Notes for the next broadcast: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Mb-guadalupe extremadura.jpg|thumb|300px|<div align="center">Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura.<br>Like Mother, like Son.</div>]]
[[File:2010-10-15 012.JPG|thumb|300px|<div align="center">The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph</div>]]
== Sitz im leben ==
== Sitz im leben ==
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<div style="margin-left:4em"><h3><span style="color:purple;"></html>Lent: "This great season of grace."<html></span></h3></div></html>
<div style="margin-left:4em"><h3><span style="color:green;"></html>A season of growth.<html></span></h3></div></html>
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::* [[Liturgical year]].
::* [[Liturgical year]].
::* [[Year of Faith]].
__NOTOC__


== 24 February ==
== December 19 ==
* Lent is not so much about what we do for God as about what God has done for us.
* [[Sundays of Lent]].
* Seven new saints to be canonized next year:
::- [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Cope Marianne Cope,] German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse, N.Y.
::- [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kateri_Tekakwitha Kateri Tekakwitha,] American laywoman
::- [http://www.sjweb.info/Jesuits/saintShow.cfm?SaintID=86 Jacques Berthieu,] French martyr in Madagascar and priest of the Society of Jesus
::- [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Calungsod Pedro Calungsod,] catechist of the Jesuit Mission to the Marianas
::- Maria del Carmen, Spanish founder of the Conceptionist Missionary Sisters of Teaching
::- Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Italian priest and founder of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregation_of_the_Holy_Family_of_Nazareth Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth] and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord
::- [http://www.bistum-regensburg.de/download/borMedia0282905.PDF Anna Schäffer,] German laywoman


=== Prayer request ===
::{|{{Prettytable}}
* Amila Muskan from Lahore, Balochistan, Pakistan, via Facebook: "Please pray for me and for my mother--she is very ill."
|-
|
* [X] Facebook.
* [X] Water.
* [[Joy]].
* ''148 days for Gina and Joseph.''
|-
!Prologue
|-
|
* Faith 'n' Reason Friday.
* Any topic OK.
* All callers welcome.
:; Last few days of Advent  —  St. John the Baptist, pray for us!


=== HHS Mandate ===
:; Luke 1:76
From Jack via e-mail:
* The controversy about the Health and Human Services mandate is not about contraceptives; it is about freedom of religion, in that no religion has the right to impose its beliefs on others.  The insurance benefits in question are given to the employee in lieu of monetary compensation because the insurance can be purchased at a lower cost; both the employee and the employer benefit from getting a greater return on the investment in the insurance policy.  Therefore, it is not the Church’s money that is going to the insurer; it is the employee’s money.
* I believe you are providing misinformation about this because health care costs [less????] for a group that uses contraceptives than for a group that does not.
* Your position that there can be no compromise shows that it is your opinion that you are right and have no respect for opposing views.
* Concerning the support of the Christian right, they, like you, want to impose their belief or political agenda on the country. They do not consider Catholics as Christians.


=== The Great Fast vs. Latin Lent ===
:: You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
John B. from Facebook: I heard Gina mention on Wednesday that Eastern Rite Catholics started Lent on Monday. Are there any other differences that in how we celebrate Lent?
:: for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
* For the Latin Rite, the [[Lent#How_many_days_in_Lent.3F|40 days of Lent]] end on Holy Saturday; for the Eastern Churches, the "Great Fast" of Lent ends on Holy Thursday, which begins the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Good Saturday).
:: to give his people knowledge of salvation
* The Latin Rite Churches have two days of fasting and abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (one full meal plus two smaller meals that, added together, do not equal one full meal; no meat).  On the Fridays of Lent, Latin Rite Catholics must abstain from eating meat.  "In the past, most Latin Christians would have given up all meat for Lent, as well as dairy products and wine."[http://areluctantsinner.blogspot.com/2012/02/fancy-pretzel-what-members-of-eastern.html] I've heard this called "the black fast."  "Many Orthodox and Eastern Rite Christians still abstain totally from meat, alcohol, milk, butter, cheese and eggs throughout springtime's penitential season" (ibid.).
:: by the forgiveness of their sins.
* In the Byzantine tradition, there are two types of fasting, simple and strict.
* [[Prayer to St. John the Baptist]]  
::* Strict abstinence is obligatory two times during the Lenten season--on Pure Monday and on Great and Holy Friday. On these days, all meat and dairy foods are forbidden, including eggs and all egg and dairy product derivatives (milk, cream, butter, yogurt, cheese; mayonnaise, caesar salad dressing, egg-based batter for fish fry).
|}
::* Simple abstinence is observed on all Wednesdays and Fridays, and is similar to the Roman Rite in that they are meatless fasts.
::* In the Byzantine tradition, the sacrifice of the Eucharist is only celebrated on Sundays with no other Eucharistic celebrations throughout the week.  The only two days in the Latin Church that have no Eucharistic liturgy are Good Friday, the service for which includes Communion, using hosts consecrated the night before, and Holy Saturday, which has no liturgical service at all.
::* During the weekdays of Lent, the Byzantine faithful gather for Hours of the Divine Praises on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays they gather for the "Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts" (Vespers with distribution of Communion).
::* The Byzantine rite offers a number of additional devotions during Lent. One such devotion is a special prayer service to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her motherhood in a hymn of praise known as an [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01092c.htm ''Akathistos''].  Akathist services are celebrated [http://orthodoxwiki.org/Akathist "without sitting."]


== February 17 ==
* From John on Facebook (''he may post this question on Facebook during the show''): Some of my friends argue that there is no need for a priesthood. In the Bible, the term is used only of the Old Testament priests who served in the Temple. In the New Testament, the terms "episcopos" and "presbyter" are used, not "priest."  How can I answer this challenge to the Catholic understanding of priesthood?
* A listener called and asked for prayers for her granddaughter, Lisa. She was rushed to the emergency room this morning with a collapsed lung.  Lisa's patron saint could be any of the St. Elizabeths; [[Prayer to St. Elizabeth of Portugal]].
* My mother's 86th birthday.
* Bob from Boston NY: Did King David have a Queen?
* Fred from Chicago: Would like father to explain santification VS. justification.
* Brian from Buffalo: I understand the Institution of Marriage is meant to be permanent. However, as we look around today we see even our Catholic Marriages failing. I hear Youth say, "What's the point of getting married if even Catholics don't honor the permanence of it?" What approach would you take in encouraging our Youth to strongly consider Marriage?
* Shelley from Canada: On the topic of divorce: I have a friend who was married for 20 years (both are Catholic). She and her husband divorced, and lived separately, never remarrying for 4 years. They have since gone back together (7 years now) and wonder how do they remarry each other, in the Church? or just in a civil ceremony?
* John from Buffalo: Has question re: first reading today from James 2:14-23.
* Carlos from Buffalo: Why does the Vatican have so many "religious" treasures when seeking Jesus is not an item thing?
* Ray from Central Valley, California: Would like to add comments re: Scripture being Discussed.
** Please pray for my aunt Edith who was hit by a car and is in bad condition.


=== Comments from an unhappy listener ===
== Treasury of Unanswered Questions ==
__TOC__


; St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
=== May the priest skip the "Deliver us from evil" prayer? ===
* Boston, Mass. At mass at our church, after the Our Father, the priest goes directly to "For the kingdom, the power, etc" and omits the prayer in between that says, "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil.."  This seems to be an important and beautiful part of the prayer. Is it allowed to be omitted?
=== Destroying unused genetic material from IVF procedures? ===
* George. Bellingham, Mass. I was reading the catechism re: life issues. Regarding In Vitro Fertilization, if the sperm and egg are not viable, is it as morally unacceptable to destroy them as it would be if the sperm and egg are viable?
=== What is Jesus doing now? ===
* Joe. Buffalo. What is Jesus doing in heaven now?
=== Are we not required to love our parents? ===
:; Homework from last Friday
:* Rebecca from St. Petersburg asked about Dennis Prager's view that children only need to honor their parents, not love them.
::: Prager: "The bible understands that there will always be people who, for whatever reason, do not love a parent.  Therefore, it does not demand what may be psychologically or emotionally impossible, but it does demand that we honor our parents."
::: Jesus: "What is impossible for you is possible for God.  Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you.  Forgive seventy times seventy times!"
::: Yes, the parent-child relationsip is unique.
::: Yes, the family is the basic unit of society.
::: Yes, honor of parental is the glue that holds the family and therefore society together.
::: Yes, it is wrong for parents to seek to be "loved" as if they were the buddies of their babies.  Parents must assert authority and children must yield to their parents' authority.  When push comes to shove, it is right for parents to say, "Because I say so."  This is often God's answer to our "why" questions, too.  There are some things we cannot see for ourselves until we have grown more.  Until that time, "because I say so" is the best answer.
=== Who is the greatest person "born of woman"? ===
* Shawn from Facebook: Jesus says in Matthew 11 that John the Baptist was the greatest person ever born of a woman. I thought CHRIST himself or Mary would be the greatest?
=== How do I regularlize my marriage? ===
* Anonymous from e-mail:  I have been married for 15 years to my current husband and would like to have the marriage recognized by the Church so that I can receive the sacraments.  I was first married in the Catholic Church. I was divorced from that man, and he has since died.  I married another man in a civil service, then divorced him.  I married my third and current husband in a civil service.  He has been married in civil services and has been divorced twice.  He is not Catholic and is not baptized.  He has a hard time understanding why he has to participate in my annulment process.  How should I explain it to him?


:: ''"To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection."''
=== Did Jesus want us to mutilate our bodies? ===
* Anonymous from Facebook: Anonymous from Facebook: Christ tells us not to lust after someone, because it is adultery. He also commands us to pluck out our eye and cut off our hands if they cause us to sin. Why is it that I never hear Catholic or Protestants discuss this passage?


:: Where we are at fault, we need to confess our sins, do penance, and amend our lives.
=== How to be chaste in marital relations? ===
* Anonymous from Facebook: In what way is it appropriate to desire union with my spouse?
:: [http://smile.amazon.com/Holy-Sex-Toe-Curling-Mind-Blowing-Infallible/dp/0824524713/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415994991&sr=8-1&keywords=Gregory+Popcak%2C+%27%27A+Catholic+Guide+to+Infallible+Loving. Gregory Popcak, ''A Catholic Guide to Infallible Loving.'']
:: [[Chastity in Marriage]].


:: If we are not at fault, we need to stand our ground and proclaim "the fullness of truth in clarity and charity."
=== Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago ===
* Gina Marie M. from Facebook: Could you do a program on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Manuel_Rodr%C3%ADguez_Santiago Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago?] He cures cancer.
:::  — [http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010429_rodriguez-santiago_en.html Vatican News Service biography of Blessed Carlos Manuel.]
:::  —  "Vivimos para esa noche" — "We live for that night" == the night of the Easter Vigil, in which we recall Jesus passing from death to life on Easter Sunday.
:::  —  "Charlie’s Beatification Process was indeed a swift one! Initiated in 1992, the positio on heroic virtues, lead to his status as Venerable as of July 7, 1997. The miracle for his beatification (cure of non-Hodgkins malignant lymphoma back in 1981) was approved on December 20,1999 by HH John Paul II. Thus, a record-making eight-year span, a first for lay actors!"


From: J. <br>
=== Straight from Earth to Heaven? ===
Sent: Tuesday <br>
Subject: Mandate


I have listened to your radio station.  I was told that:
* Shawn from Facebook:  In the second letter to the Corinthians, it says: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). Does that mean that there is no [[purgatory]]?  Do we just die and go straight to Heaven?
: 1. Voting for a candidate who favors abortion is a mortal sin.
::: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" [http://usccb.org/bible/2cor/5:10 (2 Cor 5:10).]
: 2. Liberalism is evil.
: 3. Our President is attacking the Catholic Church.
: 4. I need to go to confession.
: 5. A person cannot in most cases re-marry unless the other party is dead.
: 6. Gay behavior is a mortal sin.
: 7. We should not judge or cast a rock.
: 8. I should not question the Bishops and must obey their rulings.


I have concluded that the Church:
=== Can the Church change the canon? ===
: 1. supports vulture capitalism and
: 2. uses vilification to attack those who do not share their beliefs.


Given that the Church seems to have no problem administrating the sacraments to obvious sinners, casting a rock, vilifying individuals, and misrepresenting facts, I view its behavior as hypocritical and illicit.
* John from Facebook: Since it was the Catholic Church that decided the canon of the Bible, could the Catholic Church ever change the contents of the Bible by adding or removing books in the future?
::: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antilegomena Antilegomena:] These antilegomena or "disputed writings" were widely read in the Early Church and included the Epistle of James, the Epistle of Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, the Apocalypse of John, the Gospel of the Hebrews, the Apocalypse of Peter (unique in being the only book never accepted as canonical which was commentated upon by a Church Father), the Acts of Paul, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas and the Didache.


Although I love the Church and will support it in a limited way, I have come to believe that past criticisms I have heard about the Church had merit.
=== How to start spiritual direction? ===
* Anonymous. Massachusetts. I have felt for a long time that I need some type of spiritual direction and grounding. However, I'm not sure how to seek it out.  Can you suggest a simple way to get started beyond my parish priest? Does it depend on how spiritually "developed" one is? Thank you.  


A reply is not requested or wanted, for I believe it would only add to my frustrations and serve no useful purpose.
=== Our Lady of the Americas? ===
* Bob. Boston, NY. Could you tell me the story of the appearances of "Our Lady of the Americas" that occured around 1956?
::: [[Marian_Theology#Apparitions_that_have_not_been_approved Apparitions that have not been approved.]]


== February 10 ==
=== Good book for 4-year old who loves to pray? ===
* [[Fatima Prayers]].  Fatima is in Portugal, the home of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, renowned as a queen of peace.
* Jessica. Can anyone recommend a kid friendly book, or guide to teaching young kids about Jesus' death and resurrection? My son who is 4 loves going to Adoration and going though the Stations of the Cross.
::* Do we know which angel appeared to the Fatima children?
:::- [http://www.ewtn.com/fatima/apparitions/angel.htm Angel of Portugal]
* [http://saintbenedict.org/stscholastica.htm Saint Scholastica, Virgin.]  ~480-530 AD. Twin sister of St. Benedict, one of the great God-fathers of religious life.
* Thursday, February 2, was the Feast of the Presentation, Candlemas, ''and'' the [[Candlemas|Day of Consecrated Life]].  Who knew?
* John from Wilson: [http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article727121 This article] devastated me. It says in NY that institutions such as Catholic Charities of Buffalo and Baker Victory Center and others have been providing coverage for birth control for the past decade. Please look into this. I was shocked and very disappointed and don't know how to respond to this to the people I have been telling the Church would never go along with this HHS mandate.
* Jason from PA: Prayer Request for him, Chris, and everyone else traveling this weekend
* Shelly from Vancouver, CA: iCath site. Question about Anointing of the Sick tomorrow at Mass and a Non-Catholic attending.
* Erica from Amherst: Are you familiar with the Montessori approach to education? If so, what are your thoughts? Please and thank you
* Amy: What do you make of the new amendment to the HHS mandate that President Obama came out with this afternoon? The fact that planned parenthood liked it, disturbs me...
* Patricia: I hope that someone will speak up for us small business Catholic employers. Currently in New York State contraception is a mandated coverage if you provide prescription coverage for your employees and only the large catholic institutions can claim conscience objection. At least right now we can shop for an insurance provider who does not have prescription coverage embedded in their plan but if this federal mandate takes effect we will not have any choice left but to not provide the insurance and face the fines. Please remember that freedom of religion is for all citizens and not just the large conglomerates. Prayers for our country are urgently needed
* Lisa from Wheatfield: Goes to a Latin Mass, covers her head.  She decided to cover her head for N.O. Masses, but she's getting push back.  Is she wrong?
* Barbara from Kenmore: Wants a prayer intention for her children & talk about passages from St. Paul
* Ray from California, listening on an iPod:  Wants to talk about Obama and the Church telling people who to vote for.
* John from Wilson via e-mail: [http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article727121.ece "An article in today's ''Buffalo News''] devastated me. It says that institutions in New York State such as Catholic Charities of Buffalo and Baker Victory Center and others have been providing coverage for birth control for the past decade. Please look into this. I was shocked and very disappointed and don't know how to respond to this to the people I have been telling the Church would never go along with this HHS mandate."
** Fr. Peter Calabrese shared a chilling quote about the spread of the culture of death in the United States from [http://en.gloria.tv/?media=250971 Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago:] "I expect to die in my bed, I expect my successor will die in prison, and I expect his successor will die a martyr in a public square."
* Karen S. from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, via Facebook:
:1) Is Mother Angelica alive?
:2) Is it a sin to get a tattoo?
:: It is not an intrinsically evil action.  There is a verse in the Old Testament that condemns some form of tattoo or marking, but not all of the Old Testament laws are still in force (see, for example, the kosher food laws that we no longer follow).  There is nothing about this in the Catholic Encyclopedia or the Catechism.  So you have to make up your own mind.  I am personally opposed to tattoos because in the culture of the United States, they are generally used as a sign of rebellion.  I can't think of any tattoos that I personally find "edifying," by which I mean something that "builds up" faith, hope, and love.  The tattoos are either seductive or some kind of aggressive self-assertion.  Things may be different in your culture, about which I know practically nothing.
:3) What is a guardian angel?
:: [[Angels#Does_everyone_have_a_guardian_angel.3F|Guardian Angels.]]
* From Fletcher at the fund drive: "The word 'licentiousness' was used in the gospel recently.  What does 'licentiousness' mean?"
:: Lack of moral restraint.  "License" means "permission to engage in an activity," e.g., driver's license, pilot's license, hunting license, marriage license.  Those who are licentious give themselves permission to do things that are improper.


== Friday, February 3 ==
=== Love gives us free will ===
* David, Buffalo, NY. I wanted to add a comment about the conversation about free will that it is because we are beings that have the ability to love and also that God's love for us gives is free will.


* Yesterday was Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation)--40 days after Christmas for Latin rite Catholics.  The Christmas Season is now well and truly over.
=== Defending the faith in an irreligious world ===
* Feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. 
* Shawn from Facebook: "In a pre-scientific understanding of the world, people naturally believed things happened because of the action of God, Angels, Demons, and the like; but now we can explain everything through the laws of science. We can see throughout history that religion, morals, and culture have evolved. How can we defend the faith in a world that seems to have no need of religion?"
:: [[Prayer to St. Blaise]]
* For a friend who is suffering from stomach troubles that have not yet been diagnosed (i.e., Maria in Boston).
* [http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/02/03/us/politics/03reuters-usa-healthcare-komen.html?_r=1&hp Susan G. Komen Foundation reverses position.]
** http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/
** Debbie from Buffalo: Dear Gina and Fr. Marty,
::: Planned Parenthood claims to offer "women's cancer health screening" in that they claim to offer Mammograms.  They claim that their funding (or de-funding, in the temporary case of the Komen Foundation) will affect this "women's cancer health screening."  However, Planned Parenthood does not, in fact provide Mammograms at all.  When various Planned Parenthood locations were called by an undercover agency to see if someone could schedule a mammogram, they were told that they do not offer them.
::: Ironically, studies show a strong connection between breast cancer and the use of oral contraceptives, as well as an abortion-breast cancer link, both sold as a "bill of goods" to women by Planned Parenthood.
::: See link for connection between breast cancer and contraceptive use: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives
** http://www.stophhs.com/
* Paul from Amherst: Wants to ask how far do Catholic politicians like Pelosi and Seilbieus go before they get the boot.
* Charles B. from Facebook: Father I wanted to thank you for your prayers for my Mom and my family through the situation my nephew created. It seems to be working out. It has been a learning and growing experience for me and I know now why our Lord tells us in the Our Father "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".
* Daniel C. from Facebook (after Thursday's show; he also wrote in asking prayers on Tuesday): Please pray for my family.
* Carolyn: A student in my daughter's class recently asked the teacher who is the devil? The teacher replied he was the most beautiful angel in heaven. I know he was an angel but was he ever considered the 'most beautiful?'
* Jim from Corning: Baptist minister who E-mails with Fr. He says you he and Fr. spoke about discussing similarities between Catholics and Baptists
* Shelley from Canada: Please pray for the repose of the soul of much-loved Francis ... who passed away on Monday from brain cancer; he was often a spiritual speaker at AA and Al-Anon meetings, a kind, soft-spoken and gentle man who suffered a great deal in his last years - but truly a spiritual leader among all.
* Debbie from Amherst: So many times she's read about recommending people get a spiritual director, but how do you do it.
* Jacob from Lockport:  Has St. Michael ever appeared to anyone, and if so, why?
** Alice from Batavia: Didn't St. Michael live in a cave in Italy?
** Mary-Ellen: St. M appeared to Mother Angelica.
** St. Michael appeared to the guy that built Mont. St. Michel Monastery in France.  He put his finger on this dude's foreheard, and when the dude died, there was a hole in his skull. Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.[5]
* Joyce from Buffalo:  Wants a prayer said for her mom-in-law who will be 100


== Monday, January 30 ==
=== May a couple marry who cannot consummate the vows? ===
* John XXIII's prayer for a [[New Pentecost]].
* Ann, Massachusetts. I heard on the radio that a Catholic woman and man should not get married if they cannot consummate their vows because of a medical condition.  I cannot believe this could be right.
* [[Mondays|Prayer and Meditation Monday]].
::: [http://www.ewtn.com/library/Doctrine/IMPOSTER.HTM EWTN library.]
* Chris from Houston: 
::::: impotence is indeed an impediment to marriage
: 1.) for the U.S. Catholic Bishops
: 2.) for the repose of the soul of my grandmother JoAnn
: 3.) for priests who are currently on a leave of absence from the priesthood.
: 4.) When a priest incenses the gifts during the Offetory, why does he sometimes make a circular motion over the gifts with the thurible?
* Jacob:  Why don't we have a holiday for Adam and Eve? If we do what holiday is it?
* Sylvia from Buffalo: Please pray for the soul of Maria, who committed suicide last week, that God will grant her mercy, and for her parents, Ron & Michelle & her brother Christopher, that God will help them as they seek healing for their grief.
* Kathy from Rochester:  Please pray for her anorexia, which is getting worse.  Also for her friend, whose cancer has returned, her name is Lori.  And for her mother, her 82 birthday is tomorrow, her name is Maryann.  And for her friend's family and her mother who is ill.
* Bonnie from Springville:  Please pray for friend Jerry, heart and eyesight; for her Dad Keith, diabetes and heart; for Estella, cancer; for Elsie, cancer; for Nick, for his health problems; for her brother Bob, stress; for nephew Andrew, guidance and direction; and for herself, eyesight and health.
* Ann from Rochester: What can she do as an individual to combat the health care issue of insurance covering abortion?
* Alice from Batavia:  Question about the Litany of Loretto.
* Anonymous:  I ask for prayers for my son Michael and for our relationship.  He is not dealing well with some personal responsibility matters and we are having problems over past relationship issues and some growing up and independence issues.  I ask for prayers for God to help him find forgiveness in his heart and for me to be a better father.
* Anonymous: Prayers for her health, to find a job, and special intentions.
* Daniel from California: Pray for me & my family, thank you.
* Margaret from Hamburg: has information on two bills re: the respect of conscience at, one in the House, one in the Senate.
** [http://nchla.org National Committee on Human Life Amendment.]
** Respect for rights of conscience act.
::: H.R. 1179
::: S. 1467
* Kate from Rochester, NY:  Elizabeth means consecrated to God.
* Ann from Buffalo:  Asks for prayers for her brother, Father Mark.  Also prayers for her peace of mind.
* Elizabeth from Williamsville:  Re; Adam and Eve, why would we have a feast day for the if they were responsible for original sin. Also why did the whole race get punished because Adam and Eve made poor choices?
* Mary Ellen from Buffalo:  Prayers for Marilyn and Danielle, both suffering from cancer. Last week she called for prayers at 4:40, and the person passed away at 5:00.  wANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS TO ST JOSEPH FOR HIS INTERCESSION.
* "Where does St. Paul say that he must [[Grace of Final Perseverance|keep the faith in order to be saved?"]]
:: [http://www.usccb.org/bible/phil/3:12 Phil 3:12-14:] "It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus."


== Friday, January 27 ==
=== Slavery approved in the Bible? ===
* Today's readings:
:: David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 1).
:: [[Psalm 51--the Miserere]].
:: The Kingdom of God grows like seed in a farmer's field--"he knows not how" (Mk 4:26-34).
* Memorial of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merici St. Angela Merici,] founder of the Ursulines and patron of the disabled.  Her body [http://overcomeproblems.com/incorruptibles.htm remained incorrupt for centuries.]
* 67th anniversary of [http://catholicdaily.net/mediamusings/2012/01/27/liberation-day/ "Liberation Day"] for Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland.
* Anonymous from Canandaigua: Please pray that she finds a nice, reasonable place to live so she and her family can live together.  Also, for her son and his children that they receive a good outcome for the difficult situation in which they are currently involved.
* Simon from Facebook. Please pray for me for my continuous strength of body and mind. That I continue to recover and have strength to do a lot of tasks for the community and church. May my mind not be clouded with fear.
* Jason from Pittsburgh: There is a verse in Scripture where St. Paul says that he does not even say that he, himself, is guaranteed of salvation.  Do you know the verse of which I speak? If so, where can I find it? 
** Fear and trembling
** 1 Cor 9:27 "I discipline my body ..."
** (Phil 3:13-14)
* Steve from  Buffalo: How should we interpret  Romans 5:12 which says, "Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned" with respect to the concept that there was no death before sin, in light of theories of evolution and modern anthropology. (In other words, it seems that death existed before the fall of man?)
* Laura from e-mail: Please pray for us to be able to live closer to church so we can go everyday.
* Stacy from Lubbock, Texas: Please pray for me for guidance on what I should do with my career and healing for my sister who is sick with cancer.
* Johnny from Edinburgh, Scotland: I love your show and the station of the cross!  You have helped me in my journey back to my catholic faith.
:: 1. Could you tell me if it is allowed to have communion more than once per day?
:: 2. Also my sister in law is an Anglican and yet goes to communion at Mass when she occasionally visits us, is this right?
:: 3. Lastly, could you ask  father to pray for my elderly dad who had a mini stroke last week.  We are all worried about him.
* Bill from Hamburg: He has some feedback to your scripture verse question from Jason.  Also, he has a prayer request--thanksgiving for God's Providence in a recent auto accident.
** [http://tunein.com/ "Tune in radio."]
* Mary from Buffalo: She has a question with regards to what Father was saying about religious orders.
* Erica from Amherst: "I have a dilemma. From time to time, my fitness franchise takes part in charitable events or holds events itself from which proceeds go toward charity. I love the idea of helping others, but with many charities nowadays doing work that is inaccurately deemed 'charitable' I find myself horribly hesitant to participate. Next month they will be raising money for the March of Dimes. I feel an obligation to inform the other women of what this organization does, so they can make an educated decision whether they want to give their support.  I don’t want to step on toes…but then again feelings mean little to me in comparison with the moral culpability of lives at stake. I’ve sent an email letting the woman in charge know that MoD is a questionable organization and does genetic testing on pregnant women (How does that help the unborn?). Tickets are already being sold. I feel like I need to do something. Please help me be reasonable."


== Friday, January 20 ==
* Anonymous. According to scriptures, slavery is not considered immoral, however there are specific instructions on how to beat slaves correctly. Why did neither God or Jesus teach that owning another human being is immoral?  Nowhere is this stated in the bible!  Mark Twain wrote: "In all the ages the Roman Church has owned slaves, bought and sold slaves, authorized and encouraged her children to trade in them. Long after some Christian peoples had freed their slaves the Church still held on to hers. If any could know, to absolute certainty, that all this was right, and according to God’s will and desire, surely it was she, since she was God’s specially appointed representative in the earth and sole authorized and infallible expounder of his Bible.  There were the texts; there was no mistaking their meaning; she was right, she was doing in this thing what the bible had mapped out for her to do. So unassailable was her position that in all the centuries she had no word to say against human slavery."  
* [[Litany of the Apostles]].
* Ben A. from Facebook: "I see that you are teaching a course on 'Religion and the Challenge of Science.' I've got a friend who is convinced that Hawking has all the answers.  How can I help him see the truth and beauty of the faith?"


:: It's impossible to guess what will help your friend develop a mind open to God, Ben, without talking to him about his convictions--if anything will. Some folks are "invincibly ignorant." They criticize every act of faith except their own, which they imagine to be an act of pure reason beyond reproach. I like Lonergan's approach: if the universe is intelligible, there must be a God who gives it order; every appeal to scientific discoveries is a concession that the universe is intelligible; therefore, whoever celebrates the advance of science ought to acknowledge that there is a God.
=== Consecration to Mary? ===


:: The hard part is persuading people of the first premise. Hawkings et al. are highly skilled in thinking that there is no reason to think that thinking is in need of a reason to explain the success of thought. That the universe has a rational structure and that our minds are capable of exploring that rational structure is just dumb luck from their point of view. This is something assumed, not proven, but it is a very powerful act of faith. Everything else in the religion of materialism flows perfectly logically from this dogma, so it is easy to cover up the fundamental treason against reason by a multitude of maxims in praise of observation, logic, objectivity, verification, falsification, etc., etc., etc.
* Shawn from Facebook: How can Catholics consecrate themselves to Mary?  She is not God. Isn't it a sin against the First Commandment to vow yourselves to her service?


:* Brian R, from Buffalo on Facebook:
=== Conflicting Scripture Passages ===
::: 1) I understand Science and our Faith are compatible. Both are seeking Truth.
::: 2) Humorous scenario. The question is asked, "Why is that water boiling?"
:::: Person #1 answers, "Well you see the molecules are heating up and bouncing off one another..."
:::: Person #2 exclaims, "I am heating the water to make a cup of tea."
::: Both answers are correct but coming from a different angle.
* Dennis from Facebook: Has anybody noticed that the confession lines seem to be getting bigger? And that people are taking longer and longer when they do go to confession? I think this might be a sign of some really good priests.
* John B. from Facebook: I have a 10 year old son with a pretty good devotion to St. Michael. I just recently learned there is a St. Michael scapular. I was thinking about getting him one but wasn't too sure about what kind of requirements such as prayers and enrollments there are with it. Do you know anything about this scapular and if it's appropriate for kids or more for adults?
** Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing
** Indulgences were approved by the Congregation of Indulgences in 1903
** The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?"
* From a Facebook friend: "Father, please pray for my Mom. My nephew, her grandson, stole two of her checkbooks and has overdrawn her account by $1700. She has had to file charges against him, and it is breaking her heart. It hurts me to see her in this shape."
* Prayed for June, born two months premature, and her parents.
* Al from Rochester: Please pray for his father, Sam, who has dementia and is in hospice.  Also, for his uncle Sam who had colon surgery yesterday.  And for his sister's husband, Rod, who has herniated discs that he won't need surgery and will heal.
* Giselle from Ontario: Please pray for her 5 grandchildren who just lost their mother to cancer.
* Jason from Hilton: Why does God not answer all prayer requests for healing?
* Georgia from Clarence: Please pray for my boyfriend, Tim, for a quick recovery from an illness and for good health in general.
* Leo from Monroe County:  Please pray for a problem he has had with his eyes for the last 4 years that is causing him to miss Mass.  He would love to be healed so he can return to Mass, which he sorely misses.
* Larry from Orchard Park: What is a [[monsignor]]?


== Monday, January 16 ==
* John from Facebook: In a recent Sunday reading from 1 Kings, God said to Solomon, "I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you" [http://www.usccb.org/bible/1kings/3:12 (1 Kings 3:12).] But in Matthew, it says, "There is something greater than Solomon here" [http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12:42 (Matthew 12:42).] How do you reconcile the two passages?
* Martin Luther King Day in the U.S.  A good day to [http://catholicdaily.net/mediamusings/2012/01/16/the-dream-and-the-media/ pray for the restoration of the right to life in our nation.]
:: Similar kind of conundrum: What did Jesus mean when He said that "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" [http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11:11 (Mt 11:11)?] Wasn't Mary greater than John the Baptist through her Immaculate Conception?
* Alex from e-mail: Can you please pray for healing for Hannah and her doctors to determine the reasons behind her stomach pains and Michelle whose appendix ruptured and is having complications in the Hospital.  Thanks !
:: And, of course, "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God" [http://www.usccb.org/bible/romans/3:23 (Rom 3:23)].  Doesn't that mean that Mary and Jesus were both sinners?
* John Z. from Facebook: Please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you.
:: "No sign will be given this generation except the sign of Jonah, for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mt 12:40).
* Anonymous, not on the line: Prayers for her health, special intentions, and to find a job.
* Dennis from Buffalo: As we know it was important to replace Judas' spot in the Aposles, to keep the number at 12. How long did this keep going on? Was only Judas replaced, or as the aposltes pass on were they too replaced...if so for how long did they keep this up?
** Was this because in heaven an Apostle is in charge of each of the 12 tribes of Israel?
** St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
* Bonnie, Springville.  For Jerry, heart and eyes; for Dad Keith, diabetes and heart; for Estella, cancer; for Elsie, cancer; for her brother Bob, stress; for her nephew Andrew,for guidance; and for herself, eyesight and health.
** St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
* Alice, Batavia.  Question about WWII and a section of the catechism.
* Brian. Buffalo. I understand we should respect the Word of God whether it be written or spoken. What would be your opinion on the proper disposal of yearly Missalettes. Should they be burned? Would a paper recycling container do? Any insights you offer would be appreciated.
* Jason, Pittsburgh.  Follow up question for Alice's question re: the A-bomb
* 63.  Kathy, Rochester.  For several illnesses that came up during the holidays.
* Daniel from California. Please pray for my family & wife and for relief of pain in my hands as well as my headache.
* Mark. Fairport, New York. Please pray for the repose of the soul of my brother-in-law, Frank, who took his life early Sunday morning. Please pray for his wife Kelly and their three children struggling to understand why, and for God’s blessings as they position themselves for a future without him.
* ANONYMOUS.  For her future duaghter  in law who has cancer and also back pain.
* Bill. Scituate, Massachusetts. Please pray for my family's trip to Washington DC this weekend as we travel there to participate in the March for Life.
* Bob, Boston N.Y.  Has information  you wanted re: the WWII incident.
* Brian, Niagara Falls. Follow up on Brian's e-mail, also prayers for healing for Linda, and Jody who have both been hospitalized for severe depression; and also for healing prayers for members of the family, various problems, health, marital etc.
; Sunday's readings:
:* "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3).  The miraculous birth of Samuel foreshadows those of John the Baptism and Jesus.  He began the tradition of anointing the Kings of Israel (first Saul, then David).
:* "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God ... You are not your own" (1 Cor 6).
:* John 1: "Lamb of God," "Rabbi," "Kephas," "Messiah."
; Monday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time:
:* First Reading: 1 Sm 15:16-23.  Disobedience of Saul.  Prophetic criticism of vain sacrifices.
:* Gospel: New wine, fresh wineskins.
* John from Facebook: "Father please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you."


== Friday, January 13 ==
==== Followup question from John ====
* Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time for Latin-rite Catholics in the U.S.
John from Facebook:  
* [[Take and Receive]].
* I'm starting my fifth year as the guest priest on Faith 'n' Reason Fridays.
* Today is a great day to start a [http://catholicdaily.net/mediamusings Novena for Life] (Jan 13 to 21).
* From a pastor in the Southern Tier of Western New York:
:: I listen to your radio program on Fridays on EWTN out of Elmira-Corning. First of all I am an Ordained Baptist Minister who serves as a chaplain in Elmira. Since I work with a retired priest and a deacon I have come to learn more about Catholic Doctrine and am quickly finding out we have more in common that we have differences. I enjoy the stories of different saints and how they furthered the cause of Christ in a dark world.


:: Now since the name of the program is "Calling all Catholics" you will be surprised that it falls on the ears of a Baptist Chaplain.
* If the church teaches us not to read passages literally, why does it not apply this to the teachings on the supper of The Lord or giving Peter the keys to the kingdom? How does the Church discern what should be taken literally and what isn't? My non Catholic friends say the Church chooses to take literally those passages that support her doctrinal position. '''''After all the churches authority comes from reading the passage on the keys given to Peter literally doesn't it?'''''


:: Continuing to Listen;
=== Can Mary bless us? ===
* Shawn from Facebook: I heard a priest say the rosary. He said, "May Mary bless you with her holy child." How can Mary bless us with anything? She has no power outside of Christ.


:: Shalom!
=== Boys will be boys? ===
* Anonymous from Facebook: Your 12-year old catches about 10 dragonflies, takes their wings off, and puts them in a cup “because he wants to see them fight.” Is that just boys being boys? Or do you tell him that it’s wrong to hurt animals for fun? He has Reactive Attachment Disorder which causes me additional concern.


* Anonymous from Cheektowaga
=== Tips for Lay Evangelization? ===
: Father, I decided to make a 'tuna casserole' while listening to you program yesterday afternoon...  I consider myself a chef and do not follow any recipes for anything; just make it up as I go.  I love the combination of tuna and peas so I decided I would add peas to the casserole. Well, apparently I can't listen to the radio and cook at the same time - I forgot to add the tuna and the peas to the casserole...?
; From the "Ask a Priest" page on [http://thestationofthecross.com TheStationOfTheCross.com:]


: Turned out not so good.  I consider this your fault - not Chef Carloni's fault - you should make a disclaimer that your program may be distracting for some folks.
: Michael: The Pope has called lay people to evangelize. I very heatedly expressed my objections to a fictional TV show which portrayed a catholic priest in a very negative way.  A high school senior responded to my criticisms by expressing a desire for God, but he also expressed some reservations about God and showed a real lack of knowledge of the faith. How about having a show where people call in to discuss their ideas for lay evangelization and talk about their successes or failures in bearing witness to the tremendous hidden treasures of our faith?


* John Z. from e-mail: "We are home-schooling our son, Nick, to prepare him for Confirmation.  When we went over the [[Holy Days of Obligation]], Nick asked why Christmas and other feast days are holy days, but Easter, which is really the pinnacle of our faith, is not a holy day. Is it because Easter is always on a Sunday, and it is obligatory to attend Sunday Mass? Similarly, since Good Friday was the day the Lord died, wouldn't that day be more important for our faith than some holy days of obligation such as All Saints or the Assumption?"
=== How many books of the Bible claim to be inspired by God? ===
:* How many books of the Bible claim to be inspired by God? Maybe two make an explicit claim — Jeremiah and Revelation.


* From Billy in Buffalo: "I am wondering if you can suggest a book about St. John Neumann? I feel drawn to him lately, and want to trace his footsteps whilst he was in this area. I have his autobiography, but it is very short. I am excited that I can get this close to a saint right here in the Williamsville and Kenmore areas. I would call in to the radio show today, but that is my drive time, and today it's gonna be nasty drivng, so if you want to answer me on air I will be listening."
::: Jeremiah: "Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you about Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, until today" (36:2).
** [http://www.customstudios.com/custombooksites/SJN/Intro.html ''John Nepomucene Neumann, Saint.'']  Online book.
** [http://catholicism.org/john-nepomucene-neumann.html Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann: An American Saint].  Long online article.
** [http://www.amazon.com/Saint-John-Neumann-Writings-Spirituality/dp/0764819801/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326475386&sr=1-1 ''St. John Neumann: His Writings and Spirituality.'']
** [http://www.amazon.com/Life-St-John-Neumann/dp/0911845739/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326475386&sr=1-2 ''The Life of St. John Newumann.'']  Fr. James J. Galvin, C.Ss.R.
* Freddy from Chicago (Online - wlof.com): Prayer Request for his Grandmother who passed away today.
[[File:Guardians at Gate 12.JPG|thumb|<div align="center">John Carlin, 1998. <br>Used by permission.</div>]]
* John from Cheektowaga: John sent me a picture he painted of two of his dogs acting as guardians at the 12th gate of Heaven.  That got me thinking about who the real obstacles are to our entry into Heaven: [[Forgiveness_prayer|everyone whom we refuse to forgive.]] 
* Patricia from Fredonia: "I'm wondering if you saw or read '[[The Rite]],' and if so, what you thought of it."
** [[Interpreting fiction]].
* Elizabeth from Rochester: Please pray for my brother, Mark, who is getting married tomorrow in Texas and for safe travels for all attending.
* Eddie from Rochester: Has a question about Saints. Wants to know whether the making of a Saint or the declaration of such by the Vatican is an infallible statement
* Brittany: Please pray that I have the strength to move on from an abusive relationship. I was physically, emotionally and verbally abused for a year. I'm also attending college and will be graduating soon. Please pray for me so I can gain confidence within myself and become successful within my career. I need to be able to stay strong and not let the devil make me think negatively.
* Joyce from Buffalo: Wants to have Fr. say a prayer of Thanksgiving.  Her 50 year old son got a full time job in a parish as a maint. guy.
* Anonymous from Buffalo: Does Father know a German priest at Canisius who would/could say Confession?  She has an 80-year old German friend who's from Germany and would like to be able to have her Confession heard in German


== January 6 ==
::; [http://www.catholic.com/tracts/proving-inspiration "Proving Inspiration."]
* Traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany.
** A time when some Eastern Christians celebrate the Nativity.
** A time in some cultures (mostly Eastern, I think) for giving Christmas presents, in memory of the Magi.
* Today's gospel: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
From a Christmas letter received by two friends of mine in Orangeville, NY:


: My wife and I very much hope this letter finds you at least as happy and healthy as we are. We both sort of go along almost taking for granted all our many blessings. This year has been different. For some years now we've been concerned about our daughter's health. It seemed like things were getting worse every time she saw another doctor.
::: What about the Bible’s own claim to inspiration? There are not many places where such a claim is made even elliptically, and most books in the Old and New Testaments make no such claim at all. In fact, no New Testament writer explicitly claims that he himself is writing at the direct behest of God, with the exception of John, the author of Revelation.  


: She was reduced to four hour days at work. Even at that she couldn’t work every day. She was urged to consider applying for a disabilities pension.
=== Taped evidence — nursing home ===
* Luisa from "Ask a Priest" ''[today]'': My mother was in the nursing home up until she passed away. We placed a camera in her room because they kept dropping her. Although the policy of the nursing home prohibits recording sound in the patients' bedrooms, by accident, some of our videos recorded the nurses abusing my mother verbally.  May I use these recordings in good faith to bring an action against the nursing home?


: One day in July, our daughter arrived home feeling she had no more strength. As she dragged herself up the front steps she prayed to God, "I truly believe You can heal me. If it be Your will, I'm asking You to heal me in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ." She had just unlocked the door when she finished praying; pushing the door open she stepped inside.
=== Why can't women preach in Church? ===
* From a pastor who listens to the show: When you answered Betsy's question on August 4th about how women can preach the gospel even though they are not allowed to read the gospel and preach homilies in the liturgy, you dodged the question of why women and laymen cannot read the gospel and preach homilies in the liturgy. I may not be the smartest kid on the block, but I can tell when someone is ducking a tough question! :o) ''[Note well: this priest is a very good and orthodox priest, and he is a friend of mine. This is a kind and well-meaning question, not a screed in favor of abandoning the Church's tradition!  I think it is a good question.]''


: Can you picture one of these little marionette puppets with strings all loose? It kind of flops about all bent over and barely able to function. This was our daughter. As she passed the threshold, the Master picked up the strings. She stood straight. She had no pain. She was strong. She was healed! The change was so fast and powerful, she felt sure He must be physically standing right there, and actually turned right around looking for Him. The brain injury is gone; so is the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue; the IBS and her hormones are fixed too; the scoliosis in her spine, along with the bulging discs in her neck and back, all gone; and her twisted right leg is straight once again.
=== NFP for a pre-menopausal couple? ===


: So here we are, sharing the house with a living miracle. If God was trying to get our attention, He sure did a good job. It's not possible to have doubts when the proof is standing at the sink, washing dishes and flicking water in her dad’s face.
* Anonymous from [http://www.thestationofthecross.com/ "Ask a Priest"] on the Station of the Cross website — ''spend a little time explaining how to find and use this page on the website.  My impression is that it is right on the front page, down at the bottom.  That's how I see it, anyway, using a browser; I couldn't find it on the iCatholicRadio app.  "Submit your questions for a priest to answer live on Calling All Catholics, airing weekdays from 5-6 pm ET."''
:: I am concerned whether my husband and I are committing a mortal sin in our intimate relations. Because I am pre-menopausal, the signs of our fertile time are very uncertain, so I can't tell with much confidence when we are in a fertile time in our relationship. We used to use Natural Family Planning, but now we are not completing the marital act in a natural fashion. My health is poor, and we do not want to become pregnant at this time in our marriage.  Are we committing a sin by not completing the marriage act normally?
:::: '''''BE POSITIVE.'''''  The Church upholds the natural act of love in marriage as the norm for judging what is right and wrong in our relationships.  Whenever a couple chooses the joy of union, their expression of love should be such that they do nothing to make it impossible for them to become pregnant through their union. This norm rules out barrier methods, the use of artificial hormones that fool the woman's body into thinking that she is already pregnant, and any other actions that would keep the union of the couple from being fruitful.  If you and your husband feel sure that you cannot afford to become pregnant at this time in your life, you must abstain from union for a while until your health improves or you reach the point at which you can have greater confidence than you do now in identifying the fertile times in your cycle; you might want to ask for help from a certified Natural Family counselor to get help in understanding the signs at this time in your life.  Abstinence is hard, but not impossible.  It, too, is an act of love for each other and for our Creator.  Abstinence chosen out of love for one another for shorter or longer times has its own rewards, though they are, of course, more subtle and on a different level from the joy of expressing your love for each other directly through marital union.  We have been praying for you and your husband, Anonymous, since we received your e-mail.  We hope that you will find great joy in being faithful and true to each other as well as abiding by God's plan for your marriage.
::::: [http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/christopher_wests_ideas_on_sexuality_ignore_tremendous_dangers_alice_von_hildebrand_says/ "Christoper West's Ideas on Sexuality Ignore Tremendous Dangers — Alice von Hildebrand."]


: Hmm, it seems there are a few things he didn’t change. Oh well, I guess a little soapy water won’t hurt me.
=== Why is the Old Testament so vague about Trinity and the Eucharist? ===
* Sara from the Fund Drive:  
# Why didn't God give more advance warning in the Old Testament of the doctrine of the Trinity?
# Why didn't God give more advance warning in the Old Testament of the doctrine of the Eucharist?


: Anyway, I think one might say "Our cup runneth over." We’ve been telling just about everyone we talk to; but just in case we missed some we wanted to include this miracle in our letter.
=== Is spiritual dryness a sin? ===


: Back to saying nice things: I had expected the doctors to be somewhat skeptical when we told them. They were not skeptical. They just nodded and said "Spiritual healing, I know about that." It seems that miracles happen a lot more often than I ever knew.
* Shawn from Facebook: Is having spiritual dryness a sin?


* Billy from Buffalo: Wants to ask about Mary's line that Jesus is destined to rule with an iron rod. (I lost this call.  My bad!). 
=== How should Catholics vote? ===
** [http://www.usccb.org/bible/rev/12:5 Rev 12:5] is from [http://www.usccb.org/bible/ps/2:9 Ps 2:9:] "With an iron rod you will shepherd them, like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.”  In the book of Revelation, the phrase is repeated in [http://www.usccb.org/bible/rev/19:15 19:15:] "Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty."
* Shawn from Facebook: Election season is upon us. The Catholic voter guide basically says "don't vote for abortion," and rightly so. But, I have never supported GOP politics either, although they are the closest thing we have to a pro-life party. So how should I vote then?
* Dennis from Buffalo: In Matthew 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. How long did the Holy Family stay in Bethlehem? Would they have been in Bethlehem for nearly two years before the Magi visited Jesus? Did that mean the nativity star shined for years?
:: [[USCCB Voting Guide for Catholics]].
* Anonymous: If someone believes that God is calling them to take a particular step regarding their vocation, but circumstances such as lack of financial resources or current location are preventing them from doing so, how would you advise them to try and pursue God's will despite the challenges to them doing so?
* From Anna listening on an iPhone: Question about placing crosses in her home.  A non-Catholic friend objects to having them above her doorway and in her bedroom.
* Henry, not on the air: Where does the Menorah originate from?
* Louise from N. Tonawanda: Two question regarding Anima Christi.
* Marilyn from Buffalo: Has a question regarding a recent reading: John 1:11 'To his own he came. . . Who is the 'they' in the verse?


== The Treasury of Extra Questions ==
=== Struggling with Marian prayers ===


''We have had many questions that either come too late in the show or that need research to answer.  We often say, "Tune in next week and we'll deal with that in more depth"--but we haven't always kept our promise. The purpose of this page is to make a list of those questions for future reference. If we run low on callers or current questions, we can always dip into this reservoir to keep the conversation going.''
Shawn from Facebook: I struggle with certain Marian prayers that ask her to save us, etc; I don't get that... Because she can't do anything without God's power. She is merely a creature, though the highest of all creation. I have trouble with the rosary too. Why not just pray the "Our Father"?


=== More Recent ===
=== Chesterton Academy in England? ===


==== The Use of Leavened Bread in the East ====
* Maria Bachelier from e-mail: Is there any Chesterton academy in England, where I live?
::: Not yet. There is one in Italy. Dale Ahlquist is in Europe right now.  More may be under development.
:::: Emily de Rotstein, Executive Director
:::: Chesterton Academy  —  [http://www.chestertonacademy.org/ www.chestertonacademy.org]
:::: info@chestertonacademy.org


Catholic Answers question: "Why do the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches use leavened bread?  When did the East and West go separate ways?"
=== Why does the Catechism calls us "gods"? ===


* "The Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church uses leavened bread for the Eucharist. Thus, the sacramental bread symbolizes the Resurrected Christ. The sacramental bread [is] known as prosphorá or a πρόσφορον (prósphoron, offering)."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread]
* John from Facebook: I have been reading the Catechism each night. I have a question regarding paragraph 460 which says, "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods." This passage uses the lower case letter g. In the Old Testament, this is how the pagan gods are referred to. What does lower case "gods" mean here?
:::: [[Divinization]].


* "St. Thomas (IV, Dist. xi, qu. 3) holds that, in the beginning, both in the East and West unleavened bread was used; that when the sect of the Ebionites arose, who wished that the Mosaic Law should be obligatory on all converts, leavened bread was used, and when this heresy ceased the Latins used again unleavened bread, but the Greeks retained the use of leavened bread.[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01349d.htm]
=== Righteous anger vs. sinful anger ===
* John from Facebook:
# Could you explain righteous anger and sinful anger? Are there scriptural references to these two kinds of anger? Could you give some ideas how to counteract the sin of anger?  —  [[Christian Anger Management]].
# Also would you please pray for my niece, Marybeth, who suffers from a head injury she received in an accident some time ago.


* "Unleavened bread is used in the Western Christian liturgy when celebrating the Eucharist. On the other hand, most Eastern Churches explicitly forbid the use of unleavened bread (Greek: azymes) for Eucharist as pertaining to the Old Testament and allow only for bread with yeast, as a symbol of the New. Indeed, this was one of the three points of contention that brought about the schism between Eastern and Western churches in 1054."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatbread]
=== Multiple sins in an invalid marriage ===
* Anonymous from Facebook: Suppose a person got married only in order to obtain a visa and did not intend the marriage to last. Is that person sinning if they do not get an annulment? Is that person committing fornication when they have relations with their innocent spouse?


==== The Jewishness of Jesus ====
=== Uncharitable thoughts and feelings ===
* Anonymous from Facebook: I am a volunteer at my parish.  I arranged to switch volunteer nights with another parishioner.  I covered their night, but they did not cover mine.  I was called and asked to come fill in for them.  I felt annoyed at the prospect, but did eventually offer to fill the empty spot.  I feel that I was selfish and uncharitable.  Did I commit a sin by being annoyed or by waiting a while before I said yes?


Catholic Answers question: "Why does the Scripture say that salvation comes from the Jews?  Jesus did not have a Jewish father.  He was born of the Holy Spirit."
=== Do same-sex marriages invalidate all marriages in the state or the denomination? ===
* Peter John from e-mail:
# If Christian denominations and many states are recognizing same-sex marriages, does that not mean that all of the marriages in those denominations or states are necessarily invalid in the eyes of the Church?  If so, wouldn't that simplify the annulment process for those who contracted marriage before a justice of the peace in those states or in those denominations?
# I am upset that I see people who are cohabiting receive the sacraments while those who are in post-divorce marriages cannot.  This especially troublesome when the divorced and remarried have no children from earlier marriages, have built a good family in their current marriages, and live devout lives otherwise.


==== Requirements to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion ====
=== Should we hold hands during the Our Father? ===
* From a benefactor during the Fund Drive: "What are the requirements for [[Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion]]?  On what grounds might someone be told that they may no longer serve as an Extraordinary Minister?"
* Kevin from e-mail: [http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/holding_hands_at_mass.htm "Holding Hands at Mass."]


==== Cherubim vs. Seraphim? ====
=== Why not do mandalas in our parish? ===
* Some students asked me what the difference is between [[Angels|cherubim and seraphim]].
* NOT ON THE LINE. Liz from Rochester. Please speak about what Mandala is and why it shouldn’t be practiced at our parish.
:::: [http://www.mandalaproject.org/Index.html The Mandala Project.]


==== What is the Catholic understanding of the word, 'soul'? ====
=== Blessed are those who murder babies? ===
* Kevin from e-mail: The last verse of Psalm 137 is really horrible.  It says, "Blessed is the man who seizes the children of Babylon and dashes their brains out against a rock."  Isn't God the father of Babylonian children, too?  How could murdering innocent children bring blessings to those who murder them?


* Awesome Lawson asked, "What do Catholics mean by the word [[And_with_your_spirit#The_human_spirit|'soul']]?  How does the Catholic understanding of 'soul' affect [http://www3.canisius.edu/~moleski/handouts/catholicism%20and%20evolution%20%28JP%20II%29%20.pdf our thinking about evolution?"]
=== Why was John the Baptist not freed from captivity? ===
* John from Facebook: The gospel of Luke says that Jesus came to set the captives free.  If so, then why didn't Jesus free John the Baptist from captivity?


==== Divine Mercy better than the Heavens? ====
=== When should we accept death for those whom we love? ===
* Karen from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia via Facebook: The litany for Divine Mercy says, "Divine Mercy is better than the heavens." I don't understand this. Does it mean that Divine Mercy organization is higher than Heaven?


==== Jewish vs. Catholic Scriptures ====
* Katy from e-mail: Every day at Mass I hear the priest ask us to pray for life, "from its natural beginning to its natural end." I remain confused as to why keeping an infant (or anyone) with a terminal illness on life support, in this case mechanical ventilation, is celebrated. I don't understand why anyone would want to watch a loved one suffering with a tracheostomy when that loved one could be in paradise with Jesus.  Is this brave to keep them alive, or is it selfish?
* From a friend in Amherst: "Do the Jews have any Scriptures that they consider sacred and inspired by God that are not in the Catholic Bible?"
** [[Canon of the Old Testament]]
** [[Dead Sea Scrolls]]
** [[Enoch]]
** [[Books of Esdras]]


==== Allegory vs. Parable ====
::: [[Catholic Medical Ethics]]
* From Awesome Lawson: "I was told by a priest that the verse about [[vultures|vultures flocking to feed on a corpse]] refers to Eucharistic adoration.  Is that true?"


=== Less Recent ===


==== Preaching Jesus vs. Tolerating Other Faiths ====
=== U.S. Bishops dedicated to Marxism since 1979? ===


John Z. from Facebook: "If the Church is supposed to "go ... and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19), isn't the ultimate goal to teach the world about Jesus? Doesn't that mean that we must ''not'' tolerate other religions and faiths? It seems as though relativism has crept into the Church and is undermining our missionary activity."
* Mary Kathryn from e-mail:
:::- I have an article from 1979 which says that U.S. bishops were dedicated to preaching Marxism instead of Christianity.  Is that claim true?


* [[Nostra aetate]]
=== Positive outcomes from Vatican II ===
* [[:Category:Ecumenism]]


==== Hitler in Hell?  Animals in Heaven? ====
* Mary Kathryn from e-mail:
:::- Can you name three positive outcomes of Vatican II?
:::::- Recognition that we owe religious assent to the ordinary teachings of the Magisterium. The Scriptures are the fruit of Tradition and are part of Tradition; they do not replace it.
:::::- ''Catechism of the Catholic Church.''
:::::- Discussion of marriage as a noble vocation, including praise of the nobility of the act of marital union, reaffirmation of the Church's traditional teaching on avoiding contraceptives, and a strong condemnation of abortion as an abominable crime.


From Walter B., a former student of mine:
=== Canon law and Catholic identity ===
: 1) "I remember a statement you made in class.  A student asked, "How long will Hitler be in Hell?"  I found your reply, "As long as it takes for all those who were wronged by him to forgive him" to be profound. I still think about it to this day.  Can you make any further comments about this? 
: 2) "Is it possible that a 'Christ-like' savior could exist for other species (ants, iguanas, llamas, etc.)?
* [http://www.usccb.org/bible/rom/8:18 Rom 19-21:]


:: For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
* Melanie from Twitter:  Is it a violation of canon law to question someone's Catholic identity?
* The fathers of the Church interpreted a verse from Isaiah as applying to the [http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2012/01/ancient-origins-of-nativity-scene-part.html Nativity scene:] "The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s manger" [http://www.usccb.org/bible/is/ (Is 1:3).]  That the animals themselves recognize the Lord is part of Catholic spirituality, even though it is not a dogma of the Church.
::: Can. 216: "Since they participate in the mission of the Church, all the Christian faithful have the right to promote or sustain apostolic action even by their own undertakings, according to their own state and condition. Nevertheless, no undertaking is to claim the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority."
* God loves animals more than we do.  This may be a variation on the question people frequently ask, [[Animals in Heaven|"Will my dog be with me in Heaven?"]]


==== Angelic Intimacy ====
=== Calling God "Allah" ===


From two friends who are studying John Paul II's "[[Theology of the Body]]" together:  "Are humans able to be more closely united to each other than [[angels]] can be united to each other because humans have bodies and angels do not?"
* Winna from Twitter: Do you know the Arabic word 'Allah'? Do you think it is inappropriate for Christians to use the Arabic word for God?
* Related quotation from St. Maximilian Kolbe: "If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."
** The angels lack the human power for marital union and sacramental communion ''because they lack bodies.''  What difference does that difference make? How does angelic union with other persons and with God differ from human union?


==== "Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin" in the new translation ====
=== Thanks for help with Desolation ===


Joyce from Buffalo called on November 11 to ask about dropping the phrase 'Ever-Virgin' in 1973. She loves the dogma about Mary's perpetual virginity and felt that the removal of the phrase was unfortunate.
* Anonymous from Facebook: "Thank you for answering my questions about desolation in such a great detail in a show you did in the summer time. I feel very comforted after hearing from you on the show and I'm actually feeling relieved with the clarity especially after learning about desolation. I can't thank you enough for this. I feel that I'm suddenly pulled back in when I was almost falling off a steep cliff — thank you so much for the rescue!"
::* "Ever-virgin" is still in the confiteor (once instead of twice).
::* It is still in the first Eucharistic Prayer.
::* The prefaces for Our Lady contain the teaching without using that phrase.
::* It does not appear in the other three Eucharistic Prayers.
::* It is not found in the Libera Nos after the Our Father.


==== Remission of Sins: Right Dispositions ====
=== New forms of Catholicism? ===
Mark: What the "New Catholic Churches"?
::: [[Schismatic Catholics]].


John from e-mail: This is out of the Baltimore Catechism:
=== Experimental Medical Treatments ===
::: Q. 153. Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism?
* Dan from Facebook: Does the Church have any definitive position on the use of experimental medical treatments? A friend has stage 4 melanoma, and an experimental drug is his best (and apparently only) chance for survival. The problem is that it hasn't been approved by the FDA  —  the family wants it for "compassionate use" in the meantime. I just have to decide whether to sign the petition they are circulating.
::: A. Actual sins and all the punishment due to them are remitted by Baptism, if the person baptized be guilty of any, and is rightly disposed.
:::* [[Purgatory]]


==== And with your spirit ====
=== Anathema sit! ===


From Marilyn in Cleveland, Ohio, who listens on an iPad and wrote to us via e-mail:
* Debbie from Amherst: The Council of Trent says that anyone who objects to the doctrine of the Church is "[[anathema]]." What does that mean for our Protestant brothers and sisters who have left the Church?


: I heard Fr. Moleski express his preference for the 'And also with you' response instead of the newer 'And with your spirit'. When I first learned of that change, I was delighted.  I have 3 children, 25, 22 and 20 years old.  All are in college and or grad school (pray for me, i am a single mother).  For years, decades actually, I feel that I have been taking on a dragon fighting for my children's salvation.  The world they have been raised in has emphasized, ad nauseam, how important they are, to the point now where they expect things (aka entitlement generation).  They were given things every where they went, stickers at the doctors office, dentists, awards for ridiculous things at school and so on.  The emphasis on hair, dress and all the material likes Is so hyper focused on the me, me, me that I see the 'and with your spirit' supremely refreshing and pointedly contradictory to the cultural persuasion.  'And with your spirit' is very challenging, and to me it points directly to the soul, not the person.  Be it priest or pew sitter, it's all about God, not me.  We must start focusing on our eternal souls, not on the flesh or ego.  I truly believe this will be an unconscious sign post directing us appropriately to Our Lord.
=== Deification ===


: Thank you for saying yes to God, our dear priests, we need you, we pray for you and we love you.
* Andrew from e-mail: It appears that in Eastern Catholic Theology one can become closer to God after death through deification.  The Eastern Catholics claim that their saints move closer to God even in heaven. In Western theology this does not appear possible.  One gains merit/treasures in heaven while alive, and assuming one gets to heaven, that's it — no more!  You are as close to God as possible.  Not all saints are the same in glory.  There is no more change possible.  These Eastern and Western views are logically incompatible; both cannot be true.
::: [[Deification]]


==== Planned Parenthood and Cancer Research ====
=== Is God "static"? ===
Andrew from e-mail: In the 'eternal realm' there is no time.  How can we be dynamic yet God is static? He does not change with time only we do.  Is there a 'time' we live in in the eternal realm (the theory of 'days' in purgatory is popular but the concept was 'not up for debate' in the East because they did not see it as theologically worth pursing).  Are these concepts merely beyond human understanding and simple part of the 'mystery' that so permeates our sense of eternity?


Some friends in Amherst via e-mail: Many cancer research organizations donate to Planned Parenthood and/or support the use of tissue from abortions for medical research and therapy. Is there a list of cancer research institutes to which Catholics can donate with a clear conscience?
=== Burning Man ===
* [[Cancer Research and Planned Parenthood]]
* Kathleen from Facebook: I recently came across some information about "The Burning Man Experience" in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It was quite disturbing and reminded me of pagan rituals. Can you shed more light on this?


==== Taking chastity seriously ====
=== Questions about questions ===


From a letter written in the fall of 2011 from some concerned young adult Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo:
* Two different friends asked me recently, "What is the hardest question you have received? Your favorite question?  Your least favorite question?"
::* We are increasingly disappointed and disheartened by the lack of support from priests and bishops ... regarding the sanctity of life and the value of true marriage.
::* Why are these high-profile, high-impact moral issues avoided during Sunday homilies: abortion, adultery, contraception, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, fornication, homosexuality, impurity with oneself, pornography?
::* Why are Catholic public officials given a pass when they ''publicly'' violate Church teachings time after time?  Why aren't they denied Holy Communion?
::* It was disappointing that no priests attended the National Organization for Marriage's Rally for Traditional Marriage at Buffalo's City Hall on July 24.
::* Please help us to engage and evangelize the anti-Catholic culture that confronts us everyday.


==== Christians and Jews in Muslim territory ====
=== How could Adam and Eve sin? ===
* Thomas from e-mail: If Adam and Eve did not have Original Sin, they did not have concupiscence, by which we mean the tendency of our disordered appetites to lead us to sin.  Why weren't they immune to temptation?


From a friend in Amherst: Does the Koran call Jews and Christians [[Dhimmitude|"People of the Book"]]?  Have Muslims historically been more tolerant of Christians and Jews than Christians have been of Muslims and Jews?
=== What do goats symbolize in the Bible? ===
* John from Facebook: I saw a Masonic website that linked goats to Babylonian mystery religions.  The author suggested that the goat was a symbol of the Temple and Temple builders.  Is this how the symbolism of goats works in the Scriptures?  Would this add an extra dimension to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25?  Does the Church have a specific teaching on the meaning of goats in the Bible?


==== Questions from Ladies of the Lord ====
=== How to "Offer it up?" ===
* [[Answer Priest]]
* Sherry.  Arlington, Virginia. iCatholic.  I have a question about suffering and "offering it up". I am not a cradle Catholic, so I did not get the benefit of learning about this while growing up.  What I've done is simply a mental prayer like this:  "Dear God, I offer you this pain (or discomfort, or whatever suffering I am going through at the moment)".  Is this adequate?  Sometimes I add " to join in Christ's suffering on the cross in order to help redeem the world (or for some other purpose like to help a sick friend or family member)".  Is this an acceptable way to offer up suffering?  Thank you.  We love your radio show!


==== Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Faithful Jesuit ====
=== Theology of Global Warming? ===
* [http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/ignatian-spirit "An Ignatian Spirit: Avery Dulles’s Theological Journey."] Review of ''Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Model Theologian, 1918–2008'' (Paulist Press, $49.95, 736 pp.).
* Marilyn. Buffalo, New York. I have another philosophical question. From the standpoint of Genesis, is global warming man-made or part of God's plan? Why would God make us in His image and then give us the power to destroy his creation?  Would God really allow us to be such a problem?


== On Second Thought ==
=== Traces of the Trinity in the Old Testament ===
''I often think of better answers to questions after the show is over.  This is called "l'esprit de l'escalier," (French: "the spirit of the staircase") because lawyers so often think of the best arguments to have made while walking down the staircase leading away from the courthouse.''


=== Catholicism and Judaism ===
* Mike Denz from WLOF: A while back, you talked with a listener about Old Testament passages that foreshadhow the revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament.  Isn't there are a foreshadowing of John's Trinitarian theology of the Word made flesh in Genesis 1? Genesis 1 portrays God as creating by speaking words of command such as "Let there be light — and there was light;" then John's gospel says that God created through the Word.
* Sam from Buffalo: "Hi Father.  Earlier this week I heard someone talking briefly about Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Christianity.  I was wondering if you could tell me anything more about them, and where they 'fit in.' Thanks so much!"
::: Speaker, breath, word — Father, Spirit, Son (the missions of the Trinity, not the eternal relationships between the Divine Persons). The Spirit is not mentioned explicitly until 1:32; John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus and that Jesus would "baptize with the Holy Spirit."
** [http://www.secondexodus.com/index.htm Second Exodus website]
::: Ruah in Genesis 1:1.
** [[The Christian Deliteralization of the Old Testament]]
** [http://www.hebrewcatholic.org/ Association of Hebrew Catholics]


=== What about the prophecies about the Antichrist? ===
* Brian from Facebook: I have two questions.
* John from Cheektowaga: "I wished I had stayed on the phone the other day to do a follow-up (I did not want to hog all the air-time). I wasn’t looking for a speculation of WHEN the end time will be – I know our Lord Jesus said that not even the angels or saints know, but only the Father knows the day and the hour."
:: '''Part I: In the case of a pastoral administrator charged with a parish assignment, where does the buck stop? With the pastoral administrator or a priest (sacramental minister) also assigned to the same parish?'''
** MXM: The advantage of staying on the phone is that you get to rephrase your question as we go along.  If we think you're hogging the air, we'll thank you for your call and hang up on you.  :-O
:::: There is a separation of powers.
* I was just looking for comment on how really interwoven all of history is (past, present & future); all events detailed in prophesy. I thought that the little book “History of Antichrist” was extremely well presented. It listed each important prophet as indicated in Sacred Scripture, what various interpretations can their words possibly mean, which church fathers, saints, doctorens, traditions, commentators through to the med 1800’s (when the book was written), etc., to include conjectures as to meanings of their statements, and, how it relates to the antichrist. The book is not bad news, but it does say, when the antichrist does come it is going to be a terrible 3 ½ years before Jesus comes and put a stop to his deceit. Many will be swayed – think of the Jews who are still looking for the coming of the Messiah (all part of God’s grand mysterious plan).
** MXM: The Church is completely agnostic about the sequence of events at the end of the world. 
: The book of Revelation and other apocalyptic passages were written to comfort people who were suffering for the sake of Jesus.  The message is, "Hang on.  Your sufferings will be rewarded.  You will reign with Jesus in glory."  That message was valid in the first century and in every age since wherever disciples suffer for Jesus.
: In other words, the material is about the present, NOT the future.
* The world will be tricked unless one's faith is strong.
** MXM: We don't need "strong" faith.  Putting faith in the strength of our faith is a huge mistake.  No act of faith is greater than the size of a mustard seed when compared to the glory of the one in whom we place our trust.
==== Johnny Cash and the End of the World ====
Kevin in Buffalo: What do you think of the Johnny Cash song, [http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnnycash/themancomesaround.html "The Man Comes Around"]?


=== The meaning of fiction ===
:::: A Parish Administrator (PA) is responsible for anything you can do with money, including collecting it.  The PA may also  define the parish schedule, organize non-sacramental ministries, and obtain services from priests or deacons as needed when the assigned Sacramental  Minister (SM) is unavailable.  I imagine that the PA would run the catechetical programs and would be the person who hires and fires other parish workers.  The PA would also keep all of the books — financial, sacramental records, school records, etc.
Matt from Colorado asked about (e-mail about ''[[The Shack]]''). Second thoughts: [[interpreting fiction]].
 
:::: The sacramental minister is responsible for seeing that the sacraments are offered correctly.
 
:::: Grey areas probably not defined by law but settled on a case-by-case basis: furnishings, music, "smells and bells."
 
:: '''Part II<nowiki>:</nowiki> What is your opinion of people calling a priest a "sacramental minister"?'''
 
:::: It's accurate, if not very poetic.  There are some men who, for one reason or another, should not act as pastors.  They can supply the sacraments for a parish, but do not have the gifts or virtues required for administration.  I think this causes great grief to the priests.
 
:::: One priest in our diocese was a "sacramental minister" after being a priest for at least 25 years, and was apparently despondent at being ordered to leave his parish so that another priest could become pastor, relieving a deacon and his wife of the job of P.A.  Not being promoted to pastor hurt the priest terribly, but the act of suicide suggests to me that it was not a bad decision not to promote him — he was not a well man (may he rest in peace).
 
:::: Better title?  "Parish priest" or "Parish father."
 
=== Destiny of the souls of those who die in abortion ===
 
* Matthew Paul via Facebook: Is there a definitive Church teaching on what happens to the souls of aborted children?  Are they martyrs through a "baptism of blood"?
:: [[Abortion#Afterlife_for_aborted_children|Afterlife for aborted children?]]
 
=== Did Jesuits tried to kill John Paul II? ===
 
* Alex from e-mail: A very devout Polish Catholic friend of mine believes that John Paul II was about to dissolve the Society of Jesus, also known as "the Jesuits," but was prevented from doing so by being shot by Ali Agca, who was acting on behalf of the Jesuits.  The only reference I could find about this was from Malachi Martin's book, ''The Jesuits.''
 
::: 1981: Arrupe's stroke; appointment of Vinny O'Keefe to be Acting General; replacement of O'Keefe by Paulo Dezza.
::: 1983: assassination attempt on 13 May; election of Fr. Kolvenbach on 13 September.
 
=== Gay lobby on Catholic campuses ===
* Kevin from Buffalo:
:; Setup for the question
 
:: [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/education/edlife/how-georgetown-became-a-gay-friendly-campus.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 A recent New York Times article] talked about how Georgetown has become a "gay-friendly institution." Mr. Lloyd, the pride group president, says he is often tempted to join the more tolerant Episcopal Church. But for many young Catholics, particularly of Irish or Italian descent, Catholicism is interchangeable with identity. “You stay Catholic because you have a love of the institution and you want to change it,” he said.
 
:: With a prophetic air, campus crusaders for this new “21st century” “Catholic” identity make ''ex cathedra'' pronouncements like “Society is changing, and God is in that change.”
 
:; The question:
 
:: What do you think about this approach to being Catholic?
 
=== Taking nephews to Communion ===
* Laura from Facebook: My 11- and 12-year old sons periodically invite their cousins to sleep over on a Saturday night. On Sunday we all attend Mass together.  I know my nephews do not attend Mass regularly, and I doubt that they ever go to Confession.  Should I confront them about this?  What responsibilities do I have as their Aunt?
 
=== Jesuits in Upstate New York? ===
 
* Parishioner of Peter Calabrese asked via e-mail: Have you ever heard in the “family lore” of Jesuits working in the Lewiston area very early on?
 
=== Sex reassignment surgery ===
* Kathy, Rochester, New York.  At work, my Department Head announced at a staff meeting that an employee was going to be changing from a male to a female.  What is the church's teaching on that?
 
=== Confirmation Necessary for Marriage? ===
 
* Dolores.  Hamburg, New York.  If a Catholic is Baptized and received the first Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, but NOT Confirmed, can they be married in the Church?
 
=== "Queen of Creation" ===
* From a parishioner: I like to call Mary "Queen of Creation" when I am praying to her.  Is that appropriate?
 
=== Selling or renting property to same-sex couples ===
* From a parishioner: Would I be [[Cooperation with evil|cooperating in evil]] if I sold or rented a house to a same-sex couple?
 
=== What would Jesus think of today's Church? ===
* Bob from e-mail: If Christ returned to Earth tomorrow as a typically normal 21st Century Catholic, what do you think He would think of the Church that He created and the leadership it has?  Would he approve of it and back it, unquestionably?  Or, would he rail against it, or various aspects of it, as he did the moneychangers and merchants whose tables He dispersed from the synagogue when he was here 2000+ years ago?
 
=== Promoting Women's Vocations to Religious Life ===
* Patti from e-mail: [http://imaginesisters.org/ Imagine Sisters] wants to make Jesus loved by introducing the world to religious sisters in love with Christ through media and personal encounters. We want to encourage and inspire a culture of vocations to women’s religious life by fostering a deep desire for holiness through the witness of religious sisters.
 
=== Who are the vultures? ===
 
* From Awesome Lawson: I was told by a priest that the verse, "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather" (Mt 24:28) refers to Eucharistic adoration.  Is that true?
 
=== Footwashing ===
 
* Letitia: Footwashing is for everybody — everybody should do it to everybody.  She sent slippers, a towel, and foot cream to her nieces and nephews, and asked them to wash their mother's feet.  Jesus said, "Do ''as'' I do.  Such love and humility.  Jesus took the place of the last and the least.  Usually done by the Gentile slave, by wives for their husbands, by children for their parents, and by disciples for their teachers.
 
=== St. Malachy and the End of the World ===
 
* [[St. Malachy and the End of the World]]
* I have figured out how to prove that Pope Francis is [[St. Malachy and the End of the World|"Peter the Roman."]]  That means the end of the world is near (again!). :-O
:: [http://catholicozarks.blogspot.com/2013/05/pope-francis-peter-roman-antichrist.html "Pope Francis = Peter The Roman = Antichrist ?"]
:: "In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end."
 
=== Seven Pilgrim Churches ===
 
* [http://zephyrinus-zephyrinus.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-seven-pilgrim-churches-of-rome.html ''Wikipedia,'' "The Seven Pilgrim Churches Of Rome."]
 
=== Catholic Children's Bible ===
* For parents: [http://www.smp.org/series/81/The-Catholic-Childrens-Bible ''The Catholic Children's Bible''] by St. Mary's Press.
 
=== Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ ===
* Suellen Ann from Facebook: I just saw a beautiful documentary on EWTN about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Ciszek Fr. Walter Ciszek,] a Jesuit who was held captive in Siberia for 15 years. Could you talk a little bit about his life and works?
::: [[Walter Ciszek, SJ]]
 
=== Catholic understanding of marriage ===
* Nicole from e-mail: I spoke w/a 20-something co-worker regarding male/female complementarity one day when she mentioned that people who don't accept "same-sex marriage" are bigots.  She listened to me kindly but  did not accept the idea that opposite genders go together because of procreation. Her immediate answer was, "well, the couple can use IVF." I find that many younger people have a utilitarian point of view - the end justifies the means.  How can I present the Church's teaching on marriage and the natural law in the most effective fashion?
 
=== Evidence of Ordination of Women? ===
 
* Andrew from e-mail: Sylvia Poggioli did a piece on NPR recently entitled [http://www.npr.org/2013/04/01/175910981/with-new-pope-catholic-women-hope-to-regain-church-leadership-roles "With New Pope, Catholic Women Hope To Regain Church Leadership Roles."] What are we to make of the argument that ancient mosaics and epigrams talk about women priests (presbytera) and bishops (episcopa)?
 
=== Year of Faith Website ===
* David M. from Rochester: Here is the Vatican’s website for the year of faith: [http://www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en.html www.annusfidei.va.]
 
=== Common Bible includes "Apocrypha" ===
 
* John W. from e-mail: I was very surprised this afternoon when you quoted [http://usccb.org/bible/tobit/4:6 Tobit 4:8] on giving. You said, "The Protestants don’t have Tobit in their Bible." Here in Canada, or at least Toronto, we DO! We also have Judith, Wisdom, Baruch, 1&2 Maccabees, and the other Deuterocanonical Books in the pew Bibles of at least our local Anglican and Presbyterian churches, and probably in the local United Church too. The pew Bibles are the “New Revised Standard Version (with Apocrypha).” These are logical developments based on Vatican II, which began fifty years ago, and the first Anglican-Roman Catholic Common Declaration and the establishment of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission forty-six years ago. Most Protestant churches are also using the Revised Common Lectionary. Is this just a Canadian thing?
::- [[Canon_of_the_Old_Testament#.22Apocryphal.22_Books_included_in_the_Common_Bible | Apocrypha in Common Bible.]]
 
=== Psychology and Catholicism ===
* John from Facebook: At the school I work, they are doing workshops on motivation and learning. They presented a workshop on [http://www.wglasser.com/ William Glasser's "choice theory,"] which seems to me to advocate faith but no God. When the Church provides counsel through Catholic Charities or even through a priest, how does it merge [[psychology and faith]]?
 
=== Godly Gynecology; Pregnancy Support Services ===
* Melissa from Kenmore, New York: "A friend of a friend of mine was told for decades that she had a thyroid problem that would prevent her from becoming pregnant.  The doctors were wrong.  When she began to gain weight because of a pregnancy, her doctor just adjusted her medication, thinking that her weight gain was due to thyroid problems, not a pregnancy.  This was a devastating situation for her, as she ended up having an abortion.  Many women who opt for abortion are not FOR abortion in and of itself. Many just do not have the support of the father or their family, and do not know who would help them cope with an unplanned child at the time of birth. Could you list some [[Pregnancy Support Services|resources women in such a situation can turn to?]]"
 
=== Pacifism required? ===
 
* Anonymous: Why do some candidates who are pro life still support violence via wars, detainment, and the like? Why can't being pro life mean being more vigilant in ending wars through diplomatic talks rather than continuing what seems an endless fight in another country? Our military wants to come home. Does war ever make any sense?"
::- [[Just War Theory]].
 
=== Feeling guilty after Confession ===
 
* Anonymous: "I have a hard time forgiving myself, even after I confess a sin in confession. Is that also a sin?"
::: [[Feeling guilty after Confession]].
 
=== Interceding for Sinners ===
 
* Anonymous: "What is the consequence if someone who is not Catholic receives the Eucharist in ignorance. Besides educating them, is there a penance one can do for them?"
::: [[What should I do when I see others sin?]]
::: [[Forgiveness Prayer]].
 
=== Spiritual Warfare ===
 
* John Z. from Facebook re: [[spiritual warfare]].
:::* Can people be used by demons to try and fight and create turmoil and strife?
:::* Are there angels and demons duking it out fighting for our souls?
:::* Also, I saw on a blog where a guy said to look in the Old Testament as to how many people Satan killed vs God. He claims that Satan only killed ten and God killed thousands. So, in his view, the whole Christian idea of God is false, and Satan got a raw deal.
 
=== Genocide in the Old Testament? ===
* Kevin from e-mail: Why did God order the Israelites to massacre whole villages when they conquered them?  Today we would call that "genocide" or "ethnic cleansing." The Church teaches that it is intrinscially evil to target whole populations in warfare.  How could God command His people to do evil?
 
=== Successors of the other apostles? ===
* Rich from e-mail: Most Catholics know that the Pope is the successor to Peter. Has the "lineage" from the other apostles been preserved just as carefully? Would the holders of some of those Sees be the Latin [[Patriarchs]]? There are not twelve of this class, so who are the direct successors of all of the original apostles and Paul? (I include him because of his unique status).
 
=== Patriarchs and Cardinals ===
* Rich from e-mail: I think that a fairly recent canonical change required that all [[patriarchs]] be made cardinals, although they've always actually outranked cardinals in the hierarchy. Is that correct?

Latest revision as of 12:18, 10 December 2022

Sitz im leben

A season of growth.

   


December 19

  • [X] Facebook.
  • [X] Water.
  • Joy.
  • 148 days for Gina and Joseph.
Prologue
  • Faith 'n' Reason Friday.
  • Any topic OK.
  • All callers welcome.
Last few days of Advent — St. John the Baptist, pray for us!
Luke 1
76
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
  • From John on Facebook (he may post this question on Facebook during the show): Some of my friends argue that there is no need for a priesthood. In the Bible, the term is used only of the Old Testament priests who served in the Temple. In the New Testament, the terms "episcopos" and "presbyter" are used, not "priest." How can I answer this challenge to the Catholic understanding of priesthood?

Treasury of Unanswered Questions

May the priest skip the "Deliver us from evil" prayer?

  • Boston, Mass. At mass at our church, after the Our Father, the priest goes directly to "For the kingdom, the power, etc" and omits the prayer in between that says, "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil.." This seems to be an important and beautiful part of the prayer. Is it allowed to be omitted?

Destroying unused genetic material from IVF procedures?

  • George. Bellingham, Mass. I was reading the catechism re: life issues. Regarding In Vitro Fertilization, if the sperm and egg are not viable, is it as morally unacceptable to destroy them as it would be if the sperm and egg are viable?

What is Jesus doing now?

  • Joe. Buffalo. What is Jesus doing in heaven now?

Are we not required to love our parents?

Homework from last Friday
  • Rebecca from St. Petersburg asked about Dennis Prager's view that children only need to honor their parents, not love them.
Prager: "The bible understands that there will always be people who, for whatever reason, do not love a parent. Therefore, it does not demand what may be psychologically or emotionally impossible, but it does demand that we honor our parents."
Jesus: "What is impossible for you is possible for God. Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you. Forgive seventy times seventy times!"
Yes, the parent-child relationsip is unique.
Yes, the family is the basic unit of society.
Yes, honor of parental is the glue that holds the family and therefore society together.
Yes, it is wrong for parents to seek to be "loved" as if they were the buddies of their babies. Parents must assert authority and children must yield to their parents' authority. When push comes to shove, it is right for parents to say, "Because I say so." This is often God's answer to our "why" questions, too. There are some things we cannot see for ourselves until we have grown more. Until that time, "because I say so" is the best answer.

Who is the greatest person "born of woman"?

  • Shawn from Facebook: Jesus says in Matthew 11 that John the Baptist was the greatest person ever born of a woman. I thought CHRIST himself or Mary would be the greatest?

How do I regularlize my marriage?

  • Anonymous from e-mail: I have been married for 15 years to my current husband and would like to have the marriage recognized by the Church so that I can receive the sacraments. I was first married in the Catholic Church. I was divorced from that man, and he has since died. I married another man in a civil service, then divorced him. I married my third and current husband in a civil service. He has been married in civil services and has been divorced twice. He is not Catholic and is not baptized. He has a hard time understanding why he has to participate in my annulment process. How should I explain it to him?

Did Jesus want us to mutilate our bodies?

  • Anonymous from Facebook: Anonymous from Facebook: Christ tells us not to lust after someone, because it is adultery. He also commands us to pluck out our eye and cut off our hands if they cause us to sin. Why is it that I never hear Catholic or Protestants discuss this passage?

How to be chaste in marital relations?

  • Anonymous from Facebook: In what way is it appropriate to desire union with my spouse?
Gregory Popcak, A Catholic Guide to Infallible Loving.
Chastity in Marriage.

Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago

— Vatican News Service biography of Blessed Carlos Manuel.
— "Vivimos para esa noche" — "We live for that night" == the night of the Easter Vigil, in which we recall Jesus passing from death to life on Easter Sunday.
— "Charlie’s Beatification Process was indeed a swift one! Initiated in 1992, the positio on heroic virtues, lead to his status as Venerable as of July 7, 1997. The miracle for his beatification (cure of non-Hodgkins malignant lymphoma back in 1981) was approved on December 20,1999 by HH John Paul II. Thus, a record-making eight-year span, a first for lay actors!"

Straight from Earth to Heaven?

  • Shawn from Facebook: In the second letter to the Corinthians, it says: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). Does that mean that there is no purgatory? Do we just die and go straight to Heaven?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor 5:10).

Can the Church change the canon?

  • John from Facebook: Since it was the Catholic Church that decided the canon of the Bible, could the Catholic Church ever change the contents of the Bible by adding or removing books in the future?
Antilegomena: These antilegomena or "disputed writings" were widely read in the Early Church and included the Epistle of James, the Epistle of Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, the Apocalypse of John, the Gospel of the Hebrews, the Apocalypse of Peter (unique in being the only book never accepted as canonical which was commentated upon by a Church Father), the Acts of Paul, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Epistle of Barnabas and the Didache.

How to start spiritual direction?

  • Anonymous. Massachusetts. I have felt for a long time that I need some type of spiritual direction and grounding. However, I'm not sure how to seek it out. Can you suggest a simple way to get started beyond my parish priest? Does it depend on how spiritually "developed" one is? Thank you.

Our Lady of the Americas?

  • Bob. Boston, NY. Could you tell me the story of the appearances of "Our Lady of the Americas" that occured around 1956?
Marian_Theology#Apparitions_that_have_not_been_approved Apparitions that have not been approved.

Good book for 4-year old who loves to pray?

  • Jessica. Can anyone recommend a kid friendly book, or guide to teaching young kids about Jesus' death and resurrection? My son who is 4 loves going to Adoration and going though the Stations of the Cross.

Love gives us free will

  • David, Buffalo, NY. I wanted to add a comment about the conversation about free will that it is because we are beings that have the ability to love and also that God's love for us gives is free will.

Defending the faith in an irreligious world

  • Shawn from Facebook: "In a pre-scientific understanding of the world, people naturally believed things happened because of the action of God, Angels, Demons, and the like; but now we can explain everything through the laws of science. We can see throughout history that religion, morals, and culture have evolved. How can we defend the faith in a world that seems to have no need of religion?"

May a couple marry who cannot consummate the vows?

  • Ann, Massachusetts. I heard on the radio that a Catholic woman and man should not get married if they cannot consummate their vows because of a medical condition. I cannot believe this could be right.
EWTN library.
impotence is indeed an impediment to marriage

Slavery approved in the Bible?

  • Anonymous. According to scriptures, slavery is not considered immoral, however there are specific instructions on how to beat slaves correctly. Why did neither God or Jesus teach that owning another human being is immoral? Nowhere is this stated in the bible! Mark Twain wrote: "In all the ages the Roman Church has owned slaves, bought and sold slaves, authorized and encouraged her children to trade in them. Long after some Christian peoples had freed their slaves the Church still held on to hers. If any could know, to absolute certainty, that all this was right, and according to God’s will and desire, surely it was she, since she was God’s specially appointed representative in the earth and sole authorized and infallible expounder of his Bible. There were the texts; there was no mistaking their meaning; she was right, she was doing in this thing what the bible had mapped out for her to do. So unassailable was her position that in all the centuries she had no word to say against human slavery."

Consecration to Mary?

  • Shawn from Facebook: How can Catholics consecrate themselves to Mary? She is not God. Isn't it a sin against the First Commandment to vow yourselves to her service?

Conflicting Scripture Passages

  • John from Facebook: In a recent Sunday reading from 1 Kings, God said to Solomon, "I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you" (1 Kings 3:12). But in Matthew, it says, "There is something greater than Solomon here" (Matthew 12:42). How do you reconcile the two passages?
Similar kind of conundrum: What did Jesus mean when He said that "Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Mt 11:11)? Wasn't Mary greater than John the Baptist through her Immaculate Conception?
And, of course, "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Doesn't that mean that Mary and Jesus were both sinners?
"No sign will be given this generation except the sign of Jonah, for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Mt 12:40).

Followup question from John

John from Facebook:

  • If the church teaches us not to read passages literally, why does it not apply this to the teachings on the supper of The Lord or giving Peter the keys to the kingdom? How does the Church discern what should be taken literally and what isn't? My non Catholic friends say the Church chooses to take literally those passages that support her doctrinal position. After all the churches authority comes from reading the passage on the keys given to Peter literally doesn't it?

Can Mary bless us?

  • Shawn from Facebook: I heard a priest say the rosary. He said, "May Mary bless you with her holy child." How can Mary bless us with anything? She has no power outside of Christ.

Boys will be boys?

  • Anonymous from Facebook: Your 12-year old catches about 10 dragonflies, takes their wings off, and puts them in a cup “because he wants to see them fight.” Is that just boys being boys? Or do you tell him that it’s wrong to hurt animals for fun? He has Reactive Attachment Disorder which causes me additional concern.

Tips for Lay Evangelization?

From the "Ask a Priest" page on TheStationOfTheCross.com:
Michael: The Pope has called lay people to evangelize. I very heatedly expressed my objections to a fictional TV show which portrayed a catholic priest in a very negative way. A high school senior responded to my criticisms by expressing a desire for God, but he also expressed some reservations about God and showed a real lack of knowledge of the faith. How about having a show where people call in to discuss their ideas for lay evangelization and talk about their successes or failures in bearing witness to the tremendous hidden treasures of our faith?

How many books of the Bible claim to be inspired by God?

  • How many books of the Bible claim to be inspired by God? Maybe two make an explicit claim — Jeremiah and Revelation.
Jeremiah: "Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you about Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, until today" (36:2).
"Proving Inspiration."
What about the Bible’s own claim to inspiration? There are not many places where such a claim is made even elliptically, and most books in the Old and New Testaments make no such claim at all. In fact, no New Testament writer explicitly claims that he himself is writing at the direct behest of God, with the exception of John, the author of Revelation.

Taped evidence — nursing home

  • Luisa from "Ask a Priest" [today]: My mother was in the nursing home up until she passed away. We placed a camera in her room because they kept dropping her. Although the policy of the nursing home prohibits recording sound in the patients' bedrooms, by accident, some of our videos recorded the nurses abusing my mother verbally. May I use these recordings in good faith to bring an action against the nursing home?

Why can't women preach in Church?

  • From a pastor who listens to the show: When you answered Betsy's question on August 4th about how women can preach the gospel even though they are not allowed to read the gospel and preach homilies in the liturgy, you dodged the question of why women and laymen cannot read the gospel and preach homilies in the liturgy. I may not be the smartest kid on the block, but I can tell when someone is ducking a tough question! :o) [Note well: this priest is a very good and orthodox priest, and he is a friend of mine. This is a kind and well-meaning question, not a screed in favor of abandoning the Church's tradition! I think it is a good question.]

NFP for a pre-menopausal couple?

  • Anonymous from "Ask a Priest" on the Station of the Cross website — spend a little time explaining how to find and use this page on the website. My impression is that it is right on the front page, down at the bottom. That's how I see it, anyway, using a browser; I couldn't find it on the iCatholicRadio app. "Submit your questions for a priest to answer live on Calling All Catholics, airing weekdays from 5-6 pm ET."
I am concerned whether my husband and I are committing a mortal sin in our intimate relations. Because I am pre-menopausal, the signs of our fertile time are very uncertain, so I can't tell with much confidence when we are in a fertile time in our relationship. We used to use Natural Family Planning, but now we are not completing the marital act in a natural fashion. My health is poor, and we do not want to become pregnant at this time in our marriage. Are we committing a sin by not completing the marriage act normally?
BE POSITIVE. The Church upholds the natural act of love in marriage as the norm for judging what is right and wrong in our relationships. Whenever a couple chooses the joy of union, their expression of love should be such that they do nothing to make it impossible for them to become pregnant through their union. This norm rules out barrier methods, the use of artificial hormones that fool the woman's body into thinking that she is already pregnant, and any other actions that would keep the union of the couple from being fruitful. If you and your husband feel sure that you cannot afford to become pregnant at this time in your life, you must abstain from union for a while until your health improves or you reach the point at which you can have greater confidence than you do now in identifying the fertile times in your cycle; you might want to ask for help from a certified Natural Family counselor to get help in understanding the signs at this time in your life. Abstinence is hard, but not impossible. It, too, is an act of love for each other and for our Creator. Abstinence chosen out of love for one another for shorter or longer times has its own rewards, though they are, of course, more subtle and on a different level from the joy of expressing your love for each other directly through marital union. We have been praying for you and your husband, Anonymous, since we received your e-mail. We hope that you will find great joy in being faithful and true to each other as well as abiding by God's plan for your marriage.
"Christoper West's Ideas on Sexuality Ignore Tremendous Dangers — Alice von Hildebrand."

Why is the Old Testament so vague about Trinity and the Eucharist?

  • Sara from the Fund Drive:
  1. Why didn't God give more advance warning in the Old Testament of the doctrine of the Trinity?
  2. Why didn't God give more advance warning in the Old Testament of the doctrine of the Eucharist?

Is spiritual dryness a sin?

  • Shawn from Facebook: Is having spiritual dryness a sin?

How should Catholics vote?

  • Shawn from Facebook: Election season is upon us. The Catholic voter guide basically says "don't vote for abortion," and rightly so. But, I have never supported GOP politics either, although they are the closest thing we have to a pro-life party. So how should I vote then?
USCCB Voting Guide for Catholics.

Struggling with Marian prayers

Shawn from Facebook: I struggle with certain Marian prayers that ask her to save us, etc; I don't get that... Because she can't do anything without God's power. She is merely a creature, though the highest of all creation. I have trouble with the rosary too. Why not just pray the "Our Father"?

Chesterton Academy in England?

  • Maria Bachelier from e-mail: Is there any Chesterton academy in England, where I live?
Not yet. There is one in Italy. Dale Ahlquist is in Europe right now. More may be under development.
Emily de Rotstein, Executive Director
Chesterton Academy — www.chestertonacademy.org
info@chestertonacademy.org

Why does the Catechism calls us "gods"?

  • John from Facebook: I have been reading the Catechism each night. I have a question regarding paragraph 460 which says, "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods." This passage uses the lower case letter g. In the Old Testament, this is how the pagan gods are referred to. What does lower case "gods" mean here?
Divinization.

Righteous anger vs. sinful anger

  • John from Facebook:
  1. Could you explain righteous anger and sinful anger? Are there scriptural references to these two kinds of anger? Could you give some ideas how to counteract the sin of anger? — Christian Anger Management.
  2. Also would you please pray for my niece, Marybeth, who suffers from a head injury she received in an accident some time ago.

Multiple sins in an invalid marriage

  • Anonymous from Facebook: Suppose a person got married only in order to obtain a visa and did not intend the marriage to last. Is that person sinning if they do not get an annulment? Is that person committing fornication when they have relations with their innocent spouse?

Uncharitable thoughts and feelings

  • Anonymous from Facebook: I am a volunteer at my parish. I arranged to switch volunteer nights with another parishioner. I covered their night, but they did not cover mine. I was called and asked to come fill in for them. I felt annoyed at the prospect, but did eventually offer to fill the empty spot. I feel that I was selfish and uncharitable. Did I commit a sin by being annoyed or by waiting a while before I said yes?

Do same-sex marriages invalidate all marriages in the state or the denomination?

  • Peter John from e-mail:
  1. If Christian denominations and many states are recognizing same-sex marriages, does that not mean that all of the marriages in those denominations or states are necessarily invalid in the eyes of the Church? If so, wouldn't that simplify the annulment process for those who contracted marriage before a justice of the peace in those states or in those denominations?
  2. I am upset that I see people who are cohabiting receive the sacraments while those who are in post-divorce marriages cannot. This especially troublesome when the divorced and remarried have no children from earlier marriages, have built a good family in their current marriages, and live devout lives otherwise.

Should we hold hands during the Our Father?

Why not do mandalas in our parish?

  • NOT ON THE LINE. Liz from Rochester. Please speak about what Mandala is and why it shouldn’t be practiced at our parish.
The Mandala Project.

Blessed are those who murder babies?

  • Kevin from e-mail: The last verse of Psalm 137 is really horrible. It says, "Blessed is the man who seizes the children of Babylon and dashes their brains out against a rock." Isn't God the father of Babylonian children, too? How could murdering innocent children bring blessings to those who murder them?

Why was John the Baptist not freed from captivity?

  • John from Facebook: The gospel of Luke says that Jesus came to set the captives free. If so, then why didn't Jesus free John the Baptist from captivity?

When should we accept death for those whom we love?

  • Katy from e-mail: Every day at Mass I hear the priest ask us to pray for life, "from its natural beginning to its natural end." I remain confused as to why keeping an infant (or anyone) with a terminal illness on life support, in this case mechanical ventilation, is celebrated. I don't understand why anyone would want to watch a loved one suffering with a tracheostomy when that loved one could be in paradise with Jesus. Is this brave to keep them alive, or is it selfish?
Catholic Medical Ethics


U.S. Bishops dedicated to Marxism since 1979?

  • Mary Kathryn from e-mail:
- I have an article from 1979 which says that U.S. bishops were dedicated to preaching Marxism instead of Christianity. Is that claim true?

Positive outcomes from Vatican II

  • Mary Kathryn from e-mail:
- Can you name three positive outcomes of Vatican II?
- Recognition that we owe religious assent to the ordinary teachings of the Magisterium. The Scriptures are the fruit of Tradition and are part of Tradition; they do not replace it.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Discussion of marriage as a noble vocation, including praise of the nobility of the act of marital union, reaffirmation of the Church's traditional teaching on avoiding contraceptives, and a strong condemnation of abortion as an abominable crime.

Canon law and Catholic identity

  • Melanie from Twitter: Is it a violation of canon law to question someone's Catholic identity?
Can. 216: "Since they participate in the mission of the Church, all the Christian faithful have the right to promote or sustain apostolic action even by their own undertakings, according to their own state and condition. Nevertheless, no undertaking is to claim the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority."

Calling God "Allah"

  • Winna from Twitter: Do you know the Arabic word 'Allah'? Do you think it is inappropriate for Christians to use the Arabic word for God?

Thanks for help with Desolation

  • Anonymous from Facebook: "Thank you for answering my questions about desolation in such a great detail in a show you did in the summer time. I feel very comforted after hearing from you on the show and I'm actually feeling relieved with the clarity especially after learning about desolation. I can't thank you enough for this. I feel that I'm suddenly pulled back in when I was almost falling off a steep cliff — thank you so much for the rescue!"

New forms of Catholicism?

Mark: What the "New Catholic Churches"?

Schismatic Catholics.

Experimental Medical Treatments

  • Dan from Facebook: Does the Church have any definitive position on the use of experimental medical treatments? A friend has stage 4 melanoma, and an experimental drug is his best (and apparently only) chance for survival. The problem is that it hasn't been approved by the FDA — the family wants it for "compassionate use" in the meantime. I just have to decide whether to sign the petition they are circulating.

Anathema sit!

  • Debbie from Amherst: The Council of Trent says that anyone who objects to the doctrine of the Church is "anathema." What does that mean for our Protestant brothers and sisters who have left the Church?

Deification

  • Andrew from e-mail: It appears that in Eastern Catholic Theology one can become closer to God after death through deification. The Eastern Catholics claim that their saints move closer to God even in heaven. In Western theology this does not appear possible. One gains merit/treasures in heaven while alive, and assuming one gets to heaven, that's it — no more! You are as close to God as possible. Not all saints are the same in glory. There is no more change possible. These Eastern and Western views are logically incompatible; both cannot be true.
Deification

Is God "static"?

Andrew from e-mail: In the 'eternal realm' there is no time. How can we be dynamic yet God is static? He does not change with time only we do. Is there a 'time' we live in in the eternal realm (the theory of 'days' in purgatory is popular but the concept was 'not up for debate' in the East because they did not see it as theologically worth pursing). Are these concepts merely beyond human understanding and simple part of the 'mystery' that so permeates our sense of eternity?

Burning Man

  • Kathleen from Facebook: I recently came across some information about "The Burning Man Experience" in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It was quite disturbing and reminded me of pagan rituals. Can you shed more light on this?

Questions about questions

  • Two different friends asked me recently, "What is the hardest question you have received? Your favorite question? Your least favorite question?"

How could Adam and Eve sin?

  • Thomas from e-mail: If Adam and Eve did not have Original Sin, they did not have concupiscence, by which we mean the tendency of our disordered appetites to lead us to sin. Why weren't they immune to temptation?

What do goats symbolize in the Bible?

  • John from Facebook: I saw a Masonic website that linked goats to Babylonian mystery religions. The author suggested that the goat was a symbol of the Temple and Temple builders. Is this how the symbolism of goats works in the Scriptures? Would this add an extra dimension to the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25? Does the Church have a specific teaching on the meaning of goats in the Bible?

How to "Offer it up?"

  • Sherry. Arlington, Virginia. iCatholic. I have a question about suffering and "offering it up". I am not a cradle Catholic, so I did not get the benefit of learning about this while growing up. What I've done is simply a mental prayer like this: "Dear God, I offer you this pain (or discomfort, or whatever suffering I am going through at the moment)". Is this adequate? Sometimes I add " to join in Christ's suffering on the cross in order to help redeem the world (or for some other purpose like to help a sick friend or family member)". Is this an acceptable way to offer up suffering? Thank you. We love your radio show!

Theology of Global Warming?

  • Marilyn. Buffalo, New York. I have another philosophical question. From the standpoint of Genesis, is global warming man-made or part of God's plan? Why would God make us in His image and then give us the power to destroy his creation? Would God really allow us to be such a problem?

Traces of the Trinity in the Old Testament

  • Mike Denz from WLOF: A while back, you talked with a listener about Old Testament passages that foreshadhow the revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament. Isn't there are a foreshadowing of John's Trinitarian theology of the Word made flesh in Genesis 1? Genesis 1 portrays God as creating by speaking words of command such as "Let there be light — and there was light;" then John's gospel says that God created through the Word.
Speaker, breath, word — Father, Spirit, Son (the missions of the Trinity, not the eternal relationships between the Divine Persons). The Spirit is not mentioned explicitly until 1:32; John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus and that Jesus would "baptize with the Holy Spirit."
Ruah in Genesis 1:1.
  • Brian from Facebook: I have two questions.
Part I: In the case of a pastoral administrator charged with a parish assignment, where does the buck stop? With the pastoral administrator or a priest (sacramental minister) also assigned to the same parish?
There is a separation of powers.
A Parish Administrator (PA) is responsible for anything you can do with money, including collecting it. The PA may also define the parish schedule, organize non-sacramental ministries, and obtain services from priests or deacons as needed when the assigned Sacramental Minister (SM) is unavailable. I imagine that the PA would run the catechetical programs and would be the person who hires and fires other parish workers. The PA would also keep all of the books — financial, sacramental records, school records, etc.
The sacramental minister is responsible for seeing that the sacraments are offered correctly.
Grey areas probably not defined by law but settled on a case-by-case basis: furnishings, music, "smells and bells."
Part II: What is your opinion of people calling a priest a "sacramental minister"?
It's accurate, if not very poetic. There are some men who, for one reason or another, should not act as pastors. They can supply the sacraments for a parish, but do not have the gifts or virtues required for administration. I think this causes great grief to the priests.
One priest in our diocese was a "sacramental minister" after being a priest for at least 25 years, and was apparently despondent at being ordered to leave his parish so that another priest could become pastor, relieving a deacon and his wife of the job of P.A. Not being promoted to pastor hurt the priest terribly, but the act of suicide suggests to me that it was not a bad decision not to promote him — he was not a well man (may he rest in peace).
Better title? "Parish priest" or "Parish father."

Destiny of the souls of those who die in abortion

  • Matthew Paul via Facebook: Is there a definitive Church teaching on what happens to the souls of aborted children? Are they martyrs through a "baptism of blood"?
Afterlife for aborted children?

Did Jesuits tried to kill John Paul II?

  • Alex from e-mail: A very devout Polish Catholic friend of mine believes that John Paul II was about to dissolve the Society of Jesus, also known as "the Jesuits," but was prevented from doing so by being shot by Ali Agca, who was acting on behalf of the Jesuits. The only reference I could find about this was from Malachi Martin's book, The Jesuits.
1981: Arrupe's stroke; appointment of Vinny O'Keefe to be Acting General; replacement of O'Keefe by Paulo Dezza.
1983: assassination attempt on 13 May; election of Fr. Kolvenbach on 13 September.

Gay lobby on Catholic campuses

  • Kevin from Buffalo:
Setup for the question
A recent New York Times article talked about how Georgetown has become a "gay-friendly institution." Mr. Lloyd, the pride group president, says he is often tempted to join the more tolerant Episcopal Church. But for many young Catholics, particularly of Irish or Italian descent, Catholicism is interchangeable with identity. “You stay Catholic because you have a love of the institution and you want to change it,” he said.
With a prophetic air, campus crusaders for this new “21st century” “Catholic” identity make ex cathedra pronouncements like “Society is changing, and God is in that change.”
The question
What do you think about this approach to being Catholic?

Taking nephews to Communion

  • Laura from Facebook: My 11- and 12-year old sons periodically invite their cousins to sleep over on a Saturday night. On Sunday we all attend Mass together. I know my nephews do not attend Mass regularly, and I doubt that they ever go to Confession. Should I confront them about this? What responsibilities do I have as their Aunt?

Jesuits in Upstate New York?

  • Parishioner of Peter Calabrese asked via e-mail: Have you ever heard in the “family lore” of Jesuits working in the Lewiston area very early on?

Sex reassignment surgery

  • Kathy, Rochester, New York. At work, my Department Head announced at a staff meeting that an employee was going to be changing from a male to a female. What is the church's teaching on that?

Confirmation Necessary for Marriage?

  • Dolores. Hamburg, New York. If a Catholic is Baptized and received the first Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, but NOT Confirmed, can they be married in the Church?

"Queen of Creation"

  • From a parishioner: I like to call Mary "Queen of Creation" when I am praying to her. Is that appropriate?

Selling or renting property to same-sex couples

  • From a parishioner: Would I be cooperating in evil if I sold or rented a house to a same-sex couple?

What would Jesus think of today's Church?

  • Bob from e-mail: If Christ returned to Earth tomorrow as a typically normal 21st Century Catholic, what do you think He would think of the Church that He created and the leadership it has? Would he approve of it and back it, unquestionably? Or, would he rail against it, or various aspects of it, as he did the moneychangers and merchants whose tables He dispersed from the synagogue when he was here 2000+ years ago?

Promoting Women's Vocations to Religious Life

  • Patti from e-mail: Imagine Sisters wants to make Jesus loved by introducing the world to religious sisters in love with Christ through media and personal encounters. We want to encourage and inspire a culture of vocations to women’s religious life by fostering a deep desire for holiness through the witness of religious sisters.

Who are the vultures?

  • From Awesome Lawson: I was told by a priest that the verse, "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather" (Mt 24:28) refers to Eucharistic adoration. Is that true?

Footwashing

  • Letitia: Footwashing is for everybody — everybody should do it to everybody. She sent slippers, a towel, and foot cream to her nieces and nephews, and asked them to wash their mother's feet. Jesus said, "Do as I do. Such love and humility. Jesus took the place of the last and the least. Usually done by the Gentile slave, by wives for their husbands, by children for their parents, and by disciples for their teachers.

St. Malachy and the End of the World

"Pope Francis = Peter The Roman = Antichrist ?"
"In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end."

Seven Pilgrim Churches

Catholic Children's Bible

Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ

  • Suellen Ann from Facebook: I just saw a beautiful documentary on EWTN about Fr. Walter Ciszek, a Jesuit who was held captive in Siberia for 15 years. Could you talk a little bit about his life and works?
Walter Ciszek, SJ

Catholic understanding of marriage

  • Nicole from e-mail: I spoke w/a 20-something co-worker regarding male/female complementarity one day when she mentioned that people who don't accept "same-sex marriage" are bigots. She listened to me kindly but did not accept the idea that opposite genders go together because of procreation. Her immediate answer was, "well, the couple can use IVF." I find that many younger people have a utilitarian point of view - the end justifies the means. How can I present the Church's teaching on marriage and the natural law in the most effective fashion?

Evidence of Ordination of Women?

Year of Faith Website

  • David M. from Rochester: Here is the Vatican’s website for the year of faith: www.annusfidei.va.

Common Bible includes "Apocrypha"

  • John W. from e-mail: I was very surprised this afternoon when you quoted Tobit 4:8 on giving. You said, "The Protestants don’t have Tobit in their Bible." Here in Canada, or at least Toronto, we DO! We also have Judith, Wisdom, Baruch, 1&2 Maccabees, and the other Deuterocanonical Books in the pew Bibles of at least our local Anglican and Presbyterian churches, and probably in the local United Church too. The pew Bibles are the “New Revised Standard Version (with Apocrypha).” These are logical developments based on Vatican II, which began fifty years ago, and the first Anglican-Roman Catholic Common Declaration and the establishment of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission forty-six years ago. Most Protestant churches are also using the Revised Common Lectionary. Is this just a Canadian thing?
- Apocrypha in Common Bible.

Psychology and Catholicism

  • John from Facebook: At the school I work, they are doing workshops on motivation and learning. They presented a workshop on William Glasser's "choice theory," which seems to me to advocate faith but no God. When the Church provides counsel through Catholic Charities or even through a priest, how does it merge psychology and faith?

Godly Gynecology; Pregnancy Support Services

  • Melissa from Kenmore, New York: "A friend of a friend of mine was told for decades that she had a thyroid problem that would prevent her from becoming pregnant. The doctors were wrong. When she began to gain weight because of a pregnancy, her doctor just adjusted her medication, thinking that her weight gain was due to thyroid problems, not a pregnancy. This was a devastating situation for her, as she ended up having an abortion. Many women who opt for abortion are not FOR abortion in and of itself. Many just do not have the support of the father or their family, and do not know who would help them cope with an unplanned child at the time of birth. Could you list some resources women in such a situation can turn to?"

Pacifism required?

  • Anonymous: Why do some candidates who are pro life still support violence via wars, detainment, and the like? Why can't being pro life mean being more vigilant in ending wars through diplomatic talks rather than continuing what seems an endless fight in another country? Our military wants to come home. Does war ever make any sense?"
- Just War Theory.

Feeling guilty after Confession

  • Anonymous: "I have a hard time forgiving myself, even after I confess a sin in confession. Is that also a sin?"
Feeling guilty after Confession.

Interceding for Sinners

  • Anonymous: "What is the consequence if someone who is not Catholic receives the Eucharist in ignorance. Besides educating them, is there a penance one can do for them?"
What should I do when I see others sin?
Forgiveness Prayer.

Spiritual Warfare

  • Can people be used by demons to try and fight and create turmoil and strife?
  • Are there angels and demons duking it out fighting for our souls?
  • Also, I saw on a blog where a guy said to look in the Old Testament as to how many people Satan killed vs God. He claims that Satan only killed ten and God killed thousands. So, in his view, the whole Christian idea of God is false, and Satan got a raw deal.

Genocide in the Old Testament?

  • Kevin from e-mail: Why did God order the Israelites to massacre whole villages when they conquered them? Today we would call that "genocide" or "ethnic cleansing." The Church teaches that it is intrinscially evil to target whole populations in warfare. How could God command His people to do evil?

Successors of the other apostles?

  • Rich from e-mail: Most Catholics know that the Pope is the successor to Peter. Has the "lineage" from the other apostles been preserved just as carefully? Would the holders of some of those Sees be the Latin Patriarchs? There are not twelve of this class, so who are the direct successors of all of the original apostles and Paul? (I include him because of his unique status).

Patriarchs and Cardinals

  • Rich from e-mail: I think that a fairly recent canonical change required that all patriarchs be made cardinals, although they've always actually outranked cardinals in the hierarchy. Is that correct?
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