ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHURCH
“Ask a Priest: Could It Be Sinful Not to Research a Moral Issue?”
Q: Is reluctance to look into a moral or spiritual question for fear of the results a sin? – Aaron Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: The short answer is yes. The fact that someone feels the need to research an issue but refuses to do so would be ...
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“Ask a Priest: Didn’t Jesus Reject the Idea of Organized Religion?”
Q: I am a Catholic and I want to stay Catholic. But there are many things that I am unsure of. Jesus seemed to reject the idea of an establishment. He seemed to not like organized religion. He lived a very nomadic life and once said that a time is ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If I Was Questioned at Communion Time?”
Q: I went to evening Mass for the first time in years, and I was feeling nervous as I didn’t know the church or the people, since I recently moved from Ireland to England with my husband. As we were receiving the sacrament the priest took the wafer back and ...
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“Ask a Priest: Doesn’t a Lack of Women Priests Contradict Scripture?”
Q: Why are there no women cardinals or priests? This goes against all the Scripture teachings that we are all equal in the eyes of God. — Michael Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: Women are equal to men in dignity, no doubt. But being equal doesn’t mean being identical. ...
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“Ask a Priest: Do the Creeds Used at Mass Contradict Each Other?”
Q: We say a profession of faith during Mass. But there are two versions, and I find them contradicting each other. For example, the Nicene Creed speaks of “one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages,” while the Apostles’ Creed says, ...
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“Ask a Priest: Should I Skip Receiving Communion Altogether?”
Q: I always go to Mass and I am a lector, but I do not partake of the Eucharist anymore because I do not have any confidence in the sacrament of confession. I know the three things that need to be in place for a sin to be mortal, but ...
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“Ask a Priest: Does the Host Contain the Body and Blood of Christ?”
Q: My adult son is questioning why the Blood of Jesus is not offered at every Mass as Jesus requested. “Do this in memory of me” – he said it for both the bread and the wine separately. Please help me explain why we only receive the host (I’ve told ...
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“Ask a Priest: When receiving a blessing at Communion, what is the proper response?”
Q: I am 60 years old. Recently I started the RCIA. I hope to be confirmed sometime around Easter. I understand and accept the fact that I cannot participate in Communion until I have been confirmed. However, I do rise and receive the priest’s blessing. I have a United Methodist ...
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