Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: More people go to Father than to the EMHCs

From a reader… Quaeritur: Father usually has 10-15 people waiting in his line for Holy Communion while there is no one left for the two EMHCs to do but stand and wait. The priest then waves away (nicely) those waiting to receive … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Can a priest set a general parish policy of no Communion in the hand?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’m in a Novus Ordo Parish . Our assistant pastor recently announced that he would only give communion on the tongue and his extraordinary minister was instructed to do the same. A woman insisted on the … Read More

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ASK FATHER: What to do if sermons are heretical?

From a reader. QUAERITUR: What does a laywoman do if the Priest or layperson (this has happened) giving the homily at a mission starts promoting so called “same sex marraige” or trashing the teachings of the Church? Walk out? Take … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father’s sermons are simplistic

From a reader – QUAERITUR: The priest in my parish seems to be a very decent and holy Man; but his homilies are super simplistic and boil down to being good and faithful. He also tells a minimum of two jokes per homily. … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Secret marriage to avoid … government.

From a reader: My __ year old father and his woman friend would like to get married but not go through the government with a marriage lisence. Are there any patriotic priests who would help them? I found protestant pastors but as … Read More

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ASK FATHER: When confessing, do I have to hear, understand the absolution for it to be valid?

From a reader: A confessor I go to has recently made it his practice to whisper the words of absolution while I am saying the Act of Contrition. The first time he did this I did not catch it and … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father took away our kneelers! What can we do?

From a reader: Our very new parish pastor removed our Communion kneelers this past Sunday. They had been in standard use for at least the last 10 years if not longer. Many parishioners are quite upset, but he certainly isn’t … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Do the faithful have the right to make a confession anonymously?

From a priest: Do the faithful have the right to anonymous confession? If anonymous confession is not available, are they excused from confession until they can get to an anonymous confession? Do priests have a right to anonymous confession? Can … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Father coughed so I didn’t go to Communion.

From a reader. QUAERITUR: Shortly before the consecration on Sunday, the priest had a fit of coughing, and coughed into his right hand. What should he have done? I was worried about the transmission of germs, and did not go … Read More

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Friday Penance, the Octave of Christmas, and You

We are in the Octave of Christmas, that stoppage of liturgical time when we can rest in place and contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation from various angles. During the Octave of Easter, we are not obliged to do penance … Read More

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