Feel free to submit a new question or concern in the comment box below. Various topics and questions are archived here for easy retrieval. Please be courteous. God bless you!
NEW MESSAGES/HOMILIES CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS DEFENDING THE FAITH
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS MARY OUR MOTHER
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Thank you Father, in advance for your time. Question: I had given my priests and Monsignor an Easter card with a gift card in it. I had just finished RCIA class and wanted to give a gift of appreciation. It basically was a thank you for all they do in their ministry. I am wondering if I did something wrong? I did not hear anything from them in return.example: thank you? Mind you, they all know me. I am now wondering if I did something wrong and that is why they have not acknowledged the card or money gift? Now, i am mindful that I did this from the heart and believe me, i was not looking for recognition in the gift. But still I am perplexed why I see them a few times a week and not even a thank you for kind words or gesture? Unless, is it a rule not to acknowledge gifts or give thanks to your priest? I am now embarrassed that i did something wrong. My sister said maybe it was not appropriate at Easter? But confused as we practice almsgiving? HELP. It was from the heart, in thanks for all the things they do for our parish. I had received a blessing (work bonus) and wanted to share with them also. What do you think? Please and thank you. Joie
Thank you, Judy!
I appreciate that.
God Bless you.
Sarah
Father,
over 20 years ago, my husband got a vasectomy, with my consent. I realize now that was a grave sin. I never knew the gravity of the offense back then, though admittedly I should have. Even if I wasn’t taught properly, I should have found out for myself once I was of age. I accept this and truly feel awful about it. I have confessed and received absolution, but I still feel terrible about myself (partially because I never wanted a huge family, so I’m not particularly upset with the small number of kids I have, so I feel slightly hypocritical about the issue as well) My husband is not catholic and does not have a problem with birth control. How do I get by this?
Also…I am reading conflicting things about what is moral in the marriage bed. We don’t watch porn or use devices. But there is oral sex as a precursor to normal relations. Some catholic websites say this is ok, others that it is evil. I don’t know which end is up. My husband enjoys this and if I decide to put a stop to it, he won’t like it or understand it. Additionally, enjoyment by both parties will be impaired. What is your take on this?
One would think I would have had pricking of my conscience much earlier in my 26 year marriage, but no…
Father,
I have two questions:
1: is it a sin to patronize a company that you are aware donates to Planned Parenthood? Say I like a certain cosmetic brand because of its product, but they are on a list of PP donors. Am I morally obligated to boycott? The list of companies that donate to PP is quite large and avoiding them all is seemingly an impossible task at this point. Plus, we own property in Disney, a large donor (found out around 15 years after purchase. Husband is not willing to sell; he is not Catholic and does not think this is a problem, even though he is strongly pro-life. He believes this is America, and people can do what they like with their money and do not have to consult him, which I cannot say I disagree with).
2: For some reason that I cannot understand, I remembered yesterday, just before mass, that I had skipped Palm Sunday mass once as a college student. This was over 25 yrs ago. I do not recall specifically having confessed it, but do remember that it was my habit to ask for forgiveness in confession for any sins I may have forgotten to mention (I have a habit of getting flustered in the confessional and forgetting some of why I was there). I went ahead and received communion this weekend. Did I commit a sacrilege? I feel this is crackers…who just sits and remembers 25 year old sins out of the blue? At the time I did it, I knew I was wrong, but not that it was a grave offense.
Hello Fr. Joe,
Thank you for all you do for the Catholic faith! I read something recently that ,if the source can be confirmed, would seem to be a tremendous boost to prove that from the earliest times, prayer for the dead was an apostolic tradition. Have you ever heard of the reference below and if so, do you know it’s source???
St Clement (the pontiff from (88-97 AD) stated that St Peter liked to offer prayers for the relief of those who had passed away
With kind regards,
Anthony M. Davi
a_davi@msn.com
Hello Father!
Is it a sin, venial or mortal, to think a general thought of “I want to have sex one day?” obviously within marriage. because i was thinking about my Vocation and then i thought that thought and I don’t know if it’s sinful to have that desire. Also I am confused about lust and attraction. Is it considered lust to look at men’s faces and think they are cute/handsome and enjoy that? (not thinking about sexual things, just their good looks) Thanks for your help.