My work study job keeps paying me for extra hours that I don''t work. For example, I sign my time sheet with 7 hours and they put a 1 in front so that it says 17. I talked to the people I work for and they said it was just so that I can get all the money that is already budgeted out for me. I feel bad because I''m not working these hours, but at the same time, my work sometimes consists of just folding some laundry or sitting there not doing anything. I already talked to them and they told me not to worry about it, but is this still technically stealing money?

father since i have turned 60 i am consumed to the point of waking up every morning worrying for some peace of mind. i just have a husband no relatives or friends. my qyestion is who will find me when i pass, who will take care of my finances, etc. father is there any prayer or saying when i wake up to help me through this difficult time. i am not at peace. thank you

I asked about Mary Magdalene

I want to know the true story about Mary Magdalene, was she really a prostitute or was she really a apostle. how long till you respond we are a large group of women and pondering this question with the help of wine. Please respond.

What is the Catholic viewpoint on "Focus on the Family"? I completely agree with church teaching on abortion, modesty, same sex marriage and tolerance of all people. How can I have a conversation with openly gay Christians (UCC) who distort the Gospel message to believing abortion and same sex marriage are acceptable, while still being tolerant/accepting of who they are?

I don''t believe that a couple should live together before marriage but what about living in the same apartment as a friend of the opposite sex? At first when I thought about this, as a college student, I did not think I would want to live with a friend of the opposite sex but then I couldn''t really think of why. We would have our own separate bedrooms. I thought it could be weird sharing a bathroom with someone of the opposite sex, but a lot of places have a one person bathroom that members of both sexes use. It is not as if there would be temptation or any issues because we are not and will not be involved romantically. What are your opinions? Thanks

What is the bibles teaching on respecting the government?

Why call on St. Jerome? My best friend is my wife, Rowena, a lovely Filipina. She often watches Filipino love story movies and I try to watch along. We watched a film called A Very Special Love. It’s really good film, the best part is the acting of John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo. John Lloyd is very convincing as an ever-too-busy exec and Sarah is a young lady who is infatuated with him. Her acting is really good, and they perform some very well written and acted scenes together. But then I wondered why Sarah’s last name, Geronimo, is shouted when people jump out of airplanes while parachuting. Well, I had been in the 82nd Airborne in the US Army and we didn’t. We were taught to shout “airborne” while jumping out. I looked it up on Wikipedia and found that the first Army paratrooper shouted “Geronimo” while jumping out of an airplane because, the night before, he had watched the movie called Geronimo (1939) in which the Apache shouted his name while jumping his horse into a river to escape pursuit. Well, there you go. But then I wondered why an Apache was named a Spanish name like Geronimo. Well, he wasn’t. His name was Goyathlay. The story is that Mexican soldiers had murdered his mother, wife and children while he and his tribesmen were out hunting. He was so possessed with vengeance that he would attack the soldiers relentlessly even though he’d been shot several times. While being stabbed to death by this supernatural warrior, the Mexican soldiers would call out to St. Jerome, which is in Spanish, Geronimo. The name transferred to the warrior. Well, there you go again. But then I wondered why the Mexican soldiers called on St. Jerome. Was he the patron saint of “get this mad man to stop stabbing me?” I looked it up and St. Jerome is the saint of translations and libraries, but nothing about “heal my wounds” or “bring me back from the dead” or “save me from the consequences of the terrible things I’ve done.” He was a doctor (I think), but not of medicine (I think). That’s where I’m stuck for now. Could you answer this, please? Thanks Sam

What is the catholic church''s view on homosexuality? I told my parents I am gay and they keep bringing up the church. I was always taught in Catholic school to take the Bible figuratively not literally.

If God has a plan for us all, do we have free will? God already knows what we think and what is going to happen to us, so even if we chose against what we thought was God''s will, isn''t that kind of part of His plan anyways?

One of my friends questioned me the other day about the Eucharist. He believes it is a symbolic representation of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and I told him how as Catholics we believe that just as Jesus said "This is my body.." it is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. I know that this is hard to explain to someone because you have to truly believe it, but do you have any suggestions as to explain this to him?

A friend told me that God cannot be held accountable for the bad things that happen to people. My question is why? If we are to praise God for the good should he not at least receive some blame for the bad. I see at least half the homes in my neighborhood are in foreclosure, or have already been foreclosed and the families evicted. These were not bad people, they just lost their jobs, or had their hours cut enough that they could no longer afford the mortgage payments. Now investors are buying the properties and profiteering off the suffering of others. When I see good, faithful Christians being forced into homelessness I question the very faith that I have been brought up in and believed for so long. Why is God allowing this to happen?

Father, I had an LDS ( Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) friend ask me if we believed that we lived with christ in heaven as spirits before coming to earth. I told her that we did not. We are a creation of God and when we die our spirit goes to heaven or purgatory if we are not ready to meet God. What other information could I tell her? Thanks

As a Eucharistic Minister, if someone comes to you to receive Holy Communion and you know they are either in a state of mortal sin or are not Catholic or some other reason that they should not receive Communion, are you still supposed to give the Body to them? I remember being trained and I was told that it is not up to us to deny someone the right, but I felt awkward giving the Body of Christ to someone who I know is not Catholic and doesn''t view the Eucharist as the Body and rather as a symbol. Was I wrong to give it to them? I didn''t know if I was supposed to refuse. What are the rules on this? Thanks!

I know downloading music online without paying for it is illegal, but I''m finding it hard to draw the line. If you purchase a song from itunes you can share it on a total of 5 computers. So does that mean if a friend bought a CD I can upload it onto my computer? Because technically that makes sense, but it also doesn''t because I do not know if they''ll end up sharing it with a lot of other people. A lot of my friends share songs and I don''t want to continue if it''s stealing. Thanks for the help.

How do I speard the word of God without getting picked on in school because it seems that just about every time a try I get picked on and teased. I even have some friends who think church id boring and one dosen''t believe in God. I tried to convince him but he just refused to believe I am very worried that he will go to Hell since he is a very nice person and the only thing that will send him there is the fact that he does''t believe in God. I also thought I should pray for him but in the bible it says if I were to see my brother commit a non deadly sin then I can pray for him and he will be forgiven but I think that I remember it saying that you cant pray for him for a mortal sin despite the fact that mortal sin is not mentioned in the bibe, so it meant deadly sin. I am very worried about him so could you please give me some advice and give him a short prayer. I also dont think this will effect the fact that he is doing wrong while nice much , but he is a protestant, and chose not to believe in Him because his grampa who was a war veteran doesnt believe in god. If God wants my friend to believe in Him, then he would not have let my friends grampa go to war, so he could believe. Also, why would He do that? Since He knows everything, its like him knowing my friend will go to hell and then purposely putting him on this earth just so he could go to hell. I am sorry if it is blasphemy because I had no intention of offending God. I just am curious and I am sure that there is a good reason for this and all of the other people who are going and went to hell. I am sorry this is so long, I honestly thought it would take up one sentence! Anyway, thank you for takin =g time to read my problem. Godbless

Hello I am a boy who has a question that may seem silly but is totally serious. I used to look at pictures on the internet that turned me on sexually but were NOT porn. In all seriousness i know no to lie to a priest, so forgive me for sounding foolish. I was recently flipping through my religous ed book and learned that porn was a mortal sin. Now since these pictures turned me on, i stopped looking and thinking abou them immeditaley, but i still wish to think and look at them. Pleeeeeease help!

Father Chris, I noticed that not every church replaces the holy water fonts with sand during lent like Immaculate does. Why is it ok that we don''t bless ourselves with holy water during lent but yet other churches continue this ritual throughout lent? Why is it not consistent, shouldn''t all churches either have the holy water or not? Thanks!

Can God make me sick to send a message?

"We do well always and everywhere to give you thanks..." I don''t know about you, but I certainly don''t do well always. Who are you referring to when you say "we?" thanks

Why do we go to confession when God wants us to pray to him? Why does the chatasism (sorry if I spelt it wrong) say the only way to receive forgiveness is by going to the priest in confession? I''m not trying to offend you in any way and I''m terribly sorry if I did!

If one is a Catholic, is it mandatory for him/her to be pro-life, because of the fifth commandment? What if one is a Catholic and pro-choice? Does that mean that he/she cannot be a Catholic any longer?

What do christians believe will happen to Jewish people. I have absolutely nothing against Jewish people, and I still love them, like I love everyone, but aren''t they rejecting christ''s salvation? It''s actually kind of weird that I''m asking this, because I''m watching a movie called Defiance, a WWII movie where the Jewish people are being heroes. Again, who am I to judge Jewish peopl, I know that the judging is up to God, but I read in the bible, and everywhere online, that the only way to enter the kingdom of God, is simply by beleiving, putting your faith upon Jesus, and repenting of sins. I''m sure that the ones who are faithful to the Jewish faith make God proud because they are close to their religion, but they are rejecting christ''s salvation, which is the unpardonable sin. I read somewhere in the bible that the Jewish people will certainly enter the kingdom of heaven, but how, when they reject christ? If it were up to me, the Jewish people would enter the kingdom of God, but I am not Godlike, I am a sinner like everybody else. So if you are close to your religion, will God let you into the kingdom, or is christ really the only way? I have no worries, since I put my faith in Jesus christ ( not to say that I know I am going to heaven. no one will ever know until they die). If so, my mom jewish who is not close to her religion at all. She never talks about her faith. I feel bad, knowing that she might go to hell because she is not strong in faith. I am terribly sorry for the long message, and thank you or taking your time to read it, since a priest is a busy man In faith, bryan

I''m reading CARITAS IN VERITATE and had a small question about the first paragraph in the intro: "Each person finds his good by adherence to God''s plan for him, in order to realize it fully: in this plan, he finds his truth, and through adherence to this truth he becomes free (cf. Jn 8:22)." Should the citation be Jn 8:32? Small question I know - but just wondering

what can i do while i am on earth?

Recently I was at home sick and my mom and i were picking a movie. My mom recomennded Religoulus by Bill Maher and i almost said yes. But after watching the preview i had second thoughts. I am worried that listening to him will make me not belieeve in god, even though he didnt make any good points in the preview. Do you think that a movie like that would end my belief in God, even though it is very strong?

When do you think the rapture will occur, if it ever does?

When a person is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, how often should they be going to the sacrament of reconcilliation?

Can you give a situation in which all three conditions of the mortal sin are preasant

What does consent of the will mean. I used to sin and think taht it meant you must intentionally disobey GOD, but what if i sin and have no offense towards god and still love him?

Hello. I had this addiction that is simillar to a mortal sin and may possibly be a mortal sin, and even thinking about it may be a mortal sin. This used to be such a bad addiction that stopping so abruptly once i heard that it was a mortal sin is driving me nuts. i reely love god and im afraid that this is ruining his love for me. Please help

How is a church or parish founded?

If you send nude pictures of yourself to someone does that count as adultery?

Can i masturbate without touching myself, or is it still a sin? Since i know how.

What would be considered masturbation

If i look at nonponographic pictures of just plain old good looking women, am i a sex addict? pleez answer

Can I pray to God to be forgiven to a mortal sin?

What is the church''s teaching on cohabitation by engaged couples before marriage?

so my husband asked me this question, and I don''t know the answer. so I am turning to you.... how is it that the bible came about?

Fr Chris, What does Canon Law saw about who is able to be a Eucharistic Minister? I saw someone giving out communion the other day who has admitted not going to Mass in months. Is that between them and God? I don''t feel comfortable receiving communion from someone who hasn''t received in months.

Dear Father Chris, I heard that it is actually wrong to hold hands while praying the Our Father during Mass because it is supposed to be a prayer between you and God and not necessarily a community prayer. They said that their Bishops told them that. If this is true, when did this come about and why do we still hold hands during the prayer?

How come a Mass celebrated on a Saturday after 4 pm is considered celebrating that Sunday''s Mass (the following day..) but a Mass celebrated after 4 pm on Sunday (like LifeTeen Mass) is still considered Mass for that same Sunday?

I know that Mary was not only a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus but that the Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin throughout her marriage with Joseph. Why is it that she remained a virgin even after marrying Joseph? After having attended many talks about sexuality and chastity, I was under the impression that when you get married in the Church, you are supposed to be willing to have kids. I think it was mentioned during a talk how great a gift sex is, in the correct context(marriage). So if it is such a precious gift, why is it that Mary and Joseph never would share in it after they were married?

what should i do if a person in school keeps picking on me and being rude

My high school religion teacher said that there is more fiction in the bible than there is truth because the stories were written as second hand accounts and names may have also been changed. How much truth is in the bible? Is it true that we should only consider the morals the bible teaches and not trust the stories?

Who usually administrates baptism? Can anyone else?

It''s my understanding that if you do not confess a mortal sin through the sacrament of reconciliation, that you will go to hell. What if you are truly sorry, can''t you just ask Jesus forgiveness at home? In 1 John, it states, "If we confess of our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness", does this count for confessing mortal sins without using the sacrament? Thanks!

I am struck with a huge antagonizing question only to be answered by someone who has a major grasp on the Holy Bible. God is responsible for all good things like good health, good families good food on our tables etc etc....and we do praise him for this. Why do we as Catholics say that bad things like deformed babies, natural disasters, starvation and all human suffering are not from God? Does this mean He blesses some of us and not others? please be very specific.....thank you very much...May Jesus be with you.

Why is Fr. Chris no longer answering questions here?

if Sunday is the Lords day...why would Catholic hgih schools and colleges hold graduations on a Sunday?

why do people squeeze hands after the prayer after the Our Father?

The other night I heard a priest say how God chose us and how He chooses each one of us. The priest was talking about how people do not become pregnant everytime they have sex and how God truly chooses it for each of us. I have always believed that we are made in His own image and that He knew us before we even entered the womb. However, if God chooses us before we even enter the womb and chooses the right times to actually make the woman pregnant and if God knows our fate, why does He make people pregnant if He knows that they will abort the baby?

why doesn't the Catholic church recognize marriages between Catholics and Christians of other denominations...like Baptists?

If you committed a sin that would have been mortal if it fit the three conditions of being a mortal sin, but you didn't meet one or more of the requirements, but later you realized it was actually mortal, but not at the time, would you have to confess that sin or if you already went to confession after you committed the sin, is it already forgiven?

I understand why it would be a sin to believe/trust in astrology and signs. However, is it sinful to think or say "yeah, I am definitely a leo, gemini, etc."? I mean I understand that I could actually say that I "fit" the personality of almost any sign, but what about innocent agreement with a zodiac sign?

Why is it that Immaculate doesn't have holy water out (there is sand in its place) during lent, but other churches have holy water out all the time for when you enter and exit the church? Does the Garden of Eden actually exist, and if so where is it?

What is the church's reason for observing the Passion reading both on Palm Sunday and Good Friday?

I just started going back to church he past 9 months or so. I'm currently attending confirmation classes. I haven't dated in two years and will be going back to the "dating scene" soon. I had pre-martial sex a few times. What advice would you giving me as far as

Fr Chris,\\What if youre in a foreign country on a sunday and cant make mass? Also, if its lent and you have no other choice but to eat meat on friday? danke

Along the same lines as the last question, about not knowing enough about our faith, yesterday a friend said her father caused her to question things about the Catholic Church (after he watched the Davinici Code), such as why woman can not be priests...I told her that that's how God wanted it...the same way men can not experience giving birth...I didn't know what else to say...please help.

fr chris, why don't we have LifeTeen on the superbowl? every other LifeTeen church i know has it earlier then has a superbowl party. can we do that next year?

Along the same lines as the last question, about not knowing enough about our faith, yesterday a friend said her father caused her to question things about the Catholic Church (after he watched the Davinici Code), such as why woman can not be priests...I told her that that's how God wanted it...the same way men can not experience giving birth...I didn't know what else to say...please help.

fr chris, i know some anti catholic people who always question why we do things we do because it doesn't come straight from the Bible. like, why do priests bless holy water, is that in the Bible? i don't know how to stick up for what we believe because i feel like i don't know enough

Why is the Eucharist circular? I was contemplating this the other day, and I came up with a few possible reasons. But then I realized it isn't always circular, because when the priest breaks the bread at Mass, some of the host is triangluar or rectangular, but it stems from a circle. I guess my overall question is, why is it a circle and does it always have to be circular (or atleast come from a circle)?

whenever theres an election priests always talk about how as catholic we need to vote responsibly. does it ever frusturate you to see so many bumpber stickers on cars at church that are supporting candidates that disagree openly with catholic teaching?

i was at church on sunday and the priest said that because of vatican 2 the church teaches that anyone, regardless of their religion can get into heaven. didn't Jesus say that "I am the way the truth the life, and no one comes to the father but through me"... i can see that means He opened the doors for everyone, but why wouldn't he mean that you have to accept him to gain salvation?

Is it a sin to fake your own death, if your doing it to achieve greatness and change the world?

Why would a priest turn a teenager away from making their confirmation just because he thought the teen was being forced by their parents. Aren't teenagers a little too young to make such important decisions? Aren't priests there to counsel and not dismiss a child just because they don't seem to show enought interest? I would not have been away from God for so long if it weren't for the cold and dismissing attitude of a priest from Immaculate Conception Church in 1973. I am thankful that I found people to show me the way to the Lord with love and compassion. Maybe times have changed but I honestly think that people who represent the Lord should be more Christlike. I realize this is not a question but I felt the need to say this in the hopes that any priest that reads this will stop and think before dismissing someone, and do what they were called to do. The Lords work.

what is the difference between alleluia and hallelujah?

Fr. Chris, LiftedHigher.com is awesome! Are there any plans to spread the joy, share the wealth to areas on the other side(s) of Boston? Milton is a great location if you live in the city. Are you planning to have alternate locations and draw people in from the North Shore and/or MetroWest? Thanks.

Fr Chris Lately the news out of the Vatican has been somewhat confusing and a bit upsetting? Why is the Pope turning back in time to support a Latin Trinedine Mass? It seems to me like we need to find a format for Mass that relates to the people of today, not the people of pre-Vatican II. then, the recent document about how to deal with ecuminism? the language of the document has upset other people from other faiths? Where is the Pope speaking from on these two items? Is he speaking infalliably (from the chair of Peter) or are these his personal opinions?

I read the bible frequently about issues in my life but I yet to be at peace with the outcome. I always find myself wanting to behappy because I suffer from depression but happiness in america is wealth. The bible states that the man who puts his riches on earth could be rob, moth or in other words things can go wrong, or worst you die. I wanted to know if life it's self is centered around wealth, flesh, family, etc. how are we going live without being foolish and wanted material things but these things are what makes life worth living?

my friend is protestant and we got into an argument the otherday about why catholics let women do certain things in church. I think I understand why women are not allowed to be priests, but why are women allowed to lector, be ccd directors etc if it say sin the Bible "I shall not permit a woman to lead over a man" and "women should be silent in the church" (1 Corinthians)? he said at his church a woman can lead over other women but never over a man because of this verse...please help me understand.

Fr. Chris, I have a question for you. Is it ok for a 16 year-old girl to go out with a 21 year-old guy? a) no, b yes, or c) it depends. She's emotionally wrapped up. I'm nervous about the whole prospect of her dating someone older like that.

Farher Chris, I am the woman who wrote to you about what I am allowed to partcipate in, within the church. I was not married in the church. I am not married in the church because my husband is Morman. Never in this life time will he ever become catholic and I will never become Morman. My husband has grown up watching everyone be converted and I believe that he thought that I would eventually convert as well. I have been insulted by his grandfather, mother, and so called bishop Hopkin, and others. His grandfather who had never met me told me that I could bring any priest to his home and he could show them different. Of course my husband did not come to my rescue I just stood there and took it. I have two woman within his chruch that try to visit me once a month. I do not return thier phone calls but they persist. They are very sweet young ladies and I turn the other cheek and allow them into my home. They call this home teaching and I believe that they keep record of this. I have to say after being married for thirteen years I am Mormand out! I have researched this religion and find it to be very odd. I do not understand how they could possibly beleive in Joseph Smith. My father tried to have a priest present at my wedding but he would not attend unless we took the discussions and my husband was not about to do that. I was in love and this did not matter to me at the time. My relationship with my husband is fine. We have our disagreements like any other couple but we argue about religion. I believe we have a normal marrige with its ups and downs. I do not know if god has called me to be his wife. I will pray about this. My husband did tell me at church that he was sorry that I could not go up and receive. He has come along way since we were married. He was so bad that he would not let me wear a cross. I finally put my foot down. I would not allow his family to change who I was. Thank you for hearing me and giving me advice. It is much appreciated.

I know the holy day of obligation of the immaculate conception is actually mary's conception and not her conception of Jesus, but why is that? and what exactly is the difference between Easter and the Accension of the Lord?

Father, I was not married in the church but grew up in it. I have returned to church and take my children. They are getting older and have many questions. I try to answer them all to the best of my knowledge. My husband is not catholic and only attends mass with me on mothers day. He is of another religion. Our children are exposed to both religions hence the questions. Since I do not hold the sacramnet of marriage what am I allowed to do within the church. My mother tells me that I am not allowed to reciive because I was not married in the church. I have not recived for many years and feel so much sadness when I watch everyone go up. I feel like the ex-catholic sitting on the side lines. I will be honest and say that our father intimidates me. I have not spoken to him about my question. I think I feel intimidated because everything he says is true. He is not aftaid to tell you how it is and if you do not like it to bad. For many years I have thought of ending my marriage so that I can become the catholic I would like to be. I know that this would bring me happiness. I look at my friends who are divorced and I do not want my children to bounce from home to home. My catholic friend tells me that my husband is a good man. He is a good person but our marriage is missing unity through faith. I sit in church and look at all the married couples and I envy them. I want what they have. Is this a selfish thought? I want to be more involved in my church but allow fear to stear me. Thank you for hearing me. I read your responses about gay"marriages" and I thought you did an excellent job.

Father I am confused. What is the difference between a deacon, a bishop, a priest and a cardinal? Is a monk a person who chooses to live a life of solitude and prayer.

I was born to a Jewish teen and adopted by a Jewish couple at 3 days old. My adoptive father physically abused me throughout my childhood and into my teens. At 19 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was hospitalized more times than I can count. I am now 47. At 29 I found bliss for the first time when I married a wonderful man and have a very successful marriage. I gave birth to two beautiful children. My son who is 17 now, was 2 when he was diagnosed with autism, my daughter who is now 15 suffers from mild mental retardation due to malpractice at birth. I feel I have lost my faith and I feel empty, unfulfilled, and angry at G-d for doing these things to me. Why am I being punished. Is it because I was illigitimate? I attended a Catholic mass with my best friend who is Catholic. I found it enlightening. Is it wrong for jewish person to pray in a Catholic church? I found comfort there. I've haven't been to a Jewish service since my wedding in 1989. My anger, hurt, and resentment are very strong. How can I work through this and get my faith back. I need something to believe in. I need prayer.

What exactly is an indulgence? I've heard people say that if you go to the sacrament of reconciliation on a certain day and receive the eucharist it is an indulgence and all your sins are forgiven..but aren't they forgiven just by going to confession? I've also heard people say you can receive salvation by this but what about all the sins you commit after you receive the indulgence?

I understand that priests don't get married because they are giving themselves completely to God. However, some friends of mine were arguing with me that they think it's impossible for a man to remain abstinent his entire life and that they should be allowed to marry. We also talked about having children and I told them how I know a priest who has a son and grandchildren because he adopted. He said he didn't think this is right because they should have a mother. I think it's better that he adopted than to have the kid not be adopted at all. Do you have any advice on how to respond to their beliefs on priests being able to marry?

How is a pope elected?

Dear Moderators... I could not send this via LifeTeen, so am hoping it's forwarded to the appropriate priest who answers kid's questions. I'm a 41 year old graduate of Franciscan University ('89). I've also been to Medjugorje, and read many books on the subject. In one book, I know I read that Mary said pets have a special place in Heaven. In trying to find where I read this, I've been searching the net. In doing so, I came across this site(LifeTeen), and someone's question about whether or not pets will be in Heaven. The answer is what disturbed me. I don't mind it when priests tell kids animals don't have souls. That's certain. But when they presume to know what God will or will not allow in Heaven, I get disgusted. I think it's ill advised for anyone to tell a kid that his pet won't be in Heaven. I've read accounts of Fatima and Medjugorje which suggest that Mary wears certain robes at certain apparitions. Why would a loving God allow robes to be in Heaven, but not creatures He created and people loved as pets? The answer?...no one knows, exactly, what will be in Heaven. Therefore, no one should presume to. Follow my drift? Thanks. Mark O'Neill

This is not really a question, but I just want to say that your answer to both of the questions regarding homosexuality, was great. As a person with many homosexual friends, I found no fault or offense in your answer. I thought it was well worded and thoughtful. The second answer you gave was even better. You showed compassion and love, and it was a great example for the teens at Lifeteen to follow. Thank you again.

Dear Priest, Ever since the 3rd grade, I am infatuated with various men. Whether young or old, I keep going back and forth. This has led me down a very destructive path of porn, but I, with God's help, got out of it. However, new challenges arise. I want to be rid of my dependence on men; however, going to an all-girls school and barely seeing any guys makes it tough for me. I want to love and serve God in my single life until, if the vocation is right, matrimony comes knocking at my door. I want to lift everything to God, and I mean everything. My family, friends, troubles, fears, goals, school, life, etc. The problem is, I just don't know how. Throughout my life, I have been trying to find the way, but it seems I keep slipping away. Another question I have is that how do I get rid of the duplicity in my life and regain innocence? Innocence in the sense of conscience and mind; past and present images and words from friends/various people scar me, and hurt me, because I know they are shameful to God. Again, I want to serve God, but I need to regain innocence and remove the hyprocisy in my life. How do I do this, though? One part of my life says "Go to God," the other, which are outside influences (e.g. friends, peers, girls in school) tell me, "Go embrace guys, go to dances, and the like." In my heart, though, many of these things aren't holy to God, yet, as I said before, I want to be able to respect men and their gifts, not lust after them every second of the day, every second of my life. Also, I want to show an example of purity to my peers; however, each day I fail because I either get involve in impure speech, impure thought, or acts that are sinful against God. Then, though, I come back with sayings of believing in God and following him faithfully, but deep down, my heart knows that I'm just fooling myself and others. I don't want to be a hypocrite. I want to be someone people can come to and know that is pure and truly faithful; not half and half. Finally, how do you remove self-centeredness, envy, past hurt, and jealousy from your heart? These sins are constant with me; these put me to see others as worse sinners than I, but I cannot judge; I am no better than them, for I am a sinner as well. Frankly, I want to follow God wholly in heart, mind, and soul. I'm just stumbling because of sins, outside influences, and the constant pressure of school. I am asking, please, for a simple way to help me out of this situation, so I may find some peace. I know peace cannot be found immediately or smoothly, but I need, please, something to kick me off onto the right path, steadily avoiding sin and listening to God more and more each day. Thank you for reading my very long question/statement (sorry that it's long), and God Bless.

(Note from Fr. Chris: The following is a fairly personal question which is more of a response to a recent question on same-sex "marriage."  However, it brings up certain issues which I felt important to respond in order to give us an idea of the complexity of this issue and the larger issue of homsexual orientation in Church Teaching)

Fr. Chris, You answered my question about gay marriage/what the church believes. I have to say I was VERY disppointed and appalled by your reponse. But above all I was deeply HURT. I am a lesbian and have been with my girlfriend for 2 years now. She is the love of my life. I could not imagine my life without her and I would love to be able to get a marriage liscence. It's not just throwing a wedding. It's recieving the rights that we deserve to get as a married couple. As to what you said about letting people marry their pets... that is the most unbelievable, naive, idiotic, ignorant response I've ever heard. Are you comparing homosexuals to animals??? second class citizens??? Your defense that marriage is specifically for a man and a woman to procreate and that's all that sex should be for... then does that mean married couples who are incapable of procreating. Or married couples who do not want to have children and are on birth control, should they not be allowed to have sex??? Also, The fact that you even thought let alone WRITE that homosexuals have the choice to marry someone of the opposite sex is ridiculous... did you miss the part that these people are GAY??? Gay meaning... the are not only attracted to the opposite sex on a physical level but also on an intimate level. If you are not sexual attracted to someone... why would you have sex with them. the most intimate way to express your love of someone would be sex. I simply do not want anything to do with men in an intimate level. But hey, if i can marry one and live miserably ever after. well, what the hell am i complaining about. Yay for me! i honestly think that you just DO NOT get it. You don't understand the troubles that homosexuals go through on a daily basis. I cannot describe how difficult it is. Yet, I did not Choose this. The only choice i have is to not deny it anymore. To not deny myself from being with someone I truly love. I used to be very devoted to the catholic church. I was part of lifeteen since the beginning. But after awhile I just started disagreeing with a lot of things they were saying. especially about this issue. When I came out... i left for good... I have been debating whether or not I should go back. I've been thinking about it a lot. I came to this site... asked a question out of curiousity... and yes there was some anger behind my question. But i was going to be as openminded as I can reading your answer but after about the third paragraph is made me livid... sick to my stomach really. And now I know for sure I want nothing to do with an establishment that is so against my happiness... (that's really what it boils down to). Thanks for answering so candidly... yet I'm sure there are plenty of other gay/lesbian teens who go to church who might have read your response and i think they getting the wrong information. Making it that much harder for them to be true to themselves. I hope someday the church can grow to be more accepting of EVERYONE. to become more openminded, and loving no matter who walks through their door.

I'm not sure, but I think that the priest who hears someone's confession is called the confessor. That seems contrary to what the suffix "or" stands for, like visit(or) is someone who visits and act(or) is someone who acts. So a confess(or) should be someone who confesses. What is your take on this?

Does the church believe in the constitution? And civil Rights? If so, Why are they so against allowing same-sex couples to marry? Didn't we seperate church and state a long time ago... and for good reasons??? The church can decide not to marry same sex couples in the catholic church... but outside it we should all have EQUAL RIGHTS! Isn't that what America is all about???

what do Catholics believe happens to like atheists, anagnostics, buddhists, hinduists, muslims, non-Catholic Christians, and everyone else when they die? Can they go to Heaven since they didn't believe in God and share our faith?

someone told me its bad to wear jeans when you are like lectering or doing something in the mass..is that like true?

we were talking about Christmas in spanish class and someone asked a question about advent and since my teacher is Jewish she asked if any of us could explain it, and so i was explaining the whole wreath thing and about advent when my friend who goes to a different catholic church said that they use blue candles not purple and another classmate commented to here saying they were a blue-ish purple but their priest denies theyre purple...is their a difference between using blue and purple candles

Since Christmas Eve is Sunday, you have to go to mass because it's sunday and that's the Holy day..but someone told me since Christmas is Monday and you need to go to mass since it's a Holy day of Obligation and that you have to go essentially twice, once sometime after 4pm on saturday(for sunday mass) and then once sometime after 4 pm on sunday(for Christmas mass) because going to mass once can't count for both...is this true?

Is it true that the Vatican is a country?

I'm not sure if all churches are like this but I know at Immaculate, you can receive both bread and wine (body and blood) at LIFE TEEN mass but at the children's mass and 645 am mass and sometimes the 8 mass (I'm not sure about the others) the wine isnt offered to parishoners...is there a reason for this?

what exactly is that holy day about the immaculate conception

In spanish class, we learned about holidays and people in Spain don't celebrate Christmas on December 25th and neither do some other countries...what's the official date with the Vatican for Christmas and why don't all countries celebrate Christmas on the same day?

I heard that the Medjugoreja apparitions aren't Vatican sanctified, and that the Vatican discourages people from pouring their money into such "deceit" in the name of Mary...is this true?

Do you know when the Annual Catholic Appeal ends? We're still hearing about it off and on, and I believe the appeal started in early spring. Is the archdiocese still not close to their target; one wonders how much money they still need. Thank you for your great answers.

Hey, i've been told that Oct is census month for the rcab, when church attendance is taken. Do you know how these stats are used?

Fr Chris so what is this heart of a saint that came to Boston last week? St John Vianney from France...why is this so important...and why would we want to pray before his heart? and why was it removed from his body?

Is it wrong to use chewing tobacco in place of cigarettes if you're bored?

My girlfriend and I are parting, going our own ways to college. She'll be far away, still friends, we've made the decision to part. It will be lonely in college; what advice can you give for coping?

I know that once you go to confession you need to do your penance or else you are not fully absolved from your sins, but I have a question. I went to confession and part of my penance was to think about something when I pray that night before I go to bed. Well it was at this thing where they had adoration to end the night, so during adoration when I was praying I was thinking about what the priest told me to. And I went to bed really late around 1 am, so when I prayed at night it wasn't as long as usual and I completely forgot to pray about what the priest told me to as my penance. If I prayed about it more the next day, does that not count? Do I need to go to confession again and re-confess my sins because I forgot to do the penance at the right time?

Hey, In the institution of marriage what forms of birth control are okay with the Catholic Church? I’ve heard people say "natural forms of contraception, but what does that even mean? Thanks!

so here's the question, how do you tell someone they need to understand that their need for attention is overwhelming? it gets to the point where i feel pressured to do this all the time and then when they aren't getting the attention the feel they deserve - it becomes a tirade of hurt feelings or anger. i am almost to the point of telling this person that we need time away from each other, but i don't want to hurt them. pl

Fr. Chris, I think you're very smart, and you give great answers. Do you know what your future holds; do you think your Order will call you back or will you be working in the RCAB area for a while longer? Thanks.

We know that some people have left the church (I suppose some have also joined the church). They either tell us outright they've left or we see it in attendance records. My question is what does the church say about that, regarding their decision; do we try to reconcile and help them to come back, or just realize that adults can make up their own minds and make their own decisions, and leave it at that?

Can a priest tell a parishoner that they are not putting enough money in the collection? A friend told me she knows of someone who left the church because her parish priest wrote her a letter saying she doesnt contribute what she should. If so, shouldn't that be between God and her, not the priest and her?

Some time ago, I went to confession, and said some personal stuff. The priest was very nice. I felt forgiven and uplifted spiritually. But then when I would talk to him after Mass, I felt awkward. Is it normal or common to feel awkward like that? I don’t know what to do. I feel like I want to give up confessions, so it would be resolved and not be an issue any more.

Fr. Chris, thank you for your answer about rectorates. You asked for some more context to my question, so, I'm referring to the Pilot article http://www.rcab.org/Pilot/2006/ps060609/StAnselmChurch.html The cardinal made St. Anselm Church in Sudbury "the only rectorate in the archdiocese". The article stays that "rectorates differ from parishes in that they have no territory". If you could shed some light I would greatly appeciate it. What makes the situation unique that its' the first?

When a priest is transferred to another parish, leaving the Church they were at with one priest, who decides whether or not the parish they left gets another priest??

Fr. Chris, what is a rectorate? To me, it sounds almost like it's a parish without a congregation because of pending reconfiguration, and has a priest living in the rectory so that the premises are occupied until a decision is made.

I’m not aware of church teaching regarding organ transplants that are becoming rather commonplace now. Is there church teaching, or guidelines, about being an organ donor or becoming a recipient?

If someone masturbated, and they confessed it(because they knew it was a sin), did they lose their virginity, not their actual virginity because they never had sex, but their virginity in the eyes of christians since they didnt remain pure

I’m not aware of church teaching regarding organ transplants that are becoming rather commonplace now. Is there church teaching, or guidelines, about being an organ donor or becoming a recipient?

Father, what is the distinction between a civil marriage, and a sacramental marriage in the Church? We have to abide by civil requirements (marriage license, witnesses, etc), a priest acting as justice of the peace, even in church. Thanks.

The new Cardinals given titles to churches and being responsible for them, begs this question. The Cardinals, I imagine, gain connections and better access to the Pope. Do some funds from the Cardinals’ metropolitan areas flow to Rome in support and maintenance of these “titular” churches?

I know if you go to confession and purposely don't confess a sin then you aren't absolved for that sin and need to go and confess it again. But my question is if you went to confession and confessed all your sins but one, and then went to confession later when you were ready and confessed the sin you didn't previously, do you have to re-confess the other sins that you actually were able to confess in the first confession? Sorry if that sounds confusing. Thank you.

the church seams to have an opinion on everything (like abortion, gay marriage, drinking too much and more) so i was jw, does it have an opinion on the type of music we listen to or movies/tv shows we watch like if it swears alot or makes fun of people in a mean way or sumthin?

Why do you think the pope appointed those bishops over the age of 80 to be cardinals? I thought that at that age they won't be voting for a new pope.

Why is it so easy to give dispensations to "fallen" priests?

Father, I have been married for over a year now, and I married an Episcopalian. We started fighting over Church and now that our Son has been born, we seem to fight more. My husband seems to think that the only way to solve this is to stop going to Church at all. He has begged me to stop going to mass, and for the moment I have. I am have been tempted to sneek off to mass but I don't. I don't know what is worse, giving up on the Church, or my marriage. If you have any advice I would appriciate it - Tess

Somehow I got the impression that religious brothers do not celebrate Mass, that they do chanting and other forms of prayer. Now I know that some become parish priests, and do celebrate Mass. Is there distinction in a religious order, that some are brothers and some are priests? A recent event also brings me to ask, is it rather unusual for a brother to become Cardinal, or even Pope?

Fr. Chris, I've been thinking. How does it feel to fast for a week, can you function well and can it easily be done? You mentioned that in a previous response. Not that I actually plan to embark on such a thing, but Lent is coming up so maybe I should do something.

I was talking to a holy woman, a devout Catholic. I say holy because she prays a lot. The subject of confessions came up; she mentioned that she went a week ago. I expressed surprise at what does she have to confess, and she replied that she fell asleep while praying. For me, I find comfort and peace during prayer, and sometimes I quite intentionally let prayer help me to fall asleep. So Fr. Chris, I thought we were supposed to confess serious sin, and about what she said, what kind of sin was that?

hey i have a question. will God forgive me if i havent gone to mass in a couple weeks?? its been bothering me for a while

I don't care if you publish this or not. I don't care about much these days. I was baptised, went through 12 years of Catholic school and later married in the Catholic church. My wife has since passed away. We had a special connection. I'm sure you heard that before but we really did. We were always learning from one another and I think I'm stlill learning something. Willma would have made her presence, in the aftterworld, known to me somehow. Since she didn't and the only reason she would not have is if there wasn't anyplace for her to contact me from. I've come to the conclusion that we make our own heaven and hell right here. I had my heaven wlith my wilfe and now I'm ini hell with my mother, waitilng to die. I feel like I know a secret that no one else knows. I'll never telll or try to change anyones way of thinking but can anyone convince me otherwise. I'd like to think that there was an afterlife and Wilma and I may get together again but unfortunaely I know better.

Have you seen this site yet? http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/

At this point in time i know it is okay for men and women to preside over eucharistic sevices when there is a lack of priests, and of course the eucarist is already consecrated by a Priest. But do you see this as a step closer to women priests or just a way to give all the holy communion... because i am against women priests and am afriad this is a way to ease into the idea.?

What's the opposite of love? Thank you, the responses you write are amazing.

When is the church going to stop punishing women for their sins? I'm referring to Jan 23 as the national penance day for the sins of abortion. There is violence from the acts of men too, you know. When do we have a day of mourning for the sins of domestic violence, capital punishment, war and rape? I can't believe we wear purple vestments for the sins of humanity during two whole church seasons, and that isn't enough penance for the church.

Whatever happened to honesty? If we want to have friends, we need to be careful what to say, be agreeable, and say the truth only behind someone's back (that eventually indirectly sometimes returns to us). Unfortunately, that's the way things are done. In workplaces, it's not ok to confront someone. We need to speak to a manager, which means people hearing information second hand and misunderstandings can happen, all for the sake of not rocking the boat and playing nice. We can't call an ace of spades by its true color. Whatever happened to honesty, or is it being replaced by political correctness, or something like that? I used to admire and practice honesty, but now need to rethink my values.

Are we going to lose the Feast of Holy Family this year going from 2005 to 2006, because Jan 1st is a Sunday this year (2006), and Feast of Mary Mother of God?

Is it wrong to talk as if you know you're going to heaven....like to be sure that's where you're going?

Are there 12 days of Christmas, like the popular song says?

Dear Father, I understand that the Immaculate Conception is Mary's conception without original sin, not Jesus'. So who were Mary's parents, especially her mom who carried her, special parents and we know little about? Thanks.

Fr Chris We are studying the Gospel of Luke this week....in the first chapter of Luke it refers to Theophilus? Who is that?

See this link yet?
www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
news/articles/1122fushek22.html

So, Father,why the second coming? Is it a literal interpretation that he's coming again at the end of time on the apocalypse, or just at end of our own individual time at death as referenced that we do not know the hour. Christ came the first time, died for our sins, for salvation (mission ccomplished),why come again.

This question is in regards to church and state in the military. I know that a priest is also a civilian and sometimes a priest is yanked out of church assignment to serve in the military. How is that done, do they volunteer after becoming priests, or do they put themselves on reserve and are called to active duty later when they are priests? What is their role, is there an age requirement same as for soldiers? What about carrying a weapon and their safety? Thank you.

Dear Father, you give such awesome answers, so let me ask you this. It has to do with sanctity of life vs. quality of life. I only hear references to sanctity of life and how euthanasia is wrong in the eyes of the church. What about quality of life? I hate to say this, but we would just let terminally ill people suffer. In this church there doesn’t seem to be much formal teaching about quality of life, yet collections are taken up for hurricane victims, Catholic Charities, etc. I seek help from the confusion (let us help people, suffering is good). Also, I recall that both Eucharist and Euthanasia come from the Greek root eu, meaning good, and we worship Eucharist but condemn Euthanasia, a good death.

I have two questions. Fr. Jim said it a few weeks ago and I have been told since I was little that you are not supposed to eat an hour before you receive the Eucharist in respect for our Lord. Yesterday I went to the 6:45 AM mass before school because it was a holy day of obligation and that was the only mass I could attend, but I ate breakfast when I woke up at 615...is it wrong that I ate breakfast because it was less than an hour before mass?? Also, I am thinking very ahead to lent, and I know many people that during lent they take up going to daily mass and I am thinking of going to the 645 mass everyday during lent. I always try to dress modestly, especially for going to church, and I hate wearing scrubs or a skirt above my knees when at church. If i was attend daily mass, is it wrong to be at mass dressed not really for mass? Sometimes we have "scrub" day or we have to wear our jerseys because I play 3 sports, so is it wrong if i wore like sweats to mass because I was going to school right after?

Sunday in the gospel, the priest said that "You shall call no man on earth your father, you have but one father in heaven". I think we know where this question is going FATHER Chris?... Why are priests called father is Jesus warns against it in the Bible?

DEAR FATHER, I WAS LISTENING TO A RADIO TALK SHOW SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I HEARD ONE OF THE CALLERS SAY " HEY, IF I WAS THE SON OF GOD AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TAKE A BEATING ON THE CROSS TO INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, I WOULD HAVE GLADLY BEEN BEATEN TOO." FATHER THIS SLANDER AGAINST OUR SAVIOR HURT ME SO MUCH, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT CHRIST DID NOT DIE LIKE HE DID FOR HIMSELF, HE DID IT FOR ALL MANKIND TO BE SAVED AND TO HAVE EVER LASTING LIFE. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THIS TO HELP ME TO DISMISS THAT MAN'S COMENT. IM BOTHERED BY IT BECAUSE HE THINKS HE'S RIGHT! THANK YOU FATHER.

Dear Father, I recently went to confession and for my penance, I was given 50 Hail Marys and 5 Our Fathers. The Our Fathers I can handle. But I'm tellin' ya, I'm startin' to lose count with the Hail Marys and have a question. How long do I have to get through all those Hail Marys? I mean, is there a time limit?

Last week during the prayers of the faithful, we prayed for the Bishops who are meeting at a Synod? What is that?

I’m not gay, but I am gay friendly. I’m Catholic but I’m not opposed to gay marriage. They can adopt and start families and who am I to judge the love. Jesus said “do not be afraid”, and the sky hasn’t fallen in Massachusetts yet. I feel like a moderate in a rather orthodox church. Is there room for me in the church?

why is masturbating a sin?

The defense of marriage legislation brings to mind a question. I don't understand why the church is so focused on sex; marriage is about love and commitment more than anything else. Would you marry an elderly couple in love, or do people have to be of reproductive age? I do remember a part of the ceremony about bringing up children, and in actuality I have never been to a marriage of older people.

How is it like to be a confessor? Do you have times where you don't know what to say?

What does it mean when a saint is called the doctor of the church? I am sure it doesn't mean medical doctor, but does it mean PhD?

Dear Father, i was just wondering who is in charge of the pictures because i always see people taking pictures at lifeteen events but i never really see the pictures on the site. i was just hoping to see some pictures of great memories and the ones like the confirmation retreat and see what it is like. God Bless

What does it mean when a saint is called a "doctor" of the Church? I don't think it means medical doctor but is it more like a PhD?

I have a friend who lately I haven't been that close with. I was very close with her a few years ago but then we weren't in the same classes so we didn't talk as much. She's in a couple of my classes this year and I've been talking to her. A lot of people always talk about her behind her back and are very rude about it, but then around her they act like everythings fine. I never know what to do because I tell them to stop but they just keep doing it. It also seems to me like there are problems in her home. Her parents never seem to be able to give her rides even when they are at home. She is a very skinny girl and doesnt eat a lot, she isn't anorexic or anything though, but I think people in her family have. I just don't know what to say because her family life is none of my business and I never know if I should tell her what they say because it can be rude and none of their business, or just leave it as it is.

Hi Father, My friend often refers to 'toast' as being manna from heaven. Although I know he speaks this in jest, is there any mention of toast in the bible? Many thanks, Brian.

what is the difference between a baptism and a christening?

I have a bit of a dilemma. Everyday i wake up i try to start fresh. Its not easy with all thats going on in my life. Life is no more as i knew it. Family...friends...personal issues.... Its all changing. I find myself not wanting to be around anymore. I cant stand the person my situation is making me and i dont know what to do about it. I pray, i listen to God, i am open to his answers, ive seeked "professional" help but its not really helping how i feel deep down inside. Does this make sense? Im sorry for everything ive done wrong but please all im looking for is mercy and i cant see to find it anywhere. I know its a sin to want to die or to inflict harm upon yourself and im not doing that but like i said i always find myself not wanting to be here sort of like everytime i get in the car i pray that something happens to me but its not working. I dont want to endanger those around me but i want them to understand what i am feeling. Ive opened myself up to them but it hasnt helped. Please just tell me what to do im out of solutions.

You said you are World Youth Day. What are your impressions of it? Can you give us any highlights of your visit to Cologne during the World Youth Day Events?

Dear Father, Hi I am the mother of four who is married to a Morman man. My marraige is still rocky but I have taken your advice and made some plans with my husband concerning the children. Lately my husbands father has been nagging at him about attending the Temple. I told him that if he really wanted to go then go. His reply to me was that he does not care to go to a place where families are sealed together forever knowing that his is not. He said that he is not worthy to go because he does not pay his tithing which is 10% of his income. I told him that not being worthy is silly and that everyone is welcome at Gods table as long as you strive to live by Gods plan. He said that when I go to church I make sure that I contribute to the offering. Yes I do but I give what I can. He said that it is in the Bible that you should pay 10% of your flock. Where in the Bible is this verse and what do you think of it? Niether one of us wants to break up the family unit and feel compeled to make it work. My eldest child is 11 and my youngest is four and I want whats best for them. My four year old little girl has many questions about Jesues. She was laying in bed with me looking at my crucifix and wanted to know why Jesus's head was bent down and tried to pick it up. I thought it was cute. I tried to explain his death to her as a good thing but I don't think she understood. Thank you for hearing me. Love Sally

Heres a good one... Fr. Chris has anyone ever told you how awesome you are for answering all of these questions? Well you are... Thanks So Much :-D

Why is it that we sometimes feel BAD when we do the RIGHT thing? We enforce some rule, or dont' let people do something for their own good, and we feel like they hate us. It's confusing because we associate feeling good when doing right, not having people hating us.

what is the liturgy of the hours?

Let me ask you this, is it ok for a 14-year-old girl to go out with a 17-year-old boy, regardless of WHERE they are going? He can already drive, and he has his own car. Do you think it's a good idea?

Fr Chris I read in the Pilot that there will be a Mass will be said in Latin at World Youth Day. ~ If we are suppose to say the Mass in the vernacular of the people, why is the Mass being said at World Youth Day in Latin, a language that is no longer in use by the people?

Father, Why do the faithful kiss the rings of Popes and Cardinals? What does this mean and where did it start? Thank you for your reply.

Fr. Chris, Why is it that one finds those live in dissent at mass most? I am having a hard time dealing with the division in the congragation at LIFETEEN. There are those that amplify the life of Christ and others that pretend too. Please help me understand it a little better as I am disillusioned, and finding myself more and more uncertain. Thanks.

Fr Chris, you said that you were ordained in 2000. Did you have an occupation prior to that time or were you always in academia? If a young man is interested in becoming a priest, do you think it's important for him to go to the seminary right after college, or is first "seeing the world" a good idea?

Dear father, I have a friend who does not drink. I am of age and recently took her to my brothers wedding. I had one shot with my brother and did not consume anything else the intire night. My friend asked me how could I drink on the weekend and then go face my priest at church. Drinking is bad for me she said. I told her that there has been scientific studuies done that show that wine is good for the heart. Everything is bad for you and if done in moderation is o.k. I would never take drugs but like people can over eat and become gluttons. What does our church teach about drinking? Val

Dear Father, I have this friend, who is having some problems. He was going out with this person who was supposedly the "love of their life". Well anyways, this friend got dumped by the "love of their life" and now my friend is doing things to hurt themself. I haven't known this person that long but I would of never thought of this comming. They say that it was just to reveal the stress of thinking about "the love of their live" but I don't know. I don't know where it's leading. Hopefully it's not suasidal. I don't know what to do. Can you give me some advise about this delima?

I was wondering if you knew what the new popes views are on homosexuality and the catholic church. If he is open minded about the issue... do you think this could possibly change the churches attitudes towards gays & lesbians?

What are the views of the church, Catholics about the Heinz dilemma? A man named Heinz has a wife who is very sick and dying. A local pharmacist has developed a drug that can save her, but he is asking for more money for the drug than Heinz can afford. Heinz does everything he can to persuade the pharmacist to sell him the drug, but the pharmacist, knowing the drug can make him rich, won't budge. So, one night Heinz broke into the pharmacist's lab and stole the drug. He was caught. Should he have stolen it? Be thorough in your explanation as to WHY or WHY NOT.

Fr. Chris, can you explain what Ordinary Time during the Church year means? Thanks.

Has reconfiguration changed the length of assignments? I know that the Abp. has the final say, but it used to be (and I know this from Fr. Mike) that a priest's first assignment is five years, and it's six-year terms from then on. Pastors serve six year terms, renewable to twelve years. Has reconfiguration changed all that … fewer parishes for new priests to serve as pastors, and experienced pastors quickly needed in very large parishes?

I'm having difficulties with the idea of confessions, and especially the seal. In face-to-face confessions I can imagine that it's more difficult for the priest to keep it secret than anonymous confessions, although a priest told me that the same seal applies whichever way we confess. The church wants us to do the sacraments fully, and talking behind a screen seems not to follow in that. Generally speaking, if the seal were to be broken, there are no recourses to file some sort of complaint. I mean, you woulnd't want to spell out the details of your confesion in public, right?

I went to the Lds church with a friend and they teach their children that they once lived in heaven with god as spirit children and then were returned to earth to live. I find this odd and why would they think this? They also teach their children that they are greatly blessed when they are obedient. Obedience will lead you to rightousness and that it shows love and respect. If you obey the ten commandments then you will have great rewards in heaven. I feel like they are made to do service and if they don't then they are made to feel guilty. They actually record and keep track of who has paid their tithing and who has done their homevisiting. It's like they get brownie points for doing service and are told that they will be greatly rewarded in heaven. What do you think? I will always be catholic and am just trying to understand this phenomenon of a religion. Excuse any misspellings not a strong area of mine. Thanks

Fr. Chris, I've heard that eight priests were ordained this year. I'm wondering if there's a trend, we hear a lot about a shortage of priests. When were you ordained, and what was the class size then?

Fr Chris how come when you are at LIFE TEEN Mass, you sometimes are up on the altar and other times you are not...we miss you....

Dear Father, I read an article that a growing number of older women (some of whom have raised families), are entering the religious life. Convents haven't had many newcomers in recent years, so they accept older women whose children are all grown. Many are widows, but some are divorced whose marriages have been annulled. Might that be a solution to the shortage of priests, previously married men?

Dear Father, I saw on either this site or another Lifeteen site a question about not receiving communion until you go to confession if you have committed a grave sin. If you didn't know it was a Holy Day and didn't go to mass does that mean that you can't receive communion until going to confession first?

Father Chris. Why were the cardinals of the vatican concerned that the new pope was not Italian? I do not understand how a pope is elected and how a priest becomes a cardinal. Why is the vatican in Rome? I would love to go someday and see it.

Father, people have been having discussions about our new Pope Benedict XVI and many have brought up the fact that he was a member of Hitler Youth. Some people have backed the pope saying that he was forced into this because of the situation in Germany but others say that he could've still survived without being a member of Hitlers Youth Organization. I guess what I'm trying to ask is, if it is true that he could've not been a member of Hitler's Youth and if there was than why is it still allowed that he should be a pope if he was involved in such a huge crisis. Thanks Father.

dear farther: i always looked forward to the teen mass when i was little because i thought it was cool the way they took the kids to the altar and stuff. but then when i came they said you cant do it anymore? i was wonderring why? I've heard some older teen talk about how he missed it, and i agree with him. on the last supper Jesus had his disciples around the table with him, and if we are all disciples of Jesus, don't it make sense for us to still do what the teen mass used to do? who is the priest that decided they cant do it anymore? and the last thing i think is, on the easter mass i went to, the deacon said "Mass has ended let us go in peace to serve the lord and one another alleluiah alleluiah"...but at the teen mass they wont let us say "mass never ends let us go forth to love and sere the lord and one another, alleluiah alleluiah"...that is messed up, to me at least. thanx farther!

HI, A question/answer on EWTN experts forum goes so: Small Family Question from Sandra Norton on 02-24-2005: Greetings. I was wondering, is it a wrong to want a small family, even when there is nothing preventing one from having more kids? Answer by NFP Outreach on 02-25-2005: NO---if you truly believe that this is what God is calling you and your spouse to do. Thanks for writing. Does this mean there are NO morally unacceptable reasons for using NFP to avoid having children? What If you "felt" you wanted to wait awhile to have kids? Or maybe you had a few and "felt" that was all you wanted? Thanks!

Ok, so we all know by now that masturbation is a sin. But not most know of that before we hit the pubesic stage, So if per say you have masturbated and didnt know it was a sin is it still considered losing your virginity?

what is meant by Catholic apologetics....what are we apologizing for now?

Dear father My teens have passed me by but am inclined to write you anyway. I am a mother of four and married a loving man but he is Morman and I Catholic, what was I thinking. Since our marriage I have fallen away from the church. I have now continued to go back with my children at the dismay of my husband. He asked me why I would not want to be a part of his church because they are sealed in the temple as a family and know that they will be in heaven together forever and that I will get to raise my own children. Where we as catholics have no idea where we are going. What is our belief of heaven? I have begun to research the religion I was born into and have taken for granted for many years. I have not been to confession in over 11 years. I know now that I must stand up to my husband and his Morman family. My children are not baptized and is a big struggle in my marraige. It kills me that they are not baptized. My husband of course wants them baptized in his religion and I just can't let it happen. I can't stand the hurt that I will feel if it happens. I'm to scared to ask my priest to baptize my children because I do not live the catholic faith the way I should. My children do attend the LDS church at times as I do as well to try to be fair to my husband and he did come to mass with me at Easter time. I find myself in a fragil time in my life and will pray for guidence. Thank you.

Dear Father, Sometimes my daughter stays for a weekend in the house of her boyfriend and family. She told us that she's sleeping apart and has no sexual relation with him. Is it a sin to do so? Can she give scandal? ("if catholics stay at night in the house of their boyfriend why shouldn't we do so")

Is lieing a sin? I know that it's not part of the 10 Commandments, but is it a sin? I have asked a number of people that question and i kept getting three different answers; Yes, No, and It Depends. I bet a Priest knows the answer...

WHY SHOULD I GET CONFIRMED

Fr Chris One of the Core Members mentioned during a Life Night that we need to go to Confession if we committed a grave sin...and if we committed a grave sin, then we should definitely go to confession b/f going to recieve communion. If I miss Mass, is that a grave sin? I go just about every Sunday, but, occaisionally, something happens and I can't get to Mass...so does that mean, I can't go to communion until I go to confession?

Fr Chris What is meant by the word Tridium - that is used during Holy Week?

Hello, My nephew is an Army Special Forces medic serving in Afghanistan. He wanted me to ask a priest a good prayer he could say while treating the wounded to help him and them? Thanks

Dear Father: I am writing you to ask you how to forgive. A couple of months ago I went into one of those clubs where women strip, because my boyfriend went there years ago and I wanted to know what it was about. Anyways, to make a long story short I ran out crying and screaming. First of all, I was so disgusted that my boyfriend went into a place like that. He adamently denies that he liked it, which I believe since I have never spotted him with a porn mag or watching porn, but it will always bother me. He says he rather meet real women, not the girls in there and that they were not attractive. He was right. They were not attractive. They looked worn out and old, but that did not help. Priest, this is what I need help with. I need help to forgive my boyfriend, but most of all I need help to forgive these girls for what they do. I am filled with so much hate and disgust, disgust directed at this seedy world. I have two small daughters, and I would never want them to do something like that. I believe women should be respected and act with dignity, not performing sinful acts for money. How do I forgive this world I live in? Thank you. Rachel

i already feel like i've failed at lent! it just started and i can't stick to what i gave up for the season. should i just give up and try again next year? maybe i picked something too hard.

My wife of 22 years has left her catholic marriage, her 4 children and had an affair with our parish priest. How do I and my 4 children more forward as a family and also in our faith??

How does god view men that have killed other men in war?

What is the reason for adoration on the first friday of the month please respond asap.

How come during Advent we don't continue with the Alleluia but we do every other time in the year (except ofcourse during Lent)?

Fr Chris In the bulletin it spoke about Divine Mercy during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament... What is that?

I recently visited Vatican City. In my mind, I always thought I would be overtaken by a feeling of overwhelming religious enlightenment, since it’s the holiest city in the world. However, when looking at St. Peter’s Cathedral and taking tours to behold all the religious artifacts, I found myself disgusted thinking of all the poor people throughout history who have scraped up money to donate to the church only to have it used for these purposes. I stood for a while gazing at enormous buildings, statues and gold and diamond challises. The person I was with was in amazement at all its beauty, buy I couldn’t help thinking of how many mouths could be fed or how many churches could be saved if they’d just pull this stuff out of the security cases and sell it on eBay! Instead of a wonderful religious experience, I had the same feeling as when I visited Hollywood - disgust in all its excessive waste.

Do you ever think it's all a big sham? I mean, I know we all have to believe in something greater than ourselves, but the idea that Jesus walked this earth creating all sorts of miracles, turning water into wine, making the blind see, it all seems a little "out there". I was brought up Catholic, went to Catholic high school, and went to a Jesuit University. After learning about a lot of other religions throughout history, it seems like there is a historical pattern of people clinging on to the idea of religion for concepts they do not understand. In ancient times, there were gods called Marduk and Tiamat, Greek mythology had gods for all sorts of natural phenomena which we can now attribute to science and nature. I do not like to be so cynical, but I have a hard time seeing the Bible as anything more than a nice collection of stories that are engaging and teach people a fundamental understanding of morality, consequences, and social behavior. I still consider myself a Catholic, not because I believe a magical savior walked the earth performing miracles, but moreso because I've never been anything else. For a long time my faith has been more a practice of habit, not belief. I guess my question is, can someone still be a Catholic without believing the events and stories written in the Bible actually took place? Is there such thing as a Catholic without faith?

What's the reasoning for closing all these churches?

i sent this question in a while back but either you chose not to answer, havent gotten to it, ot never recieved it. My question was: Do you believe that our faith is a little messed up in a sense. I dont mean by what happens in the church or the teachings but in the faith itself. Isn't it true that we believe God through Jesus and Jesus died to save us and all and we look to Jesus to help us to god? Then do you think that we believe in Jesus more than we do god even though Jesus is a part of him? I mean we always pray to Jesus and Mary and all the saints and everyone else. We dont pray as much to God as we do Jesus. Our faith is based on everything surrounding Jesus and Jesus is the one who did all the miracles by doing god's will but it was really God doing all of those things but we gave Jesus most of the credit. I know this is really going to be hard to answer since what i am asking isnt all the clear. but i guess what my question is, is do we rely on Jesus than god in general than we should? (something along those lines)

Fr. Mike, do parish priests take the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience, the same as Religious Order priests do? I guess I'm confused whether not being able to marry is a different vow.

Fr Mike, I recently read an essay about a Jewish student who was accepted to Yale University, where all freshmen are required to live on Campus, even if they hail from the area. This student, and several friends protested bc the activity (sexual, drinking, etc) that went on was contrary to their beliefs. I know what Catholics believe about premarital sex, and alcohol/drug use, and my Jewish friends have always said that they don't believe the same thing about it as Christians do, yet this essay made it seem otherwise. My question is...what exactly do the Jews believe about premarital sex and the usage of alcohol and drugs?

How do you explain to someone God exists when the reason they don't believe is because of the bad things that happen in the world, like war??

Dear Father Mike, I am at a point of confussion in my spiritual life. I hope you can help. Why does it say in Mathew, not to worry about where our next meal is coming from because the birds don't reap or sew and God even feeds them so we should not be concerned with tomorrow. I feel all warm and peaceful inside when reading this, but then I had a horrible thought about the poor people all over the world who have indeed starved to death. Oh I feel so bad about myself when I question the Bible, I just need more answers. How can we not plan for tomorrow when if we don't it seems we could starve to death? I feel lousey when my faith is shaken like this Father.

So i come to life teen everyweek and im really confussed on something we prayed for. A few weeks ago we prayed that marriage is something between one man and one woman and last week we prayed that martin luther king jr.'s cause lives on but to a gay couple saying they cant get married is something very discriminating. So i guess what i am asking is why do we pray for civil rights when we pray against gay marriage, are they one in the same?

I was talking to my friend and she said Jesus was married to Mary Magdelane and had kids. Is that true? I guess there is a new book out that is called "The DeVinci Code" and she read it in that.

Dear Fr. Mike, I was a victim of sexual abuse when I was younger. And my perpetrator was a priest. I tried very hard to keep a strong faith and I was doing pretty good for awhile. But I never really dealt with what happened to me. Now that I'm a little older and in therapy and beginning to deal with it, I'm finding myself drifting a lot further away from God and the church. Do you think you could give me some advice on how I can learn to trust God again and put what happened to me, behind me?

how old was jesus when he died? and how did everyone start calling him the son of god?did he tell them he was?

Hi Father Mike, At the past couple masses I've attended, I've noticed a prayer for the government to "reaffirm the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman". I am aware that the Catholic church does not support gay marriage, because marriage is a holy sacrament that the church believes God intended for men and women. However, I don't understsand why, when being gay is proven to be a medical condition that can't be helped, should gay people not have the oppurtunity to marry someone that they love, the same as straight people? God already knows that these people are gay, doesn't he want them to be happy the same as his other children? This to me seems very discriminatory, and as someone who supports gay rights AND loves going to church this is hard for me to accept, and even harder to pray for. Thank you.

Dear Father Mike, Do you think it is possible that one of the reasons why there are so few vocations to priesthood is that the church needs to allow priests to be married. A lot of the apostles were married, and I don't understand this and when did the church change this? It seems unfair to me to ask a man to give up the love and companship of a woman, and children.

well how do i put this i am finally able to get credit for a special talent i have(which i always wanted) but its going to and is hurting a family member(she has not said anything but i know) its like im putting my past and my life out in the open everything off my chest which i need and want but its like puting her life out there also. i dont know what to do but i know im not able to talk to her about it, its way to uncomfortable for me. i want this so bad but i dont know what to do so if you can give me some advice that would be cool. thanks

Dear FM, Why do some Catholic churches have alcohol at some of their functions? I was at a Lifeteen function one time for a celebration, and a bunch of teens and adults had attended. The adults were drinking beer and wine, as well as the priests. I think to do this in front of teens is very poor example! I was pretty upset by it. I know of a few churches that serve alcohol at functions, but do you really think it is appropriate for adults to be drinking around teens? It makes them think alcohol is just fine, and some of these kids could be from alcoholic families, such as I am. I do not think it is good to glorify. You may say it is not being glorified, but when young people see people they look up to drinking, yes, it IS being glorified in their eyes. I am also an alcoholic. I started drinking at 17 and am now sober, but every day is tough. PS: I am not a teen, I am an adult.

We hear about the shortage of priests. I seem to recall that 5 priests were ordained in 2002, and 9 (7 from Brighton and 2 from Weston) this year. What was the class size when you were ordained? Also, I thought there was only St. John's in Brighton in the RCAB area, is there also a seminary in Weston?

I was told in church that evil exists because when God created man, he gave us "free will". But I was born without the ability to fly and/or travel through time, so why couldn't I have been born without the ability to commit an evil act? Why can't harming another individual be something that humans are physically unable to perform? It seems that free will has arbitrary boundaries, and that our ability to commit evil acts could easily have laid beyond them like so many other abilities. What a great world it would be if only god created man in an image that was unable to kill, just as we are unable to breath underwater. I keep thinking about the confining nature of physics. Why do gravity and other physical laws define our existence with so many physical impossibilities, and yet the murder of our own kind is something that is so very possible?

If heaven is eternity then how can we possibly still be happy with Jesus and the angels after hundreds of trillions of years, especially when we only have billions of trillions of years ahead of us. Given that Heaven is eternal, and considering that life is a sort of "trial" that we must pass to ascend into Heaven with God, isn't a mortal life of say between 20-100 years a really short trial compared with eternity? I mean, in the face of eternity, even a million-year-long life on the path to finding God is pretty short, no? Its like my teacher grading me after only observing me for the first one-millionth of a second of the first day of class.

Why does god make children get painful terminal cancer?

do you think that time in heaven is much faster than here? like everyone says that when people die its like mins till all there loved one die also.(mins to our years)

Do you think the first cloned baby will be the anti-christ because it won't be from God?????

Father, I was wondering something lately. I read a book on the seven most deadly sins in CCD last week, and a question arose. It said in the book that there were several ways of transgressing with lust...and one of them was lust of the mind. I find myself to be very worried now, as I write alot, and am wont to think about thus. Would that mean that I am commiting the deadly sin of lust of the mind?

I WANT TO START A CLOTHING DRIVE, BUT MY MOM IS NOT HAPPY WITH ME BRINGING HOME A MILLION BAGS OF CLOTHES. IS THERE ANY PLACE IN THE CHURCH OR SOME WHERE I COULD STORE THEM TILL THE TIME IS RIGHT

HOW IS POOR CASSIE AND HER FAMILY DOING. HAS SHE SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF RECOVERY?

i know after awhile a priest can move in to another church if he wants. are you planning on moving out of imm con?

do you honestly think jesus is with us all the time? and when we die what do you think we do in heaven?i know your not god and you would not for sure but what does the bible say?

Rev. Boutin, I've noticed that sometimes during announcements, it is said that Life Night is open to teenagers grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Yet on this very website, it says this about Life Night: "But remember, LIFE Night, which follows Mass, is a "teen-only" event." Now, I was taught many years ago (but not that many...) that teenager is anyone from 13-19...So why are 7th and 8th graders who are 13+ and post-high school students who are 18/19 not allowed to attend Life Night? (Unfortunately now it will become complicated...) I know of a thirteen year old seventh grader who is enrolled in a 9th grade Confirmation class. Now, as I understand it, because she is enrolled in the high school Confirmation Program, although she is only in 7th grade, she must attend Mass and Life Night. Now, if my seventh grade and college student daughter/son wanted to attend Life Night, they wouldn't be allowed. So, if I enrolled my 18 year old and my 13 (almost 14) year old the high school Confirmation Class...would they now be able to attend Life Night? I appreciate you clearing this up for me. Thank you Rev. Boutin.

Fr. Mike Now, I don't always attend LIFE TEEN Mass, but once I remember you saying that even if there was only ONE other person in the Church with you, that the Mass would still be celebrated, because thats how special the Eucharist is... If this is true, then why is there NO LIFE TEEN Mass on Superbowl Sunday? :'( I think God is more important than football..and the people who agree with me would (hopefully) still go to Mass at 6 pm that night...Can you please clear this up for me? Thanks...

Hi Father Mike, I missed the Life Night last night, and I'm just wondering if there will be another one on adoration. Thanks!

hold on there buddy what do u mean jesus is going to raise the good hearted people from the dead i dont get it if there dead arent they already in heaven, hell or between? and what is expected zombies creepin around sounds kinda freeky deeky if u ask me(oh yeah but were not aking me were asking father mike)so if you have any more info on this creepy thought please share.

HEY I WAS WONDERIN EVERY ONE SAYS JESUS WILL COME BACK TO EARTH IN HUMAN FORM AND WALK AMOUNG US IS THIS TRUE?AND THEY SEEM TO BELIEVE HE WILL JUDGE EVERYONE AND TAKE ALL THE GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE WHAT DO U THINK?

Fr Mike, How many Holy Days of Obligation are there, and what are they? Also, can they vary from church to church, because my friend goes to school in Worcestor, and he told me his school sent an email saying that Nov 1st was a Holy Day of Obligation, but my other friend in Stoughton told me nothing was in the bulletin, and it can vary depending on what church you go to? Thanks Fr. Mike!

Father Mike, I was talking to my aunt today and she said that she wants to be cremated, and that it was against the Catholic Church. My question is what are the Catholic views on cremation and is it wrong?

okay, if you have a dream that Jesus is in, shouldn't you first think about the message? like if Jesus was saying something totally opposite of what He preached, we would know obviously that it was not Jesus, and maybe it was that spicy food we ate!! i just had this dream about 2 pieces of "natural made" glass (that term was in my dream), so beautiful, that were in a store and i loved them, wanted to buy them and this kind and beautiful voice told me it was two for the price of one because they were made to fit together and she showed me how they fit and even though it looked on first glanc that they did not fit. they did, perfectly, and when I went to the register to pay and opened my wallet the kind voice told me, no they werre already paid for and that He wanted me to have them and over to the right was a man who nodded at me and smiled. i picked up my glass carefully and brought them home and in my dream it was like the deepest desire of my heart being fulfilled. it did not even dawn on me that it was Jesus, not until a few days later when i kind of got the picture of what God was trying to tell me. a friend told me the vioce was probaly an angel. what do you think?

DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HAVE JESUS IN YOUR DREAMS HE IS REALLY TALKIN TO YOU?

Hi Father Mike. I consider myself to be a pretty religious person, but the one thing that I've really struggled with in my Catholic faith is how the Catholic Church is pretty sexist. Women can't be preists, all 12 of Jesus' deciples were men, and when you think of the Father and the Son, it seems logical that there would be a mother too, which there is, but she had to be a human. Do you think it is right that women are not allowed to be preists in the Catholic Church? How can I, as a stong believer in equal rights, continue to practice Catholicism, even with these things that do not seem right to me? I would really like to get more involved in the Church, because I really enjoy going to mass, and agree with most of the Church's teachings and beliefs. However, women's roles in the Church are what have been holding me back. Also, a few weeks ago you mentioned a reading that says that wives should be submissive to their husbands. What exactly does the reading say, and what is your opinion of it? Thanks a lot for any advice you can give me.

i know abortion is wrong but what if you were raped. i cant imagine keeping a baby that was made by a rape every day looking at you baby and remembering that messed day for ever. and i know you probably will say adoption but it would be just as hard to have a baby in you for 9 months and bond with it and then give birth and say good bye and wonder what kind of life that has because of you. i think it would be the hardest thing to try to figure out and then that one day your kid finds out that his/her dad is a rapist. i know that would mess me up for the rest of my life knowing that.

I HAVE BEEN FEELING REALLY GUILTY LATELY BECAUSE I FALL IN AND OUT OF FAITH ALL THE TIME. SOME TIMES I PRAY ALL THE TIME AND TALK TO JESUS AND GOD ALL DAY LONG. BUT SOME TIMES WHEN I GET REALLY DEPRESSED(AND NEED GOD AND JESUS THE MOST) I NEVER PRAY ITS LIKE IM TO DEPRESSED TO EVEN PRAY. I KNOW YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SAY PRAY TO GOD TO GET OVER THIS BUT I CANT.

have you ever met some one with the stigmata?is it real?

i need some advice i had to leave my home, right now i am living in a bug infested dirty motel i cant complain to much because im not living on the streets yet but i have a week to find some where to live. i dont know what to do i have no one to turn too. im freakin out. i feel as though i have no one to love me other than my 3 cats. please give me some hope and maybe if you can some good advice real soon. i was real sheltered threw out my whole life and i know i could not make it on the street. please respond soon

i was wondering, do you live in the rectory of the church?and if you do how is it?

when people ask a question or write emails to you do you see their screen names?

1.) What do you like on your pizzas? 2.)If God knows everything, what's the point of living/being judged etc. if God already knows what choices you will make... can't we just skip all that and either go to heaven or hell?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: is it really, as they say "Sins of the flesh"? or is it just a silly movie?

DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE? DID IT WORK OUT THE WAY YOU ALWAYS WANTED IT TO?IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE? 1 MORE SORRY, CAN YOU BE FORGIVEN FOR MORTAL SINS(SEX)

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT ALL YOUR ANSWERS AND THEY SEEM TO BE "THE PERFECT ANSWER".DO YOU EVER GET STUCK ON A QUESTION? HOW OFTEN DO YOU READ THE QUESTIONS ON THE SITE?AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU POST THE ANSWERS(ONCE A WEEK?).

Hi Fr. Mike, I was at Church this week and I noticed something in the reading that I never noticed before. It was the one where God created all the animals and then Adam named them, but was still lonely, so then God created Eve. My question is if God doesn't make mistakes why would he make the animals as companions for Adam first if he already knew they wouldn't be enough? I know we can't take the Bible literally, but it sounds to me kind of like a goof-up on God's part.

I remember being taught that in addition to not taking the Lord's name in vain, that we should try to avoid swearing. I was wondering..I know that profanity is pretty dirty, but I was taught it goes along with the commandment "Don't take the Lord's name in vain"(?) I was wondering how swearing is taking the Lord's name in vain?...ALSO...if one uses a replacement word like crap, or freaking, effing..etc. is that as bad as saying the swear flat outright? And furthermore is it contradictory? Thanks!

Why can't women be priests?

I'm not sure if this question will even make sense. Probably not. But I will try my best... What if you have something in your life that is honestly keeping you from God? Such as an addiction of some sort. And as much as you need God in your life, your addiction is keeping you from him. Almost like a barrier in between you and God. And even when you try to pray all you can think about is your addiction. How exactly can you over come that and let God's message get through to you? How can someone restore their relationship with the Lord when there's just too much in the way?

If you enter the army and get invovled with it but don't go into combat is that a bad thing to do because you are sort of supporting war????

Father Mike Just wondering if you knew what that New Church in the Center of Town is all about?

My life has been very hard for me. My dad is worth less he says he tries to be in my life but he doesnt. When he calls my house and i answer he says hi and goes is your mom there and talks to her for hours and its like im daughter cant you ask me how i am or come visit. He only visits when im out of the house like at church, work, school etc. He told my mother that he loved her and that he wanted to get married to her and everything and my mom knows that i dont like him at all he left her when she needed him most and when she didnt have no help at all he wasnt there. Now that im all grown and im starting to go thru school and going off to college soon he comes around. Enough with my story i just want to ask him why he did this and why did he leave my mom and now wants her back without hurting his feelings because when i get madd i GET MADD. How can i put this in nice words without hurting no ones feelings?

Dear FM, I have a HUGE problem with judging others, and I am confused. The Bible says if someone claims to be a Christian but is living an un-Godly life, you can (gently) expose them, i.e. correct them. On the other hand, I am very judgemental and skeptical of Evangelists, and non-Catholic teachers, some of their beliefs are WAY out there, like Jesus went to hell and became sin for us and He was tormented there and all this nonsense. SO, I try not to judge, but it's so hard not to bash stuff I see or hear that does not co-incide with the Bible. I pray to God to help me stay quiet, then I do it all over again!! What do you suggest?

I just want to be reassured of something: Catholics DO believe that they are saved by God's GRACE, not good deeds or works, right? The Bible says that and I wanted to make sure that is what the church believes.. I'm sur eit does, but just wanted to double-check with you, Father, because I think a lot of people feel unless they are perfect and do perfect deeds 24/7, God will not love them. Thanks!!

Dear FM, This may sound like a really silly, and stupid question but I'd like to know... Ok, I'm very involved in theatre and plan to continue with performing arts for the rest of my life (if I can). I just love to be on stage. In September I'm auditioning for the musical Cabaret. When I informed my boyfriend about it, he freaked out. He said that the play itself is immoral and that it's too provocative. I tried explaining to him that it's just acting... there's no actually meaning behind it. And there's a lot more to the play than "people dancing around in their underwear". I know there are a lot of "risky" musicals and plays out there. But, I love to perform... and I don't want to let the content of a certain play prevent me from doing what I love. But my boyfriend firmly disagrees. Am I just being stubborn when I say... IT IS JUST ACTING... or does God honestly frown on these things?

Not a question so much as an observation... Every week at mass, when we pray for the needs of our church and the world, each priest always remembers to include Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East in our prayers. What is frustrating is that there are many other parts of the world -- Africa for instance -- where HORRIBLE things are happening but because they are not publicized daily in our media, we seem to omit them from our prayers. I know that if we were to include EVERY part of the world in our prayers it would take a lot longer than the allotted hour. And I certainly don't want to give the impression that we shouldn't pray for the people of Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East. It's just that... don't you think it would be beneficial to have a broader, worldlier focus... especially with a community as diverse as the one at IC?? Okay, okay... I'll get down from this soap box now...

Dear Fr. Mike, My best friend doesn't believe in God and has since I met him. He always makes rude comments when I talk about church and it hurts me because I know what the Bible says about non-believers. He is in that punk/rocker scene but doesn't drink or smoke. How can I get him to change?

Dear FM, Is it a sin to kill insects? I really want to know! If there are ants or bees that get into my house, most of the time I will pick them up with a paper towel and throw them outside...sometimes I am too lazy or don't want to risk getting bit/stung, so I kill them :( I am a big fan of Saint Francis...I wonder if he ever killed a bug? Do you think this is a terrible thing? I hate the thought of killing any living anything.

Dear Father Mike, In the apostles Creed I see that it says Jesus descended into hell. I know lots of people don't say that part anymore in the Creed. Do you think it literally meant hell as in where the devil is, or do you think the term was used to mean limbo, or below, opposed to the actual place of damnation? Why on earth would God EVER send Jesus to hell after He had died on the cross for us? I am confused. Could you clear this up for me? Thanks so much!!

Dear FM, What is your take on witnessing to non believers? I have relatives who believe in God, but figure He's up there and we're down here, and why would He care about us? I also have a relative who is an atheist, and if he says he wants to go do something immoral (like go to a strip club), even jokingly, and I say I am a Christian, I don't do that, he smirks and says, "Oh, Christians don't do stuff like that?" I say back, "Not observant ones". It is so frustrating. Is it ok to simply pray and love these people and let God deal with it, or are we to be bold and speak out about God a lot, and if so, how bold is too bold? WWJD????

What is the difference between a Deacon and a Priest?

Dear FM, With the shortage of priests lately, where do you see the Church in 5 years? Also, I am sure you have heard of Father Gobi and the Marian Movement? Just wondering your opinion on what you think God is going to do to about all this. Pretty interesting that when other denomination leaders do sinful things, you don't really hear about it, but when the Catholics do...WHAM! You know what? All this persecution only makes my faith stronger! Though I believe it is better to have a little more Jesus, a little less religion, I am proud to be not just a Catholic, but a Christian, period. I also commend you and all the other priests at IC, you have all been there for us. I know you are also human, you make mistakes, we may not agree with absolutely everything you say, but I think there is no finer group of priests around. God bless ^i^

Is it right for Catholics to go into war even if war is wrong? Shouldn't we just do what is right and let us be attacked and loose our freedom to stay true Christians? When martyrs die they die because they don't go against what they believe and our religion teaches killing is wrong so why would we kill people in another country who are fighting for their country and innocent people in another country just to protect "our own people". We are one world and that is what we should fight for, right?

My mother and I have a horrible relationship. It has been this way since I was little. She was physically and verbally abusive to me back then, and to this day she can still be verbally abusive. She is super critical of me. I have tried to talk to her about it, but she will not believe it and says I am being ridiculous and am too sensitive. Last weekend we had a HUGE blowout at her house (I don't live with my parents), and I have reached the breaking point. I forgive her, and I have done a lot of praying for healing in my family (I come from a large, very dysfunctional family, we are all messed up), but is it wrong to just stay away from her as much as possible and have as little contact with her as possible? For my sanity I really need a break! I was just wondering your opinion on this. PS: I have no desire to see a therapist, I just want God to do the work and I want to let go if it all. Thanks.

Dear FM, What is the church's requirement for someone to be a Godparent? I know the person must be baptised and made first communion, but do they also have to have been confirmed? I am not a teen, but I would like to have my baby baptised at Immaculate Conception and was wondering what the drill is. Thank you!!

Fr. Mike, are there any plans yet about going to WYD 2005 in Germany yet? I may be jumping the gun a bit here, but because I didn't get the chance to go to Canada, I was just wondering. Thanks.

What are the church's views on body peircing, tatoos, etc. Is it okay to recieve communion if you have a visible peircing... or is it okay to give out communion with one? Just wondering... thanks!

If Adam and Eve are only two people and they're the first people then how are there more than two nationalities, races, etc.?

why does God get all the credit for good things, and none of the blame for bad things?

How come we had Lifeteen on Mother's Day weekend but we won't have it on Father's Day weekend?

Dear FM, I totally believe in Baptism, however, why are babies baptised? I mean, wouldn't it be better if they choose to be baptised on their own, so that when they are they understand it and willingly accept Christ? It seems to me odd that Catholics get their kids baptised before they can even speak, with the priest asking questions and the godparents replying "I do" rather than the person who is getting baptised!! Just curious about this and why it is done this way. In the Bible didn't people go to Jesus on their own to be baptised out of free will?

i have been reading this book by sylva browne(life on the other side) she talks about heaven as our home and one thing she talks about is that i do not know what to think about is there being a female god named azna. have you ever heard of azna?

do you believe in soal mates, or past lives?

fm can you tell me what the holy spirit is, is it the spirit and soal of god?

YOU SAID IN ONE OF ANSWERS THAT ANIAMALS ROT AND DO NOT GO TO HEAVEN, WHATS UP WITH THAT HOW DO U KNOW THAT? AND WHERE DO THEY GO? I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WHEN IM LUCKY ENOUGH TO GO HOME TO JESUS MY DOG WILL BE THERE WAITING FOR ME. DOES IT SAY ANYTHING IN THE BIBLE ABOUT PETS AND HEAVEN?

A friend asked me this question, and I can't seem to remember the answer. Why did Catholics observe the practice of not eating meat on Friday many years ago?

Im having a hard time getting grips with the idea that jesus is next to us all the time(or at the times we call him to us or praying) dont get me wrong i want to believe that, it would make thing so much better and help me to really be close to jesus and live my life like he would.But the problem is when i pray and talk to jesus i try to think of him sitting right next 2 me but i honestly dont believe it. is there any way to help me just know he is right there with me other than praying 2 jesus to help me with it?do u believe he is with you and all of us all the time?

DO YOU SOMETIMES GET SICK OF HAVING TO DEAL WITH PEOPLES PROBLEMS ALL THE TIME? DO YOU EVER WISH THAT YOU HAD A WIFE AND KIDS? WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF BECOMING A PRIEST, WAS A FAMily REALLY SPIRITUAL?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MEDIUM(PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO TALK TO THE DEAD)? LIKE JOHN EDWARDS. AND THAT LADY WHO CAN I GUESS TALK TO DOGS AND PETS LIVING OR DEAD?

Fr. Mike, as my senior year is winding down, I'm full of mixed emotions when it comes to moving on to college. Excited to start something new, but extremely sad to leaving the comforts of home. Does the Bible offer any good quotes about new begginnings? Thanks.

what would happen if i was to become a nun and after awhile i decided to leave sister hood? i would love to just dedicate all of my time to jesus and get close as i can get to him and be able to help other people as much as i could but after a bit i want a fam so would i get pun if i was only a nun 4 a bit?

Father Mike, I was just wondering why during the Easter season, do you bless the water every Sunday at Mass? If you blessed it once, isn't it holy? And if so, why does it need to be reblessed?

IVE BEEN THINKING I WOULD LIKE TO GO OFF SOME WHERE ALONE FOR LIKE A COUPLE OF DAYS AND FAST AND BE ALONE WITH GOD AND JESUS AND JUST PRAY AND FIGURE OUT THE SPIRITUAL PART OF MY LIFE(KINDA LIKE JESUS WOULD GO OUT IN THE DES AND FAST) DO U THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO START OVER AND PROVE MY LOVE FOR GOD I KNOW IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAFE WAY OF DOING IT WITH ALL THE SICKOS OUT NOW BUT GOD WILL PROTECT ME AND IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN IT WAS SAPPOSED TO HAPPEN RIGHT

I know war is wrong..just like the song "War HUH what is it good for?Absolutly nothing!" BUT my question is, I remember you saying a while back that some Catholics can get 'excused' from enlisting in the military. How dos that work? And is it mainly just a morality issue or because the faith teaches its wrong, thats the reason for the pardon.

I know that Jesus died on the cross to save us but couldn't there have been another way to save us? Why did he have to die?

how do i get info about becoming a nun, i want to get as close as i can to jesus, but im not sure i would want to be a nun forever cuz i want a fam in the future with lots of kids who can i talk to?

I hope I don't cause any problems with this question, or because of it make 100 people bomabrd you with questions regarding it, but it is about Confession. What do you do if you commit a moral sin, and are fully aware that you are or have, but you are truly sorry for it and tell God so in your room in tears? I believe in the sacrament of Confession, but once in a while I just don't want to go to a priest and repeat what I've done, when I have already gone over it all with God and stuff already. I don't want to have to keep reliving it. I always end up going to confession because I feel guilty, since I was brought up believing that if you don't go to confession after committing a mortal sin and you die, you go straight to hell!! The Bible says that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and I personally believe that if you are truly sorry, that is between you and Jesus and what he did for you. So, do I absolutely HAVE to go to confession even if it makes me uncomfortable??

What do you do if you have been having feelings for people of the same sex since you were little? I know it's wrong but why if you have had the feelings as long as you can remember that you can't be happilily married to the person you want as long as you do not have intercoarse because I know that is just for reproduction.

Dear FM this weeks lifenite topic is about Satan. Do Catholics have to believe in the devil? It seems spookey and supersticious to me. One look at the world tells you that evil is real. But is it personal??? Isn't it a cop out to say the Devil Made Me Do it. and to demonize those who don't agree with you? Get thee behind me Satan!!!

During Lent I know that you are supposed to cover all the things that have to do with Mary and Jesus over with a purple cloth or cover. Thats the way I have always known and seen it. But i noticed that certai things haven't been covered. For a few examples, the picture of Jesus over the tabernacle (sp?) , the painting of Jesus and Mary on the wall near the door, the painting of Mary above the church doors where you first walk in, and the water mounts. I understand that it would take a lot of purple fabric to cover them all. But I have seen the water mounts covered before, so why not this year? Also, why are some things covered over in purple cloth while others aren't?

FM, I was at the Lifeteen mass last Sunday night when you had a blessing for the engaged couples. It was awesome! I was wondering how long you have done the Pre Cana class and is it a law in the Catholic church that Pre Cana be done before you can get married in the church?

We know that the Trinity, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are equal in divinity. Is there any authority or hierachy one over another? If so or not are there any proofs?

fm do you think with all this war stuff going on its the end of the world( like the second coming of jesus) i look at it like this whole worlds morals are inthe toliet, so many of us are rapists and killers and we commit sin all the time without even careing. and even though our soldiers are out there fighting for our country is it still cold blooded murder?

i was wondering how many mortal sin are there? also what are they? can you tell me a little bit about what a mortal sin is and do you go to hell if you commit one( can u b forgiven at all for a mortal sin?

Fr. Mike, I have felt so far from God lately Jesus is going to come back to earth and not take me with him. What can I do to get closer to him because I'm really scared? I've tried to pray but I lost the connection I used to have. Please help.

My question concerns what we gave up for the Lenten Season. Are Catholics obliged to withdraw from what we gave up ALL lent, because my mother told me that rule is exempt on Sundays. Also, my boss said when he was a kid, his Priest used to tell them that the rule is that on Sundays you can take up what you gave up...Is it true? Huh Huh?? ;-)

I always wondered that if you had a mortal sin and confessed it to God and was really sorry, why are Catholics told that if you have a mortal sin and don't go to a priest to confess even if you already confessed to God that you would go to hell if you died? I've read that other denominations can confess on their knees in their bedrooms and feel forgiven. However even though I know I am forgiven, I still go to confession because I am scared that my mortal sin is not forgiven unless the priest absolves me. Guess I am confused. Hot topic here!

I feel I need to respond to your response to the person who wrote you about confession. I don't think they were judging other Catholics. I think they were just trying to make a point. Anyway, you said confession is not talked about in the Bible. Check out John 20: 21-23

And another response: Confession in Bible: John 20:21-23, Matthew 9; 2-8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Had to throw my 2 cents in! God bless!

How come confession is not talked about at church much? I know so many Catholics who get communion, when I know that they have many sins or even a mortal sin under their belt. If they are doing this, maybe they need a refresher course on being a Catholic? If the priests don't keep pounding (and yes preaching-as the term preacher means) this into people's heads for fear of turning people off, where on earth can they get the brutal honest truth? Especially if many people don't even bother to pick up a Bible?

This is more of a prayer intention rather than a question. Today my math class and I found out that a boy in our class named Micheal is in Children's Hospital because he has the disease muscular dystrophy and his aide is not sure if he will make it. He has spent his whole life in a wheelchair and so has his younger brother Chris who also has the same disease as him. He is being cared for by his aunt because his mother walked out on him when she found out his little brother has the same disease. He has a great personality and he is such a happy boy. Please say a special prayer for him and his family because i know that it must be really hard for them right now and your prayers will help. Thank you Fr. Mike. <><

i was wondering if its true thatif you want saysorry or just talk to someone who passed away you can write a letter then burn it i dont know if thats just something said to ease your pain or gain closure, and do u plan on doing the talk to father mike live again i missed it last time

i have been thinking a lot about god and jesus and this whole cahtolic thing and I am just wondering... how do we know that there is a god? i mean..i believe.. i practice my religion.. but i just wanna know.. How do we know there isa god? How do we know all this is true?

With all the media bashing of the Catholic Church since the sex abuse scandal began to rock this Archdiocese over a year ago, is it wrong for a Catholic teen to get angry, and do something? When I hear people talking about Priests and they say "Oh how many boys did he rape?" or they are talking about a rape and they say "Oh was it a priest"..it angers me. Sometimes I then engage in a conversation in it, but I think the media just feeds them their views on Priests...SO I wrote a lovely letter to the Boston Channel.com, asking where they are during all the good things the Catholic church does, such as Soup and Service, the New Creation concert, Ice Skating with people with disabilities, etc. I also included an article from this website intitled "Proud to be Catholic"...In my letter, I simply asked them one question" Os the job of a reporter to cover ONLY the bad stories?..If not then Why in the world aren't there more positive stories about the Catholic Church? I've seen positive stories out there, just none about the Catholic Church good enough t make the News Headline"..I just want to know was this bad to do?..Like did I take my anger to far?...

My brothers girlfriend attends another Catholic Church, and told me that her dream marriage was crushed the other night because a priest told her that Catholics MUST be married in a Catholic Church. Her dream was to be married on the beach in a Gazebo, with the sun setting, but the priest said she has to be married in the 'house of God"...Is it true that Catholics must marry in a Catholic church because it is the home of God? If it is, since God created Earth, wouldn't anything on earth be his home because God is everywhere? And God made the beach, man built the church, so why should we tell Him where his 'home' is?

Fr. Mike, I know the prayer for Grace Before Meals but not for Grace After Meals (i know it's in the CCD books from like 5th grade but I probably don't have those anymore). So, could you please tell me how the prayer goes? Thank You.

father mike is jesus christ superstar a bad movie to watch i love it but a friend said its mocking jesus but it tells his life story i think it helped me and a lot of other people learn about jesus

i dont pray any more or even talk to jesus i have been so depressed lately that i gave up on everything i have no drive or faith. i love jesus and i just feel like a lost cause, everything is just messed up i dont care i do drugs and drink alot and have sex and everything else i should not do in the eyes of god. i have bad luck and everything good in my life gets messed up nothing goes right and now i have dont feel like even living

In the Bible, Jesus says, "When you fast, you are not to look glum as the hypocrites do. They change the appearance of their faces so that others may see that they are fasting. " Why then do Catholics wear a cross of ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday? Since the ashes are a sign that we are beginning Lent (a season of prayer, fasting and community service), isn't this what Jesus was warning us NOT to do?

If some one is atempting to kill you is it alright to kill them before they kill you?

Dear Fr. Mike, I was wondering what are the rules for fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Thanx

Dear Father Mike, I have noticed that in some churches the Tabernacle has been moved to a side or a back room. I think this is awful! I was told by someone not too long ago that this was per order of the Vatican, but I don't buy that because many other Catholic churches still have the Tabernacle in clear view at the front of the church. Obviously if the Vatican had truly ordered this to be done, all Catholic churches would have moved their Tabernacles. I find it sad to go into church and have to look to the left or the right or find the Tabernacle, rather than see it right in front of me like when I was younger. Can you tell me why some churches have moved them, and as a priest, do you really find this acceptable?

is it true if u have sex and then wait five years your a virgin again in gods eyes?

What do Catholics believe about Jesus' coming back? I've always thought that because of the creed when we say "He will come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead and His kindgom will have no end", Catholics believe Jesus IS coming back at the end of the world..however, a friend of mine who talks to alot of Protestant people said that Catholics don't believe Jesus is coming back..

Why doesn't the Church allow same sex marriages?

fm is it true that u cant do 2 jobs in one mass like being a eucharistic minister and an altar server or lector at the same mass?

FM, Me and my guy love the Left Behind movies, we own both. We are devout Catholics and know that the rapture portrayed in the movies is not the way it will happen. Since we know that, is it ok to own these films since the plot and the story line itself is very good and focuses on giving your life to Christ to be saved?

Dear FM, I love Immaculate Conception church, but I notice many of the women and teen girls do not dress appropriately for mass, and this really bothers me. I have seen many women and teen girls in short shorts, tight dresses, very mini miniskirts, and it is disgusting. I also have seen people eating donuts and muffins put out by the church BEFORE the 9:30 am mass starts!! What happened to fasting for one hour before receiving communion? Why have none of the priests made any comments to the congregation (kindly of course) about this? The Bible CLEARLY states how a woman should dress and be presentable when in worship and in general. Any answer would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Fr. Mike, I'm involved in a group at my school called GSA (Gay, Straight Alliance). It's not just a group for kids who are gay. We try to help create tolerance toward homosexual, or bi-sexual students within the high school... and try to combate stereotypes about what being "gay" really is. I know that the church feels strongly about homosexual behavoir, but is being in a group like this wrong?

is a pentagon?(witch star) evil? some one i live with has them and it freaks me out should i be scared

Dear Fr.Mike, On of my friends just recently had an abortion. I didn't even know that she was pregnant until the day before she went to have the abortion done. I myself have very strong opinions about abortion and I'm very pro-life... I don't know how I should approach my friend after all this. I don't want to judge her based on her decision... even though i do disagree with it. Should I just ignore the whole issue or say something? Any advice?

If you follow your religion and everything is it still rong to lisson to r&b and rap music?

This isn't so much a question, just more of a "heads-up". A few weeks ago, in your homily you were talking about eating disorders. I though it was great that you brough it up and I think it's something that should maybe be talked about again... (like in a witness talk or something). But one thing that I think is important to touch upon is the existence of Pro-anorexia websites... These websites are everywhere... they give "tips" on how to not eat and how to hide it from you family... They tell you where to buy diet pills, which work the best, how to "cure" hunger pains... etc. I don't think people are completely aware of the amount of pro-ana sites that are currently running. I just feel it may be an important subject to touch upon... at a lifenight or something... Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for making people more aware of the problems that eating disorders cause...

dear FM i was wonderin what would happen if you were in the of mass and all of a sudden your cellphone rang and your not planning it like fr. jim what should you do

is Jesus dress-up online wrong? you can go to a site where Jesus is hanging on a cross and you can put him in all different outfits like ballerina costumes and devil costumes and baggy pants and a suit. is this wrong for me to go to?

In your sermon on Sunday, you said that God loves us just as we are. Does God love Bin Laden? What about Hitler, King Herod, Pilate...? If the Lord does love everyone just as they are, why do we bother trying to be good?

You know those people who are in the subways and other places with the big signs that say the end is near and the people who hand out pamphlets about God and stuff. Is it bad to talk to them? Even if they are sweet little elderly women?

Is being "religious" bad? I mean like getting all the Jesus clothes and stuff if all you want to do is show the world that there really is a God and we should all believe?

Should someone be confirmed if they don't truely believe in the eucharist? What happens if you decide not to be confirmed? Do you have to wait a certain period of time? Should you take the bread and wine at church even though you don't believe because if it is maybe Jesus would understand and try to help you believe if you keep taking and stay devoted in trying to believe right?

Why don't Catholics believe in the rapture? Doesn't say in revelations that Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead and the dead in Christ shall rise first or something along those lines? I have read the book Left Behind and I really believe that that will one day happen. Is this wrong for me to believe?

Are people who are not christians going to go to heaven if they die because in the bible it says that you have to believe in Jesus to get to heaven and we learn in church that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and he is the one way to get over that bridge to heaven?

Can people who want to be a priest or a nun or something have to be virgins?

Are you still concidered a virgin if you have had oral sex?

What is the difference between a Catholic Bible and the King James Version? What books doesn't the King James have? Why does one have more books than the other? Is it bad to use a King James Bible?

Some people say that Joseph(Jesus' father) had four other children. What do Catholics believe?

How can I help a friend stop smoking if they refuse quit?

Is it wrong to be married by a judge instead of in a church if you don't want to go through the process of getting your past marriage annuled(<--sorry for the spelling!)? Would a couple still be concidered married to the Catholic church?

father mike, i just got on the pill (birthcontrol) and my question to you is, is it a sin. me and my boyfriend have been having sex and i know that is a sin but i do not want a baby so what is worse having sex with the pill or with out it. and what about condoms is it a sin to use those too i was told that the church does not believe in birth control

When people email u does the screen name come up to u , cus i ask so many question all the time i dont want u to think im goofin around i real want to know your answer

i used to cut my self, and i decided its time for confession and im to scared to tell the priest about it will god forgive me for it any ways

are priest aloud to have sex before they become catholic priest?

is it bad to ask god 4 the stigmata? i want it 2 prove my love 4 jesus

Hello Fr.Mike! I was in school today and a athiest friend who is always very confused about christians asked me a question. He asked me if God can see everything that is going to happen then how could we have freewill if he already has our future kinda set? I had no clue how to answer that so I told him I would ask you. Thanks for the answer ahead of time!!!

Fr Mike...When is it all going to be just be easy?

Dear Fr. Mike, Lately my family has been experiencing major financial difficulties. To the point where we can't exactly afford to buy groceries. Usually you talk about giving money to the collection basket, but what if you honestly don't have money to give? And it's not like I'm spending money on the movies or at the mall because I have no money to spend. Therefore I have no money to give... I get so upset when that basket comes around and I have nothing to put in it. Should I feel this guilty?

i really need some guidence lately i have been babysitting for a family, they live in a two family house and next door there is a little girl(7 or 8) the problem is we think she is being molested by her father,the mother of the children i babysitt for has heard the little girl screaming and making comments as if she was being forced to act in a sexual manor(daddy no , dont touch me, i dont want to,ect) also they have heard her getting hitt and locked down the basement she was screaming and banging on the door yelling for her dad to let her out,the family i babysitt for is to scared to call the police or make any phone call. i have not herd anything yet i do know that the father is a drunk and a friend of mine used to live in the house where i babysitt and he ask me if i heard it yet his family i guess always heard it but did not want 2 make a problem, so its like 90% that this little girl is getting sexually and physically abused i dont know what to do if it is true some one needs to help her now, i worked with a lot of young children who have been sexually abused there behavoir is very noticeable to me and the little girl im talking about seems very shy and sad and over sexed, before i was told anything about the family next door i thought the little girl acted very strange,please help i do not know what to do

I read today that Mother Teresa is "one step closer to sainthood" and that she has one miracle to her credit, but will need one more to become a full-fledged saint. I know the process of canonization was accelerated for her, but why can't she be declared a saint based on the work she spent her life doing? It doesn't seem right to me that they have this checklist of how many miracles she can be credited with before she's made into a saint.

In the bulletin, there is an announcement about a Lazarus Mass. What is that?

Fr. Mike do you believe in speaking in tongues? Also, do you speak in them?

I'm having a really hard time in school right now. It isn't my classes, but I just feel depressed all of the time. I feel guilty about the way that I feel because on one side, I don't want to get out of bed in the morning and that other people have lives 1000 times worse than I can imagine, but I know that there's a reason that God woke me up, put air in my lungs, and that he loves me. I feel guilty in that no matter how hard I try. God blesses me in so many ways, but it's hard to thank him when so many other bad things seem to be happening. Is there any scripture that helps you when you feel down, Fr. Mike? Thanks.

What's your opinion on the death penalty? Do you think that when you're in hell you can pray to God for forgiveness and be able to go to heaven?

I'm having a really hard time earning my mother's trust. Last summer I made some major mistakes, all of which I regret very deeply and asked for God's forgiveness. The hardest part was recieving my mother's forgiveness... Well, that was a year ago and now I am in a pretty serious relationship with a guy that I really love. Things couldn't be better between the two of us. But whenever I ask to go to his house, or when we're just watching a movie in my room my mother will get angry with me and she always thinks that I'm going to do the worst. I've told her many times that I don't want to sleep with my boyfriend because I love him enough to wait. And I've even told her about conversations I've had with my boyfriend about waiting and he feels the same way. But even still she doesn't trust me... and I always feel as if she views me as this irresponsible, dirty, "sleep-around"... which maybe a year ago I was. But I've changed. How can I possibly feel forgiven if my own mother can't forgive me? How can I feel any better about myself and my mistakes if my mom isn't willing to forget? What else is there for me to say to her to help her trust me more? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks... and God Bless

I've heard some conflicting stories about how the devil became the devil. What's the real story???

What is the difference between Catholics and Jews??

I was sexualy assaulted and I have a problem forgiving the guy who did it. I know the best thing to do is forgive and give it up to God. Every time I see him let alone hear his name I tense up and the only thing that comes out of my mouth is cuss words. I know you're not supposed to hate anyone but I hate him so much. He still follows me and is trying to ruin any thing good in my life. He used to harrass me, but now he drives by me and checks me out. How do I get over this and forgive and forget?

If God will always forgive us why can't we sin?

There are some things that the Catholic Church teaches that I'm not sure I believe completely. Like, when being trained to be a Eucharistic minister, we were told we shouldn't serve if we had seriously sinned and not yet confessed it, or don't truly believe that the consecrated gifts are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. I had never thought about it until then, but I don't know for sure IF I really believe the gifts become Jesus' Body and Blood. I haven't served as a Eucharistic Minister since then, but I still receive the Eucharist at Weekly Mass, and still confess when I miss Mass (in order to be able to receive at the next Mass I go to) and I still call it the Body and the Blood of Christ. A friend of mine has called me a hypocrite because of this, even though I have tried to defend myself by saying that "Having doubts is all part of faith"...So, should I not receive the Body and Blood of Christ from now on, because of my doubts?

In the Jewish faith you can't be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have a tattoo...their reasoning is that you desecrated your body, a gift from God. What is the policy on tattoos in the Catholic faith? Also, what is the Catholic Church's view on plastic surgery? Or other extreme methods of changing one's appearance?

While our pilgrims are in Toronto, (I saw them on the news, this morning, as they got out of the bus!!!) what can we do here at home to get involved in World Youth Day too, and participate along with them?

Every week it's a struggle for me to come to church. Not that I don't want to come. Not that I don't absolutely love mass!...get to share my faith with others, etc. But, I argue with my parents almost weekly about me going to church. They tell me that it's wrong because they don't believe in it. Although my father is catholic, he does not believe in the catholic church. My mother disapproves of me going, because it is not her faith, and makes me feel terrible about wanting to come and experience LifeTeen. LifeTeen is important to me, I look forward to it every week, and no matter how much I tell them, it makes no difference in their beliefs. I almost have to sneak it by them that I'm going to prayer hour, or Soup and Service. I know that the Bible says, "Honor your mother and father"...but I vaguely remember you saying something in mass that, Jesus will tear apart families. That's very much what it feels like. I'm sinning to practice my beliefs and come to church. What should I do? Which is the bigger sin? To deny myself a faith that I believe in, or disobey my parents?

I'm probably going to sound completely stupid for asking this... and I'm sure you've explained this a million times before at mass... And I swear I wasn't asleep!!! OK anyway, I was wondering, when Jesus died on the cross did he first descend into hell? I know he rose on the third day etc... but what did he do for those 3 days that he was dead? **confused**

I was looking at a religious calendar that said June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What does that mean?

There have been a few incidents in recent weeks that have made me think of these questions ... If a person commits suicide, do they go to hell? Furthermore, if the answer is no, what acts would send a person to hell? What if that person is a priest? I guess this question may be more about sin and its relation to hell rather than just suicide.

Why does the church emphasize on waiting until you're married to have sex? Is it a sin if you don't "wait"?

In my history class we are learning about the death penalty. We watched the movie "Dead Man Walking" and they allowed the death penalty to happen. What are your thoughts towards the death penalty?? There are tons of Cathlics who think the death penalty is right, even some priests think so too? Are they wrong? What are they trying to prove if they say everyone is a child of God and then afterwards agrees to the death penalty???

I know there are a lot of good things that come out of being a religious person but I was thinking about the fighting in Northern Ireland and fighting going on every where in the world involving Protestants, Jews, Chirtians, Muslims, etc. Now I don't know how to feel about religion. Help.

There is a game called Dungeons and Dragons. It's a game that people role play and select characters to defeat enemies. it's fictional because elves and dwarves are mentioned in it. but there are classes that you can pick. These classes are barbarians, rougues, wizards,monks, etc. Is it a sin to role play a wizard who uses magic. Even though this is a fictional game does it have any consequences against the catholic church?

Just this Sunday I recieved the sacrament of confirmation. And I'm sorry to say this but I wasn't exactly too excited about it. Or not as happy as I thought I would be. I know I have a huge faith in God but do I really need a "ceremony" to prove that to me? And especially recently with the news about this new priest and the records from the Arch Diocese... It's all making me feel a little aggrivated and betrayed. And now I've just fully joined a church where one of the leaders allowed this behavior to go on... I'm feeling pretty guilty right now for feeling this way. Are any of these feelings ok?

Why is it that Catholic Priests are moved from their parishes every few years? Do all priests get re-assigned or do pastors get to stay in the church to which they were assigned?

I like to listen to heavy metal music. On some of the CD covers are pictures of crosses. Can a cross ever be used for artistic sake (whether in paintings, pictures, or logos) without having anything to do with the crucifixion of Jesus? Furthermore, I attend church every week, but does it make me a bad Catholic by enjoying bands that use the cross as part of their marketing?

I love to read and my favorite book is the Harry Potter series. But, I just read an article in a newspaper about a church somewhere in New Mexico planning to have a book-burning. They want to burn all Harry Potter books and memorabilia. Just because they talk about a school of witchcraft and wizardry. It got me mad because I love the books, and they are getting people to read. Hey, I got my older brother to read them!! Also, they never talk about religion in the books except that they celebrate Christmas. But my question is, is it wrong or against the church to read these books?

My mum says that she knows someone who has a daughter who is possessed by a demon. This person could be just mentally ill, but how does one tell the difference? I do not want to believe that this type of thing actually happens, but I guess it does. That's why the Catholic Church has priests who can and have performed exorcisms, right? This whole subject scares me so much....

Is birth control a sin for married couples, just because they don't want to have kids?

Between church, school, and a busy social life I have made time to pray daily to the Lord. I love feeling closer to God and asking him for his guidance, love, and thanking him for the blessings that he's given me. But, I feel selfish that I ask God to help me with my daily struggles while there are so many terrible things going on in the world. I realize that God loves me, and that I should pray to him...but why burden him with my problems? While they are important to me, and affect my daily life, in the scheme of things...are they really important? Does God really have time to worry about me while there are so many others suffering?

I was at a Life Night on Reconciliation recently and I was just reviewing my sheet with the 10 Commandments on it. I was curious as to why Bingo is allowed in the church basement where we celebrate Mass every week if gambling is a sin?

I was recently at the church one morning after Mass, and was being kinda of nosy...in a way I am kinda sad that I was. I overheard a few people pretty much bashing the LIFE TEEN Program. I am curious as to why it seems like a lot of the older parishoners at our church are so against the LIFE TEEN program. I love it! Being a teenager and all, it can be really hard to understand what faith is and what being a Catholic means. I must admit I have learned more at the LIFE TEEN Mass from your homilies and from the Core Members during Life Nights about what being a Catholic means, then I ever did from some of the older adults who taught CCD to me over the years (no offense to them of course). I really don't understand why some of the elder parishoners are having such a hard time with accepting LIFE TEEN. Not only has it changed my life but it has also made me a better person. Never before have I had such a strong, loving relationship with God until the LIFE TEEN PROGRAM came along.

Could you explain the "head start" to Lent you mentioned as being from Ash Wednesday through the first Sunday of Lent? What about the Friday between Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday? Is that part of Lent or not and do we have to fast or not? Also, can you explain to me why the message has changed over the years when the ashes have been placed on my forehead??

What happens to us when we die? Do all of us spend SOME time in purgatory before we can enter heaven?