Category Archives: “How To…” – Practical Notes

Key stats for vocations to the priesthood – POLLS

The USCCB released survey results of the 2014 class of ordinands (from Latin, ordinandi, or “men to be ordained”).  HERE 82% were altar boys 73% attended adoration of the Blessed Sacrament regularly Suggestion to parish priests… heck… let’s include bishops, too: … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , ,
40 Comments

ASK FATHER: Gifts for new deacons and priests

‘Tis the season for ordinations! I am getting lots of questions about what to give the newly ordained. First and foremost, cash and gift cards are always welcome. It doesn’t seem very personal, but unless you are pretty close to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , ,
25 Comments

Of Masses Pontifical (D. Providence) and Solemn (D. Sacramento)

It will not be stopped. This is a little late in the posting, but I thought you would like to see a couple success stories. First, my friend Fr. Jay Finelli, “iPadre”, sent photos of a Pontifical Mass celebrated by … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, One Man & One Woman, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , ,
14 Comments

ASK FATHER: Salvation for divorced and remarried?

From a reader: If a person is remarried with children and cannot get an annulment on their first marriage do they have to divorce before they can receive communion? Does not receiving communion mean a persons eternal life is in jeopardy? Is it … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Hard-Identity Catholicism, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , ,
22 Comments

ASK FATHER: Marrying non-Catholics

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have four children, in their twenties, three girls and one boy. All the girls married non-Catholics (who have agreed to raise the children in the Catholic Church and they all attend mass weekly so no … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
43 Comments

ASK FATHER: What can deacons bless?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently witnessed our parish deacon blessing an image of St. Francis. Do deacons have the power of blessing images. And if not, does the image to be “re-blessed” by a priest? Given that this is the season … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: A dying man’s confession, death and YOU.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My father-in-law recently passed away. Before he died, he received Last Rites and a confession, but my wife is concerned about the validity of the confession. He suffered from a couple of strokes before he died, which took away … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
19 Comments

ASK FATHER: “Baptismal Stoles” or “Confirmation Stoles”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I heartily agree with you regarding cassocks and surplices on “altar girls”. [More on that HERE] But I have another concern, and I wonder if I am right. I also do not believe that “Baptismal Stoles” or “Confirmation … Read More

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

ASK FATHER: Altar girls also Communion ministrices

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to Mass today in the diocese of [removed] as a visitor. The priest had 4 teen age alter girls and I actually received communion from one of them. This brought tears of sorrow to … Read More

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

Luke 19: Zacchaeus

I think we could benefit from a discussion of the moment in the Gospel of Luke when Zacchaeus meets the Lord.  The Pope recently used this pericope when addressing the UN delegation.  It made me scratch my head.  The Pope … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, The Drill | Tagged ,
37 Comments