Frequently Asked Questions
    (General)
  1. Did Jesus at the Last Supper give the Eucharist to Judas Iscariot? Posted: Aug 10, 2011. This is a really great question.  When we read the Last Supper narratives we do not come away with a clear answer to the question, but seems to indicate that Judas was gone by the time the Eucharist was confected by Our Lord.  See for example Matthews Gospel.  Judas is identified as the betrayer after dipping his hand in the dish with Jesus.  Then, after the exchange is the account of the Last Supper.  The same scene in the same sequence appears in Mark's Gospel.  This seems to imply that Judas had left, but the texts are not definitive because it does not explicitly state that he left. In contrast however, we find in Luke's Gospel that Christ institutes the Eucharist and then he says, "And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table."  This is not a definitive text for two reasons.  First, this might be an expression that is meant to express something deeper about Judas or the nature of sin.  We don't know that Jesus is saying that Judas is present.  Second, even if he were present it does not assure that he received the Eucharist. So two paragraphs to say I don't know!  But this question reminds us that we are to receive Holy Communion worthily.  If we are aware of grave sin we must find the opportunity to confess this.  And we are reminded that our reception of Holy Communion should change us.  If Judas received the Eucharist it did not have much of an effect on him. Thanks for the question.  Keep 'em coming!
  2. What is a good way to discuss the Magisterium with Middle School students? Posted: Aug 17, 2011. Another great question. I will try to answer two ways (quickly). One is in terms of points to make about the topic and then secondly some ideas for activities. I invite other teachers to comment. In fact, I am going to post the question and my answer to the forum to expedite that. Magisterium: well first of all it means teacher. Jesus tells his Apostles in Mt. 28 to go and teach all the nations all that He had commanded.  So this teaching dimension of the Apostles ministry is called the Magisterium. I love my children and so I teach them not to play with snakes, not to drink bleach, to eat a well-balanced diet,  not to play in the street, that 2 + 2 = 4, and the list goes on and on. The teaching is meant to free them and make them happy. Jesus loves us, and He wants to teach us too. He could not have left a list of moral teaching with the Apostles. Can you imagine Jesus saying to the Apostles, “Listen, make sure people know that stem cell research is ok, so long as the cells are obtained morally. In other words, embryonic stem cell research is immoral.” They would not have understood Him and it would have taken 3 years of His ministry just to dictate it all. He left a living teaching office so that the Church could continue to bring the Gospel to the world in every time and place. He left the Church the Holy Spirit to guide it in all truth, so that we could trust this teacher. Bottom line that I would want to get across to the kids, “The Church is like a loving mother trying to teach us things to keep us free and happy.” For more on the Magisterium you may want to check out: YouCat #’s 141, 252 and especially 344 Catechism of the Catholic Church #’s 77-79, 85-95 and 2034 In terms of some practical teaching ideas:   1.        I would ask the kids to come up with some rules that help keep them safe (traffic rules, school rules, societal rules like not killing).    2.       You may ask the students to imagine they got a new pet, a puppy or a kitten. They are going to Disney World with their family and have to leave the pet behind with a neighbor. What are some of the things they will ask the neighbor to do. (These things will end up being rules for their beloved pet: eat twice a day [the right food, not chocolate brownies], get outside and exercise, etc.)   I hope this helps.
  3. Can a Catholic get married during Lent? Posted: Oct 10, 2011. Sorry for the delay.  I got an email about this question, but did not realize that it was from this website. To my knowledge there is not a prohibition.  I have checked with the Catechism and with Canon Law and find nothing.  I do think that one should be mindful of the penitential season.  But, joyful things can take place during Lent.
  4. I'm new to the diocese and would like to transition to a more accessible spiritual director. I'm military and PCSd from North Dakota, where my current spiritual director resides. If possible, I'd like the opportunity to meet with my spiritual director once a month. I'm in the Prattville/Montgomery area. Also, do you know of a list/directory by area of spiritual directors in our diocese? Posted: Oct 26, 2011. I would recommend Fr. Troncale who is pastor at St. Vincent de Paul in Tallassee (not far from you).  Also Fr. Patrick Driscoll the pastor at Holy Spirit in Montgomery.
  5. Did Jesus bi-locate? Do dogs go to heaven? Posted: Nov 16, 2011. Well, if you listen to Archangel radio in the morning you would know that these came from an on air discussion about websites.  They are not serious questions.  However, if you would like either of these answered just post the question and I will get to it!
  6. Ive been going to daily mass this week and noticed the gospel parables were similar between Matthew and Luke. Both tell of the parable of either the talents or gold coins but in Luke's gospel, the landowner or nobleman (i think) is much more harsh to the servant with 1 gold coin who does not make more money for the nobleman. Also Luke explains the the story in more depth than Matthew. I guess the point I'm getting at is that first they are different but the same also. Why do these two gospel's parables differ? I remember some Gospels having some parables and others not, but how can Gospel writers have the same parables but different stories to tell them? Posted: Nov 16, 2011.  This one comes from Tiger country... I mean the #1 Geaux Tigers! I guess the most important point for me to make is that the discrepancy in details does not indicate that the Gospels are just fables made up to suit a particular purpose. (You may think it a ridiculous point to make, but unfortunately there are “scholars” who would make this claim, and some of them are Christian or even Catholic).   The Church acknowledges that parts of the Old Testament contain parts that are, “…imperfect and provisional, nevertheless contain authentic divine teaching.” (Dei Verbum #15) She also mentions that we must consider the literary genre of the books in the Old Testament (see Dei Verbum #12). However, when speaking about the Gospels, “Holy mother church has firmly and with absolute constancy maintained and continues to maintain, that these four Gospels, whose historicity it unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men and women, really did and taught for their eternal salvation…” (Dei Verbum #19)   Notice the difference? Clearly the Church accepts the Gospels as historically reliable documents. That is not to say that the authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, didn’t synthesize the story and tailor it to fit their intended audience.    So, to your question about how why the parables are different. It seems to me that Jesus likely told the same or similar parables multiple times over his three-year public ministry to fit the audience he was preaching to. Another possibility is that Luke and Matthew recall some minor detail about the parable a bit differently just like you and a classmate might recall one of my analogies (used to make a bigger more important point) a bit differently. This variance in the detail does not compromise the truth of the story.   Hope this helps.
  7. Did Jesus, while on earth, ever act against someone's free will? Posted: Nov 27, 2011. Answer: Well, I guess I’ll start with a question. Does God ever act against someone’s free will? If God does then it seems probable that God, while on earth in the person of Jesus did. But I think we better discuss freedom a little bit. We are very uncomfortable with the concept that God could ever “act against someone’s free will.” But does that mean that God will be held hostage by someone? In other words, if one person on earth wills everyone to go to hell doesn’t God then act against that will every time he saves someone? In fact, aren’t there almost always conflicting human wills at play in lots of situations? I want LSU to win, Mr. Boren wants Alabama to win. Someone’s will isn’t going to happen.   In many ways I don’t know the exact answer of how God acts while respecting human wills. I do know that he does. It is important to mention why freedom is so important. Freedom is so important because we cannot love unless we are free. God wants us to be his sons and daughters. He wants us to freely love him.
  8. Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah. The bible does not mention Jesus in this major Jewish feast. Why not? Posted: Dec 1, 2011. Answer: As a good practicing Jew Jesus would have celebrated Hanukkah. The Gospels actually do make mention of him celebrating Hanukkah (see John 10:22-23). Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of the Dedication.   I do think that the bigger question is about what the Bible tells us and what it doesn’t. Remember that the Gospels don’t claim to tell us every action of Jesus. In fact, John says, “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” (Jn 21:25) This is why we need the Church and its continuing teaching of the living Gospel. Each Gospel writer chose the events from Jesus’ life that he thought were most relevant to his audience. I hope this helps. Keep ‘em coming!
  9. Is there Biblical evidence that children were baptized in Jesus' day? What scripture passage(s) exhibit this? Posted: Dec 7, 2011. There are many ways to answer this question. First, I will give a brief introduction and some Scripture verses showing (are at least hinting at) infant baptism. I will tell you upfront, however, that this evidence is weak. Then I will make a strong case that in fact infant baptism has always been the norm.   So, as far as Biblical evidence of infant baptism….it doesn’t really exist. There are several places that mention entire households being baptized (ie. Lydia’s in Acts 16:14-15). The reference implies that everyone in the household is baptized because of Lydia’s choice. The passage does not say, “And this was ok because there were not children or infants.” Nor does it say, “And of course the children and infants had to wait.” So this passage and couple of others like it (ie. 1 Cor. 1:16) point to a probability of infant baptism. If it were disallowed in the early Church we would expect some clarifying statements when talking about entire households being baptized.   The stronger case for infant baptism is that St. Paul (in Col. 2:11-12) clearly sees baptism and the new circumcision. Baptism replaces circumcision. Baptism is the initiation into the New Covenant. So, since circumcision took place at 8 days old (the parents made a faith decision for their children at the express direction of God) we should baptize babies at 8 days, or at least during infancy.   If you would like to read more there is a good article at: http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism Or, write me a follow up.
  10. In wake of the pro life trip, i have done some research on abortions and have found by the national cancer institute of the US that abortions do not show any signs of causing breast cancer? having been a previous student of yours, I have checked my notes and saw that they say that "of women who have had abortions, 50% are more likely to have breast cancer." Is the argument of breast cancer is caused by abortion false? Posted: Feb 3, 2012. This one is from a former student.  Great job of thinking for yourself!  Investigate everything.  There is a  very well documented connection between losing a pregnancy (miscarriage) and breast cancer.  There is also a well documented connection between high doses of hormones (used in the pill and in chemical abortions) and breast cancer.  Obviously, abortion then is linked with breast cancer.  Additionally, there have been studies specifically related to the link between abortion and breast cancer independent from the link due to the loss of pregnancy and the high dose of hormones.
  11. I attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church in downtown New Orleans Sunday, January 22,2012. St. Patrick's Collect, Readings (Romans 12:16-21) & Gospel (Matthew 8:1-13) were different than what was in my Magnificat, (Jonah 3:1-5,10, Corinthians 7:29-31 respectively), for that Sunday. We also did not recite the Psalm prior to the second reading. Are the readings not the same all over the world regardless of what Catholic church you attend? Posted: Feb 5, 2012. The readings are the same.  Often, at daily Mass you will find variations because there are options to celebrate certain memorials or not.  However, Sundays usually leave no options.  It is possilbe that the lector read the wrong cycle year (there is a three year cycle of readings, A, B and C).  It is also possible that for some reason the local Ordinary gave permission for celebrating a particular feast that Sunday.
  12. Feb 3 issue of Catholic Weekly had an article about Bishops around the country responding, and requesting their laity to respond, to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services concerning the requirement that all health plans cover contraception & sterilization at no cost. Is the Mobile Diocese going to publish a letter explaining EXACTLY what this bill entails ( I have heard this bill is also forcing Catholic health centers to perform abortions) and unite us throughout the diocese with a form letter and/or petition with appropriate Washington addresses so our voice can be heard? Posted: Feb 5, 2012. In his February 3rd letter, Archbishop Rodi asks all of us to pray and fast for a just resolution to this matter.  He also encourages all of the faithful to visit:  www.usccb.org/conscience   for more information and to contact our elected representatives.
  13. Can any Catholic have a spritual director? How do you ask for this? Posted: Feb 13, 2012. Yes, any Catholic can have a spiritual director.  I do think it is important to choose one who is very holy.  Typically, a priest or sometimes a nun may serve as spiritual director, but laity are not excluded.  I would offer one caution if choosing laity.  A person cannot simply learn to be a spiritual director.  It should be rooted in a deep and abiding intimacy with the Trinity.  Having a degree in "Spirituality" or in "Spiritual Direction" does not qualify one to serve as spiritual director.   How do you ask for this?  I suggest you approach your pastor and ask him to be your spiritual director or to suggest someone to you, perhaps even his spiritual director.
  14. I heard or read that reference to "cock crow" in the Passion readings does not refer to a rooster but rather a person (town crier) that walked the walls of the city announcing the time. Can you verify this? Posted: Mar 7, 2012. Thank you for the question.   First, I will say that in terms of the truth of the Gospel accounts, and the salvific truth being communicated this answer does not have any impact  And, second,  I will say that that it is possible that it is a rooster crowing or a way of keeping time. So, the Jews divided the night into four times and the Romans divided the night into sixteen.  In both cases, one of those divisions was the hour that cocks began to crow (we would call it 3 a.m.).  The Romans would sometimes announce the passing of those times with a trumpet blast.  So, it is not clear fromt the Gospels whether the authors are talking about a crowing cock or about a specific hour that may have been announced by trumpet. Fancy way of saying, "I don't know."  But, I hope it helps some.
  15. I attended St. Patrick in New Orleans again this past weekend and found the Sunday Mass readings and Gospel to be different than what's in my Magnificat. I asked the priest why and he said to fully celebrate the Latin Mass they use the Extraodinary Calender. Can you explain what this is and why this church is not in union with the rest of us? Posted: Apr 30, 2012. Thank you for the question.  Sorry it has taken a few days to get to the answer.  St. Patrick in New Orleans celebrates the Mass in the extraordinary form.  In other words, in the way it was celebrated before Vatican II.  Prior to Vatican II the readings at Mass were on a one-year cycle.  The new Lectionary exposes the faithful to much more of the Scriptures and is on a three-year cylce for Sundays.   The is discussion about your last question.  Some want the Mass in the extraordinary form to use the same cycle of readings, while others oppose this.  I love the fact that every Catholic Church (using the ordinary form) all over the world proclaims the same Scriputures every Sunday.
  16. In regards to the Religious Liberty and Obamacare issue, if the government does not relent on forcing insurances to provide abortive drugs etc. what position does this pose for an insured Catholic? For example, if I am paying premiums to Blue Cross Blue Shield and they are required to supply abortive drugs for free, then I am indirectly financing these free drugs. Since all insurances will be mandated to offer these free drugs/services, are Catholics to drop their health insurance and go uninsured? A serious step further, since President Obama is requiring everyone to have health insurance do we all pack up and leave the country? I'm hoping you can also help me understand the Church's position on another issue concerning Religious Liberty, the Alabama Immigration Laws. Currently, the Church wants to help illegal immigrants. Does this include helping them become legal in addition to feeding, clothing and housing? Is the Church trying to sponsor or find sponsors for these people as in the days of the Vietnam refugees? Posted: Apr 30, 2012. Thank you for the question.  You actually answer it yourself when you use the phrase, "I am indirectly financing these free drugs."  You are not directly cooperating with the evil.  Your cooperation is very remote.  The truth is you are already doing this.  I am quite sure that most insurance companies offer the objectionable services to people on other plans.  What is being done is that they are being mandated to offer it in all plans.  You will not be required to drop your insurance nor to leave the country.   With regards the question about the Alabama law... the Church objects to the state telling it (us) that we cannot minister the Gospel to people.  We respect the immigration laws of our country, and believe that a nation has a right to secure its borders.  What it cannot do is criminalize proclamation of the Gospel and ministering to the needy who are in our midst.
This FAQ document was printed on: Saturday, May 19, 2012