Sometimes those who feign Catholicism are in truth the greatest enemies of the faith and bigots against those who faithfully practice.
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Will the Real Santa Claus Please Stand Up?
Posted on September 17, 2017 by Father Joe
Then who is that imposter in the red suit living at the north pole with elves and flying reindeer?
Filed under: Bishops, Catholic, Youth | Leave a comment »
Run / Walk for Life 2017
Posted on September 16, 2017 by Father Joe
Here is the Immediate Past Grand Knight Roy Cobo of Fr. Michael C. Kidd Council #14455 (@Holy Family) at the WALK/RUN FOR LIFE to raise money for the local Pregnancy Crisis Ministry.
Filed under: Knights of Columbus, Pro-Life, Uncategorized | Leave a comment »
Return to Gilligan’s Island
Posted on September 15, 2017 by Father Joe
Got to share some time this week with Dawn Wells who played Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island. She may be sweeter than the character she played on television.
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Memorial for the Blessed Mother
Posted on September 12, 2017 by Father Joe
Deceit in Marriage
Posted on July 22, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I was married two months ago in the Episcopal Church. While I thought he was truthful about finances I now find out that he owes over $20,000. I am having a hard time forgiving him. Although I am in my 60’s, this has forced me to take three jobs to try and pay it off. I am so angry about his lies! Can I get an annulment? Please pray that I might find it in myself to forgive him.
Response
If you are a Catholic and got married in the Episcopal church without a dispensation, then (after a civil divorce) you could apply for a declaration of nullity because of a lack of canonical form. Catholics are required to get married before a priest or deacon. The documents required are as follows: baptismal certificate, copy of marriage license and divorce decree. If you can make the relationship work then you should see a priest about a convalidation.
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Growing Up & Autonomy
Posted on July 21, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I am in my twenties and having a difficult time with my mother. She is increasingly not respecting my personal space in our home. She comes into my room unannounced. It is particularly disconcerting when I am getting cleaned up or dressing. I have asked her to knock and to request permission. Although I believe I am only asking her to respect my boundaries, she has become offended and has resorted to calling me names. I depend on my parents for transportation and I am looking for someone to turn to for assistance— there are very few people I know.
Response
As a young woman, you are certainly entitled to your privacy; but, more so, you should be treated as an adult and not as a child. Your education and work opportunities should be directed toward a personal autonomy. Your parents should also focus on this. However, families are not perfect and sometimes there are hindrances to maturation and even faith within the home. You can try dialogue with your mother, but there is no guarantee about how others will act. Growing up and breaking out is rarely easy. I would suggest keeping yourself grounded upon Christian faith and values. This is important as even the culture can lead us in the wrong direction.
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Married Outside the Church & Holy Communion
Posted on July 20, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I have had this discussion with several ladies at work and we all seem to have different answers. I am in the process of getting a convalidation. My husband and I were married in Las Vegas seven years ago. I told my co-workers that I do not receive Holy Communion because I am living in sin. One (Catholic) co-worker had a civil marriage (nothing in church) over twenty-five ago and receives Holy Communion. Another co-worker lives with her Jewish boyfriend and also receives Holy Communion. Which one of us is wrong?
Response
Some people receive the sacrament even though they are not morally disposed to do so. Priests are often criticized for administering the sacrament in these cases; however, the priest can do nothing externally that would violate the seal of confession, professional secrecy or the internal forum. While there is currently some debate about the discipline, nothing of Catholic doctrine has changed. The marriages of Catholics should be witnessed by a priest or deacon. Catholics who are only civilly married or cohabitating and sharing sexual intimacy are not invited to come forward for Holy Communion. Marriage outside the Church is a serious sin. Fornication is also serious, indeed sexual activity outside of marriage constitutes mortal sin. If we receive Holy Communion while aware of ourselves in a state of mortal sin (not spiritually prepared) then we commit the mortal sin of sacrilege. In other words, while one person receives grace and eternal life with the Eucharist, others receive their own condemnation or judgment. Thus, the long-and-short of it is this, YOU are RIGHT and THEY are WRONG. The couple that is living together should see a priest and receive the sacrament of marriage. If there be any prior bonds, then we are also talking about adultery. The other civilly married couple should follow your lead and seek out a convalidation.
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Seeing Ourselves in Peter’s Denial
Posted on July 19, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I am a Lenten backslider. There is so much I could have done but have failed to do, especially to help the downtrodden. As I think about my own spiritual failures I am reminded of Peter’s thrice denial. Was his denial of Christ a mortal sin? After he was forgiven by Jesus did he sin again? Returning to myself, despite going to Confession I have defiled myself by my actions
Response
Peter’s denial of Christ was serious, but he was healed by the risen Christ on the beach when asked three times, DO YOU LOVE ME? Sin is ultimately a failure to love as we should. Regarding your life, I cannot speak to the gravity of sin without specificity, but it is true that we can sin by the things we do and by “the things we fail to do.” In any case, in light of Peter, remember that our Lord is merciful. We are all weak and sinful. Jesus heals us all the same.
Was Peter sinless after his encounter with the risen Jesus on the beach? All we can know is that Jesus would always lift him up if he should stumble. Such is the message that you must take to heart.
If past selfishness troubles you, there is still time to embrace a life of charity. You have stumbled upon a profound truth, “Charity covers a multitude of sins.”
Our Lord would have us forgive as he forgives. We read in Matthew 18:21-22:
Then Peter approaching asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
This colloquialism or saying literally meant endless forgiveness. God’s mercy is always available to those with contrite hearts. Accept his forgiveness and share it with others.
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Priests Vulnerable to Scandal
Posted on July 18, 2017 by Father Joe
Question
I am a 19 year old girl currently on vacation with my uncle, with who I am very close. He is a Catholic priest. He has been acting very sneaky and deceptive lately . I went on his phone and found out that he is having an affair with a woman I once met. I do not know what to do. Should I talk to him about it? I am planning to go with him on a pilgrimage to Fatima in May. Others will be going as well, including this woman. He only first met her last May. Should I do something about it now or should I wait? I am so anxious about it that I have trouble even looking at him. I want to save his priesthood.
Response
Are you on a family vacation? Because of heightened propriety, priests are intensely vulnerable to scandal. Given your age, family or not, there should be a chaperone and/or others on vacation with you. You say that the two of you are close but then note that he is “sneaky” and lies to you. Is this negative judgment based upon the phone call you overheard? Priests are normal men who are pledged to celibate love and service. This does not mean that they write off friendships with half of the human race. We do not want priests in ministry who hate women. Might you be presumptuous of a few words of friendship or innocent love spoken over the phone? If they were having an affair, it seems unlikely to me that they would select a pilgrimage to Fatima as an opportunity for an illicit encounter. Given how you are affected, it is probably necessary for you to sit down with him to clear the air. Apologize first for invading his privacy. Next, share what is troubling you. You may find that you have misinterpreted the situation. If there is a problem, then it will wake him up and he can take steps to distance himself from the woman. Hopefully he will do what is right. Keep confidentiality and forgive him for being a flawed human being, as we are all weak and sinners. Ultimately, you cannot fix his priesthood. Only he can do that… by God’s grace.
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