http://forums.catholic.com Catholic answers to your faith questions. Manned by CA staff apologists. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:43:11 GMT vBulletin 30 http://forums.catholic.com/images/misc_khaki/rss.jpg http://forums.catholic.com http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399344&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:44:31 GMT I own at least fifteen leather-bound Bibles that lack the dueterocanonical books (KJV, NASB, ESV, NIV). I could give them away, but I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking it is a complete Bible. I would rather give someone a complete Bible. So they are all just sitting in a drawer. They are all like brand new. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you! ]]> Ask an Apologist rayjeffc http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399344 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399331&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:45:49 GMT Is it wrong that our priest did not give a homily after the Gospel, as he said someone was going to give a talk on a veterans appeal after the Mass had finished? I understood that a homily must be given on a Sunday and on holy days of obligation. Can you help? Is it wrong that our priest did not give a homily after the Gospel, as he said someone was going to give a talk on a veterans appeal after the Mass had finished? I understood that a homily must be given on a Sunday and on holy days of obligation. Can you help? ]]> Ask an Apologist gerrycalvin http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399331 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399159&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:20 GMT My 16-year-old daughter was told by her priest that "nobody can tell her to go to confession." Is this true? Aren't we supposed to tell our loved ones to go to confession if they are apart from God and to encourage them to reconcile? If she is my daughter and I see she has committed a mortal sin, can I tell her to go to confession? If I don't tell her, how is she going to change? Thank you very much for your help! ]]> Ask an Apologist Liliellen http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399159 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399082&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:21:45 GMT I currently live at the age of 15 in a Protestant home. I have gone to a Lutheran church most my life. Two years ago I reached in reading and life experience a yearn to cross the Tiber. I have made a great connection in the faith through an old priest friend of my father's, and my father himself is understanding of my decision. However, my average Sunday feels hollow. I want to experience the Catholic Communion, but I understand my innability to recieve it unconfirmed. Hence, every Sunday I take Communion at my (Lutheran) church, giving a prayer that I might experience some pressence of Christ by virtue of belief in the real pressence, even if the pastor may not be ordained the powers of transubstantiation. Is it right for me to partake? I understand why it is wrong for the Catholic to particiapate in a Communion anything less than Christ's body and blood, but in cases when one like mysef can not partake for years to come, is it so wrong? ]]> Ask an Apologist Holy Crucifix http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399082 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399002&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:38:54 GMT I'm 15. Over the last year I've tried to make religious reforms in my life. My family is Catholic and loving. They sent me to "Sunday school" and I was just confirmed this year. I want to continue to go to church and all, but it seems that I'm the only one who feels the need to go to church on Sundays.

I've said "I want to go to church tommorow" and they usually go. My parents usually get frustrated like it's a chore to go to church and worship the God that created them! They say that they have chores around the house to do, which they do, but it just seems wrong. I feel like they are holding my faith back. It's gotten to the point where I don't even ask to go because I know they will just get frustrated. What do I do? ]]> Ask an Apologist bubbathegump http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=399002 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398963&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:11:03 GMT My father-in-law suffers from depression. He just lost his wife three months ago and we've been staying with him during the week to help ease his depression. We also have my husband's brother and sister-in-law staying weekends. They have no children and are planning to move in but as of now they aren't sure when.

Are we obliged to go to my father-in-law's home each week and stay with him because of his depression and aging and just losing his wife? I homeschool and we have six kids. Three of them are in school, but it puts a burden on me to try and get this done and pack up and go every week. Am I under an obligation to do this? I'm not sure in this area. I know that lack of time isn't an excuse to not help a brother in need. I do feel he's in need since he's got clinical depression and now it is even harder for him to cope. My children bring him joy but it is just so hard to get everything done when we go over there.

With our kids in school, forty minutes round-trip away and outside activities and trying to cook and clean and homeschool and nurse a baby, I just feel like a mad woman some days. Sorry this is so long but felt I needed to explain. Please advise because I do want to help and support him but I feel overwhelmed. ]]> Ask an Apologist littlemamaof5 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398963 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398759&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:41:10 GMT I'm 20 years old, and I don't feel a vocation to the Church. I would really like to marry, but I don't yet feel a specific vocation to marriage, and I doubt that I will until I fall in love. However, I doubt that I'll fall in love unless I date, but I fear that by dating I will fall in love and get married, closing myself off to the possibility of a vocation to the Church. I worry that perhaps I'm not giving God enough of a chance to call me, and that I'm just taking the easy out by saying "No way am I holy enough to have a vocation!" Is there anything I can do, (equivalent to dating, or a discernment program for those who don't feel a vocation) that might cause me to fall in love with being a nun, so that if I do, I could serve God in my vocation, and if I don't, I would be able to pursue marriage with full confidence that I am called to marry? Or are those who pursue marriage supposed to be burdened with the possibility that they are not serving God to the best of their ability? ]]> Ask an Apologist bennett http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398759 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398717&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:38 GMT Does the pope ever hear anyone's confession? ]]> Ask an Apologist BrianLC http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398717 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398670&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:59:55 GMT I went to Mass the past Sunday evening. Father felt a cold coming on and advised he would not be distributing Communion (there's a veritable army of extraordinary ministers). At any rate, after the sign of peace he sat down. There was no Lamb of God, "Lord I am not worthy," and Father did not take Communion himself. Was this a valid Mass and did I receive a valid Communion? The Communion hymn was "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The whole Mass seemed a bit off that night. ]]> Ask an Apologist Mike Searson http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398670 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398384&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:23:33 GMT I am in a theological anthropology class where we're dealing with gender complication. An example was given of a female parishioner who had abdominal pains and discovered that her ovaries were really un-descended testicles. Her family discovered this at the age of puberty and didn't know what to do with the situation. At birth her gender was unknown and so they raised her as a female but now they are leaning to the belief that she is more of a male. Should they continue to raise her as a female or should they raise her now as a male seeing that she has more masculine organs? Thank you for your help. ]]> Ask an Apologist SancteGenesius http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398384 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398337&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:35:32 GMT Bishop Richard G. Lennon of Cleveland, Ohio, has this week issued a decree in which he "admonish[es] the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland to cease gathering for any religious, liturgical, spiritual, or devotional purpose on the site of Holy Love Ministries" and declaring that "the alleged apparitions and locutions to Maureen Sweeney Kyle are not supernatural." The bishop has essentially issued a decree of constat de non supernaturalitate.

Only the pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals, so is it a sin for a faithful Catholic to disobey the bishop's decree and visit the site or recite the Rosary of the Unborn for an end to abortion and other prayers that were given by the visionary? Nowhere in the decree does it mention pain of sin or excommunication and nowhere does it mention condemnation of the site. ]]> Ask an Apologist JaniceKHarper http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398337 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398297&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:32:51 GMT I have just become a Catholic this year and am aware that the feast of Epiphany in some countries like mine has been transfered to the Sunday after the first of January. So is it okay for me to carry on leaving my decorations up until January 6, or would it be best to remove them on the third when Epiphany will be celebrated? I have just become a Catholic this year and am aware that the feast of Epiphany in some countries like mine has been transfered to the Sunday after the first of January. So is it okay for me to carry on leaving my decorations up until January 6, or would it be best to remove them on the third when Epiphany will be celebrated? ]]> Ask an Apologist divinemercy1 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398297 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398285&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:13:17 GMT I have recently learned that a friend's sister has a rosary that has turned gold. I have tried to do some research on this, however, I am still confused about what this means, when it happens, and why. Does this happen to those with very strong faith? Does this happen to someone who has been given a gift from God to touch people or spread his word, or to someone who experienced trouble or pain in life? ]]> Ask an Apologist JAKK1989 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=398285 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=397974&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:52:10 GMT Hi...I'm new and glad to have found this wonderful method of connecting with others! I have been ill since 1987. I am a Charismatic Catholic and devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. I have suffered many diverse infirmities in my life and always have joined my sufferings with those of Jesus on His Cross. Right now I am getting very worn down with constant suffering and going from doctor to doctor without much relief. Am I to embrace this cross as redemptive suffering or continue to seek some type of relief? My suffering is very intense and I trust Jesus with all my heart. I just need a little direction.

Thanks!
Rose ]]> Ask an Apologist rose7723 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=397974 http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=397913&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:19:58 GMT My daughter will be getting married next October. Her father, who is not Catholic, is not in her life, and so her brother will be walking her down the aisle. Is that allowed? My daughter will be getting married next October. Her father, who is not Catholic, is not in her life, and so her brother will be walking her down the aisle. Is that allowed? ]]> Ask an Apologist msvideo http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=397913