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Helping non-practicing Catholics return
Dear Father: Several of my close relatives who were raised Catholic no longer practice the faith. Easter seems like a perfect opportunity to invite them back to the Church. How do I approach this delicate subject? If they agree to attend…
When did Jesus know he was God?
DEAR FATHER: I have a question that you probably don’t have an answer for, but I will give it a shot. History tells us that Jesus did not start preaching until he was in his early 30s. Do you know why he waited so long before he started…
Why did my husband die so young?
Q. Dear Father: On Dec. 10, 2016, I lost my beloved 44-year-old husband to a sudden death. He had no symptoms until three days before he died. We were married for 14 years and have one daughter. We have a lot of friends and family members…
Reverence for God
DEAR FATHER: When I was young, my parents and teachers told me that Sunday Mass was very special; we were visiting with God. We showed our respect by wearing our best clothes, blessing ourselves with holy water as we entered the church in…
Prayer for the Dead
Dear Father, I generally read the obituary column in my daily newspaper. Lately I’ve noticed that in obituaries which are clearly for Catholic families, there is a decrease in the number of funeral Masses that are included as part of the…
Should we play and work on Sunday?
Dear Father: The summer months are a busy time with lots of recreational activities, vacation time, and yard work. The garden and the lawn seem to always need attention, whether it’s watering, pulling weeds, or mowing. Is working in your…
What does it really mean to ‘offer it up’?
Q. Dear Father: I grew up with a mom who always told me to “offer it up” whenever anything went wrong. Now that I am an adult, I wonder if maybe I need a more grown-up understanding of “offering up” sacrifices. What exactly does that…
Ask Father: A suicide in the family
Dear Father, The husband of a dear friend committed suicide two years ago. She is still in a state of shock and can barely function normally. Is there anything I can do to help her? — AT A LOSS Let me begin with a story. St. John Vianney,…
“Did God and Jesus exist before the Holy Spirit?”
by Fr. Edward Looney Q Dear Father: In the Nicene Creed we say at Mass it says that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” It seems to me that this indicates he was just kind of an afterthought and is not equal to the…
Why Does God Permit Innocent Children to Suffer?
DEAR FATHER: My 4-year-old niece was just diagnosed with cancer, and I am devastated by this news. I find it hard to pray. I feel angry, and I don’t understand why God would allow this to happen. People say God has a plan and he is looking…