Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Dillan D., on August 21, 2014 at 4:48 pm said:

Father,

Can one disagree with the Church’s teachings on same-sex marriage and still be a Catholic Priest?

FATHER JOE: I know a priest who does and it leaves me scratching my head. While some may struggle with their disorientation and sin, this would signify overt dissent against Church authority and accepted long-standing moral teaching. Homosexual acts are prohibited by both natural law and divine positive law (Scripture). Unions might be civilly recognized, but I fail to see how they might find ecclesial approbation. Certainly a priest cannot witness the vows for such a union. Sexual relations of any sort outside a true marriage constitute the “matter” of mortal sin. A priest is the Church’s man. He is to place the teachings of the Church over his own theories and biases. The Church, herself, is powerless to reform that which is irrevocably and objectively true. Can a priest remain in good standing while repudiating the Church’s understanding of marriage and human sexuality? Can a priest bless or give approval for that which might cost a person the kingdom of heaven (as St. Paul teaches)? An ordained priest will always be a priest, but should a man continue to function in the ministry if he places the whim of men and his own words over the Word of God? I fail to see how he could and still maintain any sense of personal integrity and spiritual effectiveness against sin.
Rebecca, on August 21, 2014 at 8:32 am said:

Hello,
Just found this page. I like it. I have many questions to ask if I don’t find the answers from the blogs here. Thank you for this site.
Mara, on August 19, 2014 at 7:35 pm said:

Thank you, Father! That really helps.
Bill M., on August 19, 2014 at 2:15 am said:

Father,

This is a question about vocation. About six months ago, I was working in the same job I am working in now, but I felt very lost. At lunch, I said a prayer, and I asked God to show me what he wants me to do. Before I left work for the day, I ran into the CEO of our company, and, long story short, he extended an offer to pay for graduate school. After fulfilling all the requirements, I am now ready to begin classes this fall; however, I am still experiencing some uneasiness about making the right choice. My question is: is this fear a sign that I did not do the right thing or is the fear my distrust in the path God has for me?

FATHER JOE: As to the vocational choices we make, there is a mystery between you and God. While religious vocations must be confirmed by the Church, no one can speak for God in your choosing this or that occupation. If you have an employer who thinks so well of you that he will facilitate further education, I would say that you should take him up on the offer with gratitude. It goes without saying that the work should be worthwhile, beneficial and moral. Peace!
Mara, on August 18, 2014 at 11:10 am said:

Hello, Father! Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. I typically find your Q & As pretty spiritually nourishing.

Anyway, my question involves my father, who passed away nearly 14 years ago. He was born and raised into the Reformed Protestant church, and while he was a faithful and sincere Christian, he had never been baptized (he had always assumed that he had been baptized as an infant, and only discovered that he indeed had not late in his life).

When he and my mother (who is a practicing Catholic) wed, he agreed to raise me in the Catholic religion–a promise he fulfilled quite wonderfully, I am so happy to tell. He strongly desired to be baptized, but he struggled so hard to discern whether the Catholic religion is truly the Church founded by Christ, or if he should be baptized by a Reformed Protestant minister. He struggled with this for years. What turned out to be just a few days before he death, he asked to be baptized Catholic. And he was! On his deathbed! He died mere moments after his baptism–certainly he committed no sin after receiving the sacrament. His funeral Mass was attended by more than a hundred people, and it was concelebrated by 4–FOUR!–priests, including a Monsignor. He had seminarians serving alongside about a half a dozen alter servers, and an entire choir singing. Not bad for a lifelong Protestant!

Sister Columbine, a downright saintly nun at our parish, told me with downright glee that my dad “stole Heaven” by virtue of his deathbed conversion and baptism–a sacrament, I understand, washes away all sin AND all temporal punishment. For that reason, I have never had any masses offered for his soul, nor have I ever prayed for his release from Purgatory. (Though I will request masses for a general “deceased members of the so-and-so family.”) All of which gives me a very uneasy feeling. Am I (profoundly) neglecting my father by not having masses offered for his? Or would I be denying Church teaching on Baptism by doing so?

Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I look forward to reading your advice!

FATHER JOE: Sounds like you did right by your father and he was fortunate. Nevertheless, Masses are permitted for those who have deathbed conversions and are baptized immediately prior to leaving this world. After all, the funeral Mass was offered on his behalf. Our presumption is that the sacrament does what it is supposed to do. It is unlikely there was any last minute mental sin or despair against hope in a situation as you describe. Remember that while Masses for the dead are principally to assist in their translation into heaven, they are also offered for the consolation of grieving family and friends. The ones left behind often need healing. In any case, when a Mass is offered for a dead person who is already in heaven, the fruits of that intention are transferred by God to some other poor soul who needs and has no one to pray for him or her. Nothing is wasted. We also pray for the dead outside of Mass. Such is reflective of the Church’s unity in Christ and the very nature of the communion of then saints. God bless!
Maura, on August 17, 2014 at 8:17 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe, First of all, thank you for this ministry you have of answering questions. I’m a 43 yr. old homeschooling mom. My husband and I have 6 children (one on the way) and we’re both recent converts to Catholicism. My question is: Is it sinful to consciously distance myself from the family I was born into (not initiate phone calls or invitations to visit, not visit them, etc..?) I’ve always been the “peacemaking bridge-builder” of my family, keeping in touch despite growing differences between my own family and those of my 3 siblings and my parents, who are in their 80’s and divorced. But I’m tired of it. My siblings and parents are secular, judgmental and quite selfish people (of course now I sound judgmental…) and other than returning a phone call to be polite, I just want to forget making contact with them. These family ties are not good for me or my own family. Thank you, Father.

FATHER JOE:

Dear Maura, while we tend to speak about the fourth commandment in reference to little children, it was actually directed to adults who should honor and care for parents. While they might be divorced, secular, judgmental and secular— they are still your mother and father. Hard or not, I would counsel against distance or coldness to parents, especially when they are elderly.

You cannot pick the family into which you are born. Similarly, you can have six or seven children, and yet there is no guarantee that each will maintain the faith and values you give them. But you would love them all the same and grieve at their absence. Evil is never so painful to endure as it is in the context of people we are supposed to love.

If you were to separate yourself from family to protect your own immediate household and children, that might be understandable. I know of cases where children desperately wanted to stop the cycle of abuse or feared the bad influence of certain family members. However, it would be wrong to deliberately breech ourselves from family simply because we find it hard to stomach their selfishness and criticism. We need a certain degree of courage and strength in facing difficult family and friends.

This does not mean that we should allow difficult family and friends to endlessly harass us; but we should witness good character and a love that might call them to repentance and conversion. I would not purposely bicker with them; the general witness of our lives might be enough. I say this takes strength, because your religiosity, moral values, and even the number of children you have might be targeted by their selfishness. Take comfort from knowing that you have chosen the better way and that submitting to divine providence has eternal rewards.

While it might seem to make matters easier for the moment, alienation from aging parents will bring down terrible guilt when they pass away. But then it will be too late. Some bridges will always require some mending. Do not neglect your parents, even if there are serious differences. Blessings!
D. Strauss, on August 17, 2014 at 9:18 am said:

Hello,

If you believe that Christ died for everyone’s sins, why would someone need to be baptized? Is the baptism of someone outside the Catholic church valid as far as you are concerned. i.e. Protestant?

Thanks, D. Straus

FATHER JOE: Christ’s redemptive work was for all humanity. But this work of Christ requires a response. Salvation is a gift that must be accepted. The measure of this acceptance is faith. Faith is more than a verbal or mental profession. Rather, it is an imitation of Christ realized through obedience and charity. Baptism is one of the sacraments that gives us access to the benefits of Christ’s saving work. Sacraments are a participation in the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Christ commands baptism at the end of Matthew’s Gospel as the means by which we are incorporated into the Church. All genuine baptism links us, even if tenuously with the Church Jesus established. Catholicism recognizes baptism from certain churches, like the Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. We generally do not recognize the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, Unitarians, etc. The basic intent of the Church must be present, the form must be followed (baptism in the Trinity) and with proper matter (water).
Tahira Ricketts, on August 16, 2014 at 3:36 pm said:

Thank you for your quick response….but can u also explain to me exactly what the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is?

FATHER JOE: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is ascribing any work of God to the demonic.
Piers, on August 15, 2014 at 4:49 pm said:

Dear Father, a Catholic recently told me that not fasting on Fridays is grave matter. I am a practicing catholic, but I find that hard to believe: it seems to me that there are so many more important things in life to worry about, like raising your children, loving your wife, going to Church on Sundays and praying regularly etc… and Catholics should not get too hung up on “small details” like this. What do you think? Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Disobedience to Christ or to the Church, every sin great and small, should be regarded as serious. Otherwise, we are just debating how wicked or faithful we shall be. As for fasting and abstinence, these fall under the precepts of the Church. Except for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, there is no Church law about fasting on Fridays. Some places, like the UK, have evidently restored the Friday abstinence rule about meat. But that is not fasting. When the change in the abstinence law came down, the idea was that Catholics might substitute another penance or sacrifice. Instead, most Catholics seemed to forget the whole thing. The little details of the Christian life can quickly define the quality of our overall fidelity as Christians.
Tahira Ricketts, on August 15, 2014 at 3:25 pm said:

Recently while I was at church singing a church song, I accidentally sang the wrong thing. I was supposed to sing ‘undeserving thats what we are’ and instead I sang ‘ undeserving thats who you are’. So, I accidentally called God undeserving. Does this mean that I have blasphemed the Holy Ghost? Please reply to my email address with explanation.

Thanks much.

FATHER JOE: No, it just means you misspoke. There is no fault.
Callum O'connell, on August 15, 2014 at 2:26 pm said:

Hi I’m not here to joke about I’m being serious, I was wondering if I had a succubus would there be anyway my church would be able to help me get rid of this demon. I have been christened and I do believe I’m god please answer thank you.

FATHER JOE: You wrote, “I do believe I’m god.” I take it you mean, “I do believe I’m good.” Demons can urge us toward all sorts of sins. Our society is so filled with eroticism that we hardly need their influence. The remedy for an oppressive influence is prayer and the sacraments. There are also several mental delusions that result in assertions about such manipulation. This would also apply to so-called alien abductions. By the way, have faith in Christ. Remember, just being good will not save you.
JP, on August 14, 2014 at 12:35 pm said:

Thank you for your response to my question about a Josephite marriage below. A follow-up question to clarify: My understanding is that for a valid marriage a couple must commit to fidelity, indissolubility, and openness to children.

I was confused as to why a Josephite marriage could be valid because it is missing one of the “pillars?” Does it require a dispensation? Are the vows altered to not include openness to children? As well, is it always open to be annulled because the marriage was never consummated?

I appreciate these are rare instances. I also appreciate the beauty of this type of marriage. I was just wondering how the Church handles this situation.

Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Celibate love is not a closure in reference to the openness to children or “proles.” It is not the same as using contraception or avoiding children as the proper ends to the marital act. It is not the same as people who abstain because they hate or do not want children. Celibate love is also life affirming, especially in reference to charity or service. It is to be centered on the one who is the source or author of all life. The various aims of marriage are modified by a spiritual marriage. Fidelity or faithfulness means there is a particular commitment to each other and a shared life. However, “fides” as fostered by the marital embrace and/or certain intimacies is sacrificed. The union is a true marriage and is permanent, given that the arrangement is mutually accepted and there are no impediments. The pledge or vows are modified and thus there is no violation that would invalidate the bond. However, if one or the other should later want a traditional marriage, the spouse would have to acquiesce. They would see a priest who would release them from the promise of celibate love. The vows of marriage would remain undisturbed. Some couples embrace spiritual marriages after years together and a sexual life with children. There are many variations of this commitment. The openness to life does not hinge upon fertility although it does touch the matter of intention. A couple that were afraid of sex or hated it and did not want children would NOT be eligible for a Josephite marriage.
maria nicaj ybas, on August 14, 2014 at 5:13 am said:

Hello Father Joe,

I have a question, What does it mean when I saw a God’s face and his Mother Mary form in the clouds. Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Probably nothing more than your religion weighs on your mind. The brain naturally tries to make sense of patterns. That is why we see faces and other figures in the clouds, the patterns of stars, in leaves, smoke, etc. It is not regarded as supernatural.
JP, on August 13, 2014 at 6:11 pm said:

Hi Fr. Joe,

Is a Josephite marriage valid if the couple does not plan to adopt (that is, they are not “Open to Children” in manners other than marital intercourse)?

Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Such a marriage is fairly rare these days. Technically a Josephite or spiritual marriage must reflect a mutual and free agreement to abstain from sex by a couple that suffers no impediment of impotence or other irregularity. The promise is made privately to a priest and later the priest can release them from the promise of celibacy. Indeed, if one or the other spouse suffers in the arrangement or changes his or her mind, the priest would be compelled to release them so that they might enjoy nuptial relations. Adoption is not part of the scenario either way. They may or may not adopt; however, if they plan to raise children then they should probably not embrace a spiritual marriage anyway. One cannot embrace a spiritual marriage because of a contraceptive mentality or because they are not open to children. That is not the reasoning for a Josephite marriage. The reason is to live a higher form of the moral life and to practice celibate love. It allows a couple to better serve the Lord while avoiding the demands and temptations of a carnal relationship. However, there is no sin if couples have relations and children. Marriage is a sacrament and children are a blessing. One is not bad and the other good… one is only deemed better or higher or different.
Lui, on August 13, 2014 at 9:16 am said:

Good day Father, I have a question that is a very grey area for me, is downloading pirated software stealing? I always downloaded pirated software from the internet and never even gave it a second thought. It was only until I was looking for a bible software that I actually stopped and thought about whether or not I am stealing. I am not trying to justify stealing I am merely saying that by definition, no one is having anything taken from them nor is anyone at a loss when I download the software? I started looking for answers when I noticed how these Bible software companies charge people thousands of dollars then proceed to write article against piracy with titles like “What happens when you steal a bible”. Is it not the people who are attaining the software by “illegal” means but rather the people who would charge and put a monetary value and seek to collect that value for a service to Gods people who are selfish and self righteous. How can you steal information? Especially Gods Word. Can one raise their hand who really believes God intended us as Christians to sell, barter and profit from the study and enlightenment of his word? It is the greed of men that claim to come in the name of God and his son Jesus Christ. If the makers of these products truly and utterly loved God and followed the teachings Jesus the Christ it would be FREE? I challenge all who would turn away and stand between one of Gods children from bettering themselves and growing closer to him through his word for lack of “the all mighty dollar” to seek Gods face first and see what he has to say… then come back and tell me exactly why men shouldn’t be on your nearest street corner freely handing this product out with open hearts and wide smiles? Jesus never had a cover charge on his sermons, he only took offerings right? In light of what I had just said, I think the better question is “what happens when you sell a bible”. Take this scenario into consideration:

“I left a Bible on the dash of my truck and then thought, what if someone steals it?

It was then that it occurred to me that such an individual, who would take my copy of the Bible, is exactly who needed it most. How can one steal a Bible, whose contents were unquestionably intended to be disseminated freely around the world?

Who is worse, the wretched individual who so desperately seeks to learn more about God that they would do whatever was required, no matter the cost, or the individuals who placed him or her in such a compromise?

The real question is, what happens when you commercialize God? What happens to the person, or group of people, who took the knowledge made freely available to us by God, and then held it hostage and began to extort a king’s ransom?”

Please help me understand if I am in the wrong? Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Downloading pirated software is regarded as stealing. The Bible is available from many sources, however you have no right to the software that others devise. Buy a book or get a free bible from your church. The reception of stolen goods (as well as the distributor) are both guilty. An example in the pre-computer days was the guy who sold stolen televisions from the back of his truck. He offered a deal but the product was hot. The commandment was broken from both ends… stealing is stealing.
Ana, on August 12, 2014 at 11:54 pm said:

Dear Father,

I’ve been very painfully struggling with what might be legalism: I’m so caught up with who is right and who is wrong that I can’t move forward.

To sum it up, in all things, in all relationships, in all situations, I understand it as either I’m being a bad girl, or I’m not being a bad girl; a paralyzing thought. I was raised to believe I’m always wrong and therefore am always a bad girl, but I’m recently being taught that just taking the opposite stance, that the other is wrong and bad, doesn’t help matters either. Just thinking what my father is doing is wrong, my mother was doing wrong, my uncle was doing wrong, etc. just makes me feel angry, bitter, hurt, but also justified for hurting and not wanting anything to do with them. However, if I think the opposite, that I’m wrong, I’m being bad, I feel a very crushing guilt, I feel insane for feeling this hurt, and I suffer from very self-destructive thoughts.

I wish I wasn’t torn in two like this. I don’t think God wants me to be this way.

My counselor advised that I replace my thinking of “who’s right and who’s wrong” with “what’s helpful and what’s unhelpful/harmful”. It sounds a little utilitarian to me, but it does lessen the emotional blow of these things so I can think over them with more clarity and calmness. All the same, I’d like to hear what you’d say as a priest.

Thanks, and I’m sorry if this doesn’t read too clearly. I’m very confused over this.

-Ana

FATHER JOE: We are ALL sinners. In other words, all of us are bad. But God can forgive us and make us saints. That is true for you, for me, and for your parents. God loves us. Jesus brought healing and forgiveness. We should imitate the Lord. Forgiving others and forgiving ourselves.
Mikie the Witch, on August 12, 2014 at 2:32 am said:

You think I am sick? Well, I am. I am sick of a male chauvinism that taints everything. The ministry of Catholicism is a men’s club where you throw crumbs to women. That is one of the reasons that I turned to the religion of the goddess. If I suffer it is because of what men and the church did to me.

FATHER JOE: As I said, you need help. Adopting a fictional religion over the true one is no progress.
Mikie the Witch, on August 11, 2014 at 3:13 am said:

Sometimes it feels like someone else is in my head. Then I look around and find myself in an unfamiliar setting. The worse is when I look into the mirror. I see another person’s face and body. What would you say to this priest?

FATHER JOE: I would say you need help.
Bret Cervantes, on August 10, 2014 at 7:51 am said:

I made a promise to God and then broke that promise, but then I continued to do what I promised to God I wouldn’t do. Did the promise stop the first time I broke the promise with God? Or does God expect me to continue to keep that promise?

FATHER JOE:

There are factors not explained here, for instance the setting and nature of the promise. The vows of marriage signify a promise to a spouse and God and they are permanent (until death). The promises of baptism and confirmation, along with the sacrament, leave an indelible mark or character on the soul. It is permanent (into eternity). People sometimes take sacred oaths or vows, with varying degrees of severity for breeching them. Was the promise made in personal prayer or before a priest? Did one swear upon a bible?

It seems from above that the promise you made was probably a personal one, literally akin to the resolve we express in the sacrament of penance to amend our life and to avoid the near occasion of sin. We promise to sin no more, because we need to express conviction but all too often fall back into the old sins. It may only be a venial sin but all sin is serious. Ask God to forgive you and then resolve to do better.

Not having the details, I should add that outside of our state of life and the resolution to avoid sin, we should generally avoid making promises to God. For instance, “I hereby promise to God only to eat vanilla ice cream,” is silly and a wrongful use of God’s name.
Jill Smith, on August 10, 2014 at 12:18 am said:

Dear Father Joe:

I am not Catholic. I took my children this evening for their first communion as I want them to be Catholic. For some awful reason I felt the pressure after being called up in front of the church to participate in the communion and did so. I had no idea this was considered such a sin. I had planned on taking classes to become Catholic like my children but now I have read online that I will not be forgiven and this is a “grave” sin. Is this true? I am just beside myself crying and it has ruined such a precious moment for my children. How could I have been so stupid? Please tell me what your thoughts are on this I would greatly appreciate it.

FATHER JOE:

It is true that Catholicism practices the “closed table” as the Eucharist is a sign of the unity of the Church. Those who are outside this union cannot profess this unity with the Church or her teachings. I take it that your children were instructed and given their first communion from their pastor. It is indeed a happy day and I would urge you not to allow any indiscretion to ruin it for them or for you. Non-Catholics and Catholics spiritually ill-prepared for the sacrament often feel intimidated in coming up given the current way in which people approach the altar. If you just discovered the gravity of the matter, then I seriously doubt that you committed a grave sin. Indeed, coming to know how precious we regard the Eucharist, it is my hope that you will yearn for it all the more. Be careful about what you read online. There are rigorists who think they are more Catholic than the Pope. God loves you. He is always ready to forgive everything and anything— as long as we have contrite and loving hearts. Put aside the anxiety and remorse you feel. The fall is coming quickly and parish RCIA programs will be starting. Take instructions in your parish and plan on coming into the Church for Easter. Let me know how things work out. I will be praying for you and your family. God bless you!
Anthony Maguire, on August 9, 2014 at 11:25 pm said:

Hello Father, my wife and I have separated and are soon to be divorced. She is divorcing me on grounds of adultery. I admit 9 years ago I did have an affair but went back to my wife. Since then our marriage has dissolved and I have found love with the woman I had the affair with. Both families are of Catholic background. We are both willing to marry and to be baptized as we are unsure if she has been. I know I have not as my mother is Church of England and my father is Catholic [and has been baptized].

Is it possible for us to be married in Catholic Church?

Many thanks for your time. I do pray the answer is yes as I have loved this woman from when we had the affair. I did try to make my current marriage work. We had family support worker and counseling but it didn’t work. My marriage was a civil ceremony at the registry office.

FATHER JOE:

Talk to your local Catholic priest. He would best be able to help you. There are a number of matters unclear in the comment that he could clear up.

First, adultery may be grounds for a civil divorce but it would not suffice for an annulment unless it is connected to a systemic problem like mental disease, long-standing deception, and/or an impairment that makes keeping the promises of marriage impossible. Second, are any of you a baptized Catholic? It is very important to find out. A Catholic background is insufficient. Catholic marriages before civil magistrates are not recognized by the Church as juridically licit or valid. However, if none of you were baptized, then the civil marriage would be binding (as a natural bond) and would require either an annulment or dissolution in favor of the faith.

If none of you are Catholic then this is how you would proceed:

1. You would see a priest about a case to be taken to the Church marriage tribunal. This will require a formal deposition, essay on the failed marriage, any baptismal certificates (if any), the old marriage license and a divorce decree. If a declaration of nullity or dissolution is granted then you would be free to marry in the Church.

2. The Church is only authorized to witness marriages when at least one of the parties is Catholic. You would have to take RCIA classes so that at Easter you might be baptized, confirmed and given holy communion. Contact the priest now because classes start in the fall. The priest will need about six months warning to prepare you for the sacrament of marriage.

As you can see there are complications but they may not be insurmountable. See a priest or contact your diocese directly. Many prayers!
JM, on August 7, 2014 at 3:48 am said:

Father, what is our responsibility to prevent others from sinning? I was out at a happy hour with my coworkers and our boss came along. She had two drinks and left almost immediately afterward, and I got the sense when she got up that she was probably not in good shape to drive. She wasn’t obviously drunk, though, and everyone else just said goodbye to her. Because she’s my boss, I felt really uncomfortable and too scared to ask her if she was all right to drive (let alone tell her to give me her keys). How grave a sin was this?

FATHER JOE: Was she really impaired after two drinks? When matters like this are dubious so are the possible sins.
Dillan D., on August 5, 2014 at 6:53 pm said:

Father,

What is the Church’s teaching when it comes to jokes about religion? For example, if I go see a comedian who makes a joke about Christianity, is it wrong for me to laugh?

FATHER JOE: It depends upon the joke.
Marianne, on August 4, 2014 at 1:04 pm said:

Dear Father, why can’t you go to church on a different day than Sunday for our obligation? Recently, all three churches where I attended Mass closed. The only parish open close to me is very crowded, noisy, and distracting. I would rather go every day but Sunday. We are allowed to go Saturday night so why not? Thank You.

FATHER JOE: Saturday night is a concession of the Holy See and is an anticipatory to the Sunday. Sunday is the traditional Lord’s Day and going back to apostolic times Christians gathered on Sunday to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. The re-creation and resurrection of Christ was seen as on par with creation itself. It is for that reason the Sunday Observance displaced the Hebrew Sabbath. In any case, it is an issue connected to the Decalogue and to the Precepts of the Church. We can be excused for good reason, like poor health. Certain people like fire fighters, police, doctors, etc. will sometimes go on weekdays because of the weekend demands of their work. However, they do this to preserve their spiritual life. They may be excused from the law but weekday attendance does not fulfill the precept. The Sunday Mass is a command performance. All Catholics are invited to this Sunday Eucharistic family meal. Every Mass is important but the Sunday Mass is a singular celebration unmatched by weekday participation. As for the crowds and distractions, remember that you are called to worship God. The emphasis is upon God, not upon our personal satisfaction because of various accidentals.
Kim, on August 4, 2014 at 7:14 am said:

Hello Fr Joe, I have a question regarding Israel. Are the Jews the chosen people? I read recently that the Catholic Church is now regarded as the “new Israel.” Could you explain this for me? Thank you Father.

FATHER JOE: The Jews were the first people chosen by God. God made promises to them and God keeps his promises. The fulfillment of the promise is Jesus Christ. He is Messiah and Lord. Jesus institutes a new People of God, the Church. The Church is regarded as the new Zion or new Jerusalem. The Catholic Church does not equate the modern state of Israel with biblical prophecy as do Protestant fundamentalists. The covenant of old is realized in Christ and his new covenant. As Pope Benedict XVI taught (and the late Cardinal Avery Dulles), there is only one covenant, one way to the Father. Christ came for his own people and for all who would believe in him.