November 09, 2025

Dear People of St. Patrick Parish,

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Church in Rome. It is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Rome. St. John Lateran is the Mother Church for all Catholics. The Dedication took place on November 9, 324AD.

The Church was a gift to the Pope from the Emperor Constatino. The Lateran family donated the land.

We are reminded that the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome, it reminds us that the Pope is a witness to Jesus Christ the founder of the Catholic Church and is to preserve the unity of the Christian Faithful.

The Pope is the successor of St. Peter our first Pope and today, Pope Leo XIV is charged with teaching us and holding us to the teaching of Jesus to the Apostles and passed down from Pope Peter, to guide us the followers of Christ to remain faithful to Jesus’ teachings. Jesus said, “you are Peter and upon this Rock of Faith, I build my Church.”

When we are Baptized, we become members of this body of Christ and receive all the promises God and Jesus made for us.

As Catholics, we look to the Pope, the Bishop of a Diocese, the Pastor Priests, and all ordained Priests and Deacons, to always uphold this line of authority to keep us all faithful to the teachings of Jesus given to us.

We pray that the Blessed Trinity will always guide these leaders to be faithful to the teachings. We pray also that those who want their own way in the Church will not be successful.

Yes, St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rodeo-Hercules, a member of the Diocese of Oakland and watched over and prayed for by the current Pope can all be united in Jesus Christ our beloved founder.

God Bless,
Fr. Larry Young
Your Pastor