we move into the last quarter of this year, it is time to think about your donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). It is the opportunity we have to contribute to the good work being done by Catholic Charities and various pastoral ministries of the Diocese.

Our parish goal (the actual amount we will be assessed) is $96,625.00. To date, we have collected $71,582.22 in cash and pledges. That means we are still $25,042.78 short of our goal. If we do not reach that goal, we will be assessed the balance.



Reminder: no money donated to ACA can be used for legal fees or bankruptcy settlement. ACA is a restricted fund that can only be used for the purpose and intention of the donors.

RCIA Is For You If You Are:

• an adult (18+) who has never been part of a formal religion 
• an adult who was baptized in a faith tradition other than Catholicism 
• an adult who received some but not all of the sacraments 
• an adult who was raised in another faith and now wishes to become Catholic

We are now forming a new group of catechumens and candidates. The English group will meet on Sunday mornings beginning September 10. This is a change from our meeting date in the past. We will invite the English group to attend the 9:00 am Mass together and then stay for another hour of formation after the Mass.



Those in the English group can sign up or seek further information by contacting Fr. Ron at [email protected] or 760-729-2866 or our coordinators Brick and Rebecca Langford at [email protected]

Learn More about the Eucharist

As a part of the Diocesan Institute, Fr. Ron Bagley will be teaching a six week course entitled The Eucharist and Sunday. It will be held here at St. Patrick Parish Center on Tuesday evenings, beginning on September 12, 6:30-9:00 pm and concluding on October 24 (skipping September 26).

The course will explore the biblical and liturgical meaning of Sunday, and the Eucharist, sacrament of the Paschal Mystery, as source and summit of the Christian life. Because this course will explore the biblical, theological and liturgical foundations of the Eucharist, it is very appropriate at the beginning of the National Eucharistic Revival year. 

Registration is being handled by the Diocesan Institute office. Contact them at https://sdcatholic.org/office-for/diocesan-institute/course-schedule/ or call (858) 490-8212. This course can be used for credit toward diocesan certification or for personal enrichment. If you have questions, contact Fr. Ron.

Refugee Resettlement

The Refugee Resettlement Team would like to thank all of our St. Patrick parishioners who helped support our efforts to help new refugees settle into their new life in the U.S. We were able to collect an entire apartment full of furniture, which helped a wonderful family of 6 from Afghanistan settle in. And we were able to support the resettlement of a family of 7 from Sudan financially. Thank you all for your generosity and prayers for these families. Your donations will continue to help refugees through the resettlement program at Catholic Charities SD.

Chris and Emmett Durnan, Susan Elmore, Lisa and Joe Albers, Diane Otto, Karis Chodzko, Caroline and Paul Dooley, Helen Woodfield and Debbie Sullivan

Chris Durnan

[email protected]

760-533-7139

Four Week Bible Study with Fr. Azam

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST 

IN THE LIGHT OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURE 

Join Fr. Azam V. Mansha, CJM, for a new biblical series of interactive lectures on the Holy Eucharist in response to United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ call for the National Eucharistic Revival - “The Source and Summit of the Christian Life” (CCC 1324), which engages the mind and the heart while exploring the layers of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, meaning in the light of the Sacred Scripture. 

Thursdays at 7:00 PM

August 31; September 7, 14 & 21

Fridays at 10:00 AM 

September 1, 8, 15 & 22

St. Patrick Patio Room

Sunday Collection for 8/20/2023

 Envelope Collection     $4,516.00

 Plate Collection               $5,258.00

 Online Giving     $12,067.53

     Total Collection $21,841.53 

  We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.

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. Who are the three sons of Adam and Eve that are mentioned in the Bible?
2. What was God’s sign to Noah that he would never destroy the earth by a flood again?
3. How many brothers did Joseph (son of Jacob) have?
4. How did Moses’ mother save him from the Egyptian soldiers?
5. What is the fifth book of the Bible?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]