Weekly Reflections, Announcements, News & Thoughts

Mission Trip to Puerto Rico: Fr. Pat & Deacon Jimmy

Fr. Pat and Deacon Jimmy (and some other local priests and deacons) will be traveling to Puerto Rico this week as part of the Catholic Extension Society’s efforts to connect local parishes to the wonderful work being done in the name of Christ and the Church. Below, please read about the work of the Society and about their specific efforts in Puerto Rico. Part of our Lenten journey will be to connect our parish and school to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, who are struggling with recent Earthquakes and past hurricanes. Please pray for a wonderful trip as we bring your love, concern, and commitment to be in solidarity with them. Upon our return, we will have many photos and videos to share. Below is just a preview of what we might expect to see…

Catholic Extension is a papal society whose mission is to work in solidarity with people in America’s poorest regions to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities. In our founder Francis Clement Kelley’s words, Extension exists “To develop the missionary spirit in the clergy and people of the Catholic Church in the United States.”

Since our founding in 1905, we have helped build over 12,600 churches, and today, through the support of donors and parish partners, we financially support faith communities on the peripheries and their leadership in 87 of the 190 dioceses of the United States and its territories.

Catholic Extension & Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is where Christianity first took root in the “New World.” It is home to the oldest Catholic See in the Western Hemisphere (Archdiocese of San Juan). Today there are 6 dioceses, serving a Catholic population of about 2 million people.

Catholic Extension has a long history with the Church in Puerto Rico. In the wake of the Spanish-American War, when Catholic Extension was founded, America’s territory was expanding. Our founder, Fr. Francis Clement Kelley wanted to make sure that the Catholic Church was extending its care to the peoples of these new territories—whom he regarded with immense respect. Fr. Kelly’s main goal was to preserve the Catholic identity of these communities that had recently come under the American flag. In 1910, when Pope Pius X granted Catholic Extension status as a pontifical society, the pope acknowledged the importance of our work in Puerto Rico. To date, Catholic Extension has built and repaired more than 1,300 church facilities across the island of Puerto Rico.

Many of these same churches were damaged during Hurricane Maria. Out of sheer necessity, Catholic Extension took a leading role in helping them with their long-term recovery. In the wake of the Hurricane, there were an estimated 1,100 damaged church properties throughout the island.

In 2018, Pope Francis was appraised of Catholic Extension’s unique role in Puerto Rico. In a public message to us he said, “I greet the members of the Catholic Extension Society of the United States, with gratitude for their contribution to the work of rebuilding in Puerto Rico. In the joy of the risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all.”

In addition to these recovery efforts, Catholic Extension continues to raise funds to help support the pastoral care of Puerto Rico’s suffering people. Following the Hurricane, the economy has continued to regress, and many people have fled the island. Consequently, Catholic parishes and missions are struggling financially as they increase their support to the poor, vulnerable, and elderly who have been left behind.

Below are some photos of peoples and areas we will visit…

We look forward to sharing our visit with you. Please join us in prayer this week for a successful trip.

Annual Catholic Appeal Sunday: Gratitude in Action

Thank you for your passionate commitment to Mary, Star of the Sea Church. That commitment reminds us that being Catholic is more than just a baptism, more than a parish registration form, more than Sunday Mass attendance. It is a committed and intentional response to the mission of the church founded by Jesus Christ. That commitment is the fruit of gratitude and manifested in action. Our parish has been both benefactor and beneficiary in our years of existence. We have helped others and others have helped us. Because of this, we hold a sacred connection to those beyond our parish boundaries. Gratitude in Action speaks to this sacred bond of giving, receiving, and sharing the abundant blessings of God. All of us are invited each year to be PARTNERS in CONTINUING THE MISSION OF JESUS not only in our parish, but in this local Church of San Diego.

The Annual Catholic Appeal funds are targeted to essential programs right here in San Diego, including Catholic Charities, Priestly and Religious Vocations, development of poor parishes, and other critical support ministries. YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TO THESE PROGRAMS. Our parish assessment for this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal is $66,000. All funds received beyond this amount will be returned to our parish Capital

Campaign fund. Your participation is humbly requested and greatly appreciated.

You should have received a mailing recently regarding the ACA. Please complete the enclosed pledge card in the spirit of the many blessings God has bestowed upon you. This is a task for all of us. Please return your completed pledges in the collection at Mass next weekend or return it to the parish office as soon as possible. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

With Gratitude in Christ, Fr. Pat

Bible Study/Adult Faith Formation: Mondays at 6pm, starting February 24

Our Bible Study/Adult Faith Group will begin again on Monday February 24, leading us into the season of Lent…Here’s a preview of our new series…

The Definitive Study on the Life of Jesus Christ

Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life is a 10-week video study program and book. Anchored in the life of Christ as presented in the Gospels, this study explores the entirety of Jesus’ life—who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, what he did for our salvation, and what all of this means for us as Catholics today.

Presented by Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Jeff Cavins, and Dr. Edward Sri, this study was filmed in the Holy Land so Catholics can experience the extraordinary world in which Jesus lived and taught—the historical context, the politics, the clashing cultures, the history, and the ancient land—and see where the most significant events of his life took place, from his infancy to his ascension.

This study shows, in a simple way, how Jesus, the Incarnate God, is both fully divine and fully human—his intimacy with the Father, his revelation of the Father’s love, and his extraordinary influence on his disciples, his followers, and even his enemies.

Most importantly, this encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your entire life in him as you come to know and love him in an ever-deeper and more intimate way.

In This Study, Catholics Will Learn…

…Who Jesus is and how he answers the longings of the human heart.

…Why Jesus was baptized.

…The significance of the Transfiguration.

…The essentials of Christology explained in a way the average Catholic can understand.

…The mystery and meaning of the Resurrection, Christ’s triumph over death.

…The nature of Jesus’ mission and the redemption of humanity.

…Our role today as Catholics in the Great Commission.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: In our Adoration Chapel. Please join Jesus for one hour this week!

 One of the great blessings for us as Catholics is the opportunity to spend time with the Lord IN HIS REAL PRESENCE. We offer that opportunity every day in our parish Adoration Chapel located in the parish office building. Please make a special time with Jesus. Let us make 2020 a year of prayer and blessing.

Have a blessed and holy week! In Christ’s love, Fr. Pat