Father Bill: My mom passed away on June 2nd and I don't understand why now? I love God and I know He has a good plan but I prayed asking for more time with her. I know God loves her too and that it is selfishness on my part. But I don't know how to live without her. I am the baby of the family and her only daughter so you can see how close we were. Father help I am drowning in my grief I need some direction. Some Bible passages to guide me. Thank you for your help, Father. Ann ______________________________ Dear Ann: I am so sorry for your loss. The death of a beloved parent is one of life's more painful experiences. It erases a profound connection with our past, indeed our very being, and we know that life will never be the same. It's no wonder that our grief can be almost overwhelming. As per your request, I will share some Bible passages with you, but there's something else I would strongly suggest you try. Most cities and many parishes have grief support groups that meet regularly, often on a monthly basis. The parish from which I retired three years ago has such a group, and I know that it has helped many people deal with their grief. Please do some searching in your area for group like this. You will find caring people there ready to help you, and you also might be able to help someone else. So as to not reinvent the wheel, I did a search for some biblical passages that others have compiled for the grieving. Here are three links that I thought were pretty good. Obviously, some passages will be included more than once. Many of them I'm sure you will find comforting. http://lynndove.com/2013/12/06/25-encouraging-scripture-verses-for-those-who-are-grieving/ http://www.joeagoglia.com/assets/pdf/scripture_verses.pdf http://www.openbible.info/topics/grief_and_sorrow I'd like to conclude with a Gospel reading that many families choose when planning the funeral of a loved one. It is John 14:1-6: "Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my
Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and
take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am
going you know the way." Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know
where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I
am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me."
Father Bill: I have always felt close to God. When I did chemo therapy, there seemed to be no God, now God is back but I see no good around me. What's up with that? - Donald ___________________________ Dear Donald: I really don't know “what's up with that”. Yours is one of those questions where I wish I could sit down with the writer and have a good talk. Maybe you could do that with your pastor or a spiritual director. I really think that would be a good idea. However, since you wrote to A Catholic View, I will share with you a few of my thoughts on the matter. Intense life experiences such as fear, grief, anxiety and anger can have a marked effect on our emotions and body chemistry. Those parts of our life that had been ordinary, comfortable and taken for granted can suddenly desert us in the face of overwhelming distractions. Our outlook, our emotions, and sometimes even our bodies can change overnight. We may recover from such trauma in fits and starts. It may even happen that we never really get back to the way things were before. It also occurs to me that chemotherapy itself has a double whammy. First of all one is dealing with the fear and anxiety of cancer. This alone is enough to bring us mortals to the brink of despair. Then one must deal with the impact of the powerful chemicals that are used to attack the cancer cells. Since our emotions are strongly affected by the balances in our body chemistry, I would think that chemotherapy could likely cause some disturbance of that balance and thus the emotions that are affected. One last thought. Did you ask your pastor to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick with you, or was there a Catholic chaplain who might have done this in your place of treatment? Many people find great comfort and spiritual healing in this sacrament. If you haven't already done it, please consider asking to be anointed. I hope that this helps, and please re-read the first paragraph of this reply. May God bless you, Donald. - Father Bill
Father Bill:: ___________________________ Dear Carrie: I think that the answer to your question lies in the fact that we first have to accept the gift of this life before we can receive the gift of eternal life. This life may be far from perfect, but it is a gift of God. To take our own life is like telling God that we reject His gift. That would not be a good thing to do. It occurs to me, too, that if God wanted us to commit suicide so that we could get to heaven faster, He would have let us know. There would be something in the commandments or elsewhere in the Bible about that, but I sure don't see anything. I know that this is a brief answer, but I hope it helps. God's blessings. – Father Bill
Father Kevin:
I am a
Roman Catholic and there's someone special to me who is a born again
Christian. How will I deal with our differences when it comes to
religion/belief? It's like she's convincing me to be the same as
her. I need your spiritual advice. Thank you and God bless!
–
BJ Dear BJ: Thank you for your question. You have a difficult course to tread there with your friend. At the heart of our Christian faith is the acceptance of the mystery of God’s Love made present to us in Jesus. It is a great mystery and through Jesus, God invites each of us to respond in a way that is most truthful for us. No one can invade that sacred space and force us to take another path. If we allow them to do that, we will become in some sense untrue to our deepest self. When people are avidly trying to convert someone from one faith to another, it’s usually a sign that they are somehow insecure in the presence of different approaches to the faith. They then lack the necessary respect that is required to journey with another because they cannot bear the other to be different from themselves. This is not the way of the gospel and certainly not eh way of love. It speaks of an immature faith that is uncomfortable with people’s differences. Often in our history, we Catholics have and sometimes still do demonstrate this immaturity in our attitude to people of other traditions. However, at its core, the Catholic faith respects the faith of other and has expressed this beautifully in the Constitution on the Church in the Modern World and the Decree on Ecumenism at Vatican 2. Relatively new religions, such as the born again variety, tend to display this insecurity along with tremendous enthusiasm for their new-found faith. They need to learn that they are not the only kids on the block, take a step backwards and learn to respect the integrity of others. This is surely what love requires. If your friend really loves you, she would do the same. All blessings to you. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: Is it right for people to socialize by talking loud and laughing before mass at Church? I was surprised as others who came to mass to hear all the noise. We do have a gathering space that they could socialize. Please comment? – Lu ____________________________ HI Lu: When I was a little boy we were forbidden to speak in church as a sign of respect for the Blessed Sacrament. That era was also marked by an understanding of the Mass as a private devotion and a place and time for private prayer. Since then, we have recovered an understanding that we are gathering as the People of God, a family of faith, and it would be rather rude not to acknowledge each other as we gather to worship together. As the Body of Christ gathers, it is good to recognise the Christ in each other. The assembling of the community is a part of the Liturgical action. Then when the Liturgy itself begins we become focused, pray our responses together and pray silently, but together and not as isolated individuals.
When we say our Amen
to the Body of Christ at Communion, we then recognise the presence
of Jesus in the Sacrament, in the Scriptures we have heard and in
the people around us who make up the Body of Christ with us. Every
blessing to you. - Father Kevin
Dear Father: Hi Michael: Thanks for your question. It’s certainly not a sin not to give money to people begging on the streets. It’s certainly a good thing to help when we can. It’s always a really hard thing to work out as we walk by. These people can be an important reminder to us to think of the bigger picture and in a certain sense they are asking us to address the issue of poverty in a society which really should have enough to feed and care for everyone. They give us an opportunity to ask ourselves whether we can do more ourselves to alleviate poverty in the way we use what we have, in the way we speak of the poor, and the way we respond to them.. It’s always good to give, and it’s hard not give. IT’s good that we feel uncomfortable in their presence and reflect on what that uncomfortable feeling means and then do something in response. Questions about the reasons for the situation of these people sometimes come to mind, such as alcohol or drug use that may have led them there and whether there is something deeper we can do to assist them. Let’s continue to reflect together and seek a most just world for everyone. God bless you on your way. - Father Kevin
Priest Staff: I am practicing Catholic. My question is can a Catholic lay person own a blessed chalice? I am a very strong Catholic. a 4th degree Knights Of Columbus. and I pray every day. In my home, I have a room of prayer and was wondering if I could have a chalice in there as its a special place to me. thank you for your help. - Paul ___________________________ Paul: Yes, you may have your blessed chalice in your prayer room. My concern is that what will happen to this chalice when you die? Please make arrangements to make sure that this chalice will be given to a parish church or a priest when you pass on to the Lord. – Father Francisco
Hello Father: My sister and her husband have a 6 month old baby. They are raised Catholic, converted to Hinduism, but aren’t practicing it. We want their baby baptized. How can we convince them to give their baby a baptism? Thank you. - Sue __________________________ Sue: You can't. The child is growing up within a Hindu family and the church will not baptize a child from a non-Christian family. Even if your sister was Catholic, by converting to Hinduism, she broke all relationship with the Church and therefore is not recognized as a Catholic. If your sister should return to the faith of Jesus Christ, then a baptism can be done. Please know that this child is in God's Hands and is being protected by guardian angels until that day when the child will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior on his/her own when he/she reaches the age of maturity which is 18 years of age. Now, you can do this: when your nephew/niece is with you, share your faith with your nephew/niece. Plants the seeds of faith so that one day, your nephew/niece will desire to be baptized in the Christian faith. I pray that this will happen! I must tell you that I feel that your nephew/niece will know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! – Father Francisco
CatholicView Priest Staff: I recently got engaged to a Methodist who was previously married. Normally this would call for an annulment, however, it seems as the Catholic Church would not recognize her first marriage since her husband was previously married (twice in fact) and never received an annulment for that. IS that correct, would she need an annulment for a marriage that was never recognized by the Catholic Church? – Matt ____________________________ Matt: You are correct in saying that the Church does not recognize your fiancé’s marriage to a thrice married man as a sacramental marriage. But, there must be documentation of this that must be reviewed by your diocesan marriage tribunal. The marriage tribunal will still need to go through a process of declaring your future wife's marriage null and void. Yes, even though this will be a simplified process, your fiancé will still need a decree of annulment before you are married in the Catholic Church. – Father Francisco
Hello! I'm using words
from the Holy Mass, as a Christian "mantra" against anxiety attacks.
The words are:
________________________ A mantra is a set of words or a word that is repeated again and again to bring about a meditative and calming state. The words you chose are an interesting set of words from the offertory part of the Mass. If it helps you to calm down and focus on Jesus Christ as your Lord, then do so! By keeping your focus on the love of God and the gift of grace from Jesus, you will calm the anxiety that comes without warning. May I suggest a simpler "mantra." When anxiety knocks at the door of your soul and mind, just say, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." It's simpler and it is a perfect prayer from the depths of your heart. Be at peace. The Lord is always with you and especially so when your anxiety takes over your peace of mind. – Father Francisco
Father: My fiancé is a
Baptist, and I am a catholic (both never been married before and
both baptized). We even did the Catholic preparation for marriage.
Our situation is difficult ( due to the fact that we are in along
distance relationship) it's easier for us to marry Christian : a
Baptist pastor will marry us. Would our marriage be valid in the
eyes of the Catholic Church? - Saro Saro: I must ask something: how is it simpler to have your marriage presided by a non-Catholic minister? I don't understand. You have completed the Catholic preparation for marriage. All that is left is to set a date for marriage in the Church, either in your home parish or in a Catholic parish that is close to your fiance's home. If you must marry outside the Church, you can apply for a dispensation from Lack of Form from your parish church and then your marriage to your non-Catholic fiancé will be recognized as a sacramental marriage no matter where is it celebrated or who presides at it. – Father Francisco
I was raised
without any religious affiliations. I became a Christian as an adult
in a Baptist church. Early in my walk, I was invited to a movie
with my wife by a Christian couple. There was certain pornographic
parts to it. Since that time, I have struggled with an on again off
again addiction to pornography. One very sick statistic comes to
mind, that self described fundamentalists are over 90% more likely
than other Christians to have a pornography addiction (from material
given to me by a pastor). I have met over the years a few very good
men I consider to be great Christians who were also Catholics, and
do not suffer from an preconceptions. My question is: if a man came
to you and said he suffered with pornography addiction that he feels
he cannot be free of on his own, what advice do you give him? What
if this man had even gone so far as to tell his wife and confess to
some of his brothers, even a preacher in his church. This is my
question, sincerely asked. I feel led by God to ask this of a
Catholic priest. Please may I have an answer? Thank you. - David David: Addictions come in all forms and sizes. Addiction is a symptom of an obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is something that goes on in the brain that is one of the many causes of addictions. When a person comes to talk to me about a specific addiction to pornography, I begin to find out how the person feels about their relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If the relationship is strained, or even dormant, we begin again to establish that relationship with Jesus and starting by placing everything in the Lord's Hands. I ask the person to place pornography and that person's addiction to it in God's Hands. The Lord knows everything and sees everything and feels everything. He knows the struggles that each person has. This would be the first necessary step in having a person get control of this addiction by first allowing God to take control of everything in that person's life. Then we can go forward to deal with the issues involved with that particular addiction. Catholics have a tradition of spiritual direction, and that is what I would do as I would guide the person through his/her addictions through maintaining and encouraging spiritual maturity in Christ. Spiritual direction is an on-going process as we are all called to spiritual maturity. Addiction to anything is not easily dealt with for most people. But with Jesus, anything is possible. Spiritual maturity opens the eyes of the sinful and addicted person to the consequences of his/her actions. In regards to pornography, spiritual maturity opens the mind and heart to realize that the person who is the object of sexual arousal is a real person, who is a sister, daughter, brother, son, parent of someone. When one realizes that the object of pornography is a human being, created in the image of God and is my spiritual brother or sister, then I become repulsed by the idea of seeing my sister and brother in such a degrading and dehumanizing situation. This is only possible with some spiritual maturity. That's why spiritual direction is so important for people wanting to mature in Christ. Many people need help to grow up in Christ since they can't do it by themselves. That's why we have the Church, the mystical body of Christ on earth, to support in many and varied ways our walk to spiritual adulthood. Sadly, many Christians are still children and react as children in their relationship with God. Christian adulthood and maturity leaves behind childish things and realizes that God is always there, loving us to the point that we really don't need anything at all. - Father Francisco
Father Francisco: I have a sort
of complicated question that will need good understanding so please
bear with me when I’m trying me best to compose the question. ______________________________ Richard: The mercy of God is always available and always present to anyone at any time. There is no limit to the mercy (grace) of God, even at the end of time, for the mercy of God is infinite and will never end. Jesus is also Judge and He will judge us now in this present time and in the future when all time ends. Even though God's forgiveness is always given so that we may go on, the consequences of our actions stay with us as judgement against our sinfulness. God is Love and Mercy. He is also Judge all the time. God exercises his role as Judge in love now and forever. God is Mercy and God is Judgment all at the same time right now and forevermore. – Father Francisco
Father: My
brother-in-law, a baptized Catholic, stated in his last will and
testament that "under no circumstances shall my ashes be buried or
otherwise interred in ground." ________________________________ Robert: Once your brother-in-law made his wishes known, he is responsible for that decision and no one else. But I must clarify something. The Church strongly recommends that the remains of a deceased Catholic Christian be placed in one place to await the resurrection of the dead at the end of time. By burying or placing the remains in one place (such as a cemetery) signifies our faith in the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns. But if someone wishes (and also demands) that their remains be scattered to the ends of the earth, then that decision was made by the deceased person and their wishes should be respected. There is no sin in scattering the ashes of a deceased person even though the Church strongly demands that all remains of Christians be buried or placed in a cemetery (as versus in a home). The Christian handling of the ashes of a deceased person demands that the ashes be placed in one place awaiting the last judgment. But if that cannot be done, there is no sin in scattering the ashes according to the person's wishes if such scattering of ashes is not done as an act of defiance against the our faith in the Risen Lord and the Church. – Father Francisco
Father: I am trying to figure out if Mormons are considered Christians by the Catholic Church? I am also struggling with how a Mormon could be a Christian but a Muslim who also believe in Jesus not be. Further I know that technically any follower of Christ is a Christian. But how specifically is this defined? Where is the line drawn between a christian just having different beliefs (anglican or baptist) vs not being a christian at all (unitarian/islam) but claiming to maintain some belief in Jesus as a prophet etc. Thank you. - Hernanday __________________________ Hernanday: Because the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) have a radically different theology and definition of God that is so different from other Christians and Catholics, the Catholic Church does not recognize Mormon baptism as a Christian baptism. In definition of the term Christian as defined by the Church, Christians accept that God is a Trinity (three persons in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and that Jesus Christ died for us and is risen from the dead, and that through faith in Jesus, justification is accomplished by faith and salvation ensured by our accepting of the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Mormons are NOT Christians by this definition no matter how they describe themselves. To be a Christian, the person must assent to the truth that Jesus Christ is divine and human, is Lord and Savior of us all and of the whole universe, and that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Mormons definition of God is at best strange and not Christian by the Catholic Church's definition of Christian. I must correct you: A Christian is not merely a "follower" of Jesus. A Christian has actively accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and has become His disciple, meaning that they accept the disciplines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A Muslim is not a Christian even if that particular Muslim should "believe" in Jesus Christ. If that Muslim actually believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he would turn his back on Islam, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and be baptized in the Church. So, a Muslim is NOT a Christian until his faith assent in Jesus is made public and his conversion to Christianity is made public (done by a verbal assent to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and baptism). Saying that Jesus is a prophet does NOT make a person a Christian. Proclaiming, accepting, living that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior is what makes a Christian. And once a Christian, any previous religious affiliation is gone and Christianity is the only way for as Jesus said, He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one else is the way, the truth, and the life, no one but Jesus. Salvation is not from the founders of the other world religions. Salvation is from Jesus Christ ALONE! Even though there are many Christian denominations with different disciplines, styles of worship, and theology, the basic teaching is the same as described above. The Catholic Church accepts baptism in those other denominations as valid unless that particular denomination does not accept the basics as described in the Nicene Creed. The Mormons and Unitarians and Muslims are not Christian. – Father Francisco
CatholicView Priest Staff: I am a medical interpreter paid by the state and the miles I am paid is being calculated too high. I've addressed the problem with the agency that writes our checks and was told to dispute the amount. I have started to dispute the amounts and in the process my check is being held for over three weeks now. my family and I rely on my income to pay bills. I am worried that my check will be held this coming pay period and any other pay period in which I dispute my mileage and this puts my family in a financial hardship situation. In the future am thinking of disputing every other day and only charging the state correct miles every other day and charging no miles at times to avoid a holdup on my checks. or rather charging full incorrect miles one day and no miles the next, Is this okay? I'm trying to do the right thing without putting my family through financial hardship. thank you and God bless and protect you! I pray for all of our religious clergy and laity everyday! - Miriam ______________________________ Miriam: I can appreciate your situation of reporting miles and receiving a higher than expected compensation for the miles reported. Anyone who works for a governmental agency and must use your personal auto for business knows what it means to track your miles and report it on a travel voucher. Please, do not start not reporting mileage because you believe that you are being compensated too much for the mileage reported. If you start not reporting mileage, it will show a discrepancy in your reporting and you could very well be accused of dishonesty, or worse, a criminal offense of false reporting. Just report the mileage as is, accept the compensation since that is what they are willing to pay you for using your personal auto. If they have a problem with the compensation later, you can show that you have already reported your concerns and nothing was done. Document everything. Keep all papers and receipts. And be at peace. The Lord knows your heart. The Lord is with you. - Father Francisco
Father: I'm a woman in my 50s and liberal in my beliefs. I joined a new parish recently and went for lunch with one of the ladies there. She had some very disturbing ideas about the faith and it bothered me. How do I deal with the conservative RC's who completely miss the point about God's love and Jesus' teachings. - Suzanne ____________________________ Suzanne: How do I deal with "liberals" who do not accept that Jesus is Judge as well? God is love and Jesus does teach about love. But Jesus makes clear in the gospels and affirmed by the letters of the New Testament that God is also Judge and will hold us accountable of all our actions. It is also interesting that Jesus has described himself as someone who divides. In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verses 49-53, Jesus states, "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." You can read the rest of the gospel passage. In the same Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, Verses 35-48, Jesus also said, "Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Those two gospel passages certainly show that Jesus is also Judge and we will be held accountable for our actions at all times (see Matthew 25:33). So, a balance must be achieved between the Love of God and the Judgement of God. "Traditionalists and conservatives" who focus solely on the judgment of God need to acknowledge the love of God in their spiritual lives. "Liberals" who focus solely on the love of God need to acknowledge the judgment of God in their spiritual lives. Our walk with Christ demands balance! And that's what spiritual maturity is all about: balance in Jesus Christ. – Father Francisco
Father: Why is a Cardinal sometimes called "The Archbishop of a certain city" - why wouldn't he be called the Cardinal of the city? - Dina _______________________________ Dina: There are only three biblical ordained ministries in the Church: deacon, presbyter (priest), and bishop (see I Timothy 3 and several other New Testament references). All other titles are church titles that mean that a certain person has a specific ministry in the Church. A cardinal is a church title (not a biblical title or office) that signifies that this particular bishop is a member of the "papal cabinet", is a counselor to the pope in his duties as chief pastor of the Roman Catholic Church, a sort of senator of the Church, is a member of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Rome, and is an elector of the next pope. When a Cardinal is a bishop or archbishop of a certain diocese, his biblical title always comes first, such as Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston. Cardinal O'Malley is a bishop first by God's call and a cardinal second by virtue of his ministry within the Church. If a cardinal is a bishop of a diocese, he is called archbishop or bishop first. One is never a cardinal of a certain diocese (or as you say, city) since the title of cardinal means a specific ministry in the world-wide Church. He is a bishop of a diocese (city) by ordination and call of God. He is a cardinal by the pope's appointment to specific duties within the Church. – Father Cervantes
I became Catholic (RCIA) my first husband was an atheist. He refused to have our marriage blessed, then he divorced me. Second husband divorced me as well. I want to return to the Catholic Faith. Can I marry a Catholic, attend mass, and have Eucharist? – June _______________________________ June: The good news is this: Jesus Christ is Lord, He forgives, He heals, He loves, and He wants you to go forward and not look back (see Luke 9:62). And the good news in your question is that all your marriages were not recognized as sacramental marriages. You are free to marry a Catholic in the Church. And you can return to the Church's sacramental life right now! Go to confession, explain your situation, and go forward and receive communion and get involved in your parish church. As for future intimate relationships, it seems that you may need spiritual help in picking the right person for you. You have not done well in the past in picking the person that God made just for you. Ask your parish priest for spiritual advice before you make any further commitments to a marital relationship! And don't be afraid to ask others for advice about your relationships! - Father Cervantes
My husband died 2 years ago after being a wonderful teacher for many years. Recently I discovered reams of paper that he had stashed in our attic. Lots of paper! How can I return it to the school without tarnishing his good name? Can I split it up and give it to various charities? – Sally _____________________________________ Sally: Certainly you can give the abundance of paper to those who need it. I think donating the realms of paper would be a wonderful thing to do in memory of your husband. I am sure he would be pleased knowing that you have helped others this way. Perhaps you could divide it up and bring to other schools rather than offering it to your husband’s workplace. Or as you say, find a charity to give it to. Children’s hospitals also would be grateful to receive part of this generous offer. God bless you for thinking of others who will be appreciative to receive these much needed school supplies. May the Lord bless you for this great effort. – CatholicView Staff
Is it a sin not to be baptized? It's something that has stood by my side for the longest and it’s really bothering me. My parents never got me baptized and I feel as if it's too late. – Jessica _____________________________ Jessica: It is never too late to be baptized as long as you have life within you. Know that being baptized will be the greatest happening in your life. Baptism is the sacrament of faith which erases all sin. By dying with Christ in the waters of baptism and rising with him in a rebirth to your new life, you will be an heir to the eternal life which Christ shares with His Father. St. Peter tells us in Acts 2:38 "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Jessica, with baptism you will be a brand new person. And the
precious gift of the Holy Spirit will be with you always to
strengthen and guide you.
God sees your desire and He
waits to embrace you as one of His own. May the Lord bless you and strengthen in this important endeavor. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView
Staff: _____________________________ Maria: It is very hard for family when a loved one becomes very ill. None of us can see the future so we must put all things in God’s capable hands and pray for God’s mercy for your grandfather. We do not know what the Lord has in store for any of us. We can only pray for our loved ones knowing that God always has the final word. Here is a prayer for you: Heavenly Father, I don't always understand your ways. I don't know why my grandfather has to suffer, but I am trusting in You and I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward him. In this time of his suffering, please comfort him with your presence and strengthen me during this time of uncertainty. I love and want him to get better but I know all things are in Your hands, not mine. Help me to accept this. I ask this through the mighty name of Your Precious Son, Jesus Christ.
Maria, God cares about you. No matter what is happening, He will
never leave you stranded. He is always there for you and all of us
who believe in Him. The bible tells us God is all-knowing and
remains
faithful to those who love Him.. Whatever happens in your life, our heavenly Father is always there to strengthen you. God be with you during this trying time. – CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have been invited to go on a cruise with my daughter and her family. There will be one Sunday on which I will be aboard ship. Often there may be a Catholic priest aboard. If no priest is present, I will miss Sunday mass. How will I obtain permission to miss obligatory Sunday mass? – Anthony ____________________________ Anthony: Congratulations on your exciting cruise. We often get letters expressing worry about missing Sunday mass because one cannot find a Catholic Church or a priest is not available when travelling or in your case, a cruise . Know that God understands when we cannot attend mass because of circumstances. What we always recommend is that you quietly spend at least an hour in prayer and reading your bible. Give this time to the Lord. If you can, share this time of prayer and reading the word of God with your daughter and family if possible. In this way you and family are all honoring the Lord and the Sabbath. The important thing is that God sees this and He is pleased. Go in peace, knowing that you will be fulfilling “Keeping The Sabbath Holy”. – CatholicView Staff
If I take $30.00 and buy material and build something and sell it for $140.00 what is the tithe, $14.00 or $110.00? Thank you. – Richard ____________________________ Richard: The Church only asks for 10 percent of whatever you earn. The amount in this case would be to give $14.00 in tithe. Of course, should you choose to do so, you can always add to this amount but it is not obligatory. May God bless you. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView: I am an escort. I feel like going
to confession. I miss the Eucharist, but I know I will return to
my profession. Does that mean that I can't receive valid absolution,
since I am continuing in sin and that receiving would be
sacrilegious? Will God still hear my prayers? – Kelsey Kelsey: Do you understand what it means to be a Catholic Christian? If anyone goes to confession knowing that they will continue to sin, it is not a true confession and you are NOT forgiven. AND such a confession does not qualify you to accept the Holy Eucharist. St. Paul is very explicit in 1 Corinthians 10:16: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” And then in 1 Corinthians 11:26-29 Paul warns, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves." You see, God sees exactly what you are doing. You are not repentant which makes your confession null and void. It is because you are taking the Eucharist knowing you will continue sinning with no promise to stay away from this sin. You have no sorrow for what you are doing. Remember that should you die
without true repentance for these sins and without getting forgiven
by God, you will receive eternal damnation. What you are doing is a
sham and God is not fooled by you.
CatholicView Staff: Can an object be baptized? Or is baptism only for people? Would it be sacrilegious to baptize an object and call it holy? - Elisabeth ___________________________ Elisabeth: As Catholics, we do not baptize objects. Anything inanimate does not get baptized. There is no life in objects because they have no soul. Baptism is for humanity. What you can do is have your object BLESSED by your parish priest. Thanks for your question, God be with you. – CatholicView Staff
My daughter is in unhealthy controlling relationship. She plans to marry this man later this year. Her parish priest has allowed them not to attend the premarital course as they are regular mass attendees and he feels he knows them. Should I write to the priest and express my fears about this relationship? I am really worried my daughter is being manipulated and controlled. Is the Parish Priest free to make the decision not to insist they attend the marriage preparation course? - Angela ________________________________ Angela: I am surprised that because your priest only “sees” your daughter and her fiancé at mass this makes them exempt from the marriage preparation course. Are you sure the priest has not notified them about the marriage course? A Catholic Marriage course is a valuable resource to prepare couples for VALID marriage and orient them toward a shared, Christ-centered life. Even though the parish priest may exempt engaged couples from a pre-marriage preparation course, I don't see why he should do so in this situation. Because of the sacramental nature of Christian marriage, and the serious nature of even non-sacramental (natural) marriage, it is not something to be entered into lightly. Your parish priest helps you ensure that the marriage will be valid—and, if contracted between two baptized Christians, sacramental. It was customary in the past to "publish" the banns of marriage to elicit any negative response to this marriage (remember that old line: if anyone has anything to say about this marriage, say it now or forever hold their peace?) You should speak to the parish priest if you have a major concern about the validity of the marriage. Don't write a letter. Speak to the priest in person. The thing I would be concerned about is that your daughter may take offense should you write or speak to the priest without her knowledge or support. Should you choose to speak to the priest in person about her fiancé, make sure you discuss this with your daughter or better yet talk to her and see if she would go with you. If your daughter refuses to do this, or refuses to religiously secure her marriage, there is nothing you can do about her decision to marry except pray for her. Please be aware that your actions may have consequences. Be prepared for that. But if you have serious reservations about this marriage, please speak up. – CatholicView Staff
CatholicVie Staff: We have been attending bible study with an Evangelical church. They are giving communion tonight. Is it okay to take non-consecrated communion wafer as communion? Is that a sin? – Amy ____________________________ Amy: Fr. John Trigilio (EWTN.com - Attending Protestant services ), has this to say in part: “Catholics MAY attend Protestant services and may sing, pray, etc. but they CANNOT and SHOULD NOT ever receive communion in a non-Catholic church. That is still forbidden by canon law (#1365) Attending non-Catholic prayer services is not forbidden. Receiving any sacrament or alleged sacrament in a non-Catholic Church is forbidden.” – CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I feel that I cannot keep friends, cousins, loved ones near me for too long; even my husband's job keeps him too far that I can only see him a few times a year. Do I need prayer? – Alicia _______________________________ Alicia: I am sorry to hear that you cannot continue your friendships with your friends and closeness to family members. Have you thought about why this is happening? And yes you need prayer. Know that we all need prayer. It is our guiding force.
Loneliness is a very sad circumstance for anyone, but remember that
you are never truly alone.
You do have a friend. That
friend is Jesus Christ Who is always at your side. O merciful God, Your servant Alicia is walking a lonely road with no friends and few family members in her life. Help her to feel that she is special and unique. Let her know that even now You are pouring down Your love for her. And Lord, let her light shine for others so that they can see the goodness she has to offer in friendship. If it is Your Will, open the way and send her friends to share life with, and a family who loves and gives her courage to keep moving ahead. And most of all, Heavenly Father, through Your Holy Spirit, let her know that she is special in Your eyes. She is never alone because You stand with her through all things. We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ. - Amen I am also going to suggest that you talk to your parish priest about getting professional help. I am sure he will be happy to discuss your situation and encourage you as well. He will guide and give you hope to move forward with your life. Also you might want to join a church group and make friends there, or give help at the church, maybe becoming an usher, etc. There is always a need for you within the Church. May the Lord bless you and give you peace and happiness. – CatholicView Staff
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