FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2015

ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER LAZARUS CHAWDI
PRIEST STAFF
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

"I fell into drinking and having fun with my
husband, his family and friends.  I feel I
have failed God during Lent.  How can
I forgive myself?"
 - Adeline

CatholicView Staff:
                                      
I am going through a spiritual growth again.  Unfortunately this weekend I fell into drinking and having fun, which was dancing and drinking only, and I drank more than I was supposed to.  I was with my husband and his family and friends.  I haven't drank for about 4 months because I am not the type to have fun in that way constantly.  The next day I was feeling horrible as to why I always fail God... Its horrible because it is Lent time.. and I failed Him.... I don't think I know how to forgive myself.... Adeline

_______________________________ 

Adeline:

There is no sin greater than God's Grace.  He sees your sorrow for your actions.  Know that He understands and is right now waiting with loving arms for you to come and ask for His precious gift of forgiveness. 

Do not let Satan step in and tell you that you are unworthy.  Satan is an enemy who wants to see you fail. 

Have you prayed about this?

This is that time of the year when we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all humanity.  Please seek forgiveness and watch the weight of your sin fall away, and you will know that you have come back to the Lord.   You will be at peace.

Yes, the price has already been paid for our sins so tell yourself "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me". (Philippians 4:13)  God go with you always.   - CatholicView Staff 
 



"I am a recently remarried widow.  My husband
and I wanted to visit my deceased husband's
brother who said my husband was not welcome
at his home.  Should we avoid them?" - Fran

CatholicView Staff:

I'm a recently remarried widow. We planned to visit my deceased husband's brother. He said my husband wasn't welcome at his home. He & wife have been cool to my remarriage.  We were hurt. I still sent birthday & xmas cards.  His wife just left a phone message with a birthday wish but I didn't reply. Am I doing wrong to remain silent?  My husband is hurt and thinks we should avoid them.   -  Fran
 

___________________________________

 

Fran: 

I am happy to note that even though your husband has passed on, you still remember him and his family.  This is a beautiful thing to do.  But it may be that your ex-brother-in-law still sees you as his brother's wife, but sadly, having re-married, it brings back old memories of that previous marriage to his brother.  Seeing you with a new husband, the brother-in-law may not be able to let go of his brother's demise.  It may be too painful for him at this time.
  

Although you have made a beautiful gesture of maintaining the memory of your deceased husband by visiting his family, you are doing the right thing by stepping back for now.  At some time later, perhaps they will come to you, especially if you have children from this first marriage. 

 

If you hadn't loved your husband, you would not be visiting his family still.  Sadly they cannot see this.  All you can do now is go forward with your new marriage and pray for them.  You have done your part.  Now you must let go until such time that they realize how beautiful your gestures were.  May the Lord bless you with peace and happiness in the coming future.  - CatholicView Staff   

 

 


"I go to Mass each week but was unable
to attend this Sunday because of the weather. 
I watched it online.  Does this count"?
 - Santiago

CatholicView Staff:
 

I was unable to attend mass physically because of the weather, but I watched it online.  Does this count as attending mass?  I go to mass every Sunday, but didn't want to chance going out today.  I just wanted to be certain as to what is expected. Thank you. - Santiago

 

Santiago:

 

Do not worry and be at peace.  God sees everything and knows you could not get to Church because of the bad weather conditions.  Even though you could not attend Mass, you did not forget what God said;  "Keep the Sabbath Holy"  And you did this when you set aside normal activity to spend time with our Lord by watching on line.  Know that God loves you and understands why you couldn't get to Church yet you gave God that day with love in your heart.  God saw this gesture and is pleased.  God bless you.  - CatholicView Staff



"Is turkey considered meat for Lent?" - Ariana

              


CatholicView Staff:

Is turkey considered meat for Lent? - Ariana

__________________________________
 

Ariana:

Yes, turkey is considered meat.  The Catholic Church's abstinence laws states that meat from animals such as chickens, turkeys, cattle or pigs which live on land, should not be eaten.  Meat would exclude fish, seafood, etc.  All fowl including turkey, chicken, Cornish game hens, guinea hens, etc.. are not allowable.

 

And so, Catholics can eat anything they want on Fridays during Lent, so long as it is not meat.  Many Catholics mark the Lenten season by choosing to eat fish on Fridays as an observance of this Church ruling. I hope this helps you.  - CatholicView Staff




PRIEST STAFF

"I am overwhelmed taking care of my mother
and visiting my father at a nursing home. 
What can I do for peace?" - Susan

Father Francisco:  

I am so overwhelmed by cooking for and living with my mother and visiting my father at the nursing home and hospital for over a year now, that I feel very tired and sad that I cannot go on away for a weekend Catholic retreat to have peace of mind again and relaxation. My question is can you tell me what I CAN do right now for peace? - Susan

___________________________________

Susan:

I am well aware of the pressures and stress of being a caregiver to infirmed family members, especially parents.   You are so special and blest to have your parents even though this has placed you in a situation that can be burdensome and painful.  You probably feel imprisoned at times because you also have your own life to live.   

But you are blest; the Lord knows your generous and loving heart and He rejoices and is pleased with you.  The Lord blesses you and will bless you even more.  The idea of going on a "Catholic retreat" is really a cry to be alone and for some time not worry about your parents' medical and physical needs and just the need to spend some time to breathe. 

Since you are unable to participate in a retreat at this time, you must bring the retreat to where you are.  The focus of your energy should change from wanting your freedom to the desire to do God's Will in every situation.  God wants us to be faithful to His call, and His call to you right now is to take care of your parents as they took care of you in your youth.   

What you can do for your search of peace when your heart is anxious is to accept the limitations that you have in regards to living your life.  You have accepted the limitations of taking care of your parents and for that, God is grateful and will bless you for it.  And you will be grateful later when your parents pass into eternal life and you will be peaceful in knowing that you have done all you could for them. 

Now, instead of fighting and sometimes regretting that you do not have the time to live your own life and seek your own spiritual growth in Christ, accept with all your being the fact that you have accepted this call from God to care for your parents.  No more fighting.  No more feeling sorry for yourself.  No more regrets.  And no more anger at other family members who may not be helpful to you at this time.  Instead, in between doing things for your parents, pray and sit in silence somewhere in the house or in the backyard by yourself.  Bring your bible and prayer book.  Read a few passages from the scriptures and say a prayer from your prayer book.  Then, sit in silence and then say to yourself the words that Jesus said in the Garden the night before He was to be crucified:  Father, Your Will be done

This will bring the retreat to you instead of you going to the place of retreat.  It is then that you will find the peace you desire when you let go and accept the call from God to care for your parents until their passing.  I know that you feel burdened.  But I know that you love your parents even more.  That is your present call from God, His Will for you at this time in your life.  You are in my prayers and thoughts this day.  - Father Francisco

 


"Can a priest be able to bless an ocean
and it becomes Holy Water?" - Ariel


Father Cervantes:

Would a Catholic priest be able to bless an ocean and turn the entire thing into Holy Water, or do priests have an effective blessing range?  Could you bless the entire ocean if you had higher authority? - Ariel

__________________________________

Ariel:

A deacon, priest, or bishop can only bless things that will be used for a sacred purpose.  Blessing things such as water is meant to bring the faithful closer to God through the use of blest articles of faith and devotion, thereby separating a thing or element for the greater glory of God.  What would be the reason for blessing an ocean or body of water and how would that bring the believer closer to God?  The ocean is already blest simply because God created it for His greater glory and for our enjoyment and wonder.  Any Christian can invoke God's blessing on anything and anyone.  But for a deacon, priest, or bishop to invoke God's blessing on an object, element, or person, it is done for the purpose of glorifying God, edifying the faith of the believer, and for a specific sacred purpose.  I could bless the ocean, but that has already been done by God Himself when He created it!  Hope this helps.  - Father Cervantes

                                   


"What is the purpose of the Hand Cross? 
Why didn't the congregation say the Filioque
during Mass?" - Hunter

Father Cervantes: 

I recently attended Divine Liturgy in a Byzantine Rite Catholic Church. The priest used a small hand cross several times during the liturgy. What is the purpose of the Hand Cross? I've never seen this in a Roman Rite church.

Also, the congregation did not say the Filoque during the Profession of Faith, Why? How can I learn more about the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church? - Hunter

_________________________________

Hunter: 

The blessing cross is used in the Eastern-rite and Orthodox Churches as a way to invoke God's blessings on the faithful during the Divine Liturgy (Mass) and other liturgical and sacramental functions.  The Roman/Latin rite does not have the custom of using the blessing cross because that is not in the Latin-rite culture.  The differences between the Eastern rites and the Latin rites is based on culture and custom.  So, as Roman rite deacons, priests and bishops bless the faithful with their right hand, the Eastern rite deacons, priests, and bishops bless with the blessing cross.  The different rites of the Church come from the different traditions of the many different cultures and from the apostolic and foundational Churches founded by the apostles in the different regions of the world.

As for the Filioque issue in the Nicean Creed (325 AD), that refers to the statement in the Nicean Creed that states:  I believe in the Holy Spirit....who proceeds from the Father and the Son (the Latin phrase, Filioque...meaning and the Son).  The Council of Nicea and the First Council of Constantinople stated that the Nicean Creed as written was an infallible statement that all Christians must accept to be considered Christian.  When that Creed was written and affirmed in Greek by these councils, the statement was:  I believe in the Holy Spirit....who proceeds from the Father.  Notice that the term, and the Son, is not included.  That statement, and the Son (Filioque), was added by the fifth century AD starting in Spain.  The Eastern Churches did not accept this addition because it was not done in context of an Ecumenical Council which, according to the Eastern Churches, is the only way an infallible statement of faith can be clarified even further.  The Roman/Latin rite Church added Filioque through the use of the Western faithful and monks and later approved by the fourth century popes, and popes afterwards. 

When the some of the Eastern Churches reunited with Rome after the Great Schism of 1054 (the separation of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Bishop of Rome, the Patriarch of the West), they retained their Eastern custom of not including
And the Son (Filioque) in the recitation of the Nicean Creed in the Divine Liturgy (Mass).  There is an excellent explanation of the history of the Filioque dispute in this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filioque  Please check it out. 

The differences in the Liturgies of the Roman/Latin rite and the various Eastern rites come from tradition and culture.  To me, it is amazing the diversity of the Catholic Church is expressed in so many ways, yet there is one faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  God is certainly Infinite, Wondrous, and One.  - Father Cervantes

 


"I cannot receive communion or reconciliation
because I am divorced and remarried. My
husband also refuses to get his annulment.

Any hope of forgiveness?"  - Terri

 


Father Francisco: 

Why should I continue going to Mass when I have no hope of ever being allowed to receive communion or reconciliation because I am divorced and remarried. The annulment tribunal won't give me an annulment unless my husband, who is not Catholic, gets an annulment. He refuses. My sins are weighing on me and I have no hope of forgiveness. - Terri

 _________________________________

Terri:

I am sorry that you are in a stagnant situation with the Church in regards to canon sacramental law concerning marriage.  Your present husband, though not Catholic, must seek an annulment to his previous marriage so that the Church can recognize your present marriage as a sacramental marriage, thereby healing the broken relationship with the Church in regards to your marital status.  Yet,you alone know how you stand before the Lord. 

Even though the discipline of the Church requires that both of you receive an ecclesiastical annulment of your marriages to have your present marriage solemnized in the Church, God knows your heart.  He knows your love.  He knows your faith.  He knows your struggles. 

You have tried to convince your present husband to annul his past marriage.  There isn't much more that you can do but pray that the Holy Spirit of God can inspire him to correct this situation on behalf of your Catholic faith.  But you must not lose your faith in Jesus as that is what you will be ultimately judged.  It is your faith relationship with Jesus that saves you.  So, keep your eyes on Jesus. 

Attending Mass without receiving communion is a painful experience.  But keep your eyes on Jesus, especially in the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion).  When people are receiving communion, you can make a spiritual communion where you sit by saying, "Jesus, I receive you into my heart and life now.  Unite me with yourself. Amen." 

Worshiping with the Christian community is important for the support that you need for your own spiritual growth.  The annulment process is a healing process for both.  It helps both of you to leave the past behind, learn from your past experiences, and to be free for a future filled without regret or spiritual burden. 

But when your husband does not want to go through the process, it may mean that he doesn't understand the process and what it means.  It doesn't mean that his previous marriage, and the children from it, didn't happen or that his children's status is considered "illegitimate."  What the ecclesiastical annulment does say is that due to many factors, the marriage was not considered a sacramental marriage recognized by the Church as a living symbol (sacrament) of Jesus' love for His bride, the Church (the body of all believers in Jesus), therefore unbreakable.  Canon Law is very clear as to the expectations of what constitutes a sacramental marriage in the Church. 

That's what the annulment process is all about.  It has nothing to do with the status of any previously entered civil marriage of either party.  Once again, the Lord knows your heart.  Just keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus.  He will answer your prayer in time for full communion with the Church.  Meanwhile, your relationship with the Church is based on your complete faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Jesus is what is important in your spiritual life.  He knows your burdens.  He forgives always.  He heals always.  Let Him take care of the details and you go forward in your relationship with Him and the Church, even though it is incomplete at the moment.  Remember, God loves you no matter what.  He knows. No one else knows.  As Saint Paul writes in Romans 8:35, "Who can separate us from the love of God?"  Be at peace and go forward.  Never lose your faith and hope!  - Father Francisco



"I was married in the Church and am having
surgery.  Can I submit a document to pull the
plug if I become a vegetable or is this a sin?"
  - Thomas

Father Francisco:

I was married in the Church, and been with my wife 35 years.  I'm having surgery.  If I'm a vegetable can I submit a document to pull the plug, or is this a sin that God will not forgive me for?  My wife is a devoted member of the Church. She has always told me suicide is a sin. She or my sons would not be able to comply with my request. - Thomas

____________________________________ 

Thomas:

The Church does not want anyone to undergo extraordinary means of preserving life.  You can sign a Do Not Resuscitate order with a clear conscience.  But that order only goes into effect if the medical staff determines that you will die anyway with or without life support systems.  The Do Not Resuscitate order lets nature take its course.  But that order can only be fulfilled if you are going to die anyway, terminal if you will.  This is not considered suicide.  On the other hand, assisted suicide is not acceptable because the person is alive and not near death despite the illness that they may have.  The Do Not Resuscitate order is not suicide since such an order means that all extraordinary means of preserving life are not to be used. 

Here is a link that will explain the difference between ordinary means of preserving life, and the extraordinary means of preserving life. 
http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=367160   

I pray for you now for your continued health and strength in this upcoming surgery.  May the Spirit of God heal you and bring you back to your family!  Leave all things in God's Hands.  He is watching over you!  And He will bless the doctors and medical staff according to His Plan and Will.  Be at peace!  I sense you will be fine!   - Father Francisco


"I am an actor but make my living playing
online poker.  Is playing poker a sin?"
 - Steve 

Hello:

I am an actor who is now able to pursue my dream by making a living from playing online poker. I have been playing poker online for over 5 years, and through studying, reading, and practice I have gotten to the point where I have beaten the game and am able to make a decent living from it. I love this, because it allows me to work whenever I want and be my own boss, which in turn allows me to pursue my true dream of becoming a working actor. However, I want to make sure that playing online poker isn't a sin, because in the end, my faith is the most important thing in my life.   -  Steve

___________________________________ 

Steve:

I pray that your dreams come true that you will become a "working actor."  I know that this is a difficult business to get into since it demands that "something special" that is known only to the one looking for a particular talent set for the project at hand.  So, I pray for your success in your dream career.  As for gambling, it is not prohibited in the scriptures.  As a matter of fact, casting lots was a preferred way of deciding God's Will in some situations.  But it didn't involve money but the discernment of God's Plan for that specific situation. 

In the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 5, Verses 9-10, the bible says: 
"The covetous man is never satisfied with money, and the lover of wealth reaps no fruit from it; so this too is vanity.  Where there are great riches, there are also many to devour them."  I am concerned that your ability to play poker in such a successful fashion will lead you to become so focused on money that you become obsessed with it and destroy your very soul.  That's why Saint Paul, in the Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) writes this in I Timothy Chapter 6, Verse 10:  "For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains." 

So, in regards to gambling, and in particular, your skill in poker, I would warn you and advise you to be honest with yourself:  are you truly being responsible with your small resources, or are you being irresponsible and putting your financial security at risk?  And is your playing poker becoming an addiction or obsession?  If so, it will destroy you in time and all those around you, and your dream of becoming a working actor will not come to fulfillment.  I am reminded of another Saint Paul admonition to the faithful in Corinth when he writes in I Corinthians Chapter 10, Verses 23-24: 
"Everything is lawful, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is lawful, but not everything builds up.  No one should seek his own advantage but that of his neighbor." 

I hope that you can be honest with yourself and judge your own intentions when it comes to gambling and playing poker.  And even though you may judge yourself responsible in playing poker, understand that you are taking others' money and earned living wages for your own purpose without any concern for their welfare.  So, when Saint Paul says,
"Everything is lawful, but not everything is beneficial," this can apply to your situation.  The big question is not whether playing poker is beneficial for you and giving you the means to fulfilling your career dreams.  The big question is the one that Saint Paul lays before us: "No one should seek his own advantage but that of his neighbor."  When you are playing poker, look at your fellow poker players.  One or some of them may be suffering from their own irresponsibility and their own gambling addictions, and taking advantage of that is certainly sinful since you should love your neighbor as yourself. 

Even though gambling is not listed as a sin, its consequences could very well be the cause of sin not only in yourself, but in others as well.  Playing poker is not ONLY about you.  Playing poker also involves the lives and needs and dreams of others, some of whom may be sacrificing their future and family for their gambling addiction.  And when that happens, you become an accomplice to their sin and you will be held accountable before God.  Something to think about.
    -   Father Francisco


"Can someone baptize themselves?" - Roy


Father Francisco:                                                                      

Can someone baptize themself?  Someone who is now a Catholic mentioned that he baptized himself in the Jordan River. - Roy

_____________________________ 

Roy:

No, no one can baptize themselves because baptism is the sacrament that brings someone into the Church, and someone representing the Church must baptize that person.  One cannot baptize themselves.  But I think that you are misunderstanding the person who said that they baptized themselves in the Jordan River.  It is obvious that this person was visiting the Holy Land and visited the Jordan River.  This person probably jumped into the river and "baptized" themselves.  This act isn't really the sacrament of baptism, but a remembrance of the baptism of Jesus in the same river.  When I visited the Jordan River, I waded into the waters of the Jordan River and I remembered that Jesus was baptized in the waters of this river and I let the waters of the river flow over me.  It was a very spiritual experience for me.  Maybe that is what this person was trying to recount to you. 

Once again, no one can baptize themselves with the sacrament of baptism.  The sacrament of baptism must be administered by a member of the Church (usually a deacon, priest, or bishop) as a way of welcoming them into the body of true believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.   -   Father Francisco

 


"I am concerned that that the Vatican invokes
"Lucifer" when chanted in Latin.  What is the
Church's position on this?" - Carl

Father Francisco:

I am very concerned that the Vatican Easter vigil appeared to invoke "Lucifer" [2012/13 vigils] when it chanted in Latin, "ille inquam lucifer qui nescit" anti Catholics state this also as proof of Vatican's worship of Lucifer.  What is the position? - Carl

________________________________ 

Carl:

I have very little patience with Christian fundamentalists and anti-Catholics who have no grasp on the truth of our Christian faith.  Instead, these obsessed people find conspiracy theories everywhere when they think of the Catholic Church.  The word, lucifer, refers to the morning star or light from the Latin Vulgate (fourth century translation of the bible in Latin that was officially accepted as the canon of scripture at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD).   Lucifer is never mentioned as a name of Satan anywhere in the bible (in Isaiah 14:12, the word is used to mean morning star and light in reference to the King of Babylon, please read it and take a look).  Here is a link from a secular source to show you the origin of the word, lucifer.    

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer

In regards to the Easter Vigil hymn, the Exsultet -- this hymn is sung at the beginning of ALL the Easter Vigils around the world (not only in the Vatican), including your own parish and I sing it every Easter Saturday night in English....my singing/chanting of Latin is quite unacceptable to the trained ear!  The LATIN term, lucifer, is used when the Exsultet is sung/chanted in Latin to refer to Jesus Christ, risen from the dead..   It is the direct quote from 2 Peter 1:19 which states:  "Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.  You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in the dark place, until day dawns and the morning star (lucifer) rises in your hearts."  It is very clear that the morning star, translated into Latin as lucifer, refers to Jesus as the morning star rising in our hearts. Obviously, this term, lucifer, is not in reference to Satan. 

I must tell you something as I tell all Catholics I meet.  Don't pay attention to these obsessed people who see the Catholic Church as an evil institution that somehow does everything evil and is the cause of evil in the world.  I ignore them because true believers in the Lord Jesus know that the gospel truth is the treasure that the Church protects always and we don't have to defend ourselves against these kinds of calumny (as Saint Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:15, in which he writes:  "The Household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth." and also see Matthew 16:18 which states: "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  If Jesus promised that His Church would not be overwhelmed by hell or Satan, that's good enough for me)!  The Latin part in question and its English translation is below:

 Orámus ergo te, Dómine,
ut céreus iste in honórem tui nóminis consecrátus,
ad noctis huius calíginem destruéndam,
indefíciens persevéret.
Et in odórem suavitátis accéptus,
supérnis lumináribus misceátur.

Flammas eius lúcifer matutínus invéniat:
ille, inquam, lúcifer, qui nescit occásum.
Christus Fílius tuus,
qui, regréssus ab ínferis, humáno géneri serénus illúxit,
et vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.

R/ Amen
    

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this [Easter] candle,
hallowed to the honour of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night.
Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,
and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.
May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star (remember, see 2 Peter 1:19):
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from death's domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.

Let's hope this clarifies everything for you.  May the Lord bless you always.  -  Father Francisco



"There will be a "Solemn Liturgy on Good Friday.
What is the Latin Rite Catholic definition of a
Solemn Liturgy?" - Steve


 

Dear Friends in Christ,

According to our parish bulletin, there will be a "Solemn Liturgy" on Good Friday 2015.   What is the modern Latin Rite Catholic definition of a "Solemn Liturgy?"   What are the characteristics of this type of Mass?

Thank you in advance!  Sincerely,  Steve.

__________________________________ 

Steve:
 

The term, Liturgy, is used for any kind of worship and rite within the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.  Liturgy doesn't necessarily mean in our Latin rite to be a Mass with consecration of the communion elements of bread and wine and the reception of communion by the faithful.  Liturgy could be any kind of prayerful rite that is done by the congregation. 

In particular, there are the seven sacraments and each have their own rite (
liturgy).  For example, there is the Liturgy of the Word, in which we hear biblical readings and an explanation of those readings in the homily.  Then there is the Liturgy of the Eucharist in which the communion elements are consecrated during the Eucharistic Prayer and the reception of communion.  Usually, though, the term Liturgy is used for the Mass.   


In the Eastern Churches (Orthodox and Catholic Eastern Rites), the term,
Divine Liturgy, is the Mass in our Latin-Roman rite.  But there is one day of the year in which Mass, or the Divine Liturgy, is NOT celebrated, and that is Good Friday. On Good Friday, Mass is not celebrated.  Instead, a Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday is done in its place. 
 

A Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday's elements are the following: 

(1) The Liturgy of the Word, which are the readings and the gospel that describes the crucifixion of Christ, and homily; (2) The Prayers of Intercession for the World, Church, and Special Needs;  (3) The Liturgy of the Adoration of the Cross, in which the congregation kisses or honors the wood of the cross on which Christ was crucified;
the Liturgy of the Reception of Holy Communion in which the participants receive Holy Communion that was consecrated during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper. 

Some ask why the Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday.  There are many reasons why Mass is not celebrated on Good Friday, one of them being that the Mass is a joyful event while Good Friday is a more solemn and mournful.  Also, the Church does not celebrate Mass from Holy Thursday night until Easter (or the Easter Vigil), commemorating Jesus in the tomb.  

I look forward to participating in the events of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter.  The events of Holy Week bring me to meditate solely on the one sacrifice of Jesus that gave me salvation through faith in Him.  Participating in the events of Holy Week is walking in the shoes of the Lord Jesus.  And as the saying goes, you don't know anyone unless you walk in their shoes.  By walking in the shoes of Jesus during Holy Week, we get to know Jesus intimately and begin to understand the love of God made present in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Have a prayerful and transformative Holy Week!  -
Father Cervantes




"I felt hatred for a terrorist and wanted him hung.
But my hatred became love after reading about his
repentance for his offences.  Will God answer my
prayers for him?" - Clarin

Father Francisco:

When Pakistan terrorists attacked Mumbai and killed innocent people, I was very traumatized and was very angry on those terrorists. However, the Mumbai Police could get only one terrorist (Ajmal Kasab) alive. I used to read everyday about him and was so angry on him and used to say he should be hanged. In a few days my hatred became love for a sinner after reading about his abusive and lonely childhood. I was felt sorry for being judgmental and since then I never stopped praying for his conversion from sinner to a repentant soul. I loved him so dear in my heart which no one knows. many days I fasted for him and prayed constantly for him to realize his crime and for repentance. In gist, the day when he was hanged I was most happy person since his last interview says, 'I regret for all my sins and pray to Allah that no human being should do the crimes which I did in my life let Allah forgive me". On the same evening I went to church and had requested for a prayer for his departed soul. But my parish priest said we Christians cannot offer prayer for the departed soul of the non-Christian. I was very confused... is it true since, I still pray for his soul. Will God answer my prayers? Thanks for answering me since I pray lot for many unknown non-Christian sinners.   - Clarin

___________________________________ 

Clarin:

Thank you so much for your testimony of faith.  Thank you for living out your Christian call to forgive and to pray for one's enemies (Matthew 5:44).  Your testimony of faith in Jesus shames me.  I must tell you and confess to you that I find very little room in my heart for terrorists, especially terrorists such as the people that tore apart Mumbai in 2008. 

Your testimony of faith made my head bow down in shame.  I am sure that your parish priest is in the same thinking as me, especially when your parish priest and your fellow parishioners know the insecurity and fear of being a "religious minority" in a country that is so diverse as India.  Your parish priest is probably only thinking about believers in Jesus as the only ones worthy of prayer, especially prayer for the immortal souls of non-believers, and especially terrorists. 

Now I want you to know with clarity that God did hear your prayer and granted the grace of repentance to this particular terrorist when he proclaimed that he was sorry for his evil and murderous sins and asked God for forgiveness despite his unworthiness to ask for such a gift.  Your prayer, and I am sure the prayers of others, stirred the heart of this sinful and murderous man to open his heart to God's grace of forgiveness and repentance.  God answered your prayer.  Be at peace. 

Any Christian should pray for everyone, especially one's enemies (Luke 6:27).  You did everything right.  You are a faithful believer in Jesus and His Gospel.  You are a shining example of what it means to be a true Christian.  And now, through this web site, your faith will challenge the rest of us to really live up to the faith we profess.  You challenge us to get up from our safe little worlds we have created around us to see the BIG PICTURE of God's love, forgiveness, and saving grace. 

Pray for who you want no matter what their religious or non-religious status may be.  We are encouraged to pray for every person seeking the grace of God in their lives.  Pray for them in this life on earth, and pray for their immortal souls when they die.  Pray!  You are doing what Jesus told us to do. 

Thank you for your testimony of faith.  You have touched my heart, and I am now sure that you will touch the hearts of many around the world.  When these hateful things happen, it is most difficult to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  Yet, it is my faith that gives me hope in knowing that one day, God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will fix everything that is broken now.  Come, Lord Jesus!  And my fellow believer, I exhort you to keep doing what you are doing.  Praise God!  -  Father Francisco




 

curgold divider.gif (5453 bytes)

 

Please use the link at the top left side of this page
to comment or be added to the mailing list

 curgold divider.gif (5453 bytes)

 





 

 

 

 

 

 


 




 

 

      

 

 



 

  

 

 

 

 

 

_
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Please use the link at the top left side of this page
to comment or be added to the mailing list

 

 

 


\