Father Kevin: Heaven sounds like a great place to be and I hope to get there. Is it wrong to pray that I could die now? I really don't like the world that I live in and just want to find some peace. I know that suicide is wrong and I won't do it, but is it a sin to pray for death? Thank you. - Julia
Hi Julia: We certainly have a genius of making a mess of things here and now. What I do know is that every breath I breathe here is part of God’s plan for me, and part of God’s gift for me and my path to peace involves making sense of each step on my journey. My guess is that if we are not thankful for the life we have now, heaven won’t make much sense as we will have failed to make the most of God’s gifts now, so we probably wouldn’t understand God’s gifts in heaven. It’s not a sin to pray for death, but I can’t help wondering if a prayer for gratefulness for all we have now would not be more fruitful and lead you to a more peaceful place. May you could find some peace and joy in doing something to make the world a better place, to bring something of God’s love to the world around you. This is our training ground if you like for knowing ultimate love, the love that is God. God gives us some wonderful clues to follow here, including our questions and our sufferings. I’ll pray for you as your journey here continues that you grow into a new peacefulness. Every blessing. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: The Catholic Church does not condone divorce. However in recent years it seems to be getting easier and easier to obtain annulments even when a couple has children and have been married for many years. Isn't a church annulment now just viewed as a back door Catholic divorce? - John
Hi John: No, an annulment is not a backdoor divorce and has nothing to do with divorce in a sense. A divorce is a civil legal matter and an annulment involves an examination of whether a marriage was ever truly a sacrament. The length of a marriage and the presence of children have no bearing on the annulment process. The annulment process looks to the state of play at the time of the marriage and examines the degree of freedom and readiness, the intention of permanence and the openness to children on the part of each party. If it can be established that one or the other party was lacking substantially in one of these areas, then an annulment can be granted. The reason it may seem to be easier these days, is that we have grown in our understanding of human psychology and this new understanding makes it possible to study a couple’s story and understand it more fully. So the Church is not becoming slack, but in this instance at least, somewhat wiser, more compassionate and more in line with the attitudes that Jesus showed people whose lives had gone out of shape. All good wishes. - Father Kevin
Father Kevin: My pastor jointly bought a house with a girl friend in 2007 with proof of deed ownership. This lady now is his parish paid secretary. My question is whether it's possible for a Catholic priest being allowed to possess a $158,000 home with "joint tenants and right of survivorship?" with an unmarried woman? Thanks greatly. – Frank
Hi Frank: This
would depend on local diocesan regulations. You would need to check
with the local Diocesan office or the bishop to find out how this
situation might or might not be allowable. All good wishes. -
Father Kevin
CATHOLICVIEW
STAFF 
"Some of the rules from the "Rules of Benedict" are disturbing. Can you explain?" - Mark
CatholicView Staff:
I recently learned of the "Rule of Benedict" for monasteries. I was interested so I read the rules. A few were rather disturbing to me, specifically: 6) Accept oneself as a "worthless workman" and 7) Consider oneself "inferior to all".
Why would these be requirements? It seems often that as Catholics we are told things that totally erode our sense of self-esteem. Aren't we children of God and thus incredibly valuable? I'm not talking about egotism, but quiet self-confidence. - Mark
Mark: The rule of Saint Benedict is the basis of many monastic constitutions in the Western Catholic Church. Saint Benedict wrote the book as a guide for monasteries in 529 AD and set up his own monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy. Today, the Benedictine communities around the world follow these teachings as a guide to their monastic lives. The quotations you asked about are to be understood within the time of the sixth century AD. These rules are a call to humility, a call to not be prideful or selfish. I am reminded of the gospels in which Jesus states: (Mark 10:43-45) "But it shall not be that way with you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for the many." And also, 'Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me (Matthew 18:4-5)." And "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12)." Saint James wrote in his letter (James 4:9), "Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you." The scriptures are full of calls to humility which basically is a call to being your true self without the deceit and being full of one's self. That is the teaching of the rule of Saint Benedict: be authentic and not some kind of person made in the image of pride and society's expectations. Self-esteem can be an excuse for being thought of as superior to others, which is not true. I have little respect for the teaching of so-called self-esteem. Instead, the Church calls people to be authentic and not to be someone they are not. The Church's teaching about humility and authentic human living is embodied in the rule of Saint Benedict. Self-esteem is not the issue here. Authentic living is. One of my favorite gospel verses is in Luke 17:10: "So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'" God doesn't give medals or pats on the back to us. When we do even the most heroic thing, the Lord will merely say, "That's what was expected....did you expect a medal from me?" Life is about doing what God would do; living authentically to what God has made you, a child of God. And if I am a child of God, then nothing else matters. By the way, the rule of Saint Benedict is based on the Scriptures as you can see. The Church doesn't teach things that erode one's self-esteem. On the contrary, the Church teaches us the expectations that God has of us. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
My grandson is asking his girlfriend to marry him. He needs to know if they can take Pre Cana classes separately. He is in the Navy stationed in South Carolina and she lives in Jacksonville Fl. He is home on leave and needs to know the answer to this before he talks to her parents. They want to marry within about a year but he will still be in Nuke school in S.C. Please help. Thank you and God bless you for being available. We have a Mission Church here and no priest and only Mass on weekends when Father is in a huge hurry to get back to his parish. - Kathleen
Kathleen: Yes, the pre-marriage
preparation courses can be taken separately for special reasons such as yours. Your
grandson's girlfriend should get in touch with the Diocese of Saint Augustine which
handles the parishes in Jacksonville, Florida. She should get in touch with the
people in the Family Life ministry office and ask about the pre-marriage preparation
courses and she should explain her situation to them. They will be able to
help. Here is the Internet link to the Family Life office for the Diocese of Saint
Augustine: http://www.dosafl.com/navSubLanding.asp?ParentID=86
CatholicView Staff:
I was at an event at which there were several bishops. Some were listed with D.D. behind their names, others with S.T.D. or Ph.D. Are these truly "earned" degrees or simply conferred (honorary) due to having been elevated to the episcopacy? Do all bishops automatically get D.D. behind their names? - Marcia
Marcia: Some bishops have doctorate degrees in the fields of expertise from accredited universities. These degrees are: S.T.D., doctor of Sacred Theology, usually from the Pontifical Universities in Rome or a Catholic university anywhere in the world, and Ph.D., doctor of philosophy in various fields of academia, usually from secular universities and private (some Catholic) universities. The degree, D.D., Doctor of Divinity, is usually in the United States of America an honorary degree given by a Catholic college, or other religious universities to special people who have been influential in their religious fields. But there are Doctor of Divinity programs that are truly academic degrees from seminaries and theological schools such as the Harvard School of Divinity. I would say a bishop in the United States of America with the Doctor of Divinity degree (D.D.) probably received an honorary degree from a Catholic university or a seminary that is able to give such accredited degrees. The other degrees, such as S.T.D, and Ph.D., are earned degrees after many years of study and writing of a doctoral dissertation. I myself have a Master of Divinity degree that is needed for ordination to the priesthood and this degree is an academic and professional degree. A Master of Divinity degree demands a course of serious theological studies and ministerial practice under supervision of a senior pastor or priest in ministry. I also have a Master of Arts degree which is also an academic degree that demanded a written dissertation. - CatholicView Priest Staff
to let Moses and his people go?" - Thomas
Dear CatholicView Staff:
Exodus says, that God (therefore also Jesus, since the doctrine of Trinity) killed Egyptian firstborns. I know, God killed them in order to force the king to let Moses and his people go, but didn't almighty God find any other way to escape killing the innocent children? How can God be good, if he killed innocent people, therefore did evil (although the good came out)? Can you please explain that for me, because it troubles me very much. Thank you very much for your answer! - Thomas
Thomas: God has always accepted humankind as they were at any given time. The Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) are filled with stories and events that we today would find shocking and upsetting. But to the people at that time, God had to speak to them in the language that they understood, and the enslaved Hebrew people wanted God to intervene in a big way to free them from the Egyptians and to be returned to their land, the Promised Land, known as Judah and Israel. And God had to use the language that the Pharaoh understood: power and strength (since I am sure that Pharaoh wouldn't have taken a nice and compassionate Moses seriously). Remember, God, through his messenger, Moses, gave the Pharaoh fair warning, "Let my people go or there will be a plague." There was always a warning and a consequence if the warning wasn't heeded, a serious and hard-hitting consequence. The Pharaoh's actions spoke for all the Egyptian people, and those actions had consequences. God always respects free will and free choice. Of course, every decision has it good and bad consequences. And Pharaoh made a decision that affected all his people. Your question places the wrong emphasis on God's actions. Your question should have been why Pharaoh allowed such plagues to be visited upon his people. The actions of Pharaoh caused the terrible consequences, not God's actions. It was Pharaoh's fault that innocent children (the first born) died, not God's fault. The plagues built up from locusts (something simple yet big enough to make a point) to the deaths of the first-born, and Pharaoh had 10 chances to stop the suffering of his people. This can be understood today: many people ask why people die from other people's actions, and it all comes down to free will of us all. We human beings must take responsibility for our actions and God will not intervene in our free will decisions. He respects us that much, even if it means that suffering will be visited upon the guilty and innocent alike. The world's suffering mess is not God's fault. It is ours. I am troubled by the evil of people's hearts. God's actions don’t trouble me at all since every human decision and action has a consequence and that isn't God's fault. My sufferings and my joys are my doing. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
If a priest comes to my home to bless cremains, how much of a gratuity should he be given? - Nancy
Nancy: That's a good question because each country has its own customs when it comes to a donation to a priest, deacon, or anyone else who acts as a minister for a funeral or blessing of cremains. In the United States of America, if a priest comes to your home to bless and place cremains awaiting the second coming of Christ, the donation could be anything you wish to give. And you don't have to give anything at all. Usually people have given me anything from a card saying "thank you" to $500 which, according to our diocesan policies, I had to give to the church funds. I would recommend (but remember, this is a gift from you and not required) $100 US. Unless the parish office suggests a set donation (such as for marriages), it is really up to your discretion. CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
What is my obligation of responsibility as a Catholic to my disabled sister? She has some physical but more emotional disabilities from a car accident. She lives with my parents and they can't go anyway without her or leave her at home by herself. She is 46, and can be sweet as can be as long as you do what she wants. My mom says she is no problem, but my dad tells us how she walks out in the middle of the night, cuts herself, etc. She expects one of us children to take her in when she passes but we know she is a 24-hour job. We wouldn't put her on the street but none of us feel we should have to give up our lives and take her into our homes. My mom is angry and negative and tells us we are selfish. I feel constant upset and guilt. Thank you.
Marianne: I am sorry to hear that your sister is disabled physically and emotionally from this car accident. It has certainly affected her mental health, something that can't be easily fixed medically. I can sympathize with your concern about your sister's welfare when your parents are called home to God. Yet, she is your sister. I am reminded of this biblical verse: "Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone." (I Thessalonians 5:14) There are also other verses in scripture that point to our own responsibilities for those who are weak and unable to take care of themselves. Yes, you are responsible for the care of your sister. But, does that mean you have to take her into your home? It may mean that the family may have to find a place for her to be taken care of, such as a place that has experts on how to deal with the mentally ill and disabled. If no one is willing to take your sister into their home, then you must make sure that she has a place to live and to be honored with respect and care. It is time to look for such places and give your parents peace in knowing that their daughter and your sister will be taken care of by all of you in some way. You know, I want to share something that haunts me in regards to my own relationships with my family members. It is the verse from Matthew 7:12: "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." If something should happen to you, I know that you want to be taken care of as well. Do for your sister what you would want someone to do for you if something should happen to you. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
I have heard that the reason we don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent is because a Pope one year was trying to help out Fishermen. Is there any truth to this or is there a more spiritual reason? This question has been bothering me all my life. - Luis
Luis: Fasting and abstinence in the Church started as recognition of doing penance for one's sins and for the sins of all humankind. Fasting and abstinence are spiritual exercises that strengthen the spirit and soul and gives us all strength to say "no" to temptation. Abstinence from meat was considered a particularly tough penance since it demanded that we abstain on Fridays of Lent (before 1963, it was every Friday) from the meat of warm-blooded animals (beef, chicken, pork, fowl, and other mammals). Fish were considered cold-blooded animals therefore exempt from the discipline of not eating meat. This was not done to help fishermen. If so, one could say that the cattle people needed help too! But abstinence from meat always meant abstinence from warm-blooded mammals for one day a week as a way for spiritual discipline and exercise. AS I exercise my physical body for my physical health, I exercise my spiritual body so that it can remain spiritually healthy and strong to say no to sin. To put it simply, if I can say no to a piece of chocolate cake as a penance, I could say no to something as enticing as sin. Christians need to exercise their spiritual body by prayer, scripture reading, and penance such as fasting and abstinence. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
Are there any Catholic approved resources/books about the lost books of the bible? I know there were hundreds of books presented and only a selection made it in for various reasons. Are the others still considered to be "inspired by God" and "the Word of God?" - Cheryl
Cheryl: There were so many different writings that were considered by the Church to be included in the scripture canon. But decisions about what writings to be included in the bible were made by the Church at the Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. Actually, the biblical canon that we know of today wasn't established until the first complete bibles were published in 331 AD for the Church. The lost books of the bible, as you call them, are not considered canonical and therefore are not accepted as the inspired Word of God. These books are interesting reading and gives a historical reference to the accepted bible we have today. The reasons that the lost books of the bible were not accepted into the canon is that these writings did not conform to the truths of Christianity as received from the apostles. There are so many books written about these different "lost books." I do not know of any "Catholic approved" resources about these books. There are so many books on this subject! If you are interested in studying the history of these non-canonical Hebrew and Christian writings, just start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_Books_of_the_Bible_and_the_Forgotten_Books_of_Eden and then look up the reference books on the subject there. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
My family uses an old Tibetan Singing Bowl as a call to private prayer at home. Is this considered a pagan practice or can we continue to use our singing bowl as a means of a call to prayer? - Don
Don: What a great thing to do for your family, a call to prayer! What a blessing to see a family that prays together. Using an old Tibetan Singing Bowl is not pagan at all. It is only pagan if you use it for pagan practices which I doubt that you do. The Singing Bowl is being used for prayer to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. How blest you all are to have family prayer! As they say, a family that prays together stays together! - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
If I leave the Roman Catholic Church, for the Orthodox Church, does the Roman Church teach that I am condemned to hell? I am a divorced Catholic. - Steven
Steven: I am sorry to hear that you wish to leave the Catholic Church to be a member of the Orthodox Church. I do not know why you wish to do so, but the Orthodox Church is an apostolic church therefore part of the Church of Jesus Christ founded on the apostles. You are not condemned to hell because you leave the Catholic Church. You are condemned to hell because you reject Jesus Christ. I doubt you are denying Christ as your Lord and Savior. Heaven awaits you because of your faith in Jesus Christ. The Orthodox Church is not united with the Bishop of Rome and does not recognize the Bishop of Rome as the Universal Pastor of the Church. But their sacraments are valid and they have maintained the apostolic succession. I pray that you will find faith and solace in your spiritual journey. I suppose your decision may be based on your status as a divorced Catholic. Before you make the decision to join the Orthodox Church, please talk to your parish priest and talk out your reasons for leaving the Catholic Church. But to answer your basic question about leaving the Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church: no, you are not condemned to hell by that action. Only you can condemn yourself to hell by your decision to deny Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by your life and by your actions. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
My brother was in the hospital near death and on Sunday, April 17 he received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. He died on the 19th. Does it mean that he went straight to heaven? He was also cremated. Do I need a religious service for him? Where should I bury his ashes? I don't have much money for a gravesite. - John
John: The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction, the Last Anointing in Latin) is described in James 5:13-15: "Is there anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is there anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is there anyone sick among you? He should summon the presbyters (priests) of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven." Notice the words: the person will be saved and their sins will be forgiven! I am sure that you brother went to heaven because he believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. That sacramental anointing is surely a sign of hope and security in knowing that God will take care of everything. As for the funeral services, your brother should be remembered with a memorial (funeral) Mass that can be arranged at your local parish. The Church strongly advises that you bury the cremains of your brother's body somewhere, or place them in a mausoleum niche, or even place them someplace special (in your home?) if you cannot afford a burial place. The purpose of burying the cremains or remains of a Christian is that it is a sign of our faith that Jesus will return and raise the dead at the end of time. - CatholicView Priest Staff
CatholicView Staff:
Brief background: While I am not Catholic, I am trying to defend what I think is the Catholic church's position on hell, and specifically what Pope John Paul taught on hell.
In a discussion a person claimed, "The last Pope of the Catholic Church, John Paul II, rejected literal hell as well [as a pastor named Rob Bell.] My understanding is that Pope John Paul taught a literal hell and is "more than a place," and is also a state of being. That he taught that after death everyone is judged and that hell is the ultimate consequence of sin and that after death those who are "in hell" will experience eternal suffering and separation from God. My question is, "Is my understanding of what Pope John Paul taught correct, and is there anything you would add/clarify in addressing the charge that the Pope taught that there is no literal hell?" - Elodin
Elodin: Yes, there is a hell. It is a place of total alienation from God and one another. Hell exists because we human beings must be free to choose God. There is no true love without a choice. God loves us so much that he gave to each of us free will to determine our lives and destiny. God wants us to love Him as our Creator and Father, but He cannot make us love Him since a forced love is not love at all. Hell exists because people do not want to love God and therefore they chose hell and their lives reflect that hell in their lives and actions. But what does hell look like? What is it? Scripture itself are full of different human descriptions from a dark place (Old Testament) to Jesus' description as a place of fire, to the Book of Revelation's description as a pool of fire and destruction of the enemies of God. In reality, we as human beings cannot describe hell, but we know what it is; total separation from everything. There is a hell, and Pope John Paul II in his Wednesday audiences describes a LITERAL HELL. Hell is hell. Eternal pain is eternal pain. Eternal alienation is eternal alienation. No one who is Christian disputes that there is a REAL place called hell. Now, please read Pope John Paul's actual words concerning his own mediation concerning heaven, hell, and purgatory. http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/jp2heavn.htm . Thank you for your question. - CatholicView Priest Staff .
CatholicView Staff: Does a person who commits suicide go to hell? - Phyllis
Phyllis: In the past, the church had thought that suicide was the decision of a free act of the will and that people who killed themselves were acting with their full mental capacity. With the strides made in medical knowledge, the Church now knows that most people who commit suicide do so after a long and torturous mental, physical, and emotional pain that cannot be appreciated by most people. This pain clouds the decision making process of a human being and disables the mind from making a free act of the will. To be able to overcome the built-in instinct for survival is a sign that the person is in mental distress that does not allow for free will to function. Sin happens ONLY by a free act of the will. Depending on the particular situation, the church does not see suicide as an automatic ticket to hell. Notice that I said in my answer to you that “most” people who commit suicide do so outside of their complete free will and therefore are not culpable of sin". There are those who commit suicide fully aware of what they are doing, fully aware of their options, making fully aware plans (pre-meditated action), and fully aware of their situation. People who are “fully aware and free” who commit suicide will have to answer to God for their actions. Usually, though, suicide is an act of a person not able to make a free will decision, thereby not guilty of sin. – Staff of CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: From the perspective of the Catholic Church, is charity more noble or virtuous when it is given with a religious heart? Is the charitable contribution from an Atheist or Agnostic any less noble or virtuous, because of their belief, or lack thereof?
Norman: Interesting question. Within mankind, there is an innate desire or sense of wanting to be good. Those who are believers give from as you say a "religious heart", or from compassion for those in need. It is something that should come naturally for Christians. For those who do not believe, it could mean many things. It could come from our built in human conscience and wanting to do the right thing even though they have no religious affiliation with faith or it could come from another source such as a tax write-off or a motive that cannot be determined by the people who observe what seems to be generosity. There are those who do not believe in God but are generous to others. We cannot make a judgment of nobility or virtuousness, for this is up to the Lord. For us as Christians we believe in the teachings of our Savior Who said, "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you are doing it for me”. We must not and cannot turn our backs but must show empathy for those in need if we are able to help. - Staff of CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: A priest friend believes our pets go to heaven; he quoted 20 biblical references from the Old and New Testament. I know the "whatever makes us happy in heaven, God will provide." I've never found a reference that only humans go to heaven. Have you? - Kathy
Kathy: In A CatholicView , Father Amaro Saumell has this to say concerning pets going to heaven: "No one knows if pets go to heaven or not. If not, know that you provided “heaven” for his little lifespan. But if there is going to be a new heaven and new earth, who knows? The scriptures don’t address this most likely because it has nothing to do with our salvation. What does have to do with our salvation is your gentleness that you’ve shown a poor animal. So, if our reward is great in heaven, there’s surely the possibility. God bless. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Is Arnold Schwarzenegger (sorry if I spelled his name incorrectly) taking the Eucharist? - Aabee
Aabbee: Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Roman Catholic. How he is handling his religious life as a Catholic is a private matter and CatholicView does not know if he is taking communion or not. This issue is between former Governor Arnold Scharzenegger, God and the Church. We must always be watchful of our own souls and must leave others in the Lord's care. - Staff of CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: Is drinking wine, beer, whisky etc allowed by our Catholic faith? Or is it a sin? Some say if you are "within limits" then it’s all right. How does one define "limits"? Also, is it proper to drink/serve liquor at Christmas, Easter, marriage, baptism etc? - Ninian Ninian: We are asked as Christians to be mindful of our actions. It is not a sin to have a glass of wine or other forms of liquor if it is in moderation. It is when it is misused and one becomes intoxicated and unable to be rational that behavior becomes unacceptable or questionable as a believer in Christ. The Bible also warns that alcohol can hinder moral discretion and alters Christian conduct. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity and alcohol states "The Bible speaks of wine in general terms as a bringer and concomitant of joy, particularly in the context of nourishment and feasting. Wine was commonly drunk at meals, and the Old Testament prescribed it for use in sacrificial rituals and festal celebrations. The Gospels record that Jesus' first miracle was making wine at the wedding feast of Cana, and when He instituted the ritual of the Eucharist at the Last Supper during a Passover celebration, He says that the wine is a "New Covenant" in [His] blood," though Christians have differed on the implications of this statement. Alcohol was also used for medicinal purposes in biblical times, and it appears in that context in several passages—as an oral anesthetic, a topical cleanser and soother, and a digestive aid. "Virtually all Christian denominations hold that the Bible condemns ordinary drunkenness in many passages, and Easton Bible dictionary says, "The sin of drunkenness ... must have been not uncommon in the olden times, for it is mentioned either metaphorically or literally more than seventy times in the Bible." Additionally, the consequences of the drunkenness of Noah and Lot "were intended to serve as examples of the dangers and repulsiveness of intemperance," and St. Paul later chides the Corinthians for becoming drunk on wine served at their attempted celebrations of the Eucharist. In short, for nearly all Christians, drunkenness "is not merely a disgusting personal habit and social vice, but a sin which bars the gates of Heaven and desecrates the body, which is now in a special sense the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit, and stains the mystical body of Christ, the Church." Moderation is the key here, Ninian, and one must know their own limitations in this matter. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I suffer from panic attacks every time I have to dismiss my students to go home after school. I start to worry that they might go home with the wrong person or they will not get home safely. This is a problem that I have been suffering for many years now and I feel like it is consuming me some times. I am praying to God and the Blessed Mother to help me get over these anxiety attacks and for me to trust in them that they will help me dismiss my students to their correct guardians at the end of the day, and help me be the best teacher and to trust that God will guide them all safely home. Please advise me on what to do to get rid of these anxiety attacks that I get at the end of the day when I dismiss my students to go home.
Dear Ellen: I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering with panic attacks. First things first, though. You are doing an admirable job and showing Christian caring for those students in your care. You cannot do more than see them off as you are doing and hand them to those who are responsible for them. One thing might relieve your mind would be to have the parents sign off at the end of the day and have all others to write their relation to the child in your care. You can check the signatures against the records you have for the child, if you have the time to do so. Two, know that you are trying to have them return safely home but you are not God with all knowing eyes. You are a human being and are trying to do the very best you can for these children. Third, and most importantly, say a silent prayer to God Who DOES sees everything. Use a simple prayer such as this "Please Heavenly, send your angels to keep these precious souls safe. Let them return back to the bosom of their families. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son." Or you can pray a short prayer on your own. God bless you for your care of these young students. You are indeed a good Christian and God wants you to feel His precious presence. I pray that the peace only God can give you rest on your shoulders. - Staff of CatholicView
CatholicView Staff: What is your opinion on Judgment Day, and do you believe May 21st was judgment day? - Madison
Madison: Beware of men who tell us when the end will be coming. Just as this date of May 21, 2011 turned out to be false, there will be others who will come forth and claim the same thing. If we are right with the Lord we do not have to be afraid of dates given by human beings. No man on this earth knows the hour or the day when Christ will return to earth to claim the souls He will take to the Father. Be prayerful and ready at all times as even the angels and Jesus Christ Himself do not know the hour when He will come. Only the Father does. Read Matthew24:36“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. “ Or read Mark13:32 that reads the tells the same “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” We Christians do not give credibility to superstition. Jesus tells us all to be ready and be watchful and without sin. If we sin seek forgiveness as soon as we can. The wonderful thing is that God can read the goodness in our hearts. We can be at peace by praying and asking the Lord to be with us. – Please be at peace. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Could someone please give me a break down of how many DAYS Jesus was buried for and when did He resurrect? I'm curious to understand how He resurrected after 3 days. Thank you, Theo.
Theo: Jesus was crucified and buried before sunset,
and according to the Gospel of St. Mark 15:42: "This all happened
on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath." By modern
day standards, Jesus was in the tomb just two nights and one full
day, and even then only part of the second night since His body was
gone by the time the tomb was found empty. In actual hours he was
in the tomb around 36 hours.
CatholicView Staff: My sister-in-law forces kids to lie and keep secrets from their father. I have prayed continually for this nightmare to end. How can this damaging situation be ceased? - Jackie
Jackie: This is a very sensitive subject and I am not sure you should intrude unless the things the kids lie about would cause harm or ruin the couple's relationship with each other. Sadly, your sister-in-law is teaching her children how to fabricate a lie which is a sin and this could bring many complications and harm in their future. Many mothers might buy something silly and inexpensive and then say to the children, don't tell daddy I bought this or that. This is an innocent secret. If it is about a serious matter, with the children outright lying to their dad then the father needs to know. But, you must think and weigh this seriously before bringing it to your brother. May the Lord give you clarity on this matter. Pray about it and I feel you will be able to know what is best in this situation. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: About twelve years ago I converted to Judaism, and I lived as a Jew for about six years. I then started attending a non-Catholic church. If I wanted to be reconciled to the Catholic Church, is this something that can be dealt with in Confession, do I have to see the bishop, or what? - Bill
Dear Bill: Certainly, you can go to confession and talk to the priest in the confessional but time will be very limited and what you want to impart will take time. Please call your Church or any Catholic Church, make an appointment to speak with a priest. They will gladly listen and guide you through the rest. Welcome back, Bill. May the Lord bless you and give you the courage to return to your Church family. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Is the world going to end on 5/21/2011 at 6:00 pm? I am trying not to buy into this but it is everywhere. - Corrina
Dear Corrina: I will give you the answer I gave another person this month: Beware of men who tell us when the end will be coming. Just as this date of May 21, 2011 turned out to be false, there will be others who will come forth and claim the same thing. If we are right with the Lord we do not have to be afraid of dates given by human beings. No man on this earth knows the hour or the day when Christ will return to earth to claim the souls He will take to the Father. Be prayerful and ready at all times as even the angels and Jesus Christ Himself does not know the hour when He will come. Only the Father does. Read Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. “ Or read Mark 13:32 that reads the tells the same “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” We Christians do not give credibility to superstition. Jesus tells us all to be ready and be watchful and without sin. If we sin seek forgiveness as soon as we can. The wonderful thing is that God can read the goodness in our hearts. We can be at peace by praying and asking the Lord to be with us. – God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Is using an Ouija board to talk to spirits, ask about their life, and find out the future going to make me go to hell? - Michael
Michael: Make no mistake about Ouija Boards. A believing Christian must never use them. Those who do use them show a total lack of trust in God by turning to the occult through the use of the Ouija board for answers. As Christians we must understand that the Ouija board comes from the sources of evil. When a person tries to receive answers to life through means not associated with our faith in Jesus Christ, we open ourselves to the intervention of evil. This is why divination is sinful. We are, in truth calling upon the demons of Satan to supply answers to our problems, and are deliberately choosing the forces of hell that will harm our friendship with God. Jesus tells us not to worry about our future but to place ourselves in His care. Using a Ouija board opens us up to a world of spirits we cannot see and whose origin we don't know about. There are only two places spirits come from and that is either from heaven or hell. We know God speaks to the heart through the Holy Spirit. Even though one considers it a harmless game, it can open the door to demonic invasion and the malicious influences of evil spirits and should be avoided at all costs. Contacting spirits through methods other than prayer to God removes us from His protection. Without God, we are left completely unprepared for what can happen to us because of dabbling in the occult. Scriptural passages that specifically condemn or denigrate divination and related activities include 1 Samuel 15:23-2, Kings 17:17, 2 Chronicles. 33:6, Isaiah 8:19-20, Jeremiah 14:14, 27:9-10; 29:8-9, Ezekiel.12:24 and Galatians 5:19-21. Deuteronomy 18:10, Jeremiah 29:8, and Leviticus 19:26-31;20:6-27). Our loving Father in heaven warns us of these dangers for our protection and well being, both spiritual and physical. Let us pray that those who, unaware of the dangers, are involved with divination will soon realize that this "mere game" can be the gravest risk and the greatest gamble of their lives. – CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Is it all right to have a Buddhist blessing string around your wrist? - Gaby
Dear Gaby: You should not wear something that does not represent who you are. Some who see it will identify you as a Buddhist.
Fr. Romano Guardini, in his classic work The Lord, stated his
belief "...that Buddhist teachings seriously threaten Christianity’s
central doctrines. Because it appears to be peaceful,
non-judgmental, and inclusive, its appeal undoubtedly will continue
to grow. Buddhism’s refusal to articulate dharma in logical ways
and its comfortable insistence on a relativistic approach to
knowledge and truth makes dialogue quite difficult. Because it
offers a spirituality that is ostensibly free of doctrine and
authority, it will attract hungry souls looking for fulfillment and
meaning. "For this reason, "the Holy Father states, "it is not
inappropriate to caution those Christians who enthusiastically
welcome certain ideas originating in the religious traditions of the
Far East." Christians have no need to have a Buddha wrist string or a Buddha in the house. Usually, people will say that they don't believe in Buddha and they don't see it as an idol, but people have it as a good luck charm.... which in itself is considered a talisman, hence against Old Testament prohibitions concerning false gods. Trust in God. He will always fulfill your needs no matter how insecure you feel about the future. For the sake of those who do not know your intentions, I would discard the Buddha wrist string. Even though you do not use it for religious purposes, it is something that does not represent your faith. Some may consider it an idol. May the Lord continue to guide and bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I am confused to the point of tears, after weeks of asking and reading I still have no idea how to pray the Stations of the Cross. Can someone please explain to me how? - Danielle
Danielle: The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes: Jesus is condemned to death Jesus is given his cross Jesus falls the first time Jesus meets His Mother Simon of Cyrene carries the cross Veronica wipes the face of Jesus Jesus falls the second time Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem Jesus falls the third time Jesus is stripped of His garments Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross Jesus dies on the cross Jesus' body is removed from the cross Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
Although not
traditionally part of the Stations, the Resurrection of Jesus is
sometimes included as a fifteenth station
CatholicView Staff: Why did Christ never write what he taught his followers? The men who learned from him wrote what he taught them, but Jesus Himself didn't feel the need to keep a record. - Amanda
Amanda: Interesting question. One day in heaven we can ask the Lord this. Today we want to see everything in writing and it is easy for us to accomplish. Remember though, at that time, writing everything down was very difficult and one had to hire a scribe to do this writing. "Ancient literacy was no higher than 10 percent at any given time, so the primary method of communication was oral. Memory capabilities were correspondingly much stronger, so that it cannot be said that oral transmission was unreliable, or that because something was important, it "ought to have been written down". Neither Jesus nor anyone else in ancient society would share this modern sentiment. This was the role of scribes. Related to this, the rarity of literacy made for an excellent business of scribal activity. And the paradigm of the day did NOT require that a teacher be the one writing down his own works -- rather, He would hire a scribe to do it as He recited His teachings. The role of Matthew in this regard is quite obvious and mirrors precisely the scribe/teacher relationship of Jeremiah and his faithful scribe Baruch. And as one commentator pointed out, wouldn't Jesus' time have been better spent preaching and healing anyway, rather than pursuing the laborious task that writing was in those days?" Visit http://www.tektonics.org/gk/jeswrite.html for continued information on this. Thank you for writing in. God bless. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I believe I have fallen under demonic possession. I need help. Where do I go? Please help I'm scared to death. - Ace
Dear Ace: If you believe in Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father, you need not be afraid. You have the greatest protector of all. I want you to get down on your knees right now and pray, asking the Lord to protect you and keep you safe. A simple prayer will do. God does not need long prayers but prayers of your need for Him. Ask Him to protect you from evil and harm. Ask Him to send His mighty angels to your side. Read your bible and keep it by your bedside. Read a chapter before you go to bed. Remember to keep praying for God's protection and His peace. May the Lord Who loves you keep you in the Palm of His Hand. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My daughter's godmother is upset she wasn't asked to be her confirmation sponsor. Should my daughter change her choice of sponsor or go with her first (perfectly acceptable) choice of a cousin? - Kathleen
Kathleen: Ideally, the sponsor at baptism should also be the sponsor for confirmation. To be a sponsor, however, a person must be chosen by the person to be baptized. You must honor your daughter's choice of having her cousin act as sponsor. The sponsor must not only be the sponsor but also meet proper qualifications. The sponsor must have completed his sixteenth year unless the Bishop has established another age for sponsorship, or the pastor or minister judges that a just cause warrants an exception to the rule. The person must be a Catholic who has received the sacraments of holy Eucharist and confirmation, and "leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I would like to know if it is ok with God if I believe in God but not the bible and what do you think my father would say if I tell him? Ricardo:
I am happy that you do believe in God, our heavenly Father. This is the first step. Sadly, you cannot have the richness and fullness without the other. It is because the bible is His Word, and it is the way we get to know Him. It is the bible that speaks to our hearts; it tells of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and how through this sacrifice we will get to glorious heaven one day. We learn the teachings written there about God, the Father. To ignore the bible would be to ignore all things God wants you to know about Him, such as the Holy Spirit and how our Savior promised to send it to us. The bible is a living book for all who believe in God. Pray about this before you speak to your father, asking the Lord to show you what to do. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Please pray for me; I love God and the Catholic Church. But I'm afraid neither of the two loves me. I'm not certain how this happened or what to do, but please pray for me. - Henry
Henry: Even now we are praying for you. Remember that you are loved and very special in the eyes of the Lord. I suggest you see your priest and talk this situation out with him. I feel you will come away uplifted and eager to continue serving God. May the peace of God that transcends all be with you this day and always. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have a feeling that my situation is not that unique. I have not been to confession in a long time. I feel that some of my past sins are just too embarrassing to confess. Is there any way to say an "act of contrition" prayer for such sins? Here is an example, I do not fear writing this as much as this is anonymous and not face-to-face. As a younger man, I really had trouble controlling my sexual urges. I recall molesting the family dog. I did not actually have direct sexual contact or anything like that, but I explored much more than is normal. How could I say that to a priest? Do people confess things like that? If anyone in the world knew that I did that, I would be mortified... God knows... Can I confess direct to him?
Steve: The sacrament of Penance (confession) is a gift given to the Church by Jesus Himself. The scriptural basis for this reconciling gift is seen in the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, Verses 20 through 23: Jesus said again [to the disciples], "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Also, in the Letter of James, Chapter 5, Verse 16, Saint James writes to confirm the ministry of forgiveness given to the Church as a gift of peace from the Lord Jesus: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. There are several other scripture verses that confirm the ministry of forgiveness given to the Church as personified in the person of the priest (who in confession, represents the Church which is the Body of Christ on earth.) As a priest myself for the past 30 years, I have heard many things within the Sacrament of Penance. I have prayed with people who have at last found peace within that special sacrament. I have literally seen spiritual healing miracles within that wonderful sacrament. As they say, confession is most excellent for the soul. I cannot say I have heard it all, but I know I have heard many sinful and shocking things. Yet, God being merciful and Jesus Christ died once for all for ALL SINS committed until the end of time, God forgives so that we can go forward and grow spiritually and become more like Christ in our everyday lives. It is time to be reconciled to the Church and to God through the sacrament of Penance. Yes, I have heard on several occasions the sin you described. It is time to let it go and be held accountable for your actions in the past so that you can be truly free. Yes, you can ask God directly for forgiveness YET you are still responsible to the body of Christ on earth, the body of believers called the Church, for your actions. That is what confession is all about. By confessing my sins before the Church, the Church extends absolution in the name of Christ. And if the Church forgives me, then I know with confidence and without question that Christ forgives me too. You see, He already knows your sin. He waits for your initiative to accept His healing forgiveness so that you can live for the future and not live in the past, which you do when you feel guilt. Do not be afraid. The priest is human also and understands what temptation and sin is all about, for Jesus was tempted by the devil too and understands your past actions (He understands but He does not say it's acceptable and moral.) By not experiencing the healing power of this sacrament of Penance (confession), you will continue to be haunted by doubts of whether God could ever forgive you for your youthful indiscretions. So, fix the past through confession and look forward to a great spiritual future! By the way, you can still make an anonymous confession (behind the screen in a confessional) by going to the scheduled times for confession in your parish or a neighboring parish (usually on Saturday afternoons here.) Confess it, trust on God's mercy, and be free! Jesus has died for you. Claim that salvation now. Fear will certainly kill the gift of faith in your heart. Trust will only increase your faith and hope which can end in love and peace. Let the love of the Lord be with you always. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My husband had a vasectomy a few years ago, which we both have repented of, and been to Reconciliation for. However, I would like to know if it would be okay for me to have a medical procedure, which will alleviate painful menstrual cycles. If I have this, I would not be able to bear any more children. Advice? Thank you! - Rachel
Rachel: I am assuming you are still married to your husband and who has had a vasectomy. If you are, there is no possibility of you having more children. If your condition is serious and your doctor strongly recommends surgery as a "must have" option, then by all means you must have this surgery. Please see your parish priest and give him more detailed information so he will be able to make an informed answer for you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My older sister has chosen to live with her fiancé before marriage and my mother is doing hateful things to show that she doesn't like it. I've told my sister that I don't approve but I still talk to her and plan to attend her wedding. Am I sinning or is that wrong of me? - Hannah
Hannah: I am sorry that your sister is living in sin without the benefit of marriage. How she is living is a big burden for you and your mother. There are ways to still express your love for your sister involved in sin without approving something that is wrong in the eyes of God. Continue to see your sister but remind her that what she is doing is offensive to God. At some point she may need to get your religious advice and possibly heed it until she is married, so tell her what is weighing on your mind in a loving way. If she does not listen, you must pray for her and ask your mother to do the same. Ask the Lord to open her heart to see that what she is doing is wrong, and that she is now in a state of serious sin. Sadly, we cannot make others see that their actions are wrong. We can only pray that they will see what they are doing is not in accordance with our Lord's teachings. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I work at a funeral home owned by Mormons. All my family has been taken care of by this funeral home. They keep all the records on all the dead. How can I prevent them from baptizing members of my family that are dead? How can I ensure that when I pass that they will not baptize me as well? - Ann
Ann: Thank you for your question. The idea that a funeral home would take it upon themselves to baptize someone without their written consent or authorization is very troubling. The good news is that you are already baptized and God knows this. There is nothing anyone can do to change this. But if this matter is causing you great concern, arrange to have another funeral home take care of your family members and your final needs. Hopefully this Mormon funeral home is not the only funeral home in your vicinity. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have met two holy people while attending daily mass and I am confused with some their beliefs. Is it ever possible that a bottle of holy water, which they gave me, will always be holy as long as I keep filling it up before it ends? Blessings Bernadette
Bernadette: As
long as the quantity is less than that of the remaining Holy water,
it is still considered holy. (Jones Moral Theology, 8th
Edition, #465) Jones Theology was the primary textbook for basic
Moral Theology and Sacramentology for seminarians prior to Vatican
II.
CatholicView Staff: I do not understand why suicide is considered a mortal sin. I am in the medical field and understand the nature of suicide as being the result of severe depression which is a mental illness therefore why punish the mentally ill by not even allowing them a funeral mass? It is just heart breaking for the family. Please explain. Thank you, Cindy
Dear Cindy: I received a question similar in nature for this month (see above) but I shall repeat it here: In the past, the church had thought that suicide was the decision of a free act of the will and that people who killed themselves were acting with their full mental capacity. With the strides made in medical knowledge, the Church now knows that most people who commit suicide do so after a long and torturous mental, physical, and emotional pain that cannot be appreciated by most people. This pain clouds the decision making process of a human being and disables the mind from making a free act of the will. To be able to overcome the built-in instinct for survival is a sign that the person is in mental distress that does not allow for free will to function. Sin happens ONLY by a free act of the will. Depending on the particular situation, the church does not see suicide as an automatic ticket to hell. Notice that I said in my answer to you that “most” people who commit suicide do so outside of their complete free will and therefore are not culpable of sin". But there is a BIG DIFFERENCE in being mentally incapable and those who sin through free will. There are those who commit suicide fully aware of what they are doing, fully aware of their options, making fully aware plans (pre-meditated action), and fully aware of their situation. People who are “fully aware and free” who commit suicide will have to answer to God for their actions. Usually, though, suicide is an act of a person not able to make a free will decision, thereby not guilty of sin. –CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: As a funeral director what happens to a child who dies before baptism? - Edward
Edward: Back in the year 416, the Roman Empire made infant baptism compulsory. For centuries Roman Catholic tradition taught that if a baby died without being baptized they would go to a place called limbo. During his reign, Pope John Paul II stated that a baby who dies without baptism goes into the hands of the all-merciful and compassionate God because that baby is without sin. In April of 2007, Pope Benedict also reversed the old teaching on limbo, declaring that the church would not revert to St. Augustine's teaching that infants who die without being baptized go to hell. He sanctioned the new doctrine, agreeing with Pope John Paul II that infants go to heaven baptized or not. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My Dad is elderly and has 6 children, 3 of whom he is greatly worried about for their salvation because he loves them so much. One is living the gay lifestyle, the other is living with her boyfriend, and the other is divorced & about to re-marry (no annulment). He wants to spend eternity with all of his children. What should he do as he is near the end of his life? - Bernie
Bernie: I am sorry that your dad is saddened by the choices of his three children and the state of their salvation. I am sure that they are aware of their father's worry but still choose to live their own way. The positive thing is that your dad laid a great foundation in their growing up years and even though these three have closed their eyes to what they were taught, this foundation will remain in their lives. Because they are grownups, there is nothing a parent can do except pray that their eyes will be opened to truth. Tell your dad to keep them in prayer, asking God to touch their hearts and their minds and bring them back to God's path. May the Lord bless you and give you the wisdom to continue helping your dad with his worries. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My husband has been baptized in the Baptist Church. I do not pressure him to convert, although he goes every Sunday with me. I share my host with him, and he says prayers afterward...Is that ok? He has received communion in the Baptist church before. - Paula
Paula: Your husband is always welcome to come, worship and pray in our Church. BUT, you must not share the communion host with your husband or anyone who is not Catholic. Protestants do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as we do, they do not discern or recognize that Jesus’ body is present under the appearance of bread and wine. We would be allowing them to eat and drink judgment upon themselves. Only Catholics may participate in the communion portion of the service. Please explain that he is not allowed to share your host with him, but he is free to attend the mass with you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I've read that giving alms is a good act of charity. Whenever I give alms to poor, I am being filled with pride. I feel very proud of myself, like I'm better than everyone else which saddens me and I feel discouraged. What should I do? Should I stop giving alms all together? - Michael
Michael: God bless you for think of others and helping whenever you can to those in need. I think however, you must rethink why you are helping people in need. God tells us that whatever we do to help others should be an act of kindness that is expected of us as Christians. To feel puffed up and feeling better than others is something that God frowns upon. As a Catholic Christian you are obliged to help. If God blessed you, you must be willing to bless others without feeling superior. Remember Matthew 23:12 which tells us "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Continue to help those who cannot help themselves, knowing that Jesus would do for the lowest of mankind. Feel humble that you are blessed that you can do this. Continue to do your Christian duty without pride. Please ask the Lord in prayer to take away this feeling of superiority. May the Lord go with you as you continue to help those in need. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My brother found a ring on the ground and gave it to my mom for Mother's day. He is only 9 years old. His intentions were pure. I was wondering if he sinned or not. - mf
Dear MF: It shows great love that you write in to ask if your 9-year-old brother sinned when he found a ring on the ground and kept it. If he found the ring on the street with no identifiable address on it, it would be impossible to contact the person and return the ring. There is no sin in this. If the ring were found in a store, for instance, that ring would have to be turned in to the store manager in case the owner inquired about it. Then the manager might call for you to pick it up if it is unclaimed. If the ring could possibly be returned to the owner and your brother did not turn it in, this would be a sin. BUT, your brother did not sin if he found a ring on the ground and there was no way to return it to its owner. You are a good brother. Hope this answers your question. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I was confirmed in the Church last year. My wife is a cradle Catholic and we were married 12 years before my conversion. I have fully embraced the faith, frequent communion, Eucharistic adoration, etc. My wife thinks I've gone too far with it and is uncomfortable with my new life in Christ. A priest told me I needed to back off the faith a bit. Am I out of line or a spiritual glutton? - Neil
Neil: It is natural when people discover that precious salvation that we want to share it with the whole world. It is a unique time that is so powerful some might think they have gotten something so big that most other Christians do not understand. At that time, it is easy to go overboard and feel a bit superior with this marvelous revelation of faith, not realizing we make others feel uneasy in the wake of this bright new future that God promised. This is a natural happening for many new Christians. Share but beware of making others feel uncomfortable. As your priest told you, "Back off a bit". In time, the joy you feel will still be new in your heart and soul but you will not feel the need to proclaim it as loudly to other Christians. Hope this helps. Congratulations and welcome to our Church! - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I performed at least three abortions on myself (bad time in life - foggy memory could be more) I have since been absolved - but I refuse to forgive myself or seek help because I don't want to heal. Those babies never healed! My question: Am I making God angry? I hope not. I've already disappointed Him enough! - Mary:
Mary: As a Christian, no matter what I might do or not do, if I am repentant and ask God's forgiveness, my slate will be wiped clean and I can move forward because in God's mercy and through His precious grace, I am forgiven. I take this forgiveness and start over, always remembering the love of God and the price Jesus paid for this forgiveness and His promise of eternity. And this is what you must do. Your babies are in heaven with God. Be worthy in this life of seeing them again. Get yourself spiritually cleaned up and move forward with Jesus Christ as you guide. Even now He is standing in wait for you to come to Him and take that forgiveness He holds in His precious hands, waiting for you to take it and feel His mercy. Stop punishing yourself! Put these sins in the past through being forgiven. Go to confession. Clear the path for the sacraments of the Church, knowing you are will now be worthy to take the Eucharist. Go in peace, Mary, knowing you are special to God and to Jesus Christ who died to pay for the very sins you have committed. It is done. Move ahead! - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: The concept of mortal sin is a bit scary to me. The thought of losing my salvation because of one simple action is scary and still confusing to me. What happens if we forget to confess our sins (both mortal and venial)? Does God forgive sins that we forget to confess? Also, what happens if you mean to confess a mortal sin the next time you can, and then unexpectedly die? Do you go to hell even if you meant to confess the sin at the next scheduled Reconciliation at your Church. Please pray for me as I struggle to understand the concept of mortal sin. Thank You. Joan
Joan: You misunderstand the power of Almighty God. He can read your heart. He hears you when you say that you are afraid. He knows when you forget to confess to Him the things you meant to confess. Clear the way to Him by getting on your knees and telling Him all your concerns, your hopes of avoiding mortal sin, and repenting of those sins that are weighing you down. God does not want you to be afraid. Write down all the things you forgot to confess. Go to confession. Rid yourself of all things that hinders you from the peace He waits to give you. Now move forward and with courage talk to your priest. He will guide you. God be with you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I'm embarrassed to ask this given some of the truly other needs of so many but may I ask...I'm planning on taking a cruise and will be out at sea on a Sunday with no opportunity to go to mass. Would this be a mortal sin? Thank you. - Scott
Dear Scott: Many face this same problem of traveling on Sunday and being unable to attend Mass. If you cannot attend, the Church recommends that you spend an hour in prayer, meditation, and reading a few verses from your bible. This is a show of faith to the Lord on the Sabbath. Enjoy your cruise! Come back refreshed. God bless you and keep you safe. - CatholicView Staff
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