Catholic Answers Forums http://forums.catholic.com Largest Catholic Forum has Catholic discussions, Catholic answers to your faith questions, Catholic apologetics, Catholic Scripture study, Catholic Prayer groups, Jesus, Christian, evangelization, spirituality, sacraments, vocations, Mary, saints, liturgy, Holy Bible, Catholic book club, Church documents, Vatican news, newsletter, Christianity, Catholic Answers Store. Via www.catholic.com en Tue, 21 May 2013 14:29:57 GMT vBulletin 30 http://forums.catholic.com/images/misc_khaki/rss.jpg Catholic Answers Forums http://forums.catholic.com My Grandpa Gets His Toe Amputated Friday http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788986&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:24:32 GMT Hey everyone. My Grandpa is going to have his toe amputated on Friday. He has an infection in the bone of his toe. During the surgery they will figure out if there is infection in any of the other bones. If there is then they will have to amputate more than just his toe. Please keep him in your prayers. He's close to, if not already, 80 years old. ]]> Prayer Intentions Holly3278 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788986 Experiences with back pain during pregnancy? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788985&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:23:23 GMT I am *NOT* looking for medical advice, just experiences

I am currently on my second pregnancy (about 6 months along) and my two children are going to be approximately 20 months apart (so close in age, but pretty average). I have noticed that in some ways it seems as though this pregnancy has been much harder on my body. Although I did not have morning sickness to the degree I did with my first, I have had much more just general pain, especially since about the 18 week mark on. It hasn't been anything unusual pregnancy wise, mostly back and hip pain. For the past week or so, though, my back has been horrible. I am in general a very active person, when not pregnant I enjoy running, swimming, mild lifting with hand weights, etc - I keep myself in shape. I slow down during pregnancy, but at least this time was able to jog almost through the first trimester and I have been walking at least 2 miles every day since, so this is not a question of being out of shape. It has been getting to the point when I finish my walk my back hurts so much I have to sit down for at least an hour. Cleaning the kitchen is awful, and I can barely vacuum the stairs. Needless to say, as an active person, and with an active toddler, this is getting to me and making me very nervous about future pregnancies.

Have any of you dealt with this type of pain during pregnancy? Any tips on relieving it aside from just slowing down?

Also, is back pain a symptom that once you have with a pregnancy, you are kind of doomed to continue to have it with future pregnancies or is it like morning sickness where you might have it with one but not with the next? Again - looking for experiences.

Thanks everyone! ]]> Parenting newlywed8 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788985 Christian Science Monitor http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788984&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:18:45 GMT What are these people's mission?

I believe them to be in error. Who are they monitoring and what are their effects?

Their former presidential candidate is sick in my opinion. ]]> Non-Catholic Religions teeboy http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788984 My confusion on indulgences http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788978&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 14:07:17 GMT What exactly is indulgences? I'm very confused, even though I researched it I just do not understand it. Can somebody please explain what an indulgence is please and its affects?

Thanks and God Bless! ]]> Liturgy and Sacraments BVMFatima http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788978 <![CDATA[Vermont governor signs 'death with dignity' measure]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788963&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:46:29 GMT http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-vermont-governor-signs-death-with-dignity-measure-20130520,0,1212967.story ---Quote--- With the strokes from three gubernatorial pens, Vermont on Monday became the fourth state in the country to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients. Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the measure in a state House ceremony in Montpelier, capping a decade-long effort on the issue in Vermont. Vermont is the first state to pass such a law through the legislative process. Oregon and Washington enacted their laws by referendum; in Montana, it was legalized by the courts. ---End Quote--- http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/n...,1212967.story

Quote:
With the strokes from three gubernatorial pens, Vermont on Monday became the fourth state in the country to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients.

Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the measure in a state House ceremony in Montpelier, capping a decade-long effort on the issue in Vermont.

Vermont is the first state to pass such a law through the legislative process. Oregon and Washington enacted their laws by referendum; in Montana, it was legalized by the courts.
this cold probably be better known as it is now legal to go to a doctor and tell him to give you medicine that will end your life. AKA assisted suicide ]]> World News catholictiger http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788963 Please pray for Richard H http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788962&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:45:47 GMT who passed away recently. Thanks, Rocket who passed away recently.

Thanks,

Rocket ]]> Prayer Intentions 244Rocket http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788962 Please pray for Jackie B http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788961&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:45:09 GMT an elderly friend who is in the hospital. Thanks, Rocket an elderly friend who is in the hospital.

Thanks,

Rocket ]]> Prayer Intentions 244Rocket http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788961 Please Pray For My Son http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788959&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:37:36 GMT Please pray for my son who is graduating high school that he will make better choices regarding future employment, college and friendships. Thank you. Please pray for my son who is graduating high school that he will make better choices regarding future employment, college and friendships.

Thank you. ]]> Prayer Intentions peace2u2 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788959 Confused,Stressed,Worried and Full of anxiety http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788958&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:35:16 GMT I need paryers for my current situation. I have a 14 month old bay girl, the father walked out of a long term relationship,never married. Im catholic and he is.He doesnt go to church although he used to go before with me. I discover he had three other children with three different women before he was with me but we were in a long distance relationship. I have got long term illness. I have some immigration problem. I have financial difficulties in paying rent and bills. I come from a broken family and had never wished my child to live through what I had experience in my life. Some of my friends have left me and are taking sides with my ex partner. I need prayer for God to intervene in this situation so my daughter will grow with her father,specifically to grow and live in a family background. I have made some fair share of mistakes in my life and I feel like God is punishing me for this. Sometimes I feel like its a trend flowing in my family. I am in a foreign country,no immediate... I need paryers for my current situation. I have a 14 month old bay girl, the father walked out of a long term relationship,never married. Im catholic and he is.He doesnt go to church although he used to go before with me. I discover he had three other children with three different women before he was with me but we were in a long distance relationship. I have got long term illness. I have some immigration problem. I have financial difficulties in paying rent and bills. I come from a broken family and had never wished my child to live through what I had experience in my life. Some of my friends have left me and are taking sides with my ex partner. I need prayer for God to intervene in this situation so my daughter will grow with her father,specifically to grow and live in a family background. I have made some fair share of mistakes in my life and I feel like God is punishing me for this. Sometimes I feel like its a trend flowing in my family. I am in a foreign country,no immediate family around. I am praying to mother Mary,St Jude,St Joseph and St Philomena and fasting and saying Novenas for my health and the relationship between me and the father of my child be restored. I go to church mostly on sunday due to pressing demand I have for work and childminding.

It seems like my life is coming to an end.I work part time and sometime have no energy to work,look after the baby and worry about the future in general.

I believe God has the last say and power to change things. I just hope one day I will be able to live a proper family life so I can be a good example to my daughter. ]]> Prayer Intentions Manka http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788958 <![CDATA[Convert's Experience of Mass]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788953&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:18:14 GMT A question about Mass from a hopeful soon-to-be convert.

I love Mass. As I mentioned in another thread, I've started attending daily. I've no religious background to speak of in terms of attending Church, and so all of this is new to me - and so far, it's been wonderful, our parish priest and also the local Bishop both with very different styles but both moving and thought-provoking.

Today, I went to Mass and there was a stand-in priest, who managed to run through the entire weekday Mass in just over seventeen minutes. (That's 17 minutes total, from the antiphon to "The mass is ended"). No homily, no sign of peace; he was racing through it so fast he sounded like a horse racing commentator, and for large stretches I couldn't actually understand what he was saying. (I usually follow along in my hand missal, but not during the Eucharistic Prayer, and he gabbled that so quickly I couldn't even work out which prayer he was saying until about halfway through.)

Anyway, my question is... is this normal? Indeed, is it widespread? Have I just been "lucky" so far having two very good priests doing Mass, or was I "unlucky" today? Or is there no norm for this sort of thing and it's just the luck of the draw as to which church you happen to attend?

Thanks,

A curious would-be convert. ]]> Evangelization Euphon http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788953 Abbot Nicholas http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788947&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:08:05 GMT Bring back Abbot Nicholas from Holy Resurrection Byzantine Monastery. I loved his programs.......we need more exposure of our Eastern Catholic Church! I think he should be made a regular on the radio. Bring back Abbot Nicholas from Holy Resurrection Byzantine Monastery.

I loved his programs.......we need more exposure of our Eastern Catholic Church!

I think he should be made a regular on the radio. ]]> Radio (Catholic Answers Live) UncleBill http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788947 For my father http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788945&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:04 GMT My Father had a bad stroke during the night. He's 87 and the prognosis isn't good. Please pray for him. His name is Robert.

Also pray for my mother. They've been married 65+ years.

Thanks. ]]> Prayer Intentions Boy Wonder http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788945 <![CDATA[Abortion=God's plan?]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788941&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:40:11 GMT A question for pro-lifers on the forum. A former Facebook friend of mine eventually confronted me about my constant pro-life posts on my wall. She said that since I believe God has a plan for everyone, couldn't an abortionist be carrying out that plan? I angrily dropped her (well first, I privately chewed her out.) without really giving her an answer. I'm sure someone else will tell me this. What would you suggest as a response. The main reason I didn't give an answer was that I was too angry to think civilly. ]]> Evangelization rocklobster http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788941 Miraculous medal http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788940&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:28:03 GMT Recently I bough a miraculous medal as advised by an online friend in the forum. But is it necessary that I should wear the miraculous medal?I wear a rosary usually. Dont actually can think of a way to wear miraculous medal as I already wear a rosary(May sound silly though)I keep it in my wallet.And I generally carry it with me when ever I go out of my room. Also before I start wearing should I get that blessed by a priest? The actual question would be keeping miraculous medal in the wallet and carrying it with me lets say for about 10 hrs every day will be equivalent to wearing it? (I know The question sounds a bit stupid ) Recently I bough a miraculous medal as advised by an online friend in the forum.
But is it necessary that I should wear the miraculous medal?I wear a rosary usually.
Dont actually can think of a way to wear miraculous medal as I already wear a rosary(May sound silly though)I keep it in my wallet.And I generally carry it with me when ever I go out of my room.
Also before I start wearing should I get that blessed by a priest?

The actual question would be keeping miraculous medal in the wallet and carrying it with me lets say for about 10 hrs every day will be equivalent to wearing it?

(I know The question sounds a bit stupid ) ]]> Spirituality abinjoy http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788940 <![CDATA[John MacArthur -- on our 'purgation' Pefecting [Purgatory] before Christ @ death]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788939&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:26:04 GMT http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons...e-Will-Be-Like

Listen to today's Radio Message from the Calvinist ...and tell me he isn't teaching/preaching Catholic Purgatory idea of Pope Benedict !

His radio message is chock full of scripture to support our 'purgation' to perfection ... when we stand before Christ. [esp. Hebrews 21:22 & much from Revelation]. ]]> Non-Catholic Religions brb3 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788939 Can a catholic and born-again christian civil wedding be valid in roman catlholic church? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788938&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:23:55 GMT i am raised as a roman catholic, a devout catholic.. my husband by law (civil wedding) is a born-again christian.. we havent had a church wedding yet due to religion conflict, does this make our wedding invalid in our church? the roman catholic church?.. thanks! i am raised as a roman catholic, a devout catholic.. my husband by law (civil wedding) is a born-again christian.. we havent had a church wedding yet due to religion conflict, does this make our wedding invalid in our church? the roman catholic church?.. thanks! ]]> Ask an Apologist beatifine http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788938 New Franciscan branches! http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788937&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 12:18:43 GMT Ave maria everyone! Pls i want to know why franciscans of the immaculate take solemn vows,I know that all of the new branches of the franciscan family e.g franciscans of the renewal,franciscans of life,franciscans of the immaculate,e.t.c are not an order, they are congregations,and as such can not be graced with solemn vows but franciscans of the immaculate takes solemn vows,why? Pls i need answers urgently and pls i can be corrected if need be. AVE MARIA! Ave maria everyone!
Pls i want to know why franciscans of the immaculate take solemn vows,I know that all of the new branches of the franciscan family e.g franciscans of the renewal,franciscans of life,franciscans of the immaculate,e.t.c are not an order, they are congregations,and as such can not be graced with solemn vows but franciscans of the immaculate takes solemn vows,why? Pls i need answers urgently and pls i can be corrected if need be.
AVE MARIA! ]]> Vocations chryso http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788937 Prayers please for my husband. http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788928&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 11:11:55 GMT My husband, Kevin, will be seeing a surgical oncologist today to have a lump in the back of his neck checked out today. Given family history we are both terrified that this may be something serious...please pray especially for Kevin that his mind be put at ease and this will be nothing serious. I have asked you prayer warriors for another prayer intention not long ago and my prayer was indeed answered (thank you!) so I most definitely believe in the power of prayers! Thank you! Peace to you all, Lisa My husband, Kevin, will be seeing a surgical oncologist today to have a lump in the back of his neck checked out today. Given family history we are both terrified that this may be something serious...please pray especially for Kevin that his mind be put at ease and this will be nothing serious. I have asked you prayer warriors for another prayer intention not long ago and my prayer was indeed answered (thank you!) so I most definitely believe in the power of prayers!

Thank you!

Peace to you all,
Lisa ]]> Prayer Intentions Lthibbs http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788928 <![CDATA[Sacramental Marriage Solution to 'Gay Marriage' ?]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788922&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 11:02:24 GMT I was speaking with an ethics professor about the cultural debate on homosexuality and gay marriage and he pointed out that the fight against 'gay marriage' is destined to fail. The free will democracy culture of the USA, especially since the proponents have cleverly tried to disguise it as a civil rights issue, will eventually make gay marriage available.

However, he said that the problem is that the Church is letting the government define what marriage is. He suggested that the Church should instate and only recognize a special category of marriage as "Sacramental Marriage" which designates that a it occurred in a Catholic (or valid Christian) Church, that the appropriate pre-marital courses were followed, and that divorce/separation will not dissolve the union only annulment in rare and special cases, and other conditions like this. It would be a way of the Church to reclaim the sanctity of marriage, dis-tangling it from the homosexuality, no-fault divorce, las vegas shotgun wedding culture that can corrupted the Church's traditional view of marriage.

I didn't lay that out eloquently, but I think you get the picture.

Instead of safeguarding marriage by stopping secular redefinition in the governmental sphere, maintain a specific definition of marriage within the church and separate it from civil marriages.


What are your opinions? ]]> Moral Theology Leo7219 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788922 <![CDATA[I have huge ambitions, but I'm conflicted.]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788919&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 10:44:19 GMT Hi everyone,

I'm 20 years old and want to get married but I now have this nagging feeling that God is calling me to the priesthood. The problem is, I really, really, REALLY don't want to be a priest. The thought of God wanting me to be a priest makes me sweat. Literally. As in clammy palms and back, racing heart beat type of sweat. I want to have my own kids, and give myself to a woman (together with God of course).

I'm nervous because I used to have an issue when I was about 12, and made a promise to God that if he healed me from it I'd become a priest. He healed me, butI don't want to fulfill that promise.

I've asked God to forgive me for not wanting to uphold my end of the deal.

My interests are as follows: I'd like to help people. A large number of people. I've always been into computers, and recently started programming and found that I'm having a blast with it. I'm studying to be a mechanical engineer and the idea that robotic limbs and supports can be used to help amputees and patients who have been paralyzed fascinates me. It thrilling.

My interests have always been largely technological. Taking apart and building computers, fixing things (mechanical and electrical). But once again, regardless of what I do in life, I feel the need to help a large amount of people. I firmly believe I can achieve this as an engineer in biotechnology. But I'd also like to get married.

My fear is: If I become an engineer, live a relatively successful life, get happily married, (and help people) that God will at some point slam me down for not choosing the priesthood. I imagine cancer, or some life threatening disease. Or perhaps I'll have the life I wanted but with consequences. Someone close to me (like my kid(s) or wife) dies prematurely or my kids are born with serious health problems.

I have dreams and I'd like to achieve them. I understand that God has his will. My question is, can't I achieve my dreams and still please God by doing a variety of things to help others? Both through my profession and as well as donations, and volunteer work?

I'm scared. This is extremely frustrating. I can't focus sometimes. I know it's my own fault but sometimes I'll think about this too hard while studying and won't be able to focus until I clear my mind. I just want God's approval of my dreams.

Thank you for reading. ]]> Vocations idk http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788919 Change 2 Letters 9 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788915&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 10:40:00 GMT Howdy Starting with a new word: Formative ICXC NIKA Howdy

Starting with a new word:

Formative

ICXC NIKA ]]> The Clubhouse GEddie http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788915 Asking for advice in relationship with former abusive brother http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788892&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 10:26:59 GMT Here is a bit of background. I had a sort of traumatic childhood. My older brother used to abuse me physically and part of that is now responsible for me being quite shy and anxious now that I'm an adult. At that time, we all lived with my parents. Growing up I had the greatest hatred for my brother, honestly wishing every day that he would die.

Well, after I grew up, when I was 18 I became more argumentative and aggressions disappeared, but the hatred remained and I always felt anxious being in the same room with him.

Since 2 years ago I am living in another country. He is also in his own family.

My feeling now are less negative. I don't have any more hate for him, even that he never apologized (which means he is not aware of how much damage he created on me), I don't care any more and I forgave him in my thoughts.

Here is the thing. I really don't care and never talked with him any more, and my parents, mother specially has been pressuring me to just send a message/email to him. I guess she is worried that we will never talk again in life (which I would appreciate). As I am shy I never talked with anyone about these feelings, and I would like to forgive this past by just ignoring it.

Should I make a first move (even that I never did nothing wrong) just to please my parents? I know John Paul II taught us how it is like to forgive, but that would be a giant step for me. ]]> Family Life Cartesian http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788892 <![CDATA[does Islam worship a "false god" or the same god differently?]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788878&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 10:14:44 GMT It seems to me that some say they worship a "false god" in order to justify a lot more anti-myslim sentiment. Of course, I guess I'm a liberal apostate because I think anybody who worships any god worships the one god the best way they know how... ]]> Non-Catholic Religions RKO http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788878 The Royal Corruption. http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788825&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 09:07:14 GMT http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013...nces-relations

Yet those people call themselves "The best of the nations." ]]> World News Sam_777 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788825 <![CDATA[What exactly is a "private audience" with the Pope?]]> http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788824&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 08:56:13 GMT I mean I know it is self explanatory but how is the P.A set up? Is it an invitation to visit the Pope? Is it a request by the visitor? I mean I know it is self explanatory but how is the P.A set up? Is it an invitation to visit the Pope? Is it a request by the visitor? ]]> Popular Media Ben Sinner http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788824 Maine man accused of killing Shaniesha Forbes thought she was pregnant (14 y/o) http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788823&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 08:42:49 GMT Full headline (I wish the NY Daily News knew how to write a headline):

Maine man accused of killing Shaniesha Forbes thought she was pregnant Christian Ferdinand was charged with killing Shaniesha Forbes — whose burned, naked body was found on Gerritsen Beach. She was not pregnant, says the medical examiner.

From the NY Daily News:
He thought she was pregnant - so he killed her, cops say.


The 20-year-old man accused of smothering 14-year-old Shaniesha Forbes to death, shoving her body in a suitcase and setting it aflame on a Brooklyn beach, told detectives he murdered the teen because she said she was pregnant with his child and refused to get an abortion, police sources said Thursday.


But the teen wasn't pregnant, the city's medical examiner confirmed, leaving her shattered family members railing against the "senseless" crime.


"You had the courage and the b**ls to kill her but you couldn't go to the pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test to find out if it was true?" asked Forbes' stunned cousin Kerri Ann Thomas, 25 Thursday. "That makes no sense."
Also see the article in Lifesite. CBS. HuffPo. Bangor (ME) Daily News.

This kind of story is all too common. ]]> World News markomalley http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788823 the moment when you realise your mother is not going to heaven! http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788820&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 08:05:44 GMT I think my relationship with my mother has been irrevocably damaged by a conversation I had with her last week, and that I have been dwelling on ever since. She and I haven't really been close - I was always more of a daddy's girl - but since my father's death in October I have been the one left to look after her and take her around (she never learned to drive) and visit her many times a week.

This is all fine, and what a good daughter should do but 2 things make it sooooo difficult. One is her politics - I don't define myself as with any party (and being in the UK there are many to chose from) because I try to let my faith and Church teachings guide my opinions. My mother has always been a socialist and that was always ok as I was left leaning myself but as she has got older I went more to the centre and now she is a veritbable marxist!I

And maybe that goes to the second thing - she hates the church, religion, God everything. She was brought up a Catholic but really badly catechised. We have argued before over doctrine and she says 'it was never like that when I was a girl' and I would love to say 'well maybe you remember wrong' or 'well you were not taught correctly' but that just leads to more division between us because she is never wrong and just says 'no the church has changed' - which of course it hasn't!

Anyway this is all how it has been for a while and I have to try to remember this when I speak to her so that I don't start an argument. But the problem is really I guess that she hasn't got over my dad's death. She is obviously depressed but won't ask the doctor for help. The only bereavement councilor I know of is one through the church - needless to say that is going to happen! And she is so negative - I always come away from seeing her really depressed. I have tried to say 'Dad is in heaven and watching us and doesn't want you to be sad' (dad was a Christian even though she stopped him from going to church - he was a very quiet man who was quite overpowered by her) and saying all the things to make her feel better but last week she just said there is no God and dad was just dead and she didn't want to keep living either. I guess it may just have been her depression talking but it was all of a sudden like looking at a stranger. I just knew at that point that nothing I could say would bring her to the Church and to God and that made me really sad.

I'm sorry I'm probably rambling here - I guess if I'm not just ranting but looking for advice I would ask any ideas now what I should talk to her about. Religion (the mainstay of my life) and politics (all she thinks about) are obviously no-nos. Can't even really do current affairs at the moment as it's all about gay marriage here which she really thinks is the best thing ever (and as I have recently found out I have two gay nephews can't wait till one of them wants to 'get married' for all that family fun!).

Anyway off to see her now - really starting to hate Tuesdays...:( ]]> Family Life yorkshiregirl http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788820 Morals http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788819&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 07:47:52 GMT I need a good storyline in which someone must make a decision keeping their Catholic morals. I need a good storyline in which someone must make a decision keeping their Catholic morals. ]]> Back Fence Jordan Rizk http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788819 Prayer for friend struggling with depression - Desperate and at my wits end http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788813&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 07:09:24 GMT One of my best friends has been battling depression and anger issues for all of her life, and it's just getting worse.

She swings between sweet and pleasant, to angry and hostile. Lately, she has been either angry and moody non-stop, or apathetic.

She has shut herself and distanced herself from family, and pushed many friends away. I am her last remaining friend in the whole world, but I feel she doesn't understand how much I care about her.

Her family was emotionally and physically abusive, so they aren't there for her support.

She also left the Church a long time ago.

Although I am her only friend left, she occasionally snaps and breaks off contact with me for days. She'll go into long, unrelated rants and I will tell her I don't want to fight and argue. But she'll keep saying that she doesn't want me in her life anymore.

After a few days - the longest period was two weeks - she calls me and apologizes. It happens at least once a month.

Emotionally and mentally, it's very draining. I just don't have it in me to be her councillor. I'm not fun anymore either, because I feel like I have to walk on egg shells around her. I have known her for five years, but the last two years have been an emotional nightmare.

To make matters worse, I live on the other side of the country. We had a massive falling out last January '12 and she shut me out of her life until contacting me in July to apologize.

I had accepted a job in the new town, but I forgave her. This may sound cruel, but sometimes I feel like I shouldn't have.

I am worried she is about to slip into a period of her life that she was in years ago before I met her, where she turned to sex and drugs and partying to numb the emotional pain.

I am at my wits end. I pray and pray and pray but I am just feeling so hopeless. I just want her to get it together and find some happiness, to let her know that people care about her, that no one is out to get her.

She has no one in her life praying for her and hasn't prayed in years. She left the Church about 2 years ago. I keep praying, and I know she is a good person at heart. I've seen that side of her.

But I haven't seen that person in awhile. It's getting harder to be there for her and to forgive her. Despite my prayers, I'm feeling like I am about to give up and slip into despair. ]]> Prayer Intentions brokenplates1 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788813 are blog hosting sites free? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788810&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 07:07:30 GMT Such as blogspot? I just read a blog post by the writer that he will revamp his blog as soon as he has saved up for it, so I'm assuming that you have to pay for Blogspot? ]]> Back Fence fin http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788810 Cowardice? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788805&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 07:03:26 GMT I've been going through some problems lately with my faith and the biggest problem I'm having is with cowardice. I was wondering if anyone could help me and suggest a way to right this?

I'll start with saying that I'm a man, and already I know that a man shouldn't be a coward when it comes to his faith but he should be firm in it and proud of it. It's just that whenever I talk about my faith with others, or also talking about other social issues like about my pro-life views or my pro-traditional marriage views, I get so nervous and my thinking is so disordered that I don't make good statements.

A lot of times I'm the only Catholic around, and I know that I should say something, to show that I don't agree with what the group around me is saying, and not let, for example, their promotion of a woman's "choice" to abort her child stand unopposed.

This very issue came up recently but I ended up saying nothing because I was so shaken that I don't think it would even have done any good to open my mouth, my voice was all shaky (rather like it was the first time I asked a girl out on a date :D)

And this even has to do with my Catholic faith itself as well.

I can sit here in the privacy of my room and think about what I believe and why, but when I talk about it to others, or even now just imagining talking about it to others, I don't feel confident. And I know that this comes across in my voice and in my body language. I'm so obsessed with what others might say, and I'm afraid I might just get defeated in an argument and make Catholicism look bad.

How do I become a cool calm and collected man when it comes to these issues? And how do I get to the point where I can share my faith with confidence?

Should I go and study theology, philosophy and apologetics more? The problem I forsee though is that I've thought about the abortion issue enough to consider most of the arguments for it and why they're wrong, and I know that I could type up a good response against abortion on the internet. But a much better way to defend life would be to reason with others about it in person. But the last time I had the chance I was an emotional wreck so I just shut up.

Can you suggest any good ways to stop caring so much about what others might think about me?

Do you think I might simply have an anxiety problem? ]]> Moral Theology Estevao http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788805 Robert Pattison twilight star and catholic morality http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788798&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 06:33:12 GMT I saw a video on tv with Robert Pattison the lead in twilight saying the reason he took the lead in twilight is because as a practing catholic who is waiting until marriage the movie series character did the same thing. I saw a video on tv with Robert Pattison the lead in twilight saying the reason he took the lead in twilight is because as a practing catholic who is waiting until marriage the movie series character did the same thing. ]]> Popular Media Adamski http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788798 Illuminati Anti-Christ or a Good Orga.? under catholic? http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788792&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 06:21:38 GMT Illuminati is Anti-Christ or a Good Organization.? under catholic? I had this in my mind after my brother told me that Illuminati is not an enemy. Any opinions? comments? what do you think? Illuminati is Anti-Christ or a Good Organization.? under catholic?

I had this in my mind after my brother told me that Illuminati is not an enemy.

Any opinions? comments? what do you think? ]]> Non-Catholic Religions speedwind100 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788792 Prayer request for my dog http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788786&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 06:05:22 GMT Please pray for our beloved dog, Cassie. Due to her illness, she is getting weaker. Please pray for her healing so that she will be cured and be her active self again. We love her very much. Thank you very much & God Bless You. ]]> Prayer Intentions jaynesundaram http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788786 Requesting Prayers for Family Soon to Lose Home http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788785&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 05:59:43 GMT A friend's family is getting kicked out of their home by the end of the month, and they still haven't worked out a new place to go. (They have a backup in staying with relatives, but being large families of modest means, that solution is short term.)

Please keep them in your prayers! God bless you all! ]]> Prayer Intentions Dtmccameron http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=788785