Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

AnnaJohnson, on February 21, 2015 at 10:42 am said:

Father Joe, it’s the anniversary of my Mums death, and I want her mentioned on the bulletin, do I have to put a donation in the envelope, for her name to be added?

FATHER JOE: Such names are placed in the bulletin to announce the weekly intention of Masses. It is customary to give a stipend or donation when it is scheduled. The priest may mention the name from the altar but this is not always done. The priest applies the fruits of his Mass to the soul of the departed. The amounts of stipends vary from place to place. We ask for $10 in the Archdiocese of Washington.
chinonye, on February 20, 2015 at 3:08 pm said:

Father I also wanted to ask, what is the purpose of a spiritual director? Is it for everyone? How do they help one spiritually? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: Directors are useful because the spiritual life and prayer are not automatic but have elements that are learned. People are also guilty of self-deception. The spiritual director and/or confessor keeps the person honest and on course.
chinonye, on February 20, 2015 at 2:59 pm said:

Hello Father
I want to deepen my relationship with God by going to daily mass, but the problem is the church near my house starts weekday masses by 6am and its too early for me. The other church I can go to starts by 7am but its far.
Should I attend the mass for 7am? Will God think I’m pushing myself too far? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: You say that one church Mass is too far and the other too early. Is it something you want or not? The issue is preparation and discipline. The problem may be that you are not pushing yourself enough.
Jason, on February 20, 2015 at 2:51 am said:

Good day Father,

Is it wrong to have Priest bless something just because? I have recently received a St. John Paul II medal and would like to ask my parish priest to bless. Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Blessing religious medals and other Sacramentals is good.
Ryan Mueden, on February 19, 2015 at 7:51 am said:

hello father i need your opinion in this question: should a catholic priest remain celibate? i hope you response thankyoy

FATHER JOE: Yes, priests should remain celibate… mandatory, absolute and forever.
Marc, on February 18, 2015 at 10:00 pm said:

Hello Father

I am writing in regard to an issue which has been bothering my girlfriend. She has struggled with feelings that she should be pursuing a life as a sister. However she is also afraid to really delve deep and find out if that truly is her calling. The way she describes it to me is that he feels guilty for wanting children and a family and that she feels being a mother would be selfish. I want to support her in whatever it is God calls her to do, but am at a loss right now as to how to help her find her way.

Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

FATHER JOE: The vocation of wife and mother is also sacred and not selfish. Sacrificial love is at the heart of all Christian callings. What she has to discern is what God wants of her. If she is interested in the religious life then she should visit and explore a few religious communities. But remember, there are all kinds of women religious: contemplative, nursing, teaching, charity, etc. What does she want to do with her life? What is her great love? If she is uncertain and hesitant, that in itself may be a sign that she is called to something else. How much does she love you? When she imagines the future, where does she see herself? Does she dream about being a wife and mother or a bride of Christ? It is more than dress up. It is a regiment of prayer, work, obedience and poverty. Would she scrub floors or clean bed pans if ordered by her superior? Would she go where she is sent even if afraid and did not want to do so?
Kathy, on February 18, 2015 at 5:05 pm said:

Hi Father Joe. My question is I have been praying for my son for awhile because he needs a job and a place to live. He has had a lot of misfortune but has also made some bad choices. He won’t pray because he says “God hates me because I’m bad, when I pray he doesn’t listen”. I tell him to pray to God for forgiveness and help but he is afraid to. My question is will God listen to my prayers for help for my son even though he is a sinner. Does God answer prayers for a sinner asked by another person? Thank you Father

FATHER JOE: Yes, God hears our intercessory prayer for others. But your son needs to know that God loves him and that he should not be afraid of him. God does not perform like a genie granting wishes, but he does hear and answer us. He wants us to be holy and happy, even as we live in this broken world.
Father Joe, on February 17, 2015 at 1:52 pm said:

Mori,

We all struggle with both human weakness, sin and the demonic. Reality encompasses a struggle with powers and principalities. Even if mental illness is present, this in itself does not mean that there is no unseen agency also engaged against us. As for what a priest can do, I would emphasize the office and not the man. While official exorcists must be assigned by the bishop, every priest is empowered as an exorcist. That is why he has the power to absolve sins. You should contact your local priest and put aside worry that he would be skeptical. He is ordained for the sacraments and to bring the blessings of God and his Church into people’s lives.

Beyond physical ailments, we can also play into the hands of darkness by surrendering to fear, anxiety and despair. At a time when courageous Christians are having their heads chopped off by militant Moslems; others are wallowing in self-pity for minor matters and hiding in bed. What would I encourage?

First, stop giving the devil more than his due and acknowledge the infinite power of Christ as God.

Second, seek out a priest for blessing and deliverance prayer but especially for the sacraments.

Third, have Christian friends pray over you and assist you in resisting the ennui that has taken possession of you.

Fourth, explore if there might be a medical reason for your issues. I have known people bitten by ticks and struggling with Lime Disease who seem to be in a very similar state.

Fifth, bad and good things happen to everyone— focus on the good. Will yourself to move forward. The past with its problems and abuse is the past. You can’t live there. All you have is the present. Do not waste it.

Peace!
Mori, on February 16, 2015 at 10:21 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe:
Not sure how to ask this without sounding like a whack job, but please know I am sincere. How does one go about obtaining a blessing, possibly from an exorcist? Even if these negative elements I’ve been experiencing are not from a supernatural evil source, a blessing can’t hurt, right? I believe in the power of the Rosary, prayer, Confession, of course the Eucharist, but it has been so hard to get to Church. And I like Church. I will experience inexplicable panic or become overwhelmingly tired. Tired doesn’t seem like a fitting word for what I experience. My body experiences burning pain and has been stricken at times with complete immobility. I miss The Eucharist. I’ve gone to doctors for my symptoms and have gone under every test imaginable, tried a plethora of medications. The only diagnoses given are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I’ve tried therapy and despite my hardships, I’ve been admired for my ability to forgive and overcome past hardships, including neglect and abuse as a child that includes a poisoning, possibly from my mother. I know this makes me sound as though I’m psychologically vulnerable to fanciful ideas about demonic influence. This is why I’m afraid to talk to anyone, including a priest, about this. I know there are skeptics among priests about the need for exorcists. But even friends have been astounded by the uncanny and improbable obstacles I’ve experienced in regards to finding work. I only say this much to let you know that this question I bring to you is the last resort. I know Confession, Communion, The Rosary are more powerful than Satan or any pathetic minions, yet when I try to pray, my mind gets so distracted and filled with ungodly images, that it’s exhausting to fight it. I doubt it’s fitting to list all details that leads me to entertain the possibility of a supernatural influence. I know Christ has power over all things and Goodness has already defeated evil, but here I am. I only ask, please be kind, and if nothing else, pray for me. Thank you.
George Gerapetritis, on February 16, 2015 at 6:30 pm said:

There is only one bridge between God and Man Jesus Christ. Any other are false and the devil is in side who want to compromise the pure Christian doctrine of bible with the wordy Dow . Sants who have died don’t have any access to do anything because they are resting until their resurrection .

In John 16 talks about the parable that confirms that dead sants can’t do nothing. Only the sants who are alive can intercede for us .
God don’t make exemptions His word and produces are yes and amen to all .

So anything out side His will Bible is to lead the christians away from the true relations with the Father that have as results to empower us.
Satan is a liar and the father of lies,and his primary goal is to keep christians in ignorance by compromising bible with his doctrine .

FATHER JOE:

What parable is this? There is nothing in John 16 that dismisses the intercession of the saints in God. It talks about the sending of the Spirit and the certainty that God hears and answers our prayers. It also references Christ’s coming ascension and how he will be taken from their sight.

There is no conflict or contradiction with intercessory prayer as all prayer has as its direct object, almighty God.

The Bible is a Catholic book. The Old Testament was inherited from the Jews, although immediately through the larger canon of the Septuagint. Evidence of this is that every time the Old Testament is quoted, the New Testament writers employ the Greek version of the Scriptures. Fourth Century Catholic bishops determined the biblical list or canon of books. The Church copied the texts by hand and translated into Latin, the language of Gentile Christians in the empire. The books not added to the list and the oral traditions that made the Gospels possible, all constituted a source of revelation. This Sacred Tradition, as well as the authority of the shepherds appointed by Christ (through their successors) still has a bearing upon the truth of Christ and our practices as people of faith. The fracturing of Protestantism is evidence that the Bible is not self-explaining.

Catholicism teaches that Christ is the one bridge or pontifex to the heavenly Father. He is the WAY that makes possible the healing of the breech caused by sin. As Pope Benedict XVI taught, Jesus is the Redeemer; there is no way to the Father but through him. Jesus is the saving name.

You are quite wrong about the repose of the saints. While they may rest in peace, this simply means that their human challenge in the world, the matter of ultimate decision, has been made. The compass is fixed at the moment of death. You evidently subscribe to the notion of “soul sleep.” The Adventists argue that the righteous will be reconstituted and awaken but that all others will be annihilated— never to awaken. They also deny the soul and the possibility of hell. Are you guilty of these heresies? The Jews of Jesus’ day and the early Church both believed that there was a hell for the damned. The resurrection of Jesus is real and the saints are promised a share. They are conscious and alive. There is nothing that suggests otherwise. The soul survives death. Jesus alludes to this when he says that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as he does (Luke 24:39). The grave is no barrier to either life or love. The saints are alive and they still love those that were dear to them in the world.
George Gerapetritis, on February 16, 2015 at 6:30 pm said:

The devil is a liar God don’t have two faces ! The devil is the deceiver of the breathen . God is simple to those who follow Him and love Him .

FATHER JOE: You have lost me here. Are you denying saintly intercession? Are you denying the Blessed Trinity: one God in three divine Persons? While the devil is a deceiver, there is also the matter of human ignorance and hubris getting in the way of saving truth.
George Gerapetritis, on February 16, 2015 at 6:29 pm said:

Paul tells the church at Corinth, “do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Some pastors or priests are not only living in sin as homosexuals, they even marry such couples despite the fact that Scripture condemns those who do. “Anyone who…does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God” (2 John 1:9) and “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work” (2 John 10-11). Paul agrees that “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to god

FATHER JOE: Do you have firsthand knowledge of priestly misconduct or is this just the stuff you suppose from sensationalist media and the few oddballs on the internet? The Catholic Church teaches very clearly that sex must remain within marriage and that marriage is a bond between a man and a woman. They are obliged to keep their promises to each other until natural death. Further, most priests are good and holy men, faithful to their promise to imitate Christ’s celibate love. You make way too much of way too little… and end up committing calumny.
chinonye, on February 16, 2015 at 4:14 pm said:

Hello Father
I went to confession on saturday and since that day I felt a bit strange. Each time I prayed I felt disconnected from the prayer. I don’t concentrate. My lips move but my heart is far removed from the prayer. I feel like as if God is far from me. I don’t know if its because prior to the confession, I went back to an old sinful habit of mine and didn’t even commune with God for two months. Please what do I do? I need to feel God’s presence in my life, I feel there’s a void somewhere.
Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Your comment is confused. You said that you went to Confession on Saturday but then say that you returned to a sinful habit and did not “commune” with God for two months. Huh? In any case, keep saying your prayers, no matter how it makes you feel. Faith is about a lot more than feelings. Peace!
sheree, on February 15, 2015 at 9:08 pm said:

Why is it so ridiculous for you to believe a priest had a poltergiest with him its also ridiculous for the host to be in the chalice of wine do you want to know the church before you pass comment. Since when in scripture should the host be in the wine.

FATHER JOE: Again, you do not know what you are talking about. Now you say the priest had a poltergeist (correct spelling) with him and in the previous comment said the priest was a poltergeist. Speaking about the precious blood you call it wine and confuse the chalice with the host. There is a difference between faith and the occult, just as there is a distinction from that which has sense and that which is nonsense. My intention is not to be rude, only corrective. I really do not think you know what you are talking about.
sheree, on February 15, 2015 at 9:01 pm said:

The priest was definitely a poltogeist when l did Eucharist there was a demon with him spitting then when l went back to church they put the bread in the wine please help

FATHER JOE: Aside from the question as to whether they actually exist, a poltergeist is defined as a mischievous spirit or noisy ghost. It is not regularly classified as a demon. They would also be invisible. The commingling is a symbol of resurrection and involves only a small sliver of the priest’s host during Mass. A demon would not attend Mass. Indeed, they flee from the Blessed Sacrament. You are being deceived.
Diana Strauss, on February 15, 2015 at 8:32 pm said:

Okay; thank you for clarification.
sheree, on February 15, 2015 at 6:09 pm said:

What do you do if the priest was a poltergeist when you took baptism and Eucharist l can prove this

FATHER JOE: This is ridiculous.
simon3rd, on February 15, 2015 at 1:49 pm said:

Dear, Father! We as Christians believe the second coming of Christ. How do we recognize Christ when he comes? How do we know that those who claim to be Christ (even now, one of them walks around in Siberia and has huge community with him) are not?

FATHER JOE: I think the shining light, parting clouds, swarming angels and Christ coming from the sky will be a quick giveaway that Jesus is back. The harvesting angels for the final judgment might also be an indication. Please, do not put confidence in imposters. Christ first came as a child in the manger. But the incarnation was a one-time event. When Christ returns, he will do so as the Lord of Glory. There will be no confusion.
Camryn, on February 15, 2015 at 1:18 pm said:

Can you only deny Jesus by speaking it. What if you thought it?

Sent from my iPhone

>

FATHER JOE: You have to will it. Then your words and actions show it.
Father Joe, on February 15, 2015 at 1:07 pm said:

The Cardinal again and again emphasizes his fidelity to the Petrine See. What he says is merely a statement of fact about what the Church is currently experiencing. The media spin is sensational and often attributes meanings that go far beyond the short responses given by the Pope to questions. It is this back-and-worth, like the waves of the ocean that is rocking the Church. The Pope says something and the next day the Vatican has to clarify it because of misconceptions. I think this is the phenomenon that irks the good Cardinal.
Camryn, on February 15, 2015 at 12:56 pm said:

Ok. Thank you.
caitlynnegrace, on February 15, 2015 at 6:15 am said:

Wishing you a lovely day, Fr. I have a question. A loved one plans to marry a Hindu friend. I am deeply upset because the marriage comes after a long line of other dubious, non-Christian activities she has participated in (beauty pageants etc) with her boyfriend’s encouragement. Thus far, the boy has not shown any interest in the Catholic faith and my loved one’s faith is pretty relaxed too. If the boy insists on a wedding in the temple, I don’t intend to attend because my heart tells me this is wrong, but I know this will hurt her parents who are counting on my support. Some advice, please, Fr? Thanks so much.

FATHER JOE: You pretty much said it all. A Catholic is required to marry before a priest and two witnesses in church. Otherwise, the marriage is illicit and in this case, invalid, too. Her parents should respect your scruples as a Christian.
Camryn, on February 15, 2015 at 2:21 am said:

What if I didn’t want to tag them because of embarrassment of what they would say and think of me and also my family?

FATHER JOE: As I said before, it is probably best not to tag at all but to let them do this, if they want. If they think ill of you then why would you be posting their pictures anyway? That is not smart.
Camryn, on February 14, 2015 at 6:17 pm said:

I was on Instagram and came across a picture that said Tag all your friends if I don’t don’t am I denying Jesus?

FATHER JOE: Probably best not to tag… let people tag themselves.
Diana Strauss, on February 14, 2015 at 6:07 pm said:

What about this comment, that the church under Pope Francis is “like a ship without a rudder”?

See below:

By Josephine Mckenna

Religion News Service October 31, 2014

VATICAN CITY – American Cardinal Raymond Burke, the feisty former archbishop of St. Louis who has emerged as the face of the opposition to Pope Francis’ reformist agenda, likened the Roman Catholic Church to “a ship without a rudder” in a fresh attack on the pope’s leadership.

In an interview with the Spanish Catholic weekly Vida Nueva, published Thursday, Burke insisted he was not speaking out against the pope personally but raising concern about his leadership.

“Many have expressed their concerns to me. At this very critical moment, there is a strong sense that the church is like a ship without a rudder,” Burke said.

“Now, it is more important than ever to examine our faith, have a healthy spiritual leader and give powerful witness to the faith.”

Burke is the current head of the Vatican’s highest court known as the Apostolic Signatura, but he said recently he is about to be demoted. There is speculation he will be made patron of the Order of Malta, a largely ceremonial post.

“I have all the respect for the Petrine ministry and I do not want to seem like I am speaking out against the pope,” he said in the interview. “I would like to be a master of the faith, with all my weaknesses, telling a truth that many currently perceive.”
Advertisement

“They are feeling a bit seasick because they feel the church’s ship has lost its way,” he added.

Burke has expressed an uncompromising stance on keeping the ban on Communion for Catholics who divorce and remarry without an annulment, and is one of five conservative cardinals who aired their views in a new book, “Remaining in the Truth of Christ,” released on the eve of the bishops’ blockbuster synod in early October.

When the synod signaled a more welcoming tone to gay and lesbian Catholics, Burke publicly accused the global gathering of bias and was among those who pushed for a less conciliatory approach in the final report.

Burke had previously said that Catholic families should not expose children to the “evil” of homosexuality by inviting a gay son home for Christmas with his partner.

In his latest interview, Burke said the church was “the pillar of marriage” and challenged the pope’s revolutionary “Who am I to judge?” remark on gay people.

“The acts must be judged; I do not think that the pope thinks differently. They are sinful and unnatural. The pope never said we can find positive elements in them. It is impossible to find positive elements in an evil act.”