Ask Father

Is the “common good” another name for the Golden Rule? What should the common good mean for Catholics? — J. B. Dear J.B.: When put into practice, the Golden Rule — “do unto others what you would have them do unto you” — contributes to the…

Dear Father, I have a neighbor who loves to gossip. She doesn’t hesitate to mention anything bad about other people. She justifies her conduct by saying that the Bible recommends it. She quotes John 8:32: “And you will know the truth and…

BY FR. HUGH VINCENT DYER, OP Dear Father: Each year I struggle with Lent. Should I again give up something such as sweets or Facebook? However, this year I’d rather work on developing a new positive habit that I can keep doing after Lent.…

by Msgr. Stuart Swetland, STD Q Dear Father: I will be attending my niece’s wedding at a Polish National Catholic Church. Would it be acceptable as a practicing Roman Catholic to receive the Eucharist during the wedding at this church? More…

BY MSGR. STUART SWETLAND Dear Father: When someone dies, I often hear expressions such as “heaven gained another angel” or “Grandma received her wings.” When people die, do they become angels? What happens to our souls and bodies?  —…

by Msgr. Stuart Swetland Q  Dear Father: I have a question about the saints. The Church’s liturgical calendar is understandably full of feasts days for Jesus, Mary, and numerous saints. Why are there no feast days for Old Testament figures…

by Fr. Hugh Vincent Dyer, OP Dear Father: I paid $20 for two Masses to be said for the repose of the souls of my husband and my daughter. Am I buying the Masses? Would it be just as efficacious if I offered the two Masses without paying for…

DEAR FATHER: I was reading a spiritual book about personal prayer, and in the book it talks about how to get into a meditative state and just talk to God. I have a wandering mind and find it very difficult to get into a meditative state of…

Dear Father: My husband and I have been married for 14 years and have three children together. We both work (him full time and me part time), but for as long as I can remember we have struggled financially. We never seem to really get…

Dear Father: My friend works for a company whose methods she says are rather dishonest. She’s really not comfortable with the way they tell her to serve customers. She would like to quit, but she’s afraid for her own financial situation and…