DEC/JAN. 2014-15
ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER LAZARUS CHAWDI
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
PRIEST STAFF



FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM

"A friend wants to become Catholic and will follow Natural
Family Planning but her husband is not sure about this.  If
she converts and he won't follow NFP, can she
receive communion? - Susie 


 

Father Kevin:

A friend of mine has been studying the Catholic faith and attending masses regularly and will more than likely start taking classes to convert ....her husband isn't quite there yet.. however, on her journey she is starting to try and do things right.. for example..the rules of the church regarding birth control..etc.   She wants to follow the Natural Family Planning for their family.   They are a young couple with 2 young children, her husband is NOT completely on board with this.  I have told her she needs to learn it with him so that it will build his confidence that it works.  Her question is, if she were to go to RCIA classes and totally convert, and he is still NOT on board with the NFP, would she not be able to receive communion if she cannot convince him to do the NFP?  Any  suggestions on how to help him along on this teaching?  Thank you so much!! Susie

______________________________________________________
 

Dear Susie,

Thank you for your question regarding your friend and her husband.  They both sound like good, sincere people who are growing into their faith.  “Growing into” is a key phrase here.  I think we can safely way that God asks us to be as life-giving as we possibly can.  We can also say that God does not ask us to do anything that is beyond our capacity.  Our capacities change from time to time, that is our reality.

In your friend’s case, she and her husband may well be at different points of commitment and understanding at the time she becomes a Catholic, if indeed she does.  It is important that the reality for each of them is respected and if they find themselves at different places with regard to birth control or any other issue, each of them will need to make room for where the other is ready and able to travel. 

These issues are not simple, and at the end of the day the unity of their marriage is the value for them to seek before all else, and then they will teach each other how to make room for whatever diverse values each of them may hold.

It’s often amazing what progress and growth can occur when a conversation is founded in selfless love.  A conversation that is centred on a fear of breaching various rules, will never be growth-full or faith-enhancing.

Each of them needs to be a right with her or his conscience.  This is all God asks.  I hope this helps you and them and I will keep you all in my prayers.  Every blessing. -  Father Kevin

 


"I support a charitable organization helping Third World
Children but they hire people in same sex marriages, 
Should I continue to contribute? - Roger
 

Father Kevin:

Would it be immoral to continue with support of third world children through a charitable organization which adopts a policy of hiring people in same-sex marriages? Roger

__________________________________________________

Dear Roger,

Regardless of the employment policies of the Charity you mention, the third world children have done nothing wrong and ultimately you are supporting them and not the Charity as such.  You could also look for another Charity which does not have such policies and practices if that would help you rest easier.  Every good wish.  -  Father Kevin



"I am mad at God for taking my fiancé and have not
prayed to God for three years.  How can I find peace?"
- Vlada

Father Kevin:

I am still mad at God because he took my fiancé.  He had a stroke and he is gone. I have not talked to God for the past three years. And I feel lost.  I can't pray.  How do I get pass this?  How do I get my faith back?  I am 33, alone and afraid it is going to stay that way cause I loved Paul, truly did and still do. I need peace and cannot find it.....  Vlada

____________________________________________________

Dear Vlada,

Thank you for your question.  I am sorry to hear of your sadness and can’t imagine the depth of your sorrow.  I can understand your anger very well and if I can understand it God certainly can too. I will offer you a few thoughts for reflection which may or may not help you move towards some sense of peace.

Firstly I wonder if you have anger and guilt towards yourself as you were powerless to save Paul.  If that is so, even a little bit, you might like to spend some time with someone who can help you forgive yourself if this is what you need to do.

Secondly, I wonder what being angry at God will accomplish if you simply remain in your anger.  It is certainly a most normal response to a tragic loss such as yours.  Many of the Psalms were written as complaints, some of them quite angry ones as people tried to come to terms with the tragedies of their lives. The Jewish people knew God well enough to be angry with him and to express it.  We can do the same, knowing no matter how angry we are, God’s love for us is unconditional.

Being stuck in anger is a bit like being in prison.  Something else controls our life and we don’t much like it.  Becoming free of such anger can involve some courageous decisions, perhaps some wise counsel from someone you trust.

It is possible that you feel that if you let go of your anger you will let go of something of Paul too and you want to hang onto that bit of him that your anger contains.  It is also possible that your love might thrive and deepen in a heart that is not so imprisoned in powerless anger.

Thirdly, a time of prayer now and then, even a moment or two might be worth a try.  This prayer doesn’t even need to be words on your part, but rather simple allowing yourself to be in the presence of the one who gifted you with Paul in the first place, sitting in silence in the presence of that love, and giving yourself permission to be in that presence you have not felt for some time.

I will continue to hold you in my prayers, Vlada, and pray that you find a new and deeper peace.  Sometimes our deeper peace can only be born out of our deeper sufferings.  The mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection can be our clue here. Every blessing.  -  Father Kevin 



PRIEST STAFF

“My new neighbors gave me problems because I was
Catholic.  When they had a tragic accident and I offered
my help and they now want to learn about Jesus.    How
shall I teach them?”  - Maria. 

Father Francisco: 

The Power of Prayers...  A few years ago my new neighbors gave me a lot of problems when they found out I was Catholic.   They called me names and their kids even threw stones at me when I was on the balcony.   Every time they did this I prayed for them. I prayed and prayed and never showed them any bitterness.  Two days ago a tragic accident happened to them and I went knocking on their door and offered my help.  The father in the house told me he never expected me to be the first to help them and he asked me why, I told him because Jesus Christ taught me to forgive and love my neighbors.  Now the family wants to learn about Jesus and the Bible, what should I do?  How shall I teach them?  Where shall I begin? -  Maria

 _________________________________________

Maria:

I am so grateful to God for your ministry of action.  It is true when they say that "actions speak louder than words".  You didn't have to say a thing, but a simple knock on the door did what words could not do:  you showed the love of Christ.  I know this was a sacrifice for you, putting up with this kind of persecution because of your faith.  But God worked through you, and Jesus, in the person of you, knocked on their door in their time of need, and probably for the first time, they invited the presence of Jesus into their home. 

How blest you are!  I was awestruck to see the power of God in your example of living.  Others who call themselves Christian would not have done what you have done because they have not matured in their relationship with Jesus as you have.  May I say:  You made my day, my week, my month!  Praise God!

Now, it's time to get to work.  This evangelization of a non-believing family is going to take time and even more strength.  Since your neighbors have asked to be introduced to Jesus and the Gospel, let's start with reading the Gospel of Mark together.  Why?  Because it is the simplest to read, very concise, and describes the life of Jesus in summary. 

The Gospel of Mark is also the FIRST gospel written and therefore the closest writing to the life of Jesus Himself.  Ask if they wouldn't mind reading one chapter at a time with them once a week.  Then after reading the chapter, ask them what they learned from it.  Once you finished the reading of the whole gospel according to Mark, then ask them if they would like to join the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults for their acceptance into the Catholic Church.  But that part won't happen right away.  They need to be introduced to Jesus step by step.  Be patient.  I know you will be. 

After a simple discussion of the gospel according to Mark, say the "OUR FATHER" together, ands then a simple prayer that I have described below in the next paragraph, and then take your leave, asking them to read on if they would like to. 

Find out if they have a bible.  If not, get one for all of them and write their names on the first page so that they know that the bible belongs to them.  Let's see what happens.  It seems that this family has no religious background.  So, it will take some time for them to understand biblical and Catholic thought.  But with your help, they will learn.  End the session with this simple prayer:  Lord Jesus, enter my heart and shape my heart to be like Yours.  Amen.  That will be your final blessing to them.  Please have them repeat that final prayer with you.

Once again, how blest you are.  And thank you for sharing with me your testimony of the power of faith in Jesus.  You are amazing!  God bless you richly!  I wish I had more people like you in my parish! -  Father Francisco
 


“I am a lapsed Catholic.  God loves us unconditionally
but I cannot believe Jesus had to be tortured to death
so God could forgive my weaknesses.” - Maureen

 

 
Father Francisco:

I am a lapsed Catholic. It seems to me that the Catholic Church is filled with”rules” about everything.  Jesus is frequently calling the Pharisees to task for placing so many rules on the people.

I believe in God and in Jesus. I love both deeply and try to live a life that Jesus called us to live. Loving and not judging others.  Putting aside my ego and my desires and saying yes to whatever God has placed in my life.  But I do not believe that we were born “in sin.“   What God created was good, holy and perfect. We were given free will and choosing to be selfish and living a life for ME is sinful.  But not evil.

I can believe that God loves us unconditionally, but cannot believe that Jesus had to be humiliated and tortured to death in order for God to forgive me my weaknesses.  - Maureen


__________________________________________
 

Maureen:

Let me start by saying that all humankind, every human person, was born into sin.  This is the basis of the need of salvation from sin and death through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

In the Christian scriptures (the New Testament), in Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 12-16, Saint Paul writes so clearly the basis of our Christian faith:  "Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned --- for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law.  But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the One who was to come.  But the gift is not like the transgression.  For if by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person, Jesus Christ, overflow for many.  In the Hebrews scriptures (the Old Testament), in Psalm 51:7, the psalmist wrote this:  Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin, my mother conceived me.'   So, even though you said, "But I do not believe that we were born in sin," the absolute truth is, we are born and conceived in sin, the doctrine of original sin.  That's why we need Jesus, and His One sacrifice on the cross.

It has to do with the complete obedience of Jesus to His Father's Will as versus Adam and Eve's non-obedience of our Father's Will which caused the universe to break relationship with God and His creation, and with one another.  That rift had to be healed and repaired by the complete obedience of Jesus Christ.  That is what Christianity is all about. 

Once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, have faith in Him and obey the Father's Will as proclaimed in the gospels and the Christian scriptures, then our broken relationship with God is healed and throughout our lives, we strive to be one with God, His creation, and with one another.  To keep our faith always fixed on the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and to receive the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, we live lives of spiritual discipline and maturity. 


Saint Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:1, "Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God."  That requires self-discipline, and our Catholic faith is a specific way of life, a way of self-discipline that guides me to fulfill Saint Paul's admonition to cleanse ourselves daily.  The rules, as you say, mean that we are being guided and challenged to live according to the gospel. 


I am reminded of Saint Paul's example of being a Christian is like running a race.  In I Corinthians 9:24-27, Saint Paul writes:  "
Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?  Run so as to win.  Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.  They do it to win a perishable crown, but we do it to win an imperishable one.  Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.  No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." 

The rules of the Catholic Church involve discipline and order in the "body of Christ, the Church."  The rules as you put it are the spiritual exercises that my spirit uses to keep me fixed on the prize:  heaven and salvation, being one with the Divine forever.  I am running a race!  And the crown of eternal life is my goal.  That is what Christianity is all about.  And this is the truth whether you acknowledge it or not.


Please think carefully about this.  God be with you always.  -
Father Francisco

 


“A while ago, I made a request of my parish priest. 
He refused and left me crying.  My heart is hardened
by this parish.  How can I get past this?” Debbie


Father Francisco:

A couple of years ago, I made a request of my local parish priest. He refused and left me crying on the steps in front of the church (it was right after Mass). I love my Catholic faith but now have a hard time attending. I'm still just so hurt by his refusal. In addition, my husband almost died in 2010 -- he spent 40 days comatose and on life support and was considered terminal -- yet not one person from the Church called me or came to see me while I sat at my husband's bedside.  My heart is hardened by this particular parish yet there is no other Catholic church in town so going elsewhere is impossible.  How can I get past this? - Debbie 

___________________________________

Debbie:

All that matters and is important is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Every human being, even ordained ones, will fail us at one time or another.  I am reminded of Psalm 146, Verses 3-5 which states, "Put not your trust in princes, in man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his spirit departs he returns to his earth; on that day his plans perish.  Happy he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord, his God."   

What happened to you is disturbing and painful.  I do not know what you asked of your parish priest, and I do not know why he would have denied your request.  But this event that happened to you is an opportunity to grow and mature in the Lord.  Now is the time to trust in the Lord totally when things that you trusted and had confidence in fails.  Your faith in God is much stronger because of this event.  Keep your eyes on the Lord, and when you pray the Lord's prayer, remember the words you say:  "forgive us our trespasses and we forgive those who trespass against us". 

How difficult it is to forgive your parish priest when the hurt you feel is so deep.  Yet, that is what the Lord asks of you to do.  That's why I began this paragraph with this:  all that matters and is important is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Keep your eyes on Him alone.  The priests and deacons and leaders of the Church are called to shepherd His people, yet they are human and have limitations that lead to sin as well.  As to your husband who was sick and in a coma for 40 days and no one from your parish came to see you, there are times that I as a pastor of a large congregation do not know what is happening unless I am told.  I have had people come to me after a serious event and complained that I was not there for them.  The reason that I couldn't serve them in their time of crisis was that I did not know.  They didn't tell me or anyone in the parish about their crisis. 

I do not know if you had told someone, or your parish priest, about your crisis.  I can tell you that I was upset that someone was upset with me.  I do not know what happened on the parish level that made you feel abandoned by your fellow believers.  But forgiveness is the key cornerstone of our faith in Jesus Who died for us so that we too might enjoy the healing power of forgiveness.  That is the challenge that the Lord presents to you now.  Forgive and move forward. 

Your parish church is where the Eucharist is celebrated, where we as Catholics receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion, where we meet Jesus as forgiver in the Sacrament of Penance (confession), where we pray together and offer praise to the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.  Your parish church is where the body of Christ lives and breathes; it tries to grow in the Lord and learn the wisdom of Christ's gospel.  And it is in that parish church that we reach for salvation with each other, no matter how weak and sinful we all are. 

Go back to your parish with the only expectation that you will meet the Lord Jesus in the sacraments, in the Word of God proclaimed, and in the Eucharist in which Jesus becomes your food, and in the fellowship of others who are striving to be Christians in word and deed.  That is all that matters.  For the only important things in the whole universe is this:  Jesus is Lord.  All else pales in that eternal truth. 

May the Lord heal your broken heart and spirit.  I admire your strong faith.  You are a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  Move forward with Him. - Father Francisco



“We do the Posadas from the 16th of December to
the 24th.  My Neighbor helps each year but
this
year they want to wait until the 27th.
  I
prefer
the
24th.  What should I do?” - Diana 
  
      

Father Francisco:

I have a baby Jesus that we lay when we do the Posadas in December from the 16 to the 24th. My neighbor helps us each year, They are the Godparents, but we try to do it before they leave each year to Mexico usually from the 16 to the 20th. This year they want to wait till they come back on the 26 or 27. I feel it should be done on the 24th because after all to me its important to celebrate his birth and to me this is the reason why I do it. I feel if I do it till the 26 its like not giving the importance to his birthday and making other things come first. Even if we do it from the 16 to 24th its ok. but I prefer 24th.  - Diana

___________________________________

Diana

What a wonderful tradition you have in keeping "Christ in Christmas!" 

Thank you for celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior in this way.  In our parish, we have a large group of people that leave the church grounds, singing Christmas songs, and knock at the doors of three pre-chosen houses and of course, they say they have no room in the "inn" for Joseph and Mary.  Our group then ends up at the church grounds again, and we knock at the door of the auditorium and the door is opened for our Joseph and Mary and we have hot drinks and goodies.  On the 24th of December, our group is larger then, and Joseph and Mary enter with the baby Jesus in time for our Midnight Christmas Mass.  This procession is repeated for nine days before Christmas (December 16 through 24) and ends with the Midnight Mass for us. 

Your way of doing the
Posadas (the Journey) probably ends at your house and I am so happy that you do this.  May the Lord richly bless you for your wonderful celebration that you share with family, friends, and neighbors! 

We must keep Christ in Christmas no matter the stress of shopping and preparing family get-togethers!   But I want you to know that the Church officially celebrates Christmas for 12 days, from December 25th through January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany (also known as the feast of the Three Kings).  The Church recognizes and celebrates the birth of Jesus for 12 days, each day for the Church in our liturgies and Masses is the birthday of Christ. 

I am sure that you heard of the old English song,
The Twelve Days of Christmas!  It is a carol about the days from December 25th, the first day of Christmas, to January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.  So, it is desirable to continue the celebration of Jesus' birth during those 12 days.  It is fine to do something like the Posadas (without the knocking at other houses since that is reserved before Christmas) after Christmas until January 6th -- or in the United States of America and other countries that celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday after January 1st, until January 4, 2015.  It is fine to continue the Christmas celebration on December 26th and onwards!  So, your friends don't have to miss the celebration with your image of the baby Jesus!  

May I suggest that after Christmas, you can celebrate the birth of Jesus with the image of the baby Jesus carried by your friends (
los Padrinos) through the neighborhood into your home.  Then have a little celebration with goodies!  God bless you in your Christmas celebration!   Merry Christmas!  Jesus is Lord!   - Father Cervantes




“My husband and I had an strong argument
and I yelled and slammed doors.  It was
too late to go to confession.  Can I take
communion?”- Linda


Father Cervantes:

 
My husband and I had a strong verbal argument on Saturday. I yelled and slammed doors, etc. I asked my husband for forgiveness, but it was too late to go to confession. Am I able to partake in communion today (Sunday) or do I need to wait until after formal confession?  - Linda

 ________________________________________

Linda:

Thank you for writing to CatholicView.  The ONLY reason that a Catholic cannot receive holy communion is if the Catholic person is in a state of MORTAL sin (see I John 16-17), or is not in full communion with the Church in regards to the spiritual discipline dictates of the Church (for example, being married outside of the Church).  I don't see strong verbal arguments between spouses as mortal sin unless the verbal arguments turn into physical or psychological abuse (that is mortal sin).  Yes, you are able to receive communion at any Mass or Eucharistic service.  But please go to confession when you are able to do so to settle your anxiousness about this painful exchange of unfortunate words.  Be at peace.  God has already forgiven you both.  I hope that you have forgiven each other and resolved the issue that brought this to such a heated discussion. -  Father Cervantes

 
"My friend is Catholic, married and divorced outside the
 Church, and has a child out of wedlock.  Her fiance was
divorced twice.  What can they do to get married in the
Church?" - Robert

Father:

I have a question about what needs to happen in this situation. Woman: Catholic, married/divorced outside the Catholic church; has an adult child by a man she never married. Man: non-Catholic, married/divorced twice outside the Catholic church. What needs to happen before these two can get married in the Catholic Church?  - Robert

_______________________________________________

Robert:

Thank you for your question.  Before this marriage is recognized as a sacramental marriage in the Church, two things must happen.  For the future bride, a LACK OF FORM process must be completed and for the future groom, a full annulment process must be completed.  The future bride's situation is easy to remedy.  She would apply for a LACK OF FORM dissolution of her first civil marriage and then she would be free to marry in the Church.  This is relatively simple:  she needs to prove that she wasn't married in the Church.  She shows her baptism and first communion certificates and the civil marriage license and two close people who can swear that she wasn't married in the Church.  The LACK OF FORM dissolution process takes one month at the most.  As for the future groom, this situation is more complicated and requires a full annulment process.  Since the groom is not a Catholic, the Catholic Church recognizes his marriage as a sacramental marriage unless proven otherwise through an annulment process.  This process would take at least a year, depending on your diocese's marriage tribunal schedule.  I hope this helps.  -  Father Cervantes


"I have a hard time trusting organized religions because
of some built in hypocrisy.  Am I required to worship
a male God in a Holy House of a specific faith?" - Jeff

 

Father Francisco:

By definition I do not feel I am religious. I have a hard time trusting organized religions due to some built in hypocrisy I see. for that reason, I don't read scripture or attend any organized religious service. I do however, practice treating people the way I want to be treated, I let people choose their way of life without judgment from me. I believe I am honest, fair, contrite, and help those in need when I can. I believe that would allow me to gain access to a heaven if it exists. do I have to believe the higher is the male God as described in literature and required to worship Him under a Holy house of a specific faith? - Jeff

 ____________________________________________________

Jeff:

I understand your view that "organized religions" have hypocrisy through its members.  I also understand your doubts about a "male gender" God and having to worship Him in a church building, a sacred space set aside for the worship of the Divine and the gathering of the faithful.  All human beings are hypocrites at one time or another as you can be.  There are no perfect human beings, except for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  With that said, I am reminded of a comment made by the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen who said this:  "The Church is not a museum of saints but a hospital for sinners."  That one comment changed my whole attitude about the Church.  Jesus came as Savior of our hypocrisies, of our sinfulness, and of our self-centeredness that creates pain and havoc in the world.  Yet when you say that the Church has "built in hypocrisy," you are making a judgment on people who are trying through faith to free themselves from the hypocrisies you judge so harshly.  So, your comment, "I let people choose their way of life without judgment from me."  But you are judgmental of those of faith. 

I see that your immediate judgment of people of faith has closed you off to the purpose of the Church:  to bring healing to broken lives through the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels and through faith in Him who has given His all on the cross and rose from the dead.  That judgment has closed you off from your own desire to know and unite with the Creator.  Time to change your attitude towards others who chose to have faith in Jesus Christ, or faith in God as expressed through their own faith and spiritual walk.  Time to search for the Creator of all and understand who your true Father is.  God is genderless meaning He/She is neither male nor female, since He/She is pure spirit.  God is everything.  He/She is life.  He/She is love.  He/She is beauty.  He/She is healing and reconciliation.  His/Her Son, Jesus Christ, came as a male into our reality and into our time frame since God is timeless and not limited by time and space because God is time and space.  God desired to come into our dimension to bring us into His/Her Life and Love through Jesus Christ.  But Jesus Christ came as a male person and that is why we Christians see God as a male figure though God is more than that.  Nonetheless Jesus is a male person and in Christianity, He is both human and divine. 

My faith in Jesus Christ makes me whole, that faith in Jesus makes me saved from my hypocrisies and sinfulness.  My faith is an action that heals me, though for me, I spend a lifetime understanding what this faith is all about.  This faith changes me so that I can become the image of God in this broken world, broken not by God but by human beings.  Jesus is the healer and the One who makes all things right by calling people to have faith in Him and take that life-long spiritual journey to salvation in heaven with Him, the total union with the Divine. 

As to where you worship the Divine Creator and God's Son, Jesus, the church building is where the body of believers meet and Jesus said so clearly in the Gospel:  MATTHEW 18:20:  Where two are three are united in My Name, there am I in their midst.   The presence of Jesus and His Father God is there in that sacred place where the Word of God is read and preached and where Jesus gives Himself in holy communion (the Eucharist).  For Christians, we meet the Divine alone in prayer and also with the communion of believers in a church. 

Yes, heaven is for those who have a faith relationship with God.  All those who believe in God and live by His spiritual laws (like the law of physics, there is a spiritual and natural law), heaven is awaiting through Jesus Christ.  May your search for truth lead you to a knowledge of your Creator and His Son, Jesus Christ. 
 -  Father Francisco

 


"I lie about telling others I come from a better
background and I am angry about the bad things
that have happened to me.  Please help me?" Andrei
 


Father Francisco:

I am a poor boy who can not continue with minciuna.Nu.  I have no sense like everything fell apart under me. There are a novel that not worth macarun smile. I do not know what to do not know who to talk to. I have a pain in my very mare.  Am fallen uncleanness and do not know how to get out of it. sugrama my child and I am angry pain as the Good Lord who loves me so much hurt unimaginably tareAn need support and I know I will find defiled please help.  -  Andrei

___________________________________________________ 

Andrei:

I am a young man from a poor family.  I cannot keep living a lie by telling others that I come from another and better family background.  I don't know what to do or whom to talk to about my life situation.  I have great pain that reaches to the deepest level of my soul.  I feel unclean, and I don't know how to make things better.  Please help me since I don't know where to turn.  I am angry about the bad things that have happened to me.  I know that the Good Lord loves me but no one can imagine the depth of my emotional pain. 

I am reminded of the gospel verse (John 8:32):  "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Living a lie and trying to hide your "poor" (caste) upbringing and status in your country will only serve to hurt you deeply and make life unbearable.  Why be ashamed of your family status and where you came from?  Jesus was born in a manger, surrounded by animals, yet Jesus never complained about his "poor" upbringing.  Since the "truth will set you free," always live in the truth and you will never have to worry about what lies you are telling to hide your own shame about where you came from.  You feel angry because you feel nothing is going right for you.  Things will not get better if you continue to lie to the people around you.  Start by telling the truth and by not being ashamed by who you are.  God made you.  You are a child of God. 
What is there to be ashamed about? 

My prayer for you is that you will be strong and always be grateful for who you are.  Is there a priest you can speak to that is close to where you live?  God is always with you and He will support you through others who are willing to help with your situation.  Don't give up on yourself! 

You are loved always by God.  He made you in His image and likeness.  You are that special and unique in this world. - Father Cervantes 


CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

“Am I going to Hell because I had
 an abortion?”  Susan

CatholicView:

Am I going to hell because I had an abortion? - Susan

 ________________________________

Susan:

The good news for you is that our Savior Jesus Christ paid for all sin by taking our sins and paying for them by His sacrifice on the cross.   If you earnestly pray and promise not to ever kill another unborn child again and mean it, He will forgive, but you must seal it with your promise to never repeat this sin, or else your prayer to God and Jesus Christ will become null and void.

Abortion, or even being an accomplice in procuring an abortion, is considered a mortal sin, a grave and deadly sin, which unforgiven, will be the cause of a person being condemned to hell, the complete separation from God Himself.  But forgiveness was brought for us by Christ's blood on the cross.  It is the Blood that cleanses us from all sin when we ask sincerely for forgiveness.  And when God forgives, He loves us into His amazing grace and eternal life with Him in heaven.

Abortion is a mortal sin and these sins are referred to as a grave sins, grave matter, or serious sins.  Those who die in this sin WILL go to Hell for taking a child's life.  

Susan, reconcile yourself by going to confession, knowing that the Lord will stand with you on your journey back to Him.  He will forgive and forget, but again, know that you must make a firm commitment that you will not ever commit this offense again, or else your confession becomes invalid and you will be living in your sin.  If you have already asked, be at peace and continue to stay in His almighty grace.

But understand that you must show a sign of your repentance.  May I suggest, if your confessor has not, that you do something to show your gratitude for the forgiveness and spiritual healing that comes from God.  I hope you volunteer in a pro-life program, or do something to support homeless and hungry children at a local shelter, or something that you can do to help others.       

Once you have been cleansed of sin by the blood of Christ through God's forgiveness, move forward in the Lord Who loves you.    - CatholicView Staff



“Why pick the Catholic religion vs. the Adventist
religion?  How do I know which one is right” - Nessa


CatholicView:

Why pick the Catholic religion vs. the Adventist religion? How do I know which one is right, when they are both saying that they are the right one?  - Nessa

__________________________________

Nessa:

Seventh-day Adventists agree with some of the Catholic doctrines, His virgin birth, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, a physical resurrection of the dead, and Christ’s Second Coming and this includes the trinity.  The Seventh-Day Adventists also use a valid form of baptism. And yes, they believe in original sin and reject the Evangelical teaching that one can never lose one’s salvation no matter what one does (i.e., they correctly reject "once saved, always saved" as do Catholics. 

However, they also hold many false doctrines.  (For rebuttals of many of these ideas, see the Catholic Answers tracts, The Antichrist, The Hell There Is, Hunting the Whore of Babylon, The Whore of Babylon, and Sabbath or Sunday?

As is clear from some of the beliefs listed above, Adventist theology is intensely anti-Catholic. Many Catholics who do not frequently come in contact with Adventists or who read their literature cannot realize just how hostile they can be toward our Church.  See this link for more on this subject:  http://www.catholic.com/tracts/seventh-day-adventism.

Please ask the Lord to guide you to make the right choice.  Your soul depends on it.  - CatholicView Staff

 


                  “What does the Lord want me to do?” - Clare                 


CatholicView:

How does one know what God wants me to do?  Is it wrong to ask for a specific sign?   Thank you and God Bless. - Clare

___________________________________ 

Clare:

Many times all of us, as Christians, feel like asking  "What do you WANT from me, Lord?  What road do you want me to take?"   What is your will for my life?  Are You leading me to take this new job?  Does God want me to marry this person?  Or most of all, could God be pointing me in a new direction for my life?

God overall wants us to please him by fulfilling the purpose that He has for us. God says to acknowledge Him in everything you do and He WILL direct your path. - Proverbs 3:6.  Have you prayed and asked God to lead you to what He wants? 

No matter what you're going through trying to discern His will for you, pray and ask Him to lead you and He will. And know that it is never wrong to ask God for a sign.  If you are sincere, you can rest assured that if you trust God completely He will answer your prayers and show you exactly what He wants you to do.  Through those prayers, you will recognize His great plans for your life.   I will pray that God will make things perfectly clear to you.  Thanks be to God.  - CatholicView Staff


“I have been dating a Christian girl but her
mother won’t accept me in the family.  What
should we do?” - Jesus

CatholicView:

 

I've been dating a Christian girl for the past 4 months but her mother won’t accept me in the family.  We both love each other.  Her whole family accepts me even her father.  The issue with her mom is the fact that l’m not a Christian even though I'm a Catholic.  We don't want to end our relationship just because of her mother.  What should we do? - Jesus


______________________________________

Jesus:

There is one thing you are forgetting and that is all Catholics ARE Christians.  Anyone who believes in Jesus,
has been baptized, and attends Church is a Christian.  Catholicism is a Christian religion.  Many people have a misconception about our faith in Christ. 

Catholicism is a denomination, and is, therefore, a subset of Christianity. All Catholics are Christians, but not
all Christians are Catholics. The name Christian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who may be a Catholic, Protestant, Gnostic,  Mormon, Evangelical, Anglican, Orthodox, or follower of another branch of the religion.

We celebrate our Lord and Savior each Sunday at mass receiving the body and blood of Christ.  Again, please keep in mind the name Christian comes from Christ.  And so, all of us who have been justified by faith in baptism are incorporated into Christ therefore have a right to be called Christians.  And Christians, including Catholics, are accepted as brothers and sisters in the house of the  Lord.

I will say it again, YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN.  Your baptism makes this a sacred reality.  Do not let anyone tell you differently.  May the Lord bless you.  -  CatholicView Staff
 


“I was ungracious to a young girl.  Any hope
for my guilty conscience?” - Anneelise


CatholicView Staff:

Today was a long, hard day at work, taking care of many sick people. As I was finishing up in the ladies' room, someone knocked on the locked door, twisted the handle energetically, and tried to get in. I opened the door to find a young teenager, and in my weariness, I was anything but gracious to her. I said, "excuse me," in a quiet but "not nice" way, letting her know that I didn't appreciate her impatience to get in the ladies' room. I feel absolutely awful about it now and fear that I hurt her feelings. She said, "sorry," and I could tell she meant it, but I was so annoyed that I just walked on.  As an adult, I seriously hope that I didn't hurt this young girl by my ungracious behavior. It's true, she could have been patient, but she's a kid. Any hope for my guilty conscience? - Anneelise

 ___________________________________

Anneelise:

There are times when all of us are less than gracious, especially when we are very tired and worn.  Without thinking, we sometimes hurt others by being unfriendly.  But God knows your circumstances.

If you see the girl again, apologize.  Know that the Lord reads the heart and you are sorry for your actions.

God knows you were humanly tired and did not mean to hurt anyone, and are truly sorry for your conduct, and He will forgive.  Pray and ask the Lord to give you peace and solace.  - CatholicView Staff

           


 

 

 




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