Year 2000 Questions

Why do Catholics baptize babies into the faith? Why not wait until adulthood?

A lot of people are angry about a document recently published by the Church. One of my friends said that the Catholic Church said that only Catholics can get into heaven. Is that true?

In this issue of FAITH, we look at self-sacrifice and its importance in our own faith as well as our faith life. In our Lenten and Easter celebrations, we revel in God's incredible and unexpected act of suffering and dying for our sins, then rising from the dead.

I am a divorced Catholic. Some people have told me that I cannot receive communion and others have said I can. Who is right?

I am 15. This is the year that I am supposed to be confirmed. Why should I be? What does it mean to be an "active member of the Church"?

Why should I go to a celibate priest for help when my marriage is in trouble?

My daughter is bringing her boyfriend home for the holidays and insists on sleeping in the same room with him. I'm opposed to that. What should I do?

I always feel so much pressure at Christmas time. There's so much that has to be done and I have to make sure I get the right gift for each person. How can I balance my perspective so that Christmas is the prayerful experience it is meant to be?

Year 2001 Questions

What is the deal with God and science? I hear all kinds of questions about the two, and everybody seems to contradict each other. What is the truth?

Are any great scientists Christians?

Why can I go to communion at some churches and not at others? Is there a rule here?

Father, I recently attended a non-Catholic worship service where they recited the Creed! What is up with that? They even said "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church." I don't get it. Help!

I have a friend who is Protestant and who is constantly telling me that our beliefs about heaven, hell and especially purgatory are not biblical. I looked, and she is right. It's not in the Scriptures. Why do we believe that if it's not in the Bible?

What does the Church teach about cremation? What happens to us when we die? Do we believe in reincarnation?

I have to work on Sunday. Am I sinning if I am supposed to keep the Sabbath day holy?

At work, they are replacing people with machines. Is that moral?

My friend believes in Wicca because it honors nature. I think I can believe in Wicca, too, and still be Catholic. My mom says "no." What do you think?

One of my brothers says he is no longer Catholic. He and his wife seem to spend a great deal of time criticizing my family and the Catholic Church. He says we aren't going to heaven. It's really hard at family gatherings because he is always trying to convert people. What should I do?

Should we really be celebrating this time of year? I think about the disaster of Sept. 11 and the possibility of future terrorist attacks, I think of our troops over in a foreign war and the people of Afghanistan, and I wonder if we shouldn't "hold back a little" with all that is happening. What do you think?

Year 2002 Questions

I can't seem to get my grandson to go to Church. His parents aren't taking him and I would really like him to go. What should I do?

There are a lot of different religions out there and everybody thinks their's is right. One of my friends says that we are all right. Is it true that all religions are right?

Why did Jesus get baptized? He didn't have original sin, did he?

The priest who baptized my children left the priesthood under some very bad circumstances. Ever since then, I have wondered if I should get the kids re-baptized. What do you think?

A friend of another denomination asked me: If I am saved through my baptism, then why do I need to go to a priest for confession?

What is the problem with general absolution?

Why did they remove the tabernacle from the main sanctuary off to the side? Why are we hiding Jesus away?

I am quite angry at some people at our parish over decisions they have made in our Church. I am angry and I am hurt. What should I do?

When priests sin, are they judged more harshly by God?

What exactly IS the Holy Spirit?

My parents are trying to stop me from hanging out with some friends from school. I think they are judging them without getting to know them. What do you think?

Why does the Church require nine months preparation before marriage? If couples feel they are ready, why is the Church making them wait?

Why should I go to a priest to talk about marriage when a priest doesn't have any experience in marriage?

Why is the Church so opposed to euthanasia? Why is it wrong to alleviate suffering? It seems to me we demand more compassion for a suffering dog than a person.

Why do we pray to saints and have devotions? My non-Catholic friends say faith shouldn't be so complicated.

What is devotionalism? My priest said it is a bad thing, but some of my fellow parishioners disagree. What's the truth here?

Year 2003 Questions

I am troubled by a recent discovery. I saw in the news that a burial box (called an ossuary) was found that says Jesus had a brother. What is this? And what should Catholics think?

Some Protestant friends say that it's the devil's fault I am living in poverty. They also believe that God will bless you with money if you live right. Is that true?

I read with interest the various saint feast days on my calendar. Two questions: Does every saint have a feast day? Also, what or who determines which saints' feast days make it on the calendar and which do not? It seems like every year the same saints are represented, some of whom seem rather "minor."

I just received my Faith Magazine (Jan/Feb 2003) and read your article about whether Jesus had brothers or sisters. Personally, I have always believed that Mary had more children because the Bible calls Jesus "her firstborn son." (Luke 2:7) Do you have more information about that? Also, does it mention anywhere when Joseph died and how?

Why is pride a sin – what about pride in your work or family? Is there a good kind of pride? If so, what kind of pride is sinful?

Tell us about yourself. Why did you decide to become a priest?

What gives the Church the authority to determine what is right and wrong? As far as I know, there is nothing on birth control, capital punishment, genetic engineering and/or cloning in the Bible. Doesn't it just hurt the credibility of the Church when they are wrong (i.e. Galileo)?

Why are they changing the Mass? I am hearing about all the new rules and regulations. Why do we bother with such things?

What are the holy days of obligation and what does it mean when we have one?

What does it mean to be pure in heart?

What can I do to keep my child pure?

How do we know there is a God?

Who created God? What was before God?

How should we look at the war on terror? I am not clear on our role as 'peacemaker' when we are fighting. What is peace?

How do I form a well-developed conscience?

How do I witness to my Catholic faith without being called a Jesus freak?

Year 2004 Questions

I have a Protestant friend who tells me that we only have nine commandments and we leave out the commandment about idols. She showed me in her Bible how we left it out. Is that true? Also, why do we have statues in churches if God says not to do it?

I recently read a book called The Da Vinci Code and am very confused and upset. Have you read it? The author states in the beginning that everything he says in there is true. If so, how can we pretend that our faith is real? Help!

Are there other 'gospels' such as the "Gnostic gospels."? What are they? Are they for real?

I feel guilty about putting my mother in a nursing home. Am I failing to honor her by doing this? How do I make this decision?

Is organ donation OK for Catholics? If yes, why? Doesn't the Bible say that our bodies rise from the dead? How will all that work? What about cremation?

In terms of software piracy, if it's possible to do it, why is it wrong? After all, Microsoft has billions.

I keep quiet about things going on in my life because everything I say gets spread around. What should I do?

When should you confront someone with the truth?

When does sharing information become gossip?

Is it a sin to have stuff? In the Gospels Jesus seems to imply that we should give it all to the poor. But then everyone would be be poor. What is really being asked of us?

Year 2005 Questions

Tell me about Evolution. Some people say that Catholics can't believe in evolution and that Creation happened exactly as it says in Genesis. I have a teacher who says that evolution is a scientific fact. What do Catholics believe?

How do people who are allergic to wheat receive Communion?

What is the difference between Catholic Communion and Protestant Communion? May I receive Communion in a Protestant church?

Why is there a need for the papacy?

What is papal infallibility and when is it invoked? What are ex cathedra teachings?

Why do some prayers get answered in the way the person wants them to, and others don't?

My boyfriend is really jealous of me. He won't let me talk to my friends anymore and wants me to quit activities he's not in. Is this normal?

I caught my boyfriend talking to his old girlfriend. I'm really jealous. I know this isn't a good thing, but how do I handle it?

Does God make evil happen? If God created everything, did he create evil? What does God choose and what does God allow? What was the point of the crucifixion – was it necessary?

The TV coverage of Hurricane Katrina showed a lot of people stealing from stores and other places. Was that OK?

I've seen TV evangelists laying hands on people and "healing" them. Can you explain how this is different from our Anointing of the Sick?

I've always been Catholic, do I need to have a conversion experience and what would that look and feel like? What do people mean when they ask if I am "born again?"

Year 2006 Questions

Did Jesus Own the Coat He Wore?

I am really confused about forgiveness. I know we are supposed to forgive everyone, but does that mean I have to stay in the relationship? My marriage counselor is telling me something different. Please help.

Where was Jesus' soul during the three days he was in the tomb?

Did Jesus raise himself from the dead?

I've heard a lot of hype about the movie, The DaVinci Code and I'm confused. Is this stuff true? If it is, my faith is in doubt!

I am a divorced Catholic. Some people have told me that I cannot receive communion and others have said I can. Who is right?

I have to make a decision between sending my child to Catholic school, which would involve me going back to work full time, and staying home with my younger children who are not in school yet. What do I do?

What do I do if a friend is suicidal?

Do you give to the panhandler? I feel guilty walking by someone, but I'm afraid giving money just perpetuates the problem.

Is cremation OK? Why is it a teaching to keep bodily remains together, unless you are a potential saint and then they divide you up?

How does the church pick bishops?

If I don't like my priest, can I switch parishes?

Year 2008 Questions

Can I be a politician and a Catholic?

I’m over 30 and not married. What do I tell people who ask why?

What's so bad about being gay?