Gina's notes
7 December
- Memorial of Saint Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church. Baptized St. Augustine.
- Anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor.
- First Week of Advent.
Recent questions
Proof of Heaven
Anonymous from e-mail (I think): What does the Church think about the neurosurgeon who wrote Proof of Heaven? Does his near-death experience really prove that there is life after life?
Ordination of Women and Priestly Celibacy
Amy from e-mail: I recently spoke with some women friends about the ordination of women and allowing priests to marry. They claimed that these two issues are founded on human law rather than divine law, and then argued that because some day there will not be enough priests to serve the people, other options must be discussed. Are these issues open to discussion?
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?
Lives of Saints for Young Children
Veronica from Ithaca made some extra suggestions: Good books for God's children.
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?
The Gospel of Jesus' Wife
What does the Church think about the Coptic fragment that people are calling "The Gospel of Jesus' Wife"?
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?"
Thanks for Station of the Cross Catholic Radio
Nancy, from Corning via Erica: "I want to say a great big 'thank you' for Catholic radio’s presence in the Elmira/Corning area. I thought she I the Faith well before, but I've grown so much in my understanding since I began listening. My neighbor, intended to convert to Catholicism, but gave up because she felt she was too Protestant. She has been listening to the station since it came to the area and is now back in RCIA and will be entering the Church this Easter. She is also very thankful for the Station of the Cross."
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
- Followup question from Monday's show with Fr. Mike Mayer: Are there nine or twelve "Fruits of the Holy Spirit"? The Church has added three fruits to the original list in Galatians 5:22-23: goodness, modesty, and chastity.
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?"
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?"
Prayer request
- "Just wanted to say thanks for the prayers. I know that you prayed that I can get back with my wife. It really isn't possible. I don't know what is going on with her. She has started a lot of problems, and she is hanging around with violent people. I don't want to keep her from seeing her daughter. Yet at the same time I fear what she may do. I am fearful for my daughter as well as my own as well as my family's lives. Please pray for me. I am so scared."
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?"
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.
Genies
- Anonymous from Amherst: What does the Church teach about genies/jinn? Shows like "I Dream of Jeannie" and "You Wish" make it seem harmless, but the idea of a "genie" seems to have some demonic elements from Islam or even further back than that.