A Word from the Pastor

July 5, 2024

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the independence of the thirteen British colonies from British rule. Since then, the United States has celebrated its independence on this day. As Catholics, we are called to pray for our country and urged to exhibit “solemn reverence” for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this remarkable nation. When I studied in Boston, I walked “The Freedom Trail” many times. It is a vivid reminder of those who struggled to lay the foundations for this great nation and were willing to suffer to get it started.

Throughout world history, the freedom to worship according to one’s conscience has seldom been codified into law. The freedoms enshrined in our Constitution offer abundant reasons for celebration. The first amendment to the U. S. Constitution, adopted in 1791, states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” And since the early 1800s, the concept of the “separation of Church and State” has firmly endured in the United States, affording its citizens the freedom to worship as they choose.

The idea of the separation of Church and State, however, can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it guarantees every citizen’s right to worship God as he or she chooses. When misinterpreted, however, it can lead some to attempt to silence the Church’s voice in public discourse or impose one’s beliefs on others. This certainly isn’t God’s intention, and many would argue that it wasn’t the Founding Fathers’ intention either.

As Catholic citizens, we have a duty to let our faith shape who we are and to engage in every form of civil discourse, including the enactment of laws. Faith is not practiced solely at church; it must permeate who we are and influence everything we do. True freedom enables us to enjoy the blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that cannot be detached from Christian citizenship. 

The freedom to live and practice our faith openly encompasses work, school, sports, social groups, and even government. Although the Christian faith should not be “imposed” upon others, Christian citizens must be allowed to practice their faith anywhere and everywhere. If not, our God-given rights and even our Constitution risk being undermined.

The same is true though for those of other religions or no religion. Their God-given freedoms are also enshrined in our country’s laws. As “one nation under God,” we need to keep learning how to respect our diverse beliefs and ways of life. Our civil dialogues must always be respectful as we work together for the peace and harmony envisioned by the Founding Fathers.

God bless America!



In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Millennial Saint

Pope Francis has approved the 15 year old Italian boy Carlos Acutis for canonization as a saint of the Church. The linked article shares a bit about his life and the process that led to his canonization which will probably take place during the 2025 Jubilee Year in Rome.

Godspell Was a Huge Success



So many people enjoyed our production of Godspell last week. The cast of young people was outstanding. Congratulations to Katie Gardner, the entire cast of high school students, the band and all the crew. 



If you’d like to see it again or you want to see what you missed, here is a link below to view

Coffee with Saint John Eudes



Next Friday, July 12 at 9:00 am, join Fr. Bill Rowland for Coffee with St. John Eudes. This month’s topic is “Because of Baptism Our Christian Life Is the Continuation and Fulfillment of the Life of Jesus.” It will take place in the Parish Library. Beverages and snacks will be served along with good conversation.

Altar Servers

We are ready to train more altar servers for our Masses at St. Patrick Parish. If you would like to be an altar server, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Permission from a parent or guardian
• Be a baptized Catholic
• Attend our religious education classes or go to our parish school
• Have made your First Communion
• Have finished the 3rd grade
• Are willing to serve whichever Mass you are assigned 
• Will attend the training sessions this summer

If you meet these criteria and want to become an altar server, one of your parents should send an email to joinaltarservers@gmail.com

Include your name, age, grade you will enter in fall 2024, and contact information for the parent.

Annulment Seminar

What is “Marriage” in the understanding of the Catholic Church? How is it different than the understanding of marriage in our society? What is “Annulment” in the teaching of the Catholic Church? What are some of the common misconceptions about annulments? What is involved in pursuing a petition for annulment of marriage? Are there other options for addressing a failed marriage? 

Come find out the answers to these and other questions at a presentation given by Father Steve Callahan, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of San Diego, on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 pm in the Saint Patrick Parish Center. Come with your questions.

A Reflection on Psalm 32 —Remission of Sin

By Graziano Marcheschi, M.A. D.Min

Sin is inevitable. Because we fall short of the glory of God, because sin abounds in the world—though grace abounds the more!—it is inevitable that we humans fall into sin. But faith tells us sin is not the final word, and the author of this psalm knows that truth well.

The Psalms have endured for millennia because they are so personal and real; sometimes, so real they’re raw. They name our experience because they come out of lived experience. The author grasps the deep truth of the old maxim, “Confession is good for the soul.” He understands the value of confession because he first tried to resist it. He hid his faults, sealed his heart and lips and would not speak his sins, but the result was agony and groaning all the day. Because he “kept silent,” his “bones wasted away.” Would that we, too, could feel the weight of our sins upon us. Would that they would drive us to our knees so we, too, could experience the grace and the unburdening, the freedom and the joy the psalmist finds at last.

Finally, he says, finally “I declared my sin to you;/ my guilt I did not hide.” And rather than shame or wagging fingers, the psalmist finds relief. Read again the opening line: “Blessed is the one whose fault is removed,/ whose sin is forgiven.” Notice that blessing is given not to the blameless or the sinless (they don’t exist!), but to the sinner who, through confession, has had his sin removed. What’s more, in the Bible, the removal of sin removes the effects of sin on us. That’s why the psalmist’s frustration, fading enthusiasm, and loss of joy vanish the moment he experiences God’s mercy.

Therefore every loyal person should pray to God, he says, because God longs to shelter us and surrounds us with shouts of joy. But sin remains inevitable. And because we are so often dumb as oxen and stubborn as mules, God admonishes us to be docile and humble, putting our trust in him so he can shower his mercy on us.

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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. What is the given name of Pope Francis (name before he became pope)?
2. In what country was Pope Francis born?
3. Of what diocese was Pope Francis archbishop?
4. In what year was Pope Francis elected Pope by the cardinals?
5. Why did he take the name Francis, a name no pope has had?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rbagley@stpatrickcarlsbad.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.