ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS
“Ask a Priest: What If I Was a Godparent for a Protestant?”
Q: I came into the Church more than a dozen years ago (I was formerly Lutheran). I have a Protestant nephew who is my godchild. I attended his baptism, which might have been a couple of months after my confirmation (I honestly cannot recall). When I was asked by my ...
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“Ask a Priest: May I Receive Communion If I’m Cohabitating?”
Q: During confession, a Catholic priest told me that it is okay to receive Communion, even if I am unmarried and cohabitating – as long as I am sleeping with this man only. That troubled me a lot because my understanding is that if you are fornicating (even if with ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If I Didn’t Raise My Daughter in the Faith Well?”
Q: My daughter will be giving birth in a few months’ time and has told me she will not baptize the baby. This is really upsetting, and I blame myself because I was a bad model for her. For example, I did not instruct her in the Catholic faith or ...
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“Ask a Priest: Could I Go to a Daily Mass Instead of Sunday?”
Q: I just read Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly. There is a chapter about daily Mass; how it is a small, personal, good community, etc. I agreed with all these statements. My next thought was why must I got to Mass on Sunday (I understand it is the Lord’s Day). ...
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“Ask a Priest: Why Do We Baptize Babies?”
Q: Why do we baptize babies instead of letting them reach a mature age like that of Jesus and decide for themselves? – V.C. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: A quick clarification: Jesus’ baptism wasn’t a sacramental baptism. He didn’t have any sin and thus wouldn’t need baptism. He ...
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“Ask a Priest: Why Try to Scare People Into Believing?”
Q: Do you really believe that scaring people and telling them that they ought to live by this specific set of rules, otherwise they will burn for eternity, is the way a supreme being would attempt to obtain followers? Serious question. – S.W. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: By ...
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“Ask a Priest: Should I Let a Priest Know How an Anointing Seemed to Help Me?”
Q: I’m reaching out because my priest administered the anointing of the sick for me because I’m very ill. This was last month. I’ve changed nothing in my treatment, and all of a sudden, I’m in remission from my illness. This is truly a miracle and I have not yet ...
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“Ask a Priest: Is it OK to skip “steamy” content in novels and TV shows?”
Q: I am a 60-something married female. Is it a sin to read romance novels? My niece told me about a book she was reading and how good it was. I bought the book and started reading it. After a few chapters it started to get a little “steamy” with ...
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