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Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura.
Like Mother, like Son.
The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph

Sitz im leben

Lent: "This great season of grace."

   

24 February

  • 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:
- Marianne Cope, German religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Syracuse, N.Y.
- Kateri Tekakwitha, American laywoman
- Jacques Berthieu, French martyr in Madagascar and priest of the Society of Jesus
- 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 Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth and of the Congregation of the Humble Sister Servants of the Lord
- Anna Schäffer, German laywoman

Prayer request

  • Amila Muskan from Lahore, Balochistan, Pakistan, via Facebook: "Please pray for me and for my mother--she is very ill."

HHS Mandate

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

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 the Latin Rite, the 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).
  • 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."[1] 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.).
  • In the Byzantine tradition, there are two types of fasting, simple and strict.
  • 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 Akathistos. Akathist services are celebrated "without sitting."

February 17

  • 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

St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
"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."
Where we are at fault, we need to confess our sins, do penance, and amend our lives.
If we are not at fault, we need to stand our ground and proclaim "the fullness of truth in clarity and charity."

From: J.
Sent: Tuesday
Subject: Mandate

I have listened to your radio station. I was told that:

1. Voting for a candidate who favors abortion is a mortal sin.
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:

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.

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.

A reply is not requested or wanted, for I believe it would only add to my frustrations and serve no useful purpose.

February 10

  • Fatima Prayers. Fatima is in Portugal, the home of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, renowned as a queen of peace.
  • Do we know which angel appeared to the Fatima children?
- Angel of Portugal
  • 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 Day of Consecrated Life. Who knew?
  • John from Wilson: 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: "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 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?
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

  • Yesterday was Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation)--40 days after Christmas for Latin rite Catholics. The Christmas Season is now well and truly over.
  • Feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr.
Prayer to St. Blaise
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
  • 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

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.
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 keep the faith in order to be saved?"
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

  • 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 St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursulines and patron of the disabled. Her body remained incorrupt for centuries.
  • 67th anniversary of "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.
  • 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

  • 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.
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.
  • Brian R, from Buffalo on Facebook:
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

  • Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. A good day to pray for the restoration of the right to life in our nation.
  • 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 !
  • 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.
  • 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?
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time for Latin-rite Catholics in the U.S.
  • 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 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.
Continuing to Listen;
Shalom!
  • Anonymous from Cheektowaga
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...?
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.
  • 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?"
  • 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."
  • Freddy from Chicago (Online - wlof.com): Prayer Request for his Grandmother who passed away today.
John Carlin, 1998.
Used by permission.
  • 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: 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."
  • 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

  • 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hmm, it seems there are a few things he didn’t change. Oh well, I guess a little soapy water won’t hurt me.
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.
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.
  • 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!).
    • Rev 12:5 is from 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 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."
  • 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?
  • 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

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.

More Recent

The Use of Leavened Bread in the East

Catholic Answers question: "Why do the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches use leavened bread? When did the East and West go separate ways?"

  • "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)."[2]
  • "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.[3]
  • "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."[4]

The Jewishness of Jesus

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."

Requirements to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

  • 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?"

Cherubim vs. Seraphim?

What is the Catholic understanding of the word, 'soul'?

Divine Mercy better than the Heavens?

  • 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

Allegory vs. Parable

Less Recent

Preaching Jesus vs. Tolerating Other Faiths

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."

Hitler in Hell? Animals in Heaven?

From Walter B., a former student of mine:

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.)?
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.
  • The fathers of the Church interpreted a verse from Isaiah as applying to the Nativity scene: "The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s manger" (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.
  • God loves animals more than we do. This may be a variation on the question people frequently ask, "Will my dog be with me in Heaven?"

Angelic Intimacy

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?"

  • 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

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.

  • "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

John from e-mail: This is out of the Baltimore Catechism:

Q. 153. Are actual sins ever remitted by Baptism?
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.

And with your spirit

From Marilyn in Cleveland, Ohio, who listens on an iPad and wrote to us via e-mail:

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.
Thank you for saying yes to God, our dear priests, we need you, we pray for you and we love you.

Planned Parenthood and Cancer Research

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?

Taking chastity seriously

From a letter written in the fall of 2011 from some concerned young adult Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo:

  • 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

From a friend in Amherst: Does the Koran call Jews and Christians "People of the Book"? Have Muslims historically been more tolerant of Christians and Jews than Christians have been of Muslims and Jews?

Questions from Ladies of the Lord

Questions with Names
  • LD from the Buffalo area: "Is is proper to have a Mass said for a deceased who is not Catholic?"
  • Anne from the Buffalo area: "A Protestant friend has been arguing with me that because Jesus Christ is the one and only mediator between between God and Man, the Catholic doctrine of the intercession of the saints is contrary to Scripture. She thinks that we can and should pray to God alone. She attacks the Catholic practice of confession of sins to priests on the same grounds."

Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Faithful Jesuit

On Second Thought

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

What about the prophecies about the Antichrist?

  • 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."
    • 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
  • 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, "The Man Comes Around"?

The meaning of fiction

Matt from Colorado asked about (e-mail about The Shack). Second thoughts: interpreting fiction.

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