Are you curious about something you've seen at mass?
Do you wonder what it's like to live in a rectory or to hear confessions? Have you ever wondered, "Why does the Church do that?" Go ahead – ask a priest!
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I am looking to join the Catholic Church. I was baptized via the trinitarian formula, in a Non-Denominational Protestant Church. I have read through the Catechism and believe all of it’s doctrine. I have also gone to Confession to be in the grace of God. What is next on my journey?
What is next on your journey? Contact a parish where you are from and speak with the priest or the Director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program. They will lead you on your next step towards coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.
Should you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the parish office.
Am I still considered a Catholic if I can’t go to church?
The answer is YES! You are still considered a Catholic if you cannot go to church. It would be good to speak with your pastor about that so that someone can bring communion to you.
Is it bad to question, because doesn’t it show that we don’t trust God?
No, questioning can lead us to a greater knowledge and love of the truth. St. Anslem described the Christian life as “Fides quaerens intellectum”, that is faith seeking understanding. We have faith and we seek a greater and deeper understanding of the mysteries of God.
If we vote for a pro-choice candidate, do we have to go to confession afterwards?
The short answer is no, unless you vote for them because they are pro-abortion. If you vote for someone because they are pro-abortion, then, yes, you would need to go to confession. However, voting for someone who publicly supports greater access to abortion and increased funding for places that perform abortions seems inconsistent to our Catholic faith.
Ave Maria! As a Priest, how does it feel to celebrate/say Mass versus populum? Does it feel weird? Do you like facing the congregation? Is it easier to say Mass ad orientem for Priests?
I cannot speak for ALL priests. When I was ordained, I celebrated versus populum each and every day and really didn’t think anything of it. However, after some time celebrating mass ad orientem in the Novus Ordo and the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite, I prefer celebrating mass ad orientem. It is easier for me to pray the mass when celebrating ad orientem. But, no. It doesn’t feel weird facing the congregation because that is what I grew up with and what I was trained in.
When we are speaking to someone, we face them. It seems odd and foreign to our normal posture to speak to someone while facing others. The orientation of the priest versus populum or ad orientem has repercussions in how we view what we are doing.
What are we to make of the Christianity Today article, “Trump Should Be Removed From Office”? It seems to be between abortion and morals. Who are we supposed to be voting for, come November? I personally think the article speaks truth. I’m conflicted. I can’t imagine voting for someone who thinks killing innocent children is okay, but I also can’t imagine voting for someone with such gross moral turpitude. Hoping I can get some guidance.
I did not read the article, but I have heard much about it. I never like it when religious leaders wade into the fray and opine about a particular candidate for public office. I think it takes advantage of a particular moral authority that the religious leader has and exploits the faith of others and sows confusion amongst the Christian faithful. No matter who is in office we must respect them, the office they hold, and the will of the people who put them there even if we disagree with their policies and their morals. That goes for every person in office – not just Mr. Trump, but Mr. Clinton, Bush, Obama, etc…. To use the pulpit to wade into the political waters addressing particular candidates and not issues or policies is irresponsible and dangerous for religious leaders.
I know I did not tell you how to cast your ballot, but I hope this gives you some guidance.
A Catholic friend of mine recently passed. When talking with her family about it, it would helpful to know 1) if they do or do not believe that their passed family member can see and know what is happening in their lives, and 2) if the passed family member can effect things that are happening to them in their daily lives. Thank you for your time.
To the first question, God has not revealed to us the exact details concerning a departed soul's awareness of Earthly (temporal) events. So, while it 'might' be possible, it is rather unlikely because if the person is to enter heaven, they are either a) undergoing a purification of their soul in order to arrive at a perfect love of Almighty God or b) already in heaven where they are consumed in love & adoration of God. Their complete love of God would naturally extend to God's children still on their Earthly pilgrimage.
To the second question: In God's providential wisdom, he does permit some of the Saints in heaven extraordinary gifts of intercession concerning prayer requests from those still on Earth. Notable examples: the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, & "fan favorite" St. Anthony (patron of lost things!).
That being said, it is highly encouraged for Christians to pray for their deceased loved ones and it never hurts to ask for their prayers in return. Our prayers will be answered in one way or another in accordance with the loving will of the Father.
Can a freemason go to Ash Wednesday in the church, or to a Catholic funeral, wearing his lodge badge?
If a free mason were to come to the Catholic church it would be best to leave the badge at home. That being said, he will not be kicked out of the church for wearing his lodge badge.
How long do Confirmations usually take?
It depends on how many people are being confirmed. At St. James, we had 59 young men and women who were confirmed. The liturgy was 2 hours.
When is the best time to be confirmed?
This has been a subject of debate for a long time. The early church conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on people when they were young, right after baptism. The Eastern Churches still do this. Many dioceses in the United States confirm in the 8th or 9th grade. A few have the Sacrament of Confirmation before First Communion in the 2nd grade. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Eucharist is a symbol of being fully initiated and fully in union with the church, a full member of the Church. Some Dioceses preserve that order and others have gone with a different order. There is no age specified for confirmation.