Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Why so many variations in Mass depending on the priest?

From a reader: I am a new convert to the Faith within the last nine months, and I am still in the process of joining the Church formally. As such I’m still learning a good deal about the Church, her … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , ,
36 Comments

QUAERITUR: Why does the pope say a couple living together is “not excluded from the love of the Church or from the love of Christ”?

From a reader: Why does the pope say a couple living together ‘married’ without an annulment of a previous marriage is “not excluded from the love of the Church or from the love of Christ”? Christ said they were committing … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity |
31 Comments

QUAERITUR: simultaneous Masses v concelebration

From a reader: Canon 902 states that “Unless the welfare of the Christian faithful requires or suggests otherwise, priests can concelebrate the Eucharist. They are completely free to celebrate the Eucharist individually, however, but not while a concelebration is taking place in the … Read More

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59 Comments

QUAERITUR: About negative judgments for “annulments”

From a reader: Archbishop Sheehan’s Pastoral Letter on Couples who are cohabitating was published in my church bulletin, ….  I belong in the third group. My husband, who is not Catholic, was married in the church in Diocese A. After 20 … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, HONORED GUESTS | Tagged ,
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QUAERITUR: Should I write to the bishop about urging priests to hear confessions?

From a reader: Would it be appropriate to write a bishop asking if diocesan priests under his leadership be encouraged to hear confessions more regularly? Most parishes seem to only have confessions on Saturday afternoons. I know our priests are busy, but … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , ,
30 Comments

27 Dec: Today we bless WINE! HUZZAH!

The liturgical year guided and nourish and shaped Catholics for centuries.  It does so far less now.  But once, people not only followed the turning of the earth and the wheeling of the stars and the rising and setting of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged , , ,
10 Comments

QUAERITUR: Blessings at Communion… again.

From a reader: In the OF some Priest’s will bless those who present themselves in the Communion line with their arms crossed. (Although I am doubtful to the legality of this) So can a Priest who is celebrating the EF bless … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
13 Comments

QUAERITUR: “openly gay EMHC, an ex-priest”

From a reader: I come from a mid-sized parish with at least 10 EMHCs every Sunday, which just seems like way too much. I’ve also noticed that they give blessings, with the laying on of hands and everything, to catechumens, non-Catholics, etc. I’m … Read More

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38 Comments

QUAERITUR: Priest returns to his ad libs during Mass.

From a reader: After almost four weeks of doing his best to “say the black and do the red,” our pastor has started to revert to ad libbing at Mass. At our Christmas Masses, he began by welcoming the congregation … Read More

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28 Comments

QUAERITUR: No record of First Communion in Baptism records! What to do?

From a reader: We belonged to Parish #1 for several years, and that’s where three of our children were baptized. We moved to Parish#2 in time for our oldest to receive religious education and First Holy Communion. It is now time for our … Read More

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13 Comments