FATHER WILLIAM G. MENZEL
"I am trying to convert but have
questions. Why confess to a priest Father Bill: I am trying to convert and have questions such as John 14:6 "No one comes to the Father but by Me” (Jesus Christ). Why confess to a Priest when the Bible says to go directly to Christ? People have pointed out scriptures that contradict Catholicism, and I am truly confused. - Brian Dear Brian: Thanks for writing. You are asking a very good question. However, before I try to answer, I really need to ask you a question. Since you are trying to convert—and I presume you mean convert to the Catholic Church, have you sought out any classes for those wanting to know more about the Church, or have you begun the RCIA process in a Catholic parish near you? If you really feel that God might be calling you to enter into communion with the Catholic Church, then you really need to take steps to begin that process in earnest. You need to be in a setting where others can help lead you to a deeper understanding of our Church and its teachings. If you haven't already done so, I heartily recommend that you contact a parish in your area and let them help you get started. Why we Catholics confess our sins to a priest has some very explicit scriptural roots. John 20:21-23 gives us these words of Jesus when he appeared to his disciples after the resurrection: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (New American Bible). St. Paul wrote his Second Letter to the Corinthians many years before the composition of the Gospel of John. In that letter he says this (2 Cor 5:17-20): So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (NAB; emphasis is mine.) One can argue, of course, that neither of these passages says that one must confess sins to a priest. It took the Church many years to determine just how to carry on the ministry of reconciliation. However, passages like the ones just cited certainly illustrate that it is not unreasonable for the Church to teach that Jesus did indeed give His ministry of reconciliation to the Church. Following from that, confession to a priest seems to be a reasonable way for the Church to exercise that ministry. There is, however, a larger issue at stake here, and that has to do with how Jesus carries on His work in the world today. After all, He has ascended to the Father, so He no longer is present as He once was. Determined not to leave us orphaned, he sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles at Pentecost. In doing so, He was ensuring that they would carry on the work that He had begun. In other words, He was giving human beings the privilege and responsibility of acting in His name. Surely one of His most important ministries was the forgiveness of sins. One doesn't have to read very deeply into the Gospels to recognize that. Given that this was so important to Jesus, does it not seem reasonable that He would have commissioned His Church to continue that ministry? Rather than diminishing the role of Jesus, all the sacraments of the Church actually enhance it. It is Christ Who forgives in the Sacrament of Penance, not the priest. It is Christ who comes to our altars in the Holy Eucharist. It is Christ who comes to heal in the Anointing of the Sick. These are not human works; they truly are the works of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus came to reveal to us the human face of God, so the Church, as the Body of Christ, reveals to us His continuing presence among us, and His holy work goes on. This could not happen without human beings commissioned to do it. I hope that this helps you, Brian. Now make that contact with a Catholic parish in your area, and may God bless you on your journey of faith. - Father Bill
Father Bill: Many believers say the earth is only a few thousand years old and dispute the idea of evolution. I want to help my friends believe in Christ but I cannot answer their questions when it comes to the origin of God and the creation of earth and Man. Please help me so I can help suppress their doubts about God and my doubts as well. - Kyle Dear Kyle, The perceived conflict between science and religion has existed for a very long time, and both scientists and believers are at fault for its persistence. In our times, it seems that Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species has been the main catalyst for this conflict almost from its publication in 1859; however, there are other branches of science that undoubtedly prove equally threatening to those who hold a literal interpretation of the bible's Book of Genesis. For example, modern astronomy and astrophysics establish the time for the beginning of the known universe to be around 15 billion years ago, give or take a couple billion. This does not square with the biblical calculation of the moment of creation, which would seem to be less than 10,000 years ago. One could cite hundreds of examples where modern science and the bible do not agree. So who's right? Well, that's utterly the wrong question. The bible is not trying to teach science, and science is not trying to find God. At its heart the bible is a compilation of books that describe a love story between God and people; it's about the covenant. The various stories that illustrate this are filled with passion and pathos, triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal, all of which teach that God is a faithful lover even when we humans are not. This is what the bible is about. It is not about how creation came about; it's about who the creator is. It is not about six days of creation; it's about a creator who is always in action and Who really didn't need to rest on a seventh day. On the other hand, science is essentially a dispassionate (sort of!) search for truth using rigorous methods of discovery, analysis and proof. It seeks to explore the components of the universe in an ever-expanding quest for knowledge. Some science is done solely to satisfy human curiosity; some is done in the hopes that the knowledge acquired may have practical—and even financial—benefits. There is, I think, a real danger in taking literally the creation stories in the Book of Genesis. First of all, there is more than one creation story. Secondly, there is more than one account of the creation of man and woman. Right away we are dealing with conflicts in the accounts themselves: which is the real account? Then, if we look carefully at the first account—the one with the six days, we find a rather interesting cosmology that no educated person would hold today. The earth is not flat, even though that's the way it is depicted in Genesis 1. There is not a big dome (firmament) that separates the flat earth and its waters from the waters that are above the dome, upon which are placed the sun, moon and stars. One could go on to point out many other “discrepancies” between the Genesis account and what we now know about our world and our universe, but what's the point? Genesis was not intended to teach us science. For us believers, its purpose is far loftier and more noble. Darwin's masterful insights are now well established as cogent and scientifically respectable explanations of phenomena that can readily be observed. The Big Bang Theory, which, incidentally was first proposed by a Belgian priest, Fr. Georges Lemaître in 1931, is a cogent and scientifically respectable explanation for the origin of the known universe. In short, scientific inquiry has given us a remarkable window through which to view the wonders that surround us. The bible for its part gives us a remarkable window through which to view the way God has touched our humanity with his infinite love. In truth, we are twice blessed. Let me conclude with these wise words from the great bishop and saint, Augustine of Hippo, who lived in the fifth century A.D. This is from his treatise “The Literal Meaning of Genesis”: In matters that are so obscure and far beyond our vision, we find in Holy Scripture passages which can be interpreted in very different ways without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such cases, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search of truth justly undermines this position, we too fall with it. That would be to battle not for the teaching of Holy Scripture but for our own, wishing its teaching to conform to ours, whereas we ought to wish ours to conform to that of Sacred Scripture. Kyle, it is quite possible that none of this will convince your friends. I have found that people who take Genesis literally are reluctant to embrace another view; I think they fear that to do so would undermine the authority of the entire bible—which it does not. For your part, I hope that it will help you in your own quest for truth. May God bless you and your friends. - Father Bill
Father Bill: Thanks for answering some of my previous queries. Anyway I just want to ask, why is the Catholic Church service structured in the way it is, with so much emphasis placed on the doing, for example at a certain point they will tell you that you have to kneel and bow and say this and that. I think as a result of that, (generalizing a bit here) that the only people who truly know about Christian priorities, that its more about the heart condition, are the priests. For example the Pharisees did all the right actions but their hearts were wrong. And I think that as a result of the way mass is structured, I think it's difficult for the priest to communicate this to the people so as I see it, a lot of people think it's alright just to come church every Sunday and those 'days of obligation'. Because I believe God demands our whole lives to give glory to him. I also think that the Catholic Church is way too soft on this, giving way to a very watered down version of Christianity. Definitely, not everyone is like this, but I see this to be the general attitude. Thanks for taking your time out to answer this, its greatly appreciated. - Daniel
Dear Daniel: Well, you're right about a lot of that. Many people do just go through the motions. However, I don't think that's due to the structure of our liturgy, nor do I think it's due to some kind of inherent flaw in our Catholic Church. I think it's due to the human condition. We humans tend to be minimalists, getting by with the least possible effort while still meeting expectations. I remember when I was teaching high school courses years ago that the kind of questions students typically would ask were not, “How can I excel in this class?” They were more like, “What do I have to do to get an A?” Some very talented students, who could have excelled, then often proceeded to do the very least necessary to acquire that coveted A. Does this surprise you, Daniel? It doesn't surprise me, because I've done the same thing myself. The truth is—as you suggest—that it's a lot easier to go through the motions than it is to really put our hearts into something. Going through the motions does at least give us a sense that we have accomplished something. I don't think that's particularly hypocritical in and of itself. Admittedly it's less than desirable, but someone who is doing the minimum is at least doing something. Could the minimalists do more? Of course. Should the minimalists do more? Well, it certainly would be nice. There are a couple other issues at stake here, Daniel. To be blunt, it's not my role, nor is it yours, to judge the hearts of others. When I look out at the congregation at Sunday Mass, my first thought is not, “I wonder how many people here are just going through the motions or just fulfilling an obligation.” My first thought is, “I'm really glad these people are here, and I'm really glad I'm here too. Maybe God can work through all of us so that we can give Him suitable glory and praise.” (Okay, I don't think exactly those words every time, but this is what is in my heart when I preside at the Eucharist.) Are some of those present just going through the motions? Probably. Are some there mainly to fulfill and obligation? Probably. But at least they're there! The other issue that may need some explanation is why we Catholics place so much emphasis on the various postures at Mass—why we stand, sit, bow and kneel. I know that this mystifies many of our fellow Christians, and some even poke fun at it. One simple explanation might be that we stand or kneel when we are part of the action, and we sit when we are not. Worship is not a spectator sport, and our postures remind us of that. Another important consideration about posture is that it involves our bodies. The Catholic traditions of worship are very sensitive to the fact that we are not just souls hidden inside bodies. Body and soul are one, and it is important for the whole person to be engaged in this great act of thanksgiving and praise to the Father through Jesus Christ. This not only is why we use special postures. It is also why we use things like incense, candles and the sprinkling of water. Perhaps even more important, it is why Jesus used simple things like bread and wine. Physical signs like this can engage our senses and in the process can capture our hearts. As an aside, I'll just note that I think kneeling is the posture that many outside the Catholic Church least understand. For us, kneeling reminds us that we give humble adoration to our God who is so much greater than we are. We kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer for essentially the same reason that we stand during the Gospel: Jesus comes to us in a special way during those two high points of our liturgy, and we want to acknowledge that these are special moments. We stand for the Gospel, because Jesus calls us to action by His words and deeds. We kneel for the Eucharistic Prayer so that we can humbly acknowledge the sacred presence of Jesus as we join with Him in this act of praise and thanksgiving to God the Father. Since your question was kind of wide-ranging, I'm not sure that I have addressed all the issues that you bring up. If I missed something, perhaps you could seek out someone in a parish nearby for a good heart-to-heart discussion. I think you might find it very productive. May God bless you, Daniel. - Father Bill
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
- Sharon
CatholicView:
I was baptized Catholic as an infant. Lately, I heard that a person must be fully immersed in water in order to get to heaven. Is this true? Please reply. Thanks. - Sharon
Sharon: Baptism is the first step in the initiation sacraments to be part of the Church. The three sacraments that make a person a full member of the Church are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist (communion). Salvation is achieved through your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and by living out your faith all your life long. Faith and faithfulness to the Lord is your key to salvation through the blood of Christ. As for the means (matter) of the sacrament of Baptism, baptism is not exactly defined in the scriptures. There is no exact wording what baptism is except that it includes the use of water either as pouring on someone or being immersed in water. The word baptism is described in these two terms: infusion (pouring) and immersion (actually placing the whole body in water and the person rising from it). To understand the meaning of the word baptism, let's see how it is used in scripture. In one instance, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer and Jesus rose from the water, implying that Jesus was immersed. Yet, Jesus said that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and in that context, baptism means pouring (Acts 2:17-18,33). The Church has always accepted pouring and immersion as valid expressions of the sacrament of Baptism. Interestingly, the Church also holds for a baptism of desire and the baptism of blood when a believer is not baptized by water yet died for the Jesus as a martyr (baptism by blood) or died before water baptism could be administered (baptism of desire). My salvation, though, does not come through how (immersion or pouring) I was baptized. My salvation comes from my faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. For more details, please see this link: http://www.catholic.com/tracts/baptism-immersion-only This will describe in detail the elements of the history of baptism. As a priest, I have baptized people by immersion but mostly, I have baptized people by pouring water all over their head. I get them pretty wet! The Catholic Church does not sprinkle water unless there is an emergency baptism (near death situation) and I have no other way of baptizing a person with water. The Church has always baptized people by pouring water all over a person's head or by full immersion. These are valid means for baptism. I do not know who told you that you had to be fully immersed in water to be saved. You are saved by Jesus Christ! This person who told you that is badly misinformed. Please read the link that I included in this letter. - The Priests at CatholicView
Priests at CatholicView:
My brother reluctantly told me that he was served with Divorce papers yesterday (December 23). He had told me a few days prior that his wife took his three Children to Florida to spend Christmas with her family without him. When pressed he said he had to work, they have a farm, but I didn't buy it. My question is "Is there anything I can say to her to prod her to reconsider this?" They have been married 21 years. I am so angry, he cannot even talk to me and all I can think is why, why, why would someone do this at Christmas, couldn't she wait a week? He is alone and I am far away and I just don't know what to do to help. - Gigi
Gigi:
I am sorry to hear that after 21 years of marriage and having three children, your brother had to receive the filing for divorce from his wife. It would seem even more painful to receive these papers just before Christmas. But there isn't anything you can do but support your brother with your love and your prayers. There isn't anything you can do by trying to talk to your sister-in-law. That would only make things worse. The only thing that matters right now is that you support your brother from where you are. He needs to know that he can depend on you just to talk or just to be present to him in his spiritual and emotional pain. You can't make this divorce go away. I know that it makes you feel hopeless but all you need to do is just be there for your brother. Pray for him and his children. - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView:
In prayers we often say "I offer you the body, blood, soul and divinity. How can we offer these things? They aren't ours to offer. Please explain. - Maxine
You are referring to the prayer that Saint Faustina received in her private mystical visions and conversations with Jesus during the first part of the 20th century in Poland. The prayer you are referring to is part of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in which the prayer is: "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." In Saint Faustina's spiritual diary, she states that Jesus Himself asked her to say this prayer. You say how we can offer Jesus to the Father when they are not ours to offer. On the contrary, Jesus is ours to offer. He gave Himself for us. He gave Himself into our hands. Every time we sin and ask for forgiveness, we offer the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to the Father. We receive forgiveness of sin because of that one sacrificial act on the cross. The whole Church, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, was present at the cross of Christ and Jesus SAW all of us, every human being from the beginning of time to the end of time at the foot of the cross, offering to the Father His one act of total obedience to the Father through His death on the cross. Remember, prayer is timeless, prayer knows no limits as to time and space. God is not stuck in time and space like ourselves. When we ask forgiveness and salvation from God the Father through Jesus, we are offering to God the Father Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. For when Jesus died for you and me, He saw you and me sin from the cross, He saw you and me ask for forgiveness, and He saw you and me offer to God the Father the sacrifice of Jesus' total obedience to His Father even unto death. Jesus is ours to offer. Jesus wanted it that way. Without that offering of the sacrifice of Jesus, we would not received forgiveness. The Holy Mass, the Holy Eucharist, is THE proclamation of this mystery of offering the body and blood of Jesus Christ by the Church (all believers in Jesus Christ.) As Saint Paul says: 1 Corinthians 11:26: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death [also see: John 21:22; 1 Corinthians 4:5] until He comes." - The Priests at CatholicView
Priests at CatholicView:
Thank you for your time. My sister very involved in Wiccan magic (I'm not sure how to correctly state it) and has been for many years. When my mother died in Feb 2011 she ignored her passing which my brother and I were not surprised by. A few months ago she contacted him via email regarding her estate. He was left in charge in the will. We all knew this. My sister was displeased with the outcome, very fair and I have no problems with it. She has sent out prayers to various gods and goddesses wishing us disaster in our lives. No big deal, until I started getting weak and sick about two months ago. Didn't make any connection until my daughter in law sent me a post my sister had made. It was very scary. Now I'm afraid the two are connected. It sounds crazy but now I'm worried her evil is why I'm sick. I've never believed in the underworld but I feel myself panicking over the time coincidence. Thank you again for your time. - Crystal
Crystal: I am concerned that you actually believe that someone could actually make a curse on you through the invocations of various gods and goddesses that DO NOT EXIST! Yes, the "underworld" exists, that is where hell is and that is where Satan and his evil spirits are. But the invocation of NON-EXISTENT beings cannot do anything to anyone. Things happen in life, such as illness and bad days. These things happen not because of anyone's magical curse, but because life is flawed through sin. There is only one God. Period. There are no other gods and goddesses. Nothing. Therefore, there can be no blessings or curses attributed to them. This is where your faith in one God comes in. Your faith in God is already much more powerful than any curse that your sister in her fantasy can cook up. I am reminded of Psalm 121, verse 7: "The Lord will protect you from all evil, He will keep your soul." And then again, in 2 Thessalonians 3, verse 3: "But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." And again, in 1 Peter 1, Verse 5: "[You] who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Be at peace. Your sister cannot do anything against you because she has no power to do so. And when you feel insecure or even have doubts about what is happening to you, just say, "Father, through the blood of your Son, Jesus, surround me with your love and protection." Say it over and over again until you feel at peace. You are not cursed. It is not possible. Remember, gods and goddesses that DO NOT EXIST cannot do anything against you who are protected by the love of God who is REAL! - The Priests at CatholicView
CatholicView:
Can the book called "BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER" can be used by a Catholic even if it is for Anglicans? - Jericho
Jericho: The BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER is the sacramentary or official prayer book for the Church of England and for Anglican communions around the world, such as the Episcopal Church USA. If you wish to use the Book of Common Prayer for your own personal prayer and meditation, that would be something different since the Anglican spirituality, though similar to Catholicism, is dissimilar. But there is nothing sinful in using the Book of Common Prayer for personal prayer. Just realize that there are differences in teaching and spirituality. That's why there is an Anglican Communion, and the Catholic Church! - The Priests at CatholicView
Priests at CatholicView:
I love my dog like one more of the family. If I had to choose between helping him or 100 strangers in distress, I would always first help my dog. Is this a sin? - Jens
Jens: Ah, I know people are difficult. People can be selfish and judgmental while our pets can be so loving and accepting unconditionally (well, as long as you feed them and take care of their basic needs.) But the TWO BIG COMMANDMENTS of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ is this: Love God with all your mind, all your strength, and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. There isn't a commandment to love your pet more than your neighbor. On the contrary, there is a commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Even though your pet is your primary focus in your life, Jesus wants you to keep your heart and mind open to your own kind, your fellow human beings. The sin comes in when you ignore the plight of a truly needy person. But I can truly understand your love for your dog. Your pet is a gift from God Himself for you and for your emotional support. But remember, love your own. That's what God expects from us. - The Priests at CatholicView
"I
was christened as a child but the records
are lost.
Priests at CatholicView:
I was christened as a child, don't know where, records are lost, maybe Jersey city N.J. I want to find out how to become a catholic. I am 68 this Dec 26th. Please help me. - Bill
Bill: Usually, in cases where baptismal and sacramental records are lost or destroyed, we ask if there were any witnesses to your baptism or confirmation. Then those witnesses would sign an affidavit stating that you did receive the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Have you looked to see if you have your confirmation or first communion record? If you have these certificates, then these documents would state where you were baptized. If not, then please talk to your parish priest and begin your journey to become a Catholic through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). I pray that you will learn so much more about your relationship with Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. I send you a special blessing for your joy in the Church! - The Priests at CatholicView
"How can Jesus be of the house
of David if St.
Priest Staff: How can Jesus be of the house of David if St. Joseph is not the biological father? - Steve
Steve: Thank you for writing to A CatholicView. Even though Jesus is not the physical child of Joseph, a descendant of King David, nonetheless, Joseph adopted Jesus as his own and therefore Jesus is a member of the House of David. The Jerome Biblical Commentary says this about your question: The Virginal conception of Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. According to the gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1: 18-25), Joseph's decision to divorce Mary is overcome by the heavenly command that he take her into his home and accept the child as his own. The natural genealogical line is broken but the promises to David are fulfilled. Through Joseph's adoption, the Child belongs to the family of David. Matthew sees the virginal conception as fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you this sign: The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (God is with us). And by God's intervention into human affairs, Jesus takes the throne of King David according to the Lord's will and Jesus presides over a kingdom that will last forever. I hope this helps. - The Priests at CatholicView
"Is it acceptable for my sister to be
cremated and her
Priest Staff: My sister passed away a couple of days ago after a long battle with cancer. Her wishes were to be cremated and her ashes scattered at sea with other relative. She was baptized and received the last rights. Is it alright to scatter her ashes? Is it alright to keep the ashes in my home until the service? Several relatives go in a boat to the ocean site for a Farwell service. There is Reading from the bible, the 23rd Psalm and remembrance by the relatives. Is this alright with the Roman Catholic faith? - Carl Carl: Cremation is acceptable in the Catholic Faith. But as a sign of our faith in the second coming of Christ at the end of time, the Church strongly suggests that all remains of deceased Catholics, if possible, be placed in a grave, or at least in a place to await the second coming of Christ. The scattering of ashes is not recommended since we say that our actions show what we believe. If we truly believe that Jesus is coming again to raise the dead, then our remains are to be placed in one place, whether a tomb, or mausoleum, or even somewhere in one's home, to await our Lord and Savior's return. Of course, even if our ashes are scattered, Jesus will find you at the end of time as the trumpet blows and your name is uttered by our Lord Jesus to be raised from the dead. But remember, if possible, all remains of deceased Catholics should be placed in one location awaiting the coming of Christ at the end of time. Our actions show what we believe. To remind you, when we die, our souls (everything that we are) continue to live with the Lord in heaven. But when Jesus returns to earth at the end of time, God will reunite our soul with our glorified bodies for the final judgment. But if the family decides to scatter the remains of your sister (it seems to be her last wish), be assured that the Lord has her in the palm of His Hand right now in heaven forever. Be at peace. Jesus knows where to find your sister at the end of time to reunite her soul (the essence of who she is) with her glorified body in a new heaven and a new earth! - The Priests at CatholicView
Priest Staff: As an employer, I take more than a passing interest in the people who work for me. The Christian ethical issues that always dog me are regarding duty; to who do I owe my duty as a Christian? Specifically, I have recently hired an accountant with a CPA license as an accounting clerk and she accepted the position because the market is very tight at the moment (Did I exploit her weak bargaining position?). I have recently discovered that a former employer of mine is advertising for a higher level position that she could easily fill for much more pay and better benefits, and I happen to know that a recommendation from me would all but ensure that she would be hired for the position. The problem is that she is a big help to me and I really appreciate her efforts, so to recommend her for the other position robs me of a great help. As a manager, I have a duty to act in the interests of my employer. On the other hand, I feel a duty to consider her interest. To my knowledge, the Bible and the Catechism says little or nothing at all or are very vague when it comes to employer/employee relationships, so there is little or no authoritative guidance to my knowledge in this area. Where does my Christian duty lie in this situation? - JC
Jeffrey: Thank you for writing about your concerns. First, let me commend you on choosing an efficient employee to work for your company. However, because she is a highly trained individual with a CPA license, it was inevitable that she would want to better herself by seeking employment offering her greater pay and a higher position than you can offer. The bible doesn't specifically state in EXACT terms employer and employee relationships. But it does tell us how to treat others....and treat others with respect and dignity. It would not be Christian to deny her your recommendation while knowing that she is qualified for the type of employment you are unable to give. To withhold these positive and impressive credentials your employee clearly deserves is clearly sinful and selfish because you would have robbed her of the opportunity to earn more money for her family as well as a higher job status. On some level, I think you already know this answer in your heart. Be grateful that you had the good fortune of having this woman's talents and experience in your company. Look beyond your own needs and see her needs. Be happy for her. Do not try to imprison her for yourself but let her realize her God-given possibilities and talents. This is something God wants us to do for each other. Remember what Jesus taught in Matthew 22:39 "Love your neighbor as yourself." May the Lord bless you and give you the clarity to do the right thing. - The Priests at CatholicView
Priest Staff: The twelve point crown on the head of Our Lady of Guadalupe's image on Juan Diego's Tilma seems to have disappeared about 1890. It is still seen on the painted copy furnished Philip II of Spain. What happened to the crown on the Mexican Tilma? - Les Les:
Thank you for writing to CatholicView.
The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an iconic picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On three dates in December 1531 (9,10, and 12), Juan Diego, an indigenous man from Mexico, had an encounter with Mary, the mother of Jesus, on a hill called Tepeyac outside of Mexico City. On the 12th of December 1531, Juan Diego brought the bishop of Mexico City a sign (proof) that the Virgin Mary appeared to him, Castillian (Spanish) roses and to Juan Diego's and the bishop's surprise, an imprinted image of the Virgin Mary as Juan Diego saw her on his tilma, or outer coat. That one singular event changed the course of history in Mexico and all of Central America. That same image, in all its brilliance and beauty is on display at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Tepeyac in Mexico City. The shrine there is the most visited pilgrimage place in honor of the Virgin Mary! Having been there, it is a special and miraculous place I have ever visited in my world travels.
The tilma with the image of the Virgin Mary has been publicly shown since 1531 in its natural state with many hands touching it throughout its 481 year history. It wasn't until the 20th century that the image was placed behind a protective glass. It is a miracle that the image and the tilma have not decayed. Along the way, artists and others have "enhanced" the image with gold and silver paint to emphasized certain things. Part of these enhancements were the painting of the golden rays of the sun, the moon on which Mary is standing on with silver paint, and the crown on her head, a crown of twelve stars painted with gold over a simple circle of 12 stars that surrounds the head of the image. The actual original image has NOT been painted or enhanced in any way.
The rays of the sun,
the silver moon, and the golden crown, and anything that was added
to the image by human hands is now falling off the
tilma,
leaving the original image without damage. What an interesting
miracle! I guess it's God's way of saying that the image is from
Him and the rest is from human hands. The crown on her head, as
painted in copies of the image, was placed there by artists. The
original tiara of 12 stars is what is on the tilma, not a crown as
seen in artistic renditions of the image. The gold crown on the
actual image that was enhanced by someone with gold paint is now
falling off, revealing a simple tiara of 12 stars. The image of Our
Lady of Guadalupe is an exact representation of the woman described
in Revelation, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3: "A great sign appeared in
the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars." The silver on the moon
is falling off revealing the actual moon that was on the original
image. The golden rays of the sun that come from the body of the
Virgin Mary are also falling off revealing the brilliant clouds
brightened by the sun in which the image is standing in front of.
How can I get it back?" Anita
CatholicView Staff: I am a cradle Catholic who has lost my faith. I want to believe - I feel empty but don't know where to begin. - Anita
Anita: I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your faith. Faith is like a unique and blessed friendship that must be nurtured in order to grow. We must always keep in touch God and our Savior Jesus Christ through prayer. If we become lax and go about our lives that does not include God and Jesus Christ, we move away from that friendship. If we let our faith lapse, we a step away and as time goes by we become farther away and the distance grows. Don't let this happen. Sometimes life throws so many things our way. We get tangled in everyday trials and this can take our focus away from God. Satan loves this so don't let this happen to you. Strengthen your faith through prayer and reading the bible. Jesus waits for you with open arms. Take a step forward through prayer, and ask God to open your heart and your mind to His goodness, His love, and His mercy. Make sure you attend mass. Please visit our CatholicView site to find out more on the subject of losing faith. Please use this link: Losing Faith I suggest that you make an appointment to speak to your parish priest. This is another way you can renew yourself by speaking to him concerning your loss of faith. Share your thoughts and open yourself to the ideas he will give you. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: There are many people in this country who have to choose between buying food and buying medicine. Is it a mortal sin/gluttony to hoard extra prescription medicine? If so, are there any legal programs to give our excess meds to people who need them, but can't afford them? Thanks! Jennifer
Jennifer: Most people who have to take certain medicines are always afraid to run out of particular ones because those are vital to their lives. They are not hoarders because a druggist keeps tabs on prescriptions and will only allow refills if the original prescription gives permission. This way, no one cannot really get an excess of drugs unless they save them instead. Also, it is against the law for a person to hand out drugs that are in their homes. There are health laws governing this. Unless one is a doctor, people must never take it upon themselves to dispense drugs. Some medicines may cause a fatal illness if that person cannot take the drug that is secondhand. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
"Should
I take the benevolent money given to me for
CatholicView Staff: I tremendously respect your opinion. I've been going through a really tough time financially and people from my church and other churches have helped me get through it. Please tell me something, "According to standard Catholic practices should I be tithing the benevolent money that has been given to me to pay my rent, utilities, and other things that are absolute necessities?" I used to be Catholic and I am not able to get any really concrete answer on this. Thank you, Mary
Mary: Thank you for your question. Do not feel ashamed if you do not have money to tithe. If you cannot afford it, God will understand. But there are many ways you can tithe:
1. Have you offered to be an usher or help with getting the church in order for service? 2. Volunteered for work in the church office or help serve after service food? 3. Have you prayed for your fellow members who may be suffering a health problem or some other worries? 4. If you can, have you visited the sick? 5. Have you helped someone who needed a babysitter so they can go to church? These are just a few ideas that you might consider. Tithing is not always about money. Remember the story of the widow that gave two coins? She gave two...all that she had, while the wealthy gave of their surplus. Mark 12:42-43. Jesus praised her.. The church does need money. But they also need a helping hand. Ask your pastor if there is something you can do instead to donate time or talent. And this you could do for the glory of the Lord. Go in peace. Do not worry for the Lord knows your heart and when things look up monetarily, you will be tithing once again. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
Marriage in my home instead of Church?" - Paula
CatholicView Staff: We are over 65, and I would like to know if it is permissible to perform a Catholic marriage ceremony during mass in the privacy of my home rather than in a church. - Paula Paula: Marriage is a Sacrament. It is an agreement or contract between you, your fiancé, and God. It must be done within a Catholic Church. If you or your fiancé is infirm, sick, or possibly dying, then the priest will come to you. Under any other circumstances, this cannot be done. - CatholicView Staff
- Kayla
CatholicView Staff: I have a question about salt. Is it true that if you put salt around your house, in the corners, or across the threshold that it will protect your home form evil spirits. - Kayla
Kayla: I have never heard of this remedy. If there is a problem in your home, please arrange to have your parish priest come and bless it. In the meantime, it will not hurt to offer a prayer in each room of your home. - CatholicView Staff
be tormented on earth?" - Judith
Hello: All my life I have had many terrible things that happen to me. (6-51yrs). I have had depression since I was 6. I get counsel (My parish priest talks to me) therapist, doctors and medicine. Could a person be tormented on earth? I have asked God to mold me to do his will. I love God but I'm tired. God knows my heart. - Judith Judith: I am so sorry that you have problems with depression. I want you to know that God loves you and yes, He knows your heart. CatholicView is pleased that you are getting professional help for your depression. To answer your question "Could a person be tormented on earth", I would answer that each one of us is facing earthly battles. None can escape them. The good news is that God is right there with you, with each step you take and He will always be with you. But the good thing is that you believe in Jesus Christ Who died to give you an eternal life someday, free from suffering and the earthly torments you face. This earth is a testing ground, a waiting room, so to speak, a place where we prepare ourselves to be worthy to enter God's perfect heaven. These trials make us stronger and bring us closer to God. One day we will be free of the restraints and evil of this world for God promises perfection in mind and body forever. Do not despair. All of us face earthly trials. Keep praying to the God Who loves you. Remember He will be with you all the way. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
to life on the last day?" - Gertrude
CatholicView: Will people in hell presently still come back to life on the last day? - Gertrude The Second Edition of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us the following "The
New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the
final encounter with Christ in His second coming, but also
repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after
death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the
poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the
good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final
destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and
for others. Be ready and watchful. Do not worry. Jesus decides the matter pertaining to the final judgment when He returns to claim His own. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
above ground. How can I do this?" John
CatholicView Staff: We are instructed to try to be like Jesus. Jesus was buried in a tomb. I want to be buried like Jesus, Lazarus etc., in a tomb above ground. How can I do it?
Dear John: You can be buried in a tomb. There is nothing that says you cannot be buried in this way. Find out the availability and cost of a tomb in a Catholic Cemetery in your area and secure it for when you die. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
come home. What should I do?" - Thomas
CatholicView Staff: I am just coming home to the church after 21 year absence as a Buddhist. I did get married but a priest was not present. What can I do and cannot do? What should I do? Confession? Eucharist? - Thomas
Dear Thomas: We want to welcome you back to the church. There are several things you must do in order to be in full standing again in the church. First you need to talk to a priest about having your marriage blessed. You can have this done in the rectory should you choose to do so. Set an appointment for this. You will also need to arrange for confession which will then entitled you to have the sacraments of the church. Once you have talked to the priest and straightened these matters out, you will become a full fledged Catholic member once again. God wants you back and so does the Church. God bless you. - CatholicView Staff
Or just Christian?" - Andrais
CatholicView Staff: Do you have to be Catholic to go to heaven? Or just Christian? - Andrais Andrais: Before Vatican II, the Church consistently taught that only Roman Catholics had a chance to be saved and attain Heaven. There has been considerable movement by the Roman Catholic Church concerning the salvation status of non-Catholics. The church has gradually changed and became more accepting of the validity of other Christian denominations and of other religions. A correction: Catholics are Christians. If one believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that person is a Christian. God alone is the Judge Who decides who will receive eternal salvation. But whoever believes and accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and promises to faithfully follow His teachings will be saved. – CatholicView Staff
She wants to convert." - Maria
CatholicView Staff: A friend who used to be Catholic wants to convert to Judaism. I gave her a Star of David for Christmas and I feel that I have encouraged her to convert. Is this a sin? - Maria Maria: To convert to Judaism means that one has given up Jesus Christ as Savior. If you can, stress that. And pray for your friend that she can see what she is giving up. - CatholicView Staff
my own Catholic obligations? - Louis
CatholicView Staff: I am staying with my daughter and son-in-law for the holidays. They want me to attend Christmas Mass with his family at an Episcopalian church. Will this fulfill my Christmas Mass obligation? - Louis Hello Louis: Thank you for writing. Actually attending an Episcopalian service does not fulfill the Christmas Mass obligation. Try to find out if there is a local Catholic Church you can attend for Mass (either sometime on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day) as Catholics are still required to attend Mass on Christmas. The Midnight Service at the Episcopal Church will not fulfill your Mass obligation in the Catholic Church. Have a blessed and joyous holiday with your daughter and son-in-law. - CatholicView Staff
down our pope, bishops, and our faith?" - Phyllis
CatholicView Staff Do I have to attend Mass with a person who is always talking down our Pope, bishops and our faith? This is very troubling to me. Thank you, God bless you, Father. I love our faith and our Lord. - Phyllis
Phyllis: Some people do not realize what they are saying is offensive to others. If possible, nicely tell this person that you are uncomfortable with his/her comments or you might say you wish to be quiet and prepare yourself for the mass. If the person does not take the hint, try to attend mass at a different time or go alone. And unless you have to give this person a ride to church, avoid going with his/ her but be very nice about it. Hopefully the party will get the message and refrain from comments. Hope this helps. – CatholicView Staff
have decided to abstain until marriage?" – Verenice
CatholicView Staff: When I was a teenager I lost my virginity and had various sexual partners. However after a few years I realized that I did not want to live my life this way any more so I built up the courage to confess my sexual history to my priest and considered myself a "new virgin". Is it wrong to tell people that I am a "virgin" now that I have decided to abstain from sexual relationships until marriage? – Verenice
Verenice: Congratulations on being strong and changing your lifestyle. I know the Lord is very pleased with you. You can never recover your virginity, but when you marry, this could cause you many problems unless you tell the truth if asked. You do not have to discuss your private life with anyone. This is a topic that is private. You have changed your life and are moving ahead with truth. God has given you the strength and the courage to change. This is a wonderful thing. Be proud. Others do not have to know your past. Move forward with God’s grace. – CatholicView Staff
hug and kiss on Church property?" Jeff
CatholicView Staff: My girlfriend and I were donating our time to help feed the poor at the church hall, a separate building from the church, and I gave her a nice kiss and hug that was about 8 seconds long to show my love and affection, a friend later told me some of the older members of the church thought it was wrong for us to kiss and hug in front of others on the church property. Were we wrong for sharing a kiss and a hug? – Jeff Dear Jeff: There is nothing wrong with a hug and a short kiss. As long as it was as you said, I find no fault with this. Sometimes people may misconstrue something innocent and imagine things beyond what they see. If this is your regular church, avoid a public display and add it up to small minds. – CatholicView Staff
on Government/State/County property without permission?" Charles
CatholicView Staff: Should a good Catholic help homeless families even though they live in tents on Government/State/County Property, without permission? - Charles
Charles: Because you cannot judge their circumstances beyond what you see, I think our God Who sees everything would want you to help those in need. It is your Christian duty to do so. If any wrongdoing is there, it has nothing to do with feeding a homeless family with little children. Let God handle this matter of right and wrong. God would be pleased with your kindness to others. Remember Matthew 25: 37-40 “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” – CatholicView Staff
broke the promise. Am I condemned to hell?" - Brian CatholicView Staff: If I made a promise to God to stop a sinful habit that I felt absolutely powerless to overcome and told him to "send me to hell" if I did it again, can I be forgiven? - Am I cursed and condemned to hell because of my foolish promise? – Brian Dear Brian: First, never make a promise to God and not keep that promise. God is your Creator. The good thing is if you made the promise to your heavenly Father and meant it but your humanity overcame what you knew you should not do. It is always better to ask God for His help and strength to avoid something knowing that He can and will help you overcome rather than making promises you cannot keep. If your intent was to keep that promise but you absolutely fell again into that sin, you must pray to God and ask for forgiveness and mean it. You must seek the confessional and talk to the priest about this situation. But yes, God through His wonderful grace will forgive you. Remember though, you must do everything you can to avoid this sin in the future. Do not make idle promises you will not keep. – CatholicView Staff
we don't like? " - Kristin CatholicView Staff:
Is it ok to avoid/not speak/ignore those we don't like? I have a neighbor I can't stand--she is extremely negative and my history with extremely negative people is a horrible on. Rather than engage her, I ignore her. However, unless she moves, she's in my life for as long as we both live here. Sometimes it must be obvious to her because I talk to all the other neighbors. I feel like I'm being too mean, but my experience tells me to steer clear. – Kristin Kristin: I would suggest to you that rather than ignoring your neighbor, give her a greeting or nod and move on. If she persists in trying to engage you in conversation, find an excuse to go on your way. If she asks personal questions, reply very briefly and vaguely. Keep your conversations very short, very polite, and find an excuse to leave. In time, she will get the message. But remember, sometimes people are negative because of bad circumstances in their lives. They may feel they are not worth much and take a negative attitude which is a turnoff to many people. As a Christian, try to be kind but firm in your dealings with this lady. It is always kinder to leave someone thinking and questioning why, rather than obvious avoidance which can be viewed as malicious and hurtful. Jesus tells in Luke 6:35 “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Please remember to pray for your neighbor. This is what the Lord asks us to do. – CatholicView Staff
Do I have to repeat that confession?" - Lourdes
CatholicView Staff: I confessed to a priest this afternoon, but he seemed to have forgotten to absolve me. He just gave me my penance and bade me to go in peace after asking me to pray the Act of Contrition. Do I have to repeat my confession? Thanks, Father. Lourdes: All is well. You do not have to repeat your confession. Go in peace for the Lord has forgiven you. - CatholicView Staff
among other things. What should I do?" - PK
CatholicView Staff: My husband has changed in the last 5 years of our marriage. His cursing is unbearable. His laziness is causing me great mental and emotional distress. (ie: he started tearing apart the bathroom almost a year ago - it is completely gutted and unusable; all items were purchased months and months ago; I offer help, but he just ignores me. He has been off all week from work and tinkered maybe 2 days in the room). The house is a disaster, and I just can't keep up. This may sound petty, but he KNOWS I like an orderly, clean home. He is a hoarder and will not get rid of anything. I just can't stand it! He is a well-learned man, with a master's degree, but has absolutely no common sense, and will not listen to any input I may have. Also, he is "Catholic" in name only, and will not listen to anything religious - does not want to pray - does not incorporate his faith into his everyday life. He goes to church rarely. I want to leave him - leave the house, but I don't want to lose my soul. What can I do? - PK
Dear PK: I am sorry to hear of the trials you are facing with your husband. Have you sought the help of your priest or a qualified counselor concerning your husband's behavior? Sometimes, there are health or job issues causing this change in your husband. Please make an appointment with your parish priest. He will sit with you and your husband and talk things out. He will help you with this situation. If your husband will not go, go alone. The priest will also be able to recommend a marriage counselor who can help both you and your husband if you wish. May the Lord strengthen you during this crisis. - CatholicView Staff
marriage be annulled before the divorce is final?" Lisa
CatholicView Staff: I started dating a man that has been separated over 2 yrs, married for 20, but NEVER loved her, stayed out of duty. He just filed for divorce. Can his marriage be annulled before the divorce is final as he NEVER loved her? He is under extreme angst and wants to get on with his life. Lisa: This is a matter which should be brought to your parish priest. The priest will get the particulars, assess what he hears, and be able to advise your friend what has to be done for an annulment. This information will be passed onto the tribunal who can issue the annulment. In the Catholic Church an annulment is governed by the Church's Canon Law and an ecclesial tribunal determines the Sacrament of marriage was invalidly entered into. An annulment determines the marriage to be void at its inception. A "Declaration of Nullity" is not a legal dissolution of an existing civil marriage, but rather a determination that the Sacrament of Marriage was not entered into validly. Please talk to your priest about this matter. We cannot determine if an annulment can be given before the divorce papers are issued as an annulment depends on many things such as the availability of documents needed to finalize that annulment. - CatholicView Staff
marry my friend and his fiancé in a non-denominational wedding?" - Eric
CatholicView Staff:
As a Catholic, would it be against the church if I were to become an ordained minister of another church in order to marry my friend and his fiancé in a non-denominational Christian wedding? - Eric Eric: What you are suggesting is expressly forbidden. If you decide to leave the Catholic Church permanently and change your status as a Catholic, you then may become an ordained minister of another faith. Think about what you are asking. - CatholicView Staff
Any suggestions?" - Angie
CatholicView Staff: I've been in bad health and usually not well enough to get out much, but have felt a strong calling to help others. I've thought & thought but don't know what that could be being my physical condition. There must be something. Any suggestions? - Angie Angie: If you can, you might want to get into volunteering to organizations like The Braille Institute. Or you can offer to be a phone friend to Senior Organizations. If you sew or knit, why not create some things that could be needed by children or seniors in homes? Do not feel isolated. If you need to talk to someone about possibilities, call your parish church and see what they might need, something you may be able to handle. CatholicView will pray for you. - CatholicView Staff
violent, painful death?" - Donna CatholicView Staff: Why did God make Jesus suffer such a violent, painful death? I want to be able to clearly explain to my children why Jesus had to suffer so greatly for our sins. Donna Donna: Thank you for your question. We live in a sin filled world. We are all sinners. None of us are worthy to enter God's perfect heaven. If we did not have Someone to intercede for us, we would spend an eternity in the hell Jesus talks about. The heavy price Jesus paid for our sinfulness is for all who have lived, those who are now living, and those to come. His salvation is offered to every man, woman, and child. 1 Timothy 2:5 reads - "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world..." All we have to do is take this on faith, and live the way our Savior taught us. If we accept His gift of salvation, and continue to do what He teaches, we get eternal life with God, Jesus, and all the saints...forever. And so, Jesus paid this painful price for the countless number of human beings. His offer is still good. If we accept Him on Faith. I hope this brings some clarity to you and family. - CatholicView Staff
my priest to take a meeting with me?" - Scott CatholicView Staff: I became Catholic around 17 years old and had many questionable activities take place in my life prior to becoming Catholic. These habits continued on through adulthood. How long should I go back in history for confession? I visited a link on "a list of sins" and found I have a large amount. Question... should I spend 30 minutes in a confessional or maybe ask for my priest to take a meeting with me? - Scott Scott: This is something you must decide for yourself. If you choose the confessional, you may be conscious of a time limit as others will be waiting. A face to face meeting that can be arranged by calling your parish office and setting an appointment to see a priest. Should you choose to see the priest in person, I would suggest you write down as many sins as you can remember. Armed with a written list, you can then be able to discuss everything you have listed in preparation for this meeting. May the Lord bless you and keep you on His path. - CatholicView Staff
Does this mass fulfill the Holy Day of Obligation" - James CatholicView Staff:
If I will be attending a funeral mass on a Holy Day of Obligation, does that mass fulfill my Holy Day Obligation? James
James: Usually, funerals do not happen on Sundays and Holy Day of Obligations. But if the Holy Day of Obligation and the funeral Mass fall on the same day, yes, it does fulfill the obligation of attending Mass. - CatholicView Staff
may be in my home?" - Emily CatholicView: I had a friend tell me that I have a poltergeist in my home. Several things have taken place to lead me to believe that something is off. How do I go about clearing whatever bad spirit may be in my home? - Emily Emily: Talk to a parish priest or minister about this situation and ask him if he can come to your home and bless it. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
become a priest?" - Robert CatholicView Staff: Can a Catholic man divorce his wife and become a priest? - Robert Robert: This is not simplistic. Marriages cannot be dissolved because a person decides they want to become a priest. A man must be eligible to attain an annulment with true cause. If you can prove that your marriage is not valid, then you must apply for an annulment, and have it approved by the church officials. See your parish priest for further information. - CatholicView Staff
"If someone insults my one year old son, how can I forgive them? - Jennifer
CatholicView: I believe in forgiveness but, if someone insults my one year old son, how can I forgive them? - Jennifer
Jennifer: You must forgive them because Jesus tells us we must. Does this mean you are accepting of this kind of behavior? No, it does not. If this is a relative, then tell the person what they said that was wrong but that you forgive them and ask them to consider that what they said was hurtful to you and your child. If it is a stranger, then say a prayer for them, then forgive and forget. God will bless you greatly if you can forgive others for their unkind words. CatholicView has a published article on forgiveness. Here is a link: SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN . May the Lord bless and guide you through this. - CatholicView Staff
"How do we accept that our adult children are not living up to their Catholic Faith?" - Deb CatholicView Staff: How do we accept that our adult children are not living up to their Catholic Faith? I see my grown daughter missing mass then taking communion with no confession. I read that they as adults must make their own decisions in faith and life. It's so hard not being in control of their decisions making. - Deb Dear Deb: Most parents feel responsible for the behavior of their grown children because they feel that their grown child's behavior reflects on how they were raised. And parents even feel they are to blame when their children stray. Parents who are faithful tend to forget that they have laid a firm religious foundation which will always remain, even as the children appear at times to move away from your teachings. Always remember that you have given them a background for all they will need as Catholic Christians. You can no longer control their actions but you must pray for your children. Let God work within them to do the right thing. With you as an example they will realize what they are doing is wrong. Being a parent means setting your adult child free, weaning them to independence and this includes physical, psychological and most of all spirituality. And parents must do the same for themselves. Put your children into God's hands through prayer. Let go. Move forward in your own life, knowing that you gave everything you could to mold them to love the God and Church. Hope this helps. - CatholicView staff
CatholicView Staff: I am the child of my father's second marriage. My father was not Catholic in the first marriage, nor was his spouse. I believe he got a civil divorce, not an annulment. Then when I was 10 years old, I was baptized along with my parents (they were received into the Catholic Church). Am I an illegitimate child, since there was never an annulment from the first marriage and are my parents' baptism valid? - Donald Donald: If a Catholic parent is divorced but without a valid annulment from the Church, children from the second marriage are positively NOT considered illegitimate. And your baptism is valid as well. The validity of your parents' baptism will depend on whether the priest handling the family baptism determined that your father's marriage was indeed invalid and were taken care of before they were accepted and baptized into the Church. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: Does God ever send someone a trial to teach them a lesson or to atone for their sins or are trials always just a natural part of life? Is there a way to know if a trial is from God? I know God knows all and if He has allowed someone to undergo a particular trial should one really be praying to Him to release them from the trial or should one be praying to God to help them endure the trial? If one feels that one cannot endure their particular trial, is that a sign of the weakness or immaturity of their faith? Why are we encouraged to pray novenas for release from a trial? If in the past one has prayed a novena and it hasn't been answered as hoped how is it possible to have complete confidence when one tries praying another novena? If God wanted to release one from their trial why does one need to pray to Him or the saints to release them? Why does God release some people from their trials and not others? Regards, Margaret Margaret: Praying to God is important during the trials that beset all of us. Jesus has asked us to pray to our Father, asking through His Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to hear our prayers. And you must continue to do this. If God wants to release you from a trial, He will do so. But please remember that sometimes He sends us a trial to strengthen us but He never leaves us to suffer alone. He is there with you every step of the way. He stays through it all. We cannot see what God sees. We have to depend on His goodness and His grace. He promises never to leave us. One day when we get to heaven, all will be made clear. Until then, keep praying, asking for strength and courage to battle these trials. God loves you greatly, so much that He sent His Son to die for your salvation. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView: Are the sins of the father visited upon the son? Due to my sins, am I responsible for the ills that befall my children? - Tom Tom: Here is what the Bible says in Deuteronomy 24:16: "The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children for the fathers, but every one shall die for his own sin." And also in 2 Chronicles 25:4: "But he slew not their children, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, saying: 'The fathers shall not be slain for the children, nor the children for their fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.' " You see, the price has already been paid for all of us by Jesus Christ. Only the soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. What we all carry is the sin carried over from Adam and Eve. God intervened to save us because we could not save ourselves, and He does this because of His immense love for us who are His children. - CatholicView Staff
he/she has hurt?" - Melissa
CatholicView Staff: My question is about confession and atonement. If I understand correctly, one goes to confession, performs an act of penance and is absolved. What about the person who has been hurt directly by the sin; Specifically, why doesn't the sinner have to make amends with the person he/she has hurt? Melissa Dear Melissa: Good question! The sinner has to make amends. The bible specifically tells us we must make amends to those who have been hurt by one's actions. Read Matthew 5:21-26: Jesus said, “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." And so it is with us. Our forgiveness is not complete unless we rectify our actions with those whom we have hurt if it is possible. It does not matter if they refuse to accept it. They may not be ready to hear it but the fact you made an effort will have a lasting impression on them even if they do not say or show it! You will have made amends by offering it. God sees that you are doing what He commands all of us to do. - CatholicView Staff
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