Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

chinonye, on November 8, 2015 at 4:14 pm said:

Hello Fr.
Pls can you explain for me Luke 16:1-8? Thanks.

FATHER JOE:

Some of those listening to Jesus, even among the religious leadership, are dishonest men. This makes for a very odd parable. Our Lord speaks of sheep to shepherds, of a lost coin to women or housewives, and to fraud and theft to a crowd numbered by thieves. These are not necessarily moral men and we can imagine them applauding the strategy of the dishonest steward. Our Lord uses this as an opportunity to enter into their confidence. He really wants to speak about a good steward and how we cannot be divided between God and money. We can use the wealth of this world for good purpose and the mission given us by God. Money is not inherently evil. However, our true treasure must be in heaven. He is inviting his listeners to a deeper understanding and a shift in values. Dismas on the cross might not have been the only thief to steal heaven.
elizabethlawoyin, on November 5, 2015 at 12:27 am said:

Hello Father, I hope you’re well?

Firstly, there’s a hymn I remember singing at church when I was much younger. I loved it so much and was moved by it every time. I still remember a few lines but I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I’ve looked on the internet and hymn books to no avail. I wonder if you know the hymn or might be able to point me in the right direction to find it. It goes like this:

“Long have we waited for you, won’t you hurry Lord and come? We’re all dwelling in our darkest sin……..be my partner when I play or pray, walk with me talk to me saviour, come and touch each soul today……..”

Those are the lines I remember, they aren’t as cohesive but I pray you might have some idea.

The second question I have is more serious. I’m in my twenties and I try to be as active in the Church as I can. I am part of a Charismatic group also and I find such peace and joy in my relationship with God. The one thing that stands out most to me though in most Church activities is the lack of young people. The ones you do see are being forced by their parents and it shows in the obvious detachment and lack of interest. My sister was confirmed recently and in her group of about 20 young people, only about 3 of them have remained close to the Church. Part of the problem is the process of confirmation. The catechists don’t really help them understand their faith and why they’re there so it’s just a rite of passage for most. One of the boys said he was only doing it because his grandmother promised him some money afterwards. I recently found out that none of the confirmed young people even know the rosary which was shocking. This really bothers me. The presence of young people in the Church is really important and I always feel like I ought to be doing something to encourage young Catholics who have gone lukewarm or have gone away completely to come back and maybe even encourage non Catholics too to join and enjoy what it means to be Catholic. The thing is I don’t know where to start or what to do. I know it’s going to be tough but I want to be able to do even the smallest thing. What advice do you have?

FATHER JOE:

Sorry, I do not know the hymn. As for what you can do, be the best witness possible. Live out your faith and stay active in the Church. The struggle we face is not just with the teens but often with their parents. People approach religion as a boring obligation and not as an exciting privilege. God has been good to us. Show enthusiasm in your faith. Maybe it will be contagious? We can at least hope…
William H. (Bill) Biza, on November 4, 2015 at 11:20 pm said:

It seems to me that most people with sin problems (Which we all have, both pastor and parishioner) would do well to hear the Word of God from Isaiah 41:10: “Be not afraid for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Trust in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, as Christ is revealed in Holy Scripture alone. Then give ALL the glory to God alone, forever and ever. Amen!

FATHER JOE: We trust the Lord but he also gave us one another and the Church. We have a solidarity with one another in faith to Jesus Christ. We live and move in the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures teach that we are saved by grace alone, but not necessarily by faith alone. Indeed, the apostle James stresses works in Christ; Jesus referenced charity and obedience. The Bible as we know it did not emerge until the fourth century and the consensus of bishops at council. Again, there is an emphasis upon the Church which Jesus established and to which he gave the keys of the kingdom. The Church preached the Gospel before there was a written New Testament. The inspiration of the Scriptures included those Catholic bishops who assembled the canon. The history of faith is much more complex than some fundamentalists would make out. (Indeed, the definition of faith between such critics and Catholicism would be very different.) Peace!
Joyce, on November 4, 2015 at 4:26 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,
What is the Catholic Church’s view on crystals and gemstones and their “healing” properties? I have seen this kind of description while looking for rosary beads on The Catholic Company website. What about the use of herbs, oils and incense in the home? Just because they are all used in occult practices does that make it bad or sinful for Catholics to have these things?

FATHER JOE: Crystals or gems might make pretty rosaries, but there are no innate healing properties. Incense is associated with worship and offering prayers to God. Oil is connected with prayers for healing. Anything more smacks of witchcraft or the occult, in other words, sinful superstition.
Bob Tuttle, on November 4, 2015 at 12:58 am said:

Hello,

My name is Bob, and in a recent conversation with a friend of mine who is a devout Roman Catholic (I am not), he said a few things that I did not understand. When I asked him to explain them, he told me to ask a priest. Since I do not know any priests, I thought I would ask you.

During the course of our conversation I made the comment that a person who lives a life of habitual unrepentant sin will not go to heaven, whether they are a Catholic or not. He says that Catholic’s are able to have a mass said for someone like that so they can enter heaven if they are a Roman Catholic. Is this true?

When I told him that I did not think the Bible says that, he told me that I am “not authorized to interpret Scripture.” What does that mean that I am not authorized to interpret Scripture.

My friend also told me that even though I think I am a Christian, if I refuse to be a part of the Roman Catholic church, I cannot and will not go to heaven. Is this true?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

FATHER JOE:

Hi Bob!

Catholics distinguish between Mortal (serious or deadly) sin and Venial (lesser sin). Mortal sin breaks off our relationship with God. The person who dies in Mortal sin will suffer hell. Catholics are encouraged to make acts of contrition and to participate in the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics are obliged to confess and repent of all Mortal sins. They are also encouraged to do so for the lesser sins as they can weaken one’s character and make one more susceptible to serious sins. However, there is a sense in which ALL sin is serious. Just think about it… when we sin we are saying to Almighty God, that HERE AND NOW, we FREELY CHOOSE to sin KNOWING that we OFFEND him. That is pretty terrible. Why would a person refuse to repent? It probably means that the person is not sorry or contrite. Such an attitude itself might be damning.

Masses for the dead are in reference to those who were repentant but struggling with venial sin. The Mass does not save them or steal the dead from Hell. We pray that they will be sped on their way to Heaven. We believe they will be purified or perfected as they approach God and Heaven. However, without contrition, either perfect or imperfect, there can be no saving faith. The call of the Gospel remains, “Repent and believe!” If all this confuses you, then let me say simply that YOU are closer to the truth here than your Catholic friend.

As far as Bible interpretation is concerned, Catholicism has an official Magisterium or teaching office. However, we are all urged to read and learn from the Bible. You have every right to share your views about biblical teachings. Individuals may not always be absolutely right, but we invoke the Holy Spirit to inform our minds and are edified by God’s Word.

We believe that the Church is the great mystery of salvation and a means of encounter with Christ. The Church prays for her own but also for those outside the visible confines of the Church. We recognize the baptism and faith of other Christians. We praise God for a common love and faith in Jesus Christ. As for judgment, just being a Catholic is no guarantee of salvation. We are called to hope and to persevere in faith. We leave judgment to God. The teaching to which your friend speaks is narrowly understood: if you were convinced that the Catholic Church were the true Church instituted by Christ for the salvation of souls, and you still refused to join it, then you would place yourself outside the circle of salvation. However, most people who are not Catholic have no such view of Catholicism. I suspect God will judge us according to what we know and our relationship with the Lord. Jesus is Savior and he can save whomever he wills.

God bless you!
Kathleen Bowers, on November 3, 2015 at 1:57 pm said:

Fr. Joe,

I am divorced, remarried to a non-Catholic who has never been married in the Catholic Church, and completing the annulment process. Once completed, will I be able to receive communion?

I was advised that my husband must have his previous marriage nullified, followed by the two of us marrying in the Catholic Church, prior to me being able to receive communion. Are each of these steps part of the process to be able to receive the sacraments?

FATHER JOE: Yes, you describe the situation correctly. Once an annulment has been granted, and there is no impediment present, you would be free to have your union convalidated by a priest. The convalidation or marriage only requires the couple, two witnesses and the priest or deacon. It is probable that the priest would have you go to Confession prior to the convalidation. You would subsequently be free to receive Holy Communion.
Diana Strauss, on November 3, 2015 at 6:19 am said:

Thank for your detailed explanation. You clarified many points I did not understand about the entire situation. And, as always, thank you for your time and patience in answering my questions.

All the best – D. Strauss
Jeff, on November 2, 2015 at 10:08 am said:

Dear Father, I am a recovering alcoholic whose main way of drinking used to be hiding it from my wife. This caused tremendous mistrust in her, something which I fully understand. I have been working diligently for three years to regain her trust.

My concern is over a pattern I see in her. She and I volunteer each month at our parish to help with a pancake breakfast. The coordinator of the breakfast brings ingredients to make Bloody Mary’s for the volunteers. Our priest has expressly forbidden any drinking by the crew, since the coordinator has abused the practice at other events, even causing neighbors to the church to complain.

Despite the pastor’s wishes, my wife and this man are usually the only two people who drink at the breakfasts, and they sneak to do so. The coordinator hides inside the walk-in cooler to mix the drinks, and whenever the pastor happens to appear, my wife hides their drinks out of sight.

I have expressed my concern to my wife that her bahavior in this case is no different from mine during my drinking days, yet she insists it is different because she’s “not an alcoholic” like me.

Each time she does this, a certain level of my trust in her goes down the drain in my mind. I’m not concerned about the drinking. It’s the outright disobedience to the pastor, the collusion with the coordinator, the deception, and the disregard for my feelings.

She will not hear anything I have to say. Please advise.

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: The pastor is the pastor. If he says there is to be no drinking then there should be no drinking. He is responsible for what takes place on parish property. This is more important than a spousal confidence. The main issue for the Church is not the drinking problem they share. The issue is disobedience. This is also a matter of parish liability and the pastor’s administration. He needs to be told. Further, the coordinator for the breakfasts should be replaced. Such actions illustrate that he is not worthy of the pastor’s trust. He should be thanked for past service and then terminated. It can be done quietly. The others do not have to be informed why he has been removed. Unfortunately, such people often talk because they have shown already how little respect they have for the pastor’s authority.
Holly Preble, on November 2, 2015 at 6:48 am said:

I have a question. I am part of a Catholic mom group. One of the mom’s has a brother who is not a catholic and is living with a woman with children that her former spouse has full custody of. She gets limited visits apparently. This lady and her kids are being invited to a big family gathering at his mothers home. His mom has told the woman the kids will meet the mom from my groups/sister to the guy she is living withs daughters so they can all play, etc. The sister asked the group about what to do as this makes her uncomfortable to have her kids dragged into this. 99% of the catholic moms say she was wrong, and to welcome them, embrace them, and tell your kids to pray for them. I said my policy at my house is I commit when you commit. If you want this woman to be “family” then set a date and get married. My kids do not need to meet all the women their uncle plays house with. The other moms are livid and say I am horrible and mean. I am judging. I am unforgiving. I was raised being told society has fallen apart mainly because we all are so excepting of sinful behavior. No one stands up to the rampant sin and says this is not ok. I don’t think the people should be stoned, but not allowing people who are living in sin a place of influence in my impressionable children’s lives just seems catholic 101 to me. Am I wrong? Should the kids meet the woman and her kids with their uncle and see the whole family embrace and welcome this relationship? Is this a case of the road to hell is paved with good intentions or judge not less you be judged?

FATHER JOE:

Dear Holly, forgive me but I am having a struggle deciphering all the elements of your comment. Let me try to dissect what you are saying.

1. You are part of a Catholic Mothers group.

2. One of the members has a non-Catholic brother cohabitating with a separated/divorced woman with children. (The custody issue does not matter here.)

3. He will be coming to his mother’s home for a family gathering and the woman with whom he is living has been invited with her children.

4. The mother told her daughter that they will get to meet and the children will be able to play together.

5. The daughter who is a member of your Catholic Mothers group confessed to them that this made her uncomfortable. The group opposed her and thought she should comply and welcome them.

6. You sided with her over the rest of the group. You cite the possible bad influence upon impressionable children raised in the faith.

Have I read the scenario correctly? And you want me to say who is right and wrong?

Hum, it comes back to an old debate. Is it always best to avoid bad companions or can the interaction of faithful believers act as a catalyst in their reform and conversion? It is here that missing details make a response difficult. The woman is not the man’s spouse and they are not his children.

Having said this, the man’s sister is within her rights to say that she does not want to remain with her children under the same roof with a brother is committing fornication or adultery. A casual visit is one thing, but the implication here is an extended visit and/or an overnight. That is far more problematical. Children cannot be sheltered from such things and the youth on both sides are innocent. The problem is with the adults.

As a final aside, I take it the woman is divorced. Was the man previously Catholic? If so, then his baptismal faith would still regulate whether he can marry her or not. If so, or if the woman is Catholic, an annulment or declaration might be required. While it remains wrong, is this a stable relationship or one where (as you imply) we merely find his latest conquest? Did he assist a woman in a desperate situation and it became something more than a simple friendship? These things can sometimes be worked out but couples have to want it.

We must decipher moral principles without committing calumny.
Fred, on November 1, 2015 at 7:22 am said:

Dear father..

Is it wrong to have empathy for a person who is having an abortion?

I had a really good friend who told me she was doing so and I straight up told her I was against abortion. I told her the same as well on another impassioned ocassion at an earlier date. Well..two weeks later she called me and asked me to meet her so we drove together and she told me she was in the process of having the abortion as we were speaking…..we drove some more and she then leaned her head over and laid it on my lap as if in some sort of physical and emotional pain…I did not push away but put my arm over her and told her ” ya know if you would have decided to keep this baby it would have been a beautiful child”..…we then drove to her house and sat and talked some more and out of a bit of empathy (she seem uncomfortable and in pain) but mainly out of curiosity I asked her what going on inside of her..all the while knowing I was very anti abortion, she told me that the baby was in some sort of constricting netting that was squishing it to be removed the next day.. leaving me with the impression that it was a process halfway through …yet a done deal…I listened to her and acknowledged what she had said. I did not desire to judge her, condemn her nor offend her…but neither did i say or lead her to believe that i changed my mind about what she was doing…she already knew how i felt…I actually cared very dueeply about her had a sort of empathy for her even though I was so much against what she was doing. I just listened…we did not talk about any more that night and I left letting her know I still caded for her an accepted her…But what a dizzying experience….caring so much about a person yet being so against what they were doing and at the same time feeling sorry for them….was it wrong how I treated the situation?

FATHER JOE: It is no sin to care. You showed compassion but did not collaborate. I am puzzled by what she meant by “constricting netting.” The butchers often use deception and euphemisms about the abortion process.
Celia, on October 31, 2015 at 3:01 pm said:

Hi, father.
I’m not feeling 100% good right now. I made a vow to myself that I will not masturbate and watch porn every after I confess. But then I always fall back into that horrible sin and I always go into the same cycle of guilt, shame, sorrow, acceptance, and I’ll eventually bring myself to confess and then I’ll relapse again. I relapsed again. This has been going on since July. I have listened to the priest’s advice about doing something to make myself occupied. But the thing is, I can’t. I just can’t. The longest I avoided that kind of sin is two months. I have been relapsing in one month intervals. I hate it. I know it is grave, I know it is a mortal sin. I have the willpower to stop it. But sometimes the temptation becomes so great that I break under it. Now here I am, wishing that I could feel pain instead of arousal. My bestfriend had the same problem, and she has not relapsed in a year. I wish I could do it, too. She also told me she had relapsed so many times, but I can’t help but feel ashamed and embarrassed. I am afraid that I will disappoint the priest that I have been confessing to. I wish I could confess online, where I could not be seen. Please help me.

FATHER JOE: Sexual temptations are not of the same intensity for everyone. However, we all have to deal with human appetites and a fallen nature. God gave sexuality as a gift to the human family so that men and women might be bonded in a way that brings both the joy of fidelity and of children. However, the greater the gift, the more it can be misused or exploited. St. Paul was very practical about it when he said it was better to marry than to burn. Discipline alone often falls short. We must also surrender ourselves into God’s hands and power. He is strong where we are weak. Continue to do the best you can. Avoid when possible the occasions of sin. And know the priest is always there to give absolution. Do not worry about disappointing him. Our focus in Confession is not the priest but upon our Lord and his mercy. You will sometimes feel embarrassed. That is natural. But do not allow those feelings to block your approach to God and his sacraments. Trust God who reaches out to you in your weakness. Peace!
chinonye, on October 29, 2015 at 8:15 pm said:

Hello Fr.
Pls I need you to help me make sense of this situation. I ve noticed, and my elder sis, has noticed it too that my other older sis likes to please my dad. I worry about this because like I ve told you before, my dad has abusive tendencies and respects nobody in the house. Many times he has switched off the television right in front of us or my older sis without warning and asked her to go to bed like as if she was a child. But in spite of that whenever he wants something, maybe a meal prepared for him, my sister does it for him or do his laundry, clean his room if my handicapped sister messes it up with faeces, and after all this, sometimes he would act disrespectfully towards her/ us again, back and forth.
My main point is this, my sister doing all these nice things for him and on certain times getting disrespected by him, is it a virtue of forgiveness or just plain stockholm syndrome? Its a bit confusing to me and to be honest I don’t know what is right or wrong anymore. She constantly complains that she can’t wait to get a decent job and leave the house and my dad, that my dad is sadistic etc but yet when he needs something, off she goes to do it for him. Does it seem to you like a hate/love relationship or am I over thinking things here? I understand we have to love and run errands for our parents but where does one draw the line? Am I the one who hasn’t understood Christian charity?
I apologise for the long post but I needed your view on this matter because its confusing. I’m even scared that I might get used to disrespect and wouldn’t even recognise it in a relationship!

FATHER JOE: I cannot say. While I have had courses in psychology, I am not trained for such questions, particularly when there may cultural issues that are foreign to me. It would be best to find someone with the proper competency.
darkest, on October 28, 2015 at 5:01 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
Thanks alot for your blog. I am surviving well. Thanks Ana for your response God bless you. Thanks Caitlynnegrace for the song and thanks fr for the links. Belated thanks also you pointed me to the invisible scar page some time back.
God bless you all. Am a little socially inept but its great to know people like all of you who manifest the love of God. Love and prayers.
Tony, on October 28, 2015 at 11:29 am said:

Hello Father. I dressed up as a priest two times for Halloween before. It is wrong? By no means did I mean it in a disrespectful way or to mock. I do have a vocation to the Priesthood. Is this a sin?

FATHER JOE: I don’t think so.
Diana Strauss, on October 28, 2015 at 11:03 am said:

Hello – I sent this before; I’m not sure it went through. If so, please excuse the repeat.

Hello,
A few questions about recent events in the Catholic Church:
(No disrespect intended in any way. I am simply curious).

Why was it permissible for 13 Cardinals to write a letter to Pope Francis (as reported in the news) disagreeing with his policies on homosexuals and divorced/remarried Catholics? Don’t they (and all priests) take vows of obedience?

If homosexuals were referred to before by Former Pope Benedict the 16th as “intrinsically disordered”, does this mean that Pope Francis is overturning his decision? Can one Pope change the decisions/decrees of his predecessor? How does that work if the Pope’s decisions are infallible?

Are the decisions of the Synod binding on every priest or are they just recommendations?

Will this change the way you personally deal with the homosexual and/or divorced-and- remarried- civilly members of your parish?

Last, but not least – and if you don’t mind my asking – what do you think about all this?

Thank you for your time and patience – D. Strauss

FATHER JOE:

FIRST, what exactly are the views of Pope Francis with which they disagree? It seems their clash is more with certain other bishops than directly with the Pope. There was no clear issue here where obedience or even religious assent to the Pope was required. The Pope has reaffirmed Catholic doctrine. Obedience should not be blind. Indeed, such an attitude might be sinful.

SECOND, the letter was meant to be private and was an honest sharing of their concerns. Obedience does not mean that ideas cannot be discussed or debated. Was that not the whole purpose of the synod? Papal infallibility has not been invoked and there is no “absolute” divine protection or indefectibility in the various practical matters, disciplines, or pastoral provisions that might be explored.

As for homosexuals, adulterers, and fornicators… the language might change but the moral truths would remain unassailed. In any case, where has Pope Francis revoked Catholic teaching that comes to us from previous popes and the catechism? The homosexual orientation is inherently disordered and no one can claim otherwise. It is an assertion from natural law. There is no sin in the disorder, just in homosexual acts. The sinfulness of homosexual acts is affirmed by inspired Scripture, especially in the Old Testament but strongly as well by the Apostle Paul. Remember, again, Popes are servants of the Word, not its master. Adulterers and fornicators might be in “irregular unions” but while such expressions might soften the blow of harsh words, they do nothing to change the reality about their standing before Almighty God. The question is about how we might draw them to healing and back to Catholic unity. The verdict about these sins was set by God, not by past popes. The problem is that many so-called Christians dissent and would tell God his business. Pope Francis has shared certain personal opinions and sentiments, but he has not engaged so far in the level of teaching we experienced in Popes John Paul II and Benedict. Infallibility refers to many elements of the Church, the Bible, received universal Christian traditions, approved ecumenical councils, etc. Popes rarely invoke infallibility. While there are two definite papal dogmas (about the Virgin Mary), many of us feel that the solemn proclamation by Pope John Paul II on the male-only priesthood was the third and last time such authority was invoked.

The Synod summation is just a working document. Nothing is changed by it. While I dislike the hermeneutical stance (I would begin with the doctrine and not human brokenness), what most troubles me are the omissions. Why is it that a synod (and its document) on the family largely ignores the topic of children? What about support for heroic husbands and wives who by God’s grace keep their promises when a spouse abandons them? What about the homosexuals who accept Church teaching and who express their love through celibacy and sacrificial service? An overture of compassion to sinners should not be a rude smack in the face to the saints.

The Synod really did not decide anything new that binds priests or changes current practices. Am I wrong? Where in the document do you see otherwise? How could it possibly change how we treat homosexuals and the divorced-and-remarried? While the Tribunal process is now simplified (but hopefully not more prone to error or abuse), annulment cases are still required of the latter. The Church still opposes same-sex unions and will neither bless nor marry them. What has changed? Please, tell me. The proposals of the German revisionists were pretty much all rejected by the synod. Do you see something I am missing?

Cardinal Wuerl will be sharing his reflections on the synod with his priests and the archdiocese. I will link the remarks on my blog.

Peace!
Kara, on October 27, 2015 at 6:32 pm said:

Hello Father Joe,

I recently reconciled to Catholicism after growing up protestant. As you can imagine, I desperately desire my parents to join me in the Catholic Church. They are very supportive, if not a bit dismissive, of my theological reasoning. I know that it is ultimately the Holy Spirt who convicts us, but how can I explain to my parents that joining the Catholic Church is a necessary step and not just a denominational shift?

Thank you for your time.

FATHER JOE: It is hard to respond in that I do not know what you have shared with them or how they view religious faith. I suppose I would point to the logical soundness of Catholic teaching and the legacy of history going back to Christ and the institution of the Church.
chinonye, on October 27, 2015 at 4:15 pm said:

Hello Fr.
I also wanted to ask, what does poverty of the spirit mean? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: It means making Christ the treasure of your life. You might have possessions but you should not be possessed by them. It is a calling to evangelical simplicity.
chinonye, on October 27, 2015 at 4:13 pm said:

Hello Fr.
Pls can you explain for me Luke’s gospel 13:18-21? Thanks.

FATHER JOE:

Then he said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.’” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

It is viewed as a reference as to how the Church will grow from something insignificant to something substantial. Indeed, the Church will struggle and suffer and yet the sacrifices of believers will build up the kingdom of Christ. The Jews saw something of God’s mysterious power in the seed and in the yeast that makes the dough rise. It is an analogy for the Church and the kingdom.
helenl, on October 25, 2015 at 2:59 pm said:

Hi Father Joe, I want to read Augustine’s Confessions and have an ancient copy. Mine is an old paperback with yellowed pages and text in a size too small for aging eyes. I need a new copy. My question is, which translation should I get? There are a lot out there.

FATHER JOE: There are many translations and I have not kept up with the newer ones. I was a fan of the Catholic street preacher Frank Sheed and so I must mention his version. Henry Chadwick has a good rendering although he was not Catholic but an Anglican priest. (Chadwick was a marvelous theologian and historian who earnestly participated in academic dialogue with Roman Catholicism to further mutual understanding and possible reconciliation. He died only a few years ago. But are their versions out in LARGE PRINT editions? I cannot say. If you buy a tablet or Kindle, you can make the print as big as you need it.
caitlynnegrace, on October 24, 2015 at 7:31 am said:

(If I may, Fr?)

Darkest,
I was hanging out the laundry when a voice began to sing this old, old hymn in my heart. I had to “follow the lyrics” to recall this hymn as it’s been so long. And when I realized what the hymn was, I wondered why it was brought to me, as I am not, by nature, a ‘hymn person’.

Then, I came in, and to this blog, and read your post. I think I am meant to give the hymn to you.

HIS LOVE

His Love is warmer than the warmest sunshine, softer than the sigh
His love is deeper than the deepst ocean, wider than the sky
His love is brighter than the brightest star that shines every night above
And there is nothing in this world that could ever change his love.

1. Once i thought that love was meant for anyone else but me,
Once i thought that no one knew the way,
But He comes to only show how wrong one can be,
For now He loves me more and more each day.

His Love is warmer than the warmest sunshine, softer than the sigh
His love is deeper than the deepest ocean, wider than the sky
His love is brighter than the brightest star that shines every night above
And there is nothing in this world that could ever change his love.

2. Something happened to my life the day I met Him,
something that i never felt before
And this something is that He buried all my sins,
For now He loves me more and more each day.

His Love is warmer than the warmest sunshine, softer than the sigh
His love is deeper than the deepest ocean, wider than the sky
His love is brighter than the brightest star that shines every night above
And there is nothing in this world that could ever change his love.

FATHER JOE:

Thank you! There are various versions of the hymn, here’s one…

And of course the secular song by Petula Clark…
darkest, on October 23, 2015 at 7:04 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
Thanks for replying to my anguished plea for help. I wrote this after a couple of really dark days where i was on the very brink of despair. Today i feel better(am not spending every waking moment planning my death) but the cycle usually repeats itself. Am sorry to stress you but thanks for helpful advice and for prayers. I will use this time to brace myself for future attacks.
And you are right Africa where i live is on the other side of the world but thank God i have access to more resources than an average mentally ill person in my country.
God bless you fr and thanks again.
Bernadette, on October 23, 2015 at 5:52 pm said:

Father, I’d like to leave a message for darkest if that’s okay.

Hi darkest. I hope this message reached you in time. I really do.

I’m wholeheartedly sorry you’re suffering like this, too: I also suffer from suicidal depression, see. I don’t know your story, but from what you wrote, it seems like you also had someone or something happen in your life that told you that you’re worthless and a lost cause. It’s exhausting, trying to just make it through each day alive sometimes.

A priest friend once said to me, when I once was feeling this way, “People do love you. I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but they do.”

As much as we want to give up and call it quits, we can’t, because we’re loved. Others’ lives will be broken if we just up and left. What’s more, God loves us. He wouldn’t have made us if that wasn’t true.

I feel a bit funny saying these things, since I don’t usually believe them, but they’re facts. You’re loved, and you’re alive. You have a life to live.

About your medicine, I’d contact someone right away if you’re having worse suicidal urges. Some antidepressants are known to do that, so the one you’re taking isn’t for you. There’re other options. You aren’t stuck with this one medication.

I know how it feels to not have a counselor you connect with, who you feel doesn’t care for you. That’s important, and worth the effort. You don’t have to just see those – there’re others out there who can help you, be kind to you, who you actually can see cares.

Making those changes is hard. I know. Lots of times we can’t do it alone, and we don’t have to. The saints are our friends, and we have God there for us, too. But we should also have at least one human friend to be there, to be God’s voice and hands for us to hear and feel His love with. That’s probably hardest, but it’s worth it, when you find that right one or two.

If nothing else, I’d like you to look up a clip from Lord of the Rings: Two Towers when Sam is encouraging Frodo. When I’d have the mind to go back to it, I’d often feel at least up to living another day. It’s better to hear the words than just reading them, but here’s the main speech:

“It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered.
Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass, a new day will come, and when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going, because they were holding on to something… That there’s some good in this world Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.”

You’re worth fighting for, darkest. Your life is very much worth fighting for. I hope you (and I) can see that some day.

I’ll pray for you, like Father is,
-Ana
Janine, on October 23, 2015 at 5:26 pm said:

Dear Father,
here my question, I am baptist and confirmed by the evangelic church in germany. I am living now in the uk with my Partner who is catholic and our two children. We are going every sunday to mass. I don’t know what to do now. Because I didn’t know I went and received the holy communion. I thought it would be ok because I am baptist. But I was wrong. I found out that I am not aloud to receive it. I will join the RCIA cursous soon. But now my question do I have to apologize to the priest? How do I have to act next time in church?
Thank you for your answer.

FATHER JOE: You did not know and so there is no moral fault. Congratulations to coming to the Catholic Church and I will say a prayer for you. Make the most of the RCIA instructions. Reception into the Catholic Church is not a betrayal of your Protestant roots, but rather a continuation of your faith journey. Remember with love and prayer those who first brought you to a faith and love in Jesus Christ.
darkest, on October 22, 2015 at 9:16 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,

For 25 years I have battled suicidal feelings. Over the years I have read, researched, prayed… etc.

I tried counselling from mental health professionals and spiritual counselling one on one.

I took medication to control the depression and it made me feel more suicidal.

My life circumstances I believe caused my depression.

I have been battling the worst depression this month.

Honestly I am tired and want out.

I am signing out. I am all cried out.

An old priest once told me that if I commit suicide I will wake up the next second in hell.

I am scared but honestly I can’t take it anymore.

They say God weighs the crosses before He sends them. I don’t know I have been dragging my crosses too long. I have tried praying to die but am still here.

So why am I writing you on this blog? It is because I am tired of suicide emails to anonymous counsellors who I feel just keep talking to me about how I feel and why. It’s like being stuck on a merry go round not going anywhere, just feeling dizzy from the same questions.

Even some mental health peeps told me my religious beliefs are exaggerated.

Anyway I will stop this ramble here. Please be patient with me when you answer.

God bless you Father and thanks.

FATHER JOE:

I have spoken to you before about your disappointments, depression and suicidal thoughts. The problem with a blog is that those offering comments are often anonymous and too far away for immediate referral, treatment and/or if need be, commitment. You cannot be any blunter about your feelings and temptation to self-destruction. It grieves me that I am so helpless to intervene.

You write to me from the other side of the planet and your IP number is through the African Network Information Center. I do not know what resources are available to you, but I would beg you not to hurt yourself. You might think it is useless, but sometimes counseling brings benefits over time. There are also cases where certain medications are effective against severe depression. Please continue to seek out professional assistance.

Religious faith can be a help, but unfortunately it is also sometimes subsumed into the prevailing mental and emotional malady. But for what it is worth, you remain in my thoughts and prayers.
A., on October 22, 2015 at 3:22 pm said:

Hi, I wonder which are the steps for a baptized Catholic who converted to Judaism or Islam to be admitted to attend Mass, accepted again as Christian and receive the Eucharist?

Thank you for your reply!

FATHER JOE: It is a serious sin and if you are aware of the censure then you would be excommunicated as an apostate. Both new affiliations would require a rejection of the saving Lordship of Jesus Christ. In most places a fallen away Catholic can be restored to good standing by going to a priest with the proper faculties for the sacrament of Confession.