The joy of the Resurrection continues to fill our hearts. As we are now within the Octave of the Solemnity of Easter, we hear how the Lord appeared to his disciples on numerous occasions to lift them from their sadness and despair. He gave them reason to hope.
In these days, the risen Lord also gives us reason to hope. As we inch closer to normalcy, we see signs of hope around us. Our parish community has begun to emerge from its tomb. On Palm Sunday about 2,000 people participated in our Masses in the safe worship space on the covered court of the school. On Easter Sunday, the number of worshippers increased to nearly 3,000 people. Praise the Lord! Alleluia!
However, it is not time to let down our guard. The things that have enabled us to come together to worship in larger numbers need to be maintained. Social distancing of six feet (not three feet as in schools), mask wearing, hand washing, and meeting outdoors for Mass as much as possible will make it possible for us to expand the size of our congregation. As you know, I am committed to providing a safe environment for our Masses and never turning anyone away.
In the weeks to come, we will continue to monitor the attendance and slowly introduce changes as the situations warrant it. Even though we have entered the orange tier, I am not going to rush to bring everybody inside our church. We will move slowly and prudently.
As the beautiful memories of our Holy Week liturgies linger in my mind, I want to thank all those who worked so hard to make it possible to celebrate the Triduum in a meaningful way, albeit with a myriad of adaptations and special considerations. Special thanks to Joni Yribe and the rest of our staff who worked in the preparation of the liturgies. Thanks to our wonderful maintenance staff under the supervision of Jim Nye who set up, attended to numerous details and continuously cleaned our worship spaces. Thanks to our various liturgical ministers who enhanced our liturgies with their particular ministries of music, reading and hospitality.
We baptized 7 people at the Easter Vigil; we welcomed another 10 persons into full communion with the Catholic Church; we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for 23 people; and an additional 6 received Holy Communion for the first time. Thanks to Jayce McClellan and Pedro Hernandez and their respective teams for their efforts to prepare these new members during what was a very challenging year.
May the risen Lord continue to bless our parish community as we move forward with hope and determination.
In the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II proclaimed that from that year forward the Second Sunday of Easter would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This was proclaimed at the Canonization Mass of St. Faustina Kawalska, who worked throughout her life to make all aware of the merciful love of God. St. Faustina (1905–1938) was born and raised in Poland. Following a vocation to religious life, she was accepted by the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. As a member of the Congregation, she worked as a cook, gardener, and porter. In her spiritual life, her contemplation on the Mercy of God led her to develop a childlike trust in God and deep love for her neighbor.
In her years in the convent, St. Faustina heard a call from God to make God’s mercy known to the world so that the world may more fully receive God’s healing grace. When celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday, the faithful are called to reflect more personally on the graces won through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this way their hearts may be more fully aware of the mercy of God for them personally and for the sake of the world.
The Terror of the Grave and the Truth of the Resurrection
This is Bishop Robert Barron’s homily from Easter Sunday.
Easter Bible Study
The 50 days of Easter is a wonderful time to reflect more deeply on the resurrection of the Lord. Fr. Ron has recorded some commentaries on the biblical accounts of the appearances of the risen Jesus. They are on our parish YouTube channel. For quick reference, you can find the link on our parish website - https://www.stpatrickcarlsbad.com/84 There are 8 presentations which explore the appearances of Jesus in all four gospels. You can view them at your leisure, either by yourself or with family or friends.
25 Awesome Easter Hymns
Vaccines Are Morally Acceptable
As a follow up to Bishop McElroy’s letter urging people to be vaccinated against Covid-19, the Diocese has dedicated a special section of its website to address the questions Catholics may have about the moral acceptability of receiving the vaccines. It contains a wealth of information.
"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.
Many biblical names have an etymological name rooted in Hebrew. How many of these do you know?
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.
The first Christian community shared their possessions, and no one was needy.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
The Lord’s mercy endures forever.
Second Reading
1 John 5:1-6
Those who love God keep his commandments.
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-31
Thomas believes because he sees Jesus.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today’s reading from the Gospel of John is proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter in each of the lectionary cycles. This fact alone should alert us to the significance of the encounters with the resurrected Jesus that are described in this reading. This Gospel combines two scenes: Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after his Resurrection and Jesus’ dialogue with Thomas, the disciple who doubted.
Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit, but in bodily form. We do not know, however, exactly what this form looked like. Earlier in John’s Gospel, when Mary of Magdala first encountered the risen Jesus, she did not recognize him until he spoke to her. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples walking along the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. We know from readings such as today’s that in his resurrected form, Jesus was not bound by matter; he appeared to the disciples inside a home even though the door was locked. Yet the disciples could still touch the marks of his Crucifixion.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun; as Jesus was sent by God, so Jesus sends his disciples. He gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they will be able to accomplish this task. Jesus’ words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share forgiveness and reconciliation with others.
Thomas, the doubting disciple in today’s reading, represents the reality of the Church that comes after this first community of witnesses to Jesus. All but the first disciples of Jesus must believe without seeing. Like Thomas, we may doubt the news that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, appeared to his disciples. Our human nature seeks hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to his disciples after his death is indeed the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative in obtaining this evidence. He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who died. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed, for we have not seen and yet believe.
Bishop McElroy invites all faithful to unite with the Asian and Pacific Islander communities at a special Mass to pray for the universal recognition of the dignity of every man and woman as children of God, and for the grace to emerge from deep racial divisions stronger as one people.
As Catholics, we decry all acts of hatred and violence, particularly those based on race and ethnicity. With the rise of hostility against our Asian and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, we call for a stronger resolve toward unity, support for all victims of violence, and stand in solidarity with those who are vulnerable.
Este domingo escuchamos estas palabras de Jesucristo. Los discípulos tenían miedo y están encerrados en su casa, ellos saben que lo que le sucedió a Jesús (arrestado, golpeado y crucifixión) es su destino si son capturados. Jesús se les presenta, les demuestra sus manos y su costado y les ofrece su paz. ¡Los discípulos se llenan de alegría cuando ven a Jesús! ¡Él Vive! Todos deseamos la paz; la paz en nuestra vida, en nuestras familias, nuestro lugar de trabajo, pero muchas veces esta realidad parece distante e imposible. Pero no debemos preocuparnos de lo queremos o pensamos que merecemos, sólo basta enfocarnos en Jesucristo, mantener nuestra mirada en él que muere en la cruz y resucita tres días después. Mantener nuestra mirada en Jesús, que no esta en el sepulcro, que no está colgando en la cruz, sino que está vivo, rasgando cualquier obstáculo que se ponga en medio, ensenándonos que Él ha vencido la muerte y nos ofrece su Paz, y el Espíritu Santo. Respondemos sí a la invitación y miraremos como la paz empieza a tocar todos los aspectos de nuestras vidas.
Por favor haga clic en los video indicado, y en la Otra Reflexión. Espero que les ayude en sus momentos de reflexión.
We will continue to offer General Absolution at our weekend Masses on the 2nd weekend of the month. The next opportunity will be next weekend, April 10-11. We will also continue for the time being to offer General Absolution at the Friday morning Masses each week.
In addition, we will offer individual confession and absolution on Wednesdays at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm beginning on April 14. This is a trial schedule and will be evaluated after some weeks.
Adoration on Tuesday Afternoons
Beginning on Tuesday, April 13, we will resume Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our church from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Adoration will be observed every week at this time. Everyone is welcome, masks are required and social distancing should be observed.
Apostolic Letter Candor lucis aeternae of the Holy Father Pope Francis on the Seventh Centenary of the Death of Dante
Do you remember reading the Divine Comedy or other works by Dante in high school or college? Read what the Holy Father has to say about the contribution of this great writer.
Our parish offices are now open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
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- 760-729-2866.
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:
