Saturday, September 21, 2019

PITTSBURGH, PA

Father Charles Bober
Questions & Answers

Many influences form young people

QUESTION: It seems that Catholic children today do not know the elements of the Catholic faith that their parents and grandparents knew. Why is that and what can we do about... More

Godparents are to assist parents

QUESTION: I am the godmother of a child of longtime friends. While I still attend Mass and practice my Catholic faith, the child’s parents no longer do. The child, therefore, is not...

How to witness to your faith

QUESTION: I have many friends who read the Bible constantly. One recently told me that unless I “witness to my faith” I can never be saved. Now that has me wondering about my...

Gifts build Body of Christ

QUESTION: Speaking in tongues, what is that? Does it really come from God? If that is true, why don’t we all have the power to do that? ANSWER: “Speaking in...

Some don't consider feelings of others

QUESTION: Week after week, I see such disrespect in our churches during Mass. It is not only the attire, but the way people act. Why don’t priests direct some remarks or even a whole...

God does not will evil on us

QUESTION: Often in my life I have observed terrible things happening to me and those I love, and find myself asking, “Why would God do that?” What is the...

Maccabees details nearness of God

QUESTION: At work, I got into a discussion with a non-Catholic friend. I mentioned the lessons found in the Book of Maccabees. I know he reads the Bible, but said he never heard of the...

We honor Mary's role in salvation history

QUESTION: Recently one of the intercessions at Mass was for “a growth in authentic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.” I would like to know what “authentic”...

Father Gallitzin was a pioneer priest

QUESTION: We just visited a state park named after a “Prince Gallitzin.” Friends of ours said that the “prince” was a priest and should be a saint! What do we know...

We cannot abandon our country

QUESTION: Almost every year on the Fourth of July I re-think my patriotism. I know I feel loyalty to the values of this great country. I know I am very grateful for the freedom I cherish. I...

Catacombs were used to bury dead

QUESTION: I have always thought that the catacombs were places where Christians hid from the Romans and where they celebrated Mass. My children, however, have been taught that the catacombs...

We respect Jesus in various ways

QUESTION: I firmly believe that respect for the body of Christ has decreased since the completion of the Second Vatican Council. I know not everyone agrees with me, but am I that...

Humanism is centered on people

QUESTION: I was with a group of neighbors and they were talking about religion. Someone asked new neighbors what religion they were. They answered that they were “humanists.” I...

Holy Spirit, instrument of forgiveness

QUESTION: What exactly is the “unforgivable sin” in St. Matthew’s Gospel, and why is it unforgivable? ANSWER: The passage referred to above is...

Church limits marriage within families

QUESTION: Before some of the changes took place in the church, I know that people were not allowed to marry within a certain “degree of kindred.” I remember that such a rule was...

Mortal sin is willful act against God

QUESTION: My question is about God’s justice and fairness. Say that I die with just one mortal sin on my soul, but have lived an otherwise good life. Do I go to hell because of that...

Be open to the influence of God

QUESTION: I have come to the conclusion that my spiritual life is very “ordinary.” I am usually fine with that. But sometimes I hear or read about people who have mystical...

Liturgical celebrations honor Mary

QUESTION: Just how many feast days does the Blessed Virgin Mary have in the Catholic Church? ANSWER: The Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar has changed over the...

St. Joan found strength in Christ

QUESTION: My granddaughter has somehow decided that Joan of Arc is her heroine. I honestly don’t know that much about the real Joan of Arc. Is she really considered a saint by the...

Easter flames dispel the darkness

QUESTION: I attended the Easter Vigil at my parish and thought that it was beautiful. But I could not help but wonder about the purpose of the fire at the very...

Easter Vigil, keystone of Catholic life

QUESTION: As Easter approaches, I see lots of signs at Protestant churches inviting people to join them for an Easter sunrise service. I don’t see that at Catholic churches. We seem...

Palm Sunday 'crowd' explained

QUESTION: In the Passion narratives, we are told that the whole city of Jerusalem came out to greet Jesus. Then how is it that five days later they were all shouting to crucify...

Mormons differ in Christian beliefs

QUESTION: I read that the Mormons recently dedicated a new temple in Rome. The articles that commented on it said that this dedication was a sign that “… Catholics and Mormons...

Help children appreciate confession

QUESTION: My son is a third-grader and attends our parish CCD program. He came home yesterday and told me that all the children in his class went to confession. That got me thinking about...

Gossip can destroy lives, reputations

QUESTION: I went to confession recently and just happened to mention that I gossiped. The priest said that gossip is a terrible evil and that I should be ashamed of what I did. I was...

Church can deny Christian burial

QUESTION: I have heard there was a time when the church would not permit a funeral Mass for someone who took their own life. Is that true? QUESTION: Does the Catholic Church...

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