AUGUST 2007 FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM ”Is there a difference between the term “spirit” and “soul”? - Bo Father Cedric: Dear Bo, The Scriptures do delineate between body, soul and spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) as you noted. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is helpful with the understanding. #362-368 teach us that our soul is eternal and created by God and infused in us at conception. Our soul consists of our mind, will, emotions, conscience and heart. All these are developed as we grow but are there in seed form within us. While the soul is eternal, (never dies) it is our spirit that helps us to gravitate towards things that are beyond this world. Our spirit pulls us beyond what we see and hear to the things that are above. We have “eternity” in our hearts to quote a Scripture. Both soul and spirit are closely related. I quote the Catechism on this point, “The Church teaches that the distinction between soul and spirit does not introduce a duality into the soul. “Spirit” signifies that from creation man is ordered to a supernatural end and that his soul can gratuitously be raised beyond all it deserves to communion with God.” #367. While this is not an “in depth” explanation, I hope it helps. Sincerely, Fr. Cedric ”Jesus knew Judas and Peter would sin
but shared the Last Supper with them. Why
can’t we receive communion without confession? ”
- Maggie Father
Cedric: Dear Maggie, First of all, Judas hadn’t sinned when he shared in the Last Supper. Although plotting, his action was after the fact. You are asking about those who have sinned before communion. The Church holds the Eucharist in such high esteem. After all, it is the real body and blood of Christ. It is important that we don’t trivialize what we are doing at Eucharist or discount the awesome mystery of the body of Christ. That is one of the reasons why those who are not Catholic should not haphazardly come forward to receive. We all sin. Certainly if you are going to confession frequently or even once every few months and you sin, you may come to communion. No one is perfect and the church realizes that. We pray that by receiving communion, you will grow and become a better person. But, if there is a mortal sin on your soul and you have not confessed, we ask you to come to reconciliation first. You are seeking to repair the broken relationship first so that full communion can occur. At communion you are telling Jesus, “I love you and I want my heart to be ready (by repentance and contrition) to receive you.” Sincerely, Fr. Cedric
”Why do we say “world without end” in the
‘Glory be’ when we know the world will end someday? - Anthony Father
Cedric:
Anthony, This question of yours created no little conversation at our dinner table. I have priests 86, and 78 years old living with me, as well as others. In fact, my own mother had asked me that same question last year. This phrase “Glory be to the Father, Son and Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, world without end. Amen,” is no longer in use. The best we can track it, this phraseology changed at Vatican II some 45 years ago. Actually, the phrase of praise we use now is: “Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.” Perhaps
the phrase was changed for exactly the same reason you are stating. In any
event, you are correct in saying that this world will end. Scripture and tradition are consistent in teaching
us that. However, the world referred to in this statement of praise must be
“God’s eternal world.” God is
without beginning or end and his Kingdom to come will never end. This world is transient and God’s world is
eternal. I hope that helps. Fr.
Cedric ”How can I stop giving money to my wife’s
family without Father Cedric: I am not rich, but far from being poor. I give to charities, and have given much money to my wife’s family who have many problems and are poor. I want this to stop without hurting my wife. – Tom Tom: Giving is the heart of God. In
fact I think the hallmark of love, besides caring, is giving. For God so loved the world that He gave, we read in
John 3:16. What He gave was the supreme gift,
His Son. So you are right in giving and I encourage you to keep it up.
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM 
“My wife committed adultery and continues to receive communion
without confession. What should I do?” -
George Father Kevin: Dear George: You are going through a brave, hopeful and possibly somewhat painful time of healing as you re-build your relationship with your wife. How she responds to the situation regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation is her decision and hers alone. Each of us is ultimately responsible for one life and one conscience. Your question assumes that she knows the Church's teaching on this matter, namely that one ought to confess a serious sin before receiving Communion again. This law is still in place of course. Sometimes however, people are more or less ready to take that step at different times, and as we become more adult we sometimes take a path that is beyond where the letter of the law seems to go. Jesus got into trouble for this very thing, from people whose only point of reference was the law. Maybe she's not ready yet, and maybe she will be in her own good time. The decision is hers. Any other decisions about your life together you can make together of course, and share in responsibility for that. The mistake she has made, on paper at any rate, is in no way reflective of any decisions you might have made, and does not need to impact on decisions you make together now. Perhaps the loving healing of your relationship could well lead to a time when your wife feels that she is ready to take the step to Reconciliation. In the meantime we trust in a good and loving God, whose love is the ultimate test for all our rules. Every blessing to you both. - Father Kevin
Hi Bobbi, In John's Gospel in Jesus' wonderful conversation with Nicodemus, there is a reference to the need to be born again of water and the Holy Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that all people of good will, baptised or not, can enter the kingdom of heaven if they have lived their lives as well as they can. This would include all the wild and wonderful characters, the prophets and the holy people of Old Testament times, as well as the millions who have never had the chance to find faith in Jesus. God is big enough to handle all of us. Baptism is a wonderful celebration of our incorporation into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and a commitment on our part to live that out as fully as we can. It doesn't mean that we are the only ones who will get to see God - that would make God very small and limited if that were the case. Through baptism we are re-born into the family of God, the Body of Christ, the community of the faithful - to use some of our favorite metaphors. We have the grace and privilege of knowing and encountering the Word of God made flesh in Jesus, with a certain immediacy. It is all a matter of gift and grace, rather than of obligation. All good wishes. - Father Kevin Father Kevin: I am a Minister of the Eucharist. My sister, who has not gone to mass for a number of years, has started to come back to Church and is receiving communion. I am almost positive she has not gone to confession. What should I do, especially if she comes to me for communion? - Pat Hi Pat: Thanks for your question. How wonderful that your sister has returned to the Lord's Table again and that you can minister to her. The problem of whether she has gone to Reconciliation or not is not yours but a question for her to deal with in due course. Perhaps you could discuss it with her if she would like to talk about it, but in the meantime, I think it's great that you can be glad that she is once again approaching the Eucharist. Think of the way Jesus was with so many people - He listened, waited and responded, always with welcome and love. That is our best clue. I'm sure He is very relaxed and delighted by your sister's return and in good time and in her own way her homecoming will be completed. One of Jesus' best clues was His instruction not to judge each other. I often remind myself of that one! Every blessing. Father Kevin Father Kevin:
Hello Allen and thanks for your note. I
am so sorry to hear of your illness and pray for your peace. Here are few verses that come to mind: Mary's wonderful hymn the Magnificat in Luke 1: "I
have come that you may have life and have it to the full" John 10, 10 "I am like a cypress ever green
- all your fruitfulness comes from me" Hosea 14,8 "The Jews look for miracles and
the Greeks want proof, but all we have to proclaim is the crucified Christ...." 1 Cor
1 "I pray that you will have the
power to grow strong in your inner self and that Christ will make his home in your
heart through faith." Ephesians, 3, 16-17 I hope some of these help - there are so many
others, but these might get you started and bring you some comfort.
CatholicView Staff:
Tom: I must disagree with your first premise. God does not have a road planned out for us. Instead, God gave us our inborn talents and gifts to use for the sole purpose of bringing others and myself to salvation in Jesus Christ. By doing so, we are truly fulfilled in life. The Baltimore Catechism (USA) states very simply that the purpose of life is “to know, love and serve God.” Even though God made us with His purpose in His Mind, we are the ones who make our own roads through this material and earthly existence. That’s where free will comes in. I cannot be forced on a “road” that I do not want to take. We are free to do what we do with the gifts and life God gave us. As to accidents and the untimely deaths of your friends, I am sorry that you had to see them go from you. Yet, accidents are accidents and not necessarily planned by God. Accidents usually happen and have their origin in a decision made by free will, a decision made freely by someone. God does not plan accidents. Accidents just happen. So, do not focus or obsess on trying to figure out whether God planned this or that. Focus on how to use your life and internal gifts for the greater good. – CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff:
Dear Jennifer: The Old Testament did have a prohibition against calling on the dead THROUGH MEDIUMS and through WITCHCRAFT. This prohibition did not include "surprise" visits by those who have passed on. Sometimes, things happen that have no earthly explanation. People have had the experience of having encounters with those who have died. We see this when people have had mystical experiences of seeing Jesus (ok, so He rose from the dead, but He is in heaven), Mary, and various saints. Others have seen angels. Some have had experiences with the deceased who were friends and family members. They have not actively sought to have communication with the dead, but it happens. You were not visited by a demon. You were probably visited by your mother who wanted you to know that she is safe with God and that she loves you and talks to Jesus about you. You have your own personal saint before our Lord Jesus and that is your mother. You are blest indeed! We as Catholics/Christians do not fear death because death is just a doorway to eternal life with Jesus! - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff:
Dear GP: You have shown your Christian spirit to your neighbor. You are to be commended for that and God is pleased with your actions. Although it has been hard for you to maintain your generosity at a cost to yourself, please keep in mind that two weeks is not a lot of time for anyone to find a job and get their finances in order. However, some signs of trying should be visible. And a refusal to accept your offer to aid him in finding employment or help is a blatant disregard for your sacrifices. Unfortunately, some people are beyond help. It sounds like you have been more than generous to your neighbor. Sometimes, in helping others, we can make them dependent. Perhaps you would be wise to tell your neighbor that you cannot afford to continue taking care of him on a regular basis but that in an emergency situation you will help. Make it clear that should there be a crisis, you will be there for him, but not if he refuses to seek work or help from other sources. Why not consult with your parish priest and get his counsel on this matter? With the limited amount of information such as if this man has a wife and children, the situation might be different. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Dear Teresa: It is good that you have decided to come back to the Church. The confessional is for confession. Why not just make an appointment to talk to a priest at the rectory? This way you can ask all the questions you want. No need to feel ashamed, for the priest has heard it all before. If you decide to simply go to confession, do not be afraid. Before you go, maybe you could sit and write down everything you need to ask forgiveness for, and bring it into the confessional with you. This is okay to do. If you later think of sins you forgot to talk about in the confessional, God will understand, so just write them down for another time. This is okay because it was not an intentional act. Don’t be afraid. Pray and ask God for strength and courage to come back to His house. May the Lord bless you. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Why not come back
fully and in fellowship with the church by getting your annulment and having your present
marriage blessed? Once you have the annulment, the priest can bless your marriage at
the parish office if you desire. Know that the
church applauds this first step back. We pray that you take the next step
and will soon be in full union with the church, partaking of all its sacraments. May God bless your
return and give you the courage to make all things right.
CatholicView Staff: Dear Brian: Thank you for your question. Your broken cross does not signify anything. Most people bury such holy objects in the earth. God bless you. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Taryn: I pray for your healing and liberation from your various illnesses and disorders that have taken away the joy of life from you. You are heavily burdened, yet Jesus still says to you each day with open arms, “Come to me!” So, start each day with your open arms outstretched to Jesus and say, “Come to me, Lord Jesus.” Each day you will have the spiritual and emotional strength to make it through another day. In your regards to your question about having children in the future, I would follow your doctor’s advice. If your medical doctor should suggest some kind of artificial birth control or even surgery, I would say to take his suggestions seriously for the sake of your own health and the peace of your family. Your present child needs a healthy mother! The document, Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), written by Pope Paul VI in regards to the question of artificial birth control, states that parents must be responsible parents. You must be responsible for the welfare of your child, your health, and your family. In your case, doing what is medically necessary to prevent future pregnancies would be morally responsible and correct. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My 12 year old son lives with his mom, I get him every other weekend and summers. He wants to receive communion but has not received instruction, his mom is not interested in seeing he gets same. It would be very difficult for me to drive him to instruction as they live some 25 miles away. Should I personally instruct him(I taught CCD some years ago) so that he can receive our Lord, or wait until he is older and can pursue this himself? - Stan Dear Stan: The Church is very weary about a parent that wants their child to be sacramentally involved in the Church when the other parent does not want that child to do so. With that in mind, for your son to become involved sacramentally in the Church, both parents must approve the child’s formal religious education. But this does not stop you from privately teaching your son the facts of the faith and about Jesus Christ and His sacraments. I would say that you should use your time with your son to prepare him and teach him what he needs for the reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. When your son is 18 (the age of maturity in the USA…in other countries and jurisdictions, it may be different), he can make the decision himself to be sacramentally involved in the Church. He would make the right decision because you taught him to do so. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Dear Pete: Marriage between a Catholic and the
non-Catholic party must be done within the Church. Marriage
is a sacrament and must normally be celebrated within the Church to emphasize the
sacramental character of that marriage. We, as Catholics, see the importance of the Church as a
community and it is important to have the sacraments celebrated in the parish church. Talk to
your parish priest for guidance in this matter. Hope
this helps. CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Dear Alma: I wish our lives were simpler but in this day and age, our work schedules do not revolve around the Church’s calendar. In the old days before televisions and oppressive work days, holy days were celebrated by the spiritual community with great fanfare. Instead, our Church celebrations are diminished by our secular calendar. On a Holy Day of Obligation (which is like a Sunday), the ideal is to attend Mass and not work so that “our mind and soul can be geared towards prayer.” But the present reality makes this impossible sometimes. So, let’s work with what we have. If a Holy Day of Obligation falls on a workday, try to make it to Mass and set some time aside for special prayer to honor God and spiritually celebrate the holy day. God knows that we have to work and He understands. Set some special time to sit with Him on those special holy days. Working on a holy day (or even a Sunday if that is a normal workday for you) is not sinful in this situation. But nonetheless, Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation do demand our special attention and extra effort to be prayerful and to celebrate the holy day. – CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff:
Dear Karen: I want to make this distinction: there is the Jewish heritage/race/blood, and there is the Jewish faith and those who adhere to the faith of Jewish people. Your baptized child is a Christian (Catholic), 100%. In regards to heritage/blood/race/genetics, your child is one-half Jewish. Religion, though, is a 100% thing. Either you are of the Jewish faith or you are not. Your child is not Jewish in religion because he is a Christian by baptism. Christians believe in Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and Savior. The Jewish religion still waits for this promised Messiah and does not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. So, you can’t be ½ Christian and ½ Jewish faith. One either accepts Jesus as Savior or not. That’s the difference between the Christian faith and the Jewish faith (among other things). – CatholicView Staff “Are my wife and I committing a sin by being so accepting of our daughter’s actions?” - John CatholicView Staff: Dear John: You are loving parents and you love your daughter. You have spoken with her concerning her moral decisions. You have done what is expected. Your 27 year old daughter makes her own decisions and is living outside your home. Keeping the door of your home open to her and your hearts welcoming to her is not sinful but is the expected course that parents’ take. Pray that she will be able to marry this boyfriend of hers, or separate. You have done all you can do. Accepting and welcoming does not imply that you APPROVE of her decisions. But loving her will one day help her to make the proper Christian decision when the time is right. Pray for her each day and watch what God can do! - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff:
Patricia: I am confused by your question. From what you wrote, you are officially a member of the Methodist church. You would become a member of the Catholic Church when you have completed the Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults. The sentence, “I was a Catholic because Catholics only marry Catholics,” is not true. Catholics have married in the church with spouses of different faiths. So, marrying a Catholic does not make one a member of the Catholic faith. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
” Would it be sinful if I took a job as a pharmacy technician dispensing contraception?” - Lynne CatholicView Staff: Dear Lynne: You are correct in saying this: “I realize that the pill may be prescribed for different reasons and I am not to judge anyone.” You are not the one who makes the moral decisions. You are not the responsible party. I could say that I shouldn’t work in a store because people can buy liquor and that would cause some to sin by getting drunk or further deepen their alcoholism. I can work in that store even though liquor is being sold. Just because people abuse something that is otherwise morally neutral is not my moral responsibility. Medications are morally neutral; how it is used by a person is what makes it sinful or not. Please, get your job and learn much about medications. It could save a life someday. Be at peace. - CatholicView Staff
"Do I need to
be re-baptized?” - Cassandra CatholicView Staff: Dear Cassandra: If you were baptized because you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your baptism was valid and accepted by the Church. The element of baptism must have this: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Your acceptance of Jesus as Lord and the words of baptism make your Christian “non-denominational” baptism valid and recognized by the Church. There is no need for “conditional” baptism in your situation. – CatholicView Staff
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