A Word from the Pastor

August 16, 2024

Why do Catholics call the Mass a sacrifice?

The Eucharist is fundamentally understood as a sacrifice within the Catholic tradition, as it re-presents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This sacrificial aspect is central to its significance and is articulated in several key teachings.

1. Re-presentation of the Sacrifice: The Eucharist is described as a sacrifice because it makes present the unique sacrifice of Christ. It is a memorial that perpetuates the sacrifice of the cross, allowing the faithful to participate in its salvific power. This means that during the Eucharistic celebration, the Church commemorates and re-presents the events of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection, applying the fruits of this sacrifice to the faithful.

2. Sacrificial Memorial: The Eucharist is referred to as a "sacrificial memorial" that not only recalls Christ's sacrifice but also makes it present in a real and tangible way. This is emphasized in the liturgical prayers, particularly in the anamnesis, which is a prayer of remembrance following the words of institution during the Mass. 

3. Union with Christ: The Eucharistic sacrifice is directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ. By receiving communion, the faithful receive Christ Himself, who offered Himself for their salvation. This union is a key aspect of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist, as it fosters a deep communion between the believer and the Lord.

4. Heart of the Church's Life: The Eucharist is described as the heart and summit of the Church's life, where Christ associates His Church and all her members with His sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered to the Father. This highlights the communal aspect of the Eucharistic sacrifice, as it is not only an individual act but a communal celebration that strengthens the bonds of the Church.

5. Anticipation of Future Glory: The Eucharist also serves as a pledge of future glory, as it anticipates the heavenly banquet. It is a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, and a bond of charity, reinforcing the idea that the Eucharistic sacrifice is not only about remembrance but also about hope and future fulfillment.

In summary, the Eucharist as a sacrifice is a profound expression of Christ's love and redemption, allowing the faithful to participate in His saving work and fostering a deep communion with Him and with one another in the Church.

In one Heart,



Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Feast of St. John Eudes



August 19 is the Feast of St. John Eudes. The Eudist Fathers invite you to celebrate this feast with us by participating in a special Mass at 6:30 pm. This will be followed by some refreshments. Come and join our celebration.

Missionary Cooperative Plan

Next weekend, August 24-25, we welcome Sr. Selvi Raj, SSpS of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters who will speak about their congregational missions and give us the opportunity to offer our prayerful and financial support.

There will be a second collection specifically for this purpose. Envelopes are available at the doors of the church.

Finlandia

Enjoy the choral version of Finlandia (Op. 27) by Jean Sibelius, as performed by the Utrecht Student Choir and Orchestra (USKO) conducted by Gilles Michels.

Day of Prayer for Vocations

Next Tuesday, August 20, St. Patrick Catholic Church will hold a Day of Prayer for vocations to the ordained ministry and religious life. This will take place during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for which we will be using a monstrance blessed for this purpose by Pope St. John Paul II.

It will begin after the 8:00 am Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day. Most of the time will be spent in silent adoration and personal prayer.

There will be four moments of group prayer:

• 8:30 am – communal praying of the Rosary
• 12:00 noon – Prayer Service for Vocations
• 3:00 pm – Divine Mercy Prayer
• 7:00 pm – Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
• (closing of the day of prayer)

We need to be sure that there are people praying in the church throughout the day. Please sign up for an hour of prayer in the church. There are two ways to do that:

1. Online by using this QR code
2. Sign up on the paper on the gifts table in the back of church

This day is sponsored by the Serra Club of San Diego - North County.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

(OCIA) is a formation process which leads adults into full communion with the Catholic Church. It begins in September and culminates with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (April 19, 2025). The sessions are held every Sunday (except holiday weekends) after the 9:00 am Mass. 

Who should enroll in this?

• Those who have not been baptized and want to be Catholic
• Those who were baptized in another Christian denomination and now wish to become Catholic
• Adults who never celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation

All of these people form a community that learns and grows together in the faith as they journey together. While it includes information and learning about the teachings of the Church, it also aims to help the participants grow in faith, become more prayerful and experience Christian community. Participating in the 9:00 am Mass prior to the Sunday sessions is an important part of this formation and is an expectation for participants.

To enroll for OCIA, send an email to: OCIA4StPatrick@gmail.com

Fr. Ron will reply to set up a personal interview. If you have questions, contact Fr. Ron at the parish 760-729-2866 x309

Marriage Help! 

October 4-6, 2024

Not willing to let go of your marriage? Many couples continue to struggle in a marriage but are not willing to give up on each other. There is hope.

Retrouvaille is a program designed to help struggling marriages regain their health. It helps a husband and a wife rediscover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.

For more information about an upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend program for couples, call 951-259-9474 or visit our website by clicking the box below.

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

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 are the three Sacraments of Initiation?
2. What are the two Sacraments of Healing?
3. What are the two Sacraments of Service?
4. How many sacraments do Episcopalians and Lutherans have?
5. How many sacraments do the Orthodox Churches have?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.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.