Catholic Q and A
We will now take questions about the Catholic Church, St. Mary's, the Diocese of Raleigh and many more subjects.
We will then pick one question a month and have someone in that field answer it. We will post the selected question and answer right here each month.
Click on the button below to submit a question. Please keep all questions brief and respectful.
Hello, My first marriage was in the Catholic Church, he did not attend church with me or believe what I did. I however grew up in a wonderful Catholic Community & went to Catholic school from preschool through college. My first husband was verbally & physically abusive, I eventually left him after 3 yrs. I never got an annulment because the diocese wanted me to contact him-at the time I was still very afraid of him. This was 14 yrs ago. I never did, although I have "left" the Catholic Church nothing else seems like "home" I am remarried to a wonderful husband with 2 beautiful little girls. We are Presbyterian, although a nice church-its just not the same. Is it possible for me to get an annulment from my first marriage? I would like to come back to the Catholic Church. Thank you for your time.
The answer to this question:
The best thing to do is to make an appointment with me, and we can sort things out. It's never too late to get back on track with your Faith. - Fr. Bob
When John was baptizing with water, as I read it, he was baptizing to eventually reveal Jesus. But for those other than Jesus whom he baptized, what was the purpose of it, or how were they supposed to be changed by it?
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question! Actually, many groups practiced baptism before the coming of Jesus. Jesus' cousin, John, was only one such person.
The different groups that practiced baptism did so as an act of purification, to make oneself clean to engage in temple ceremonies. The act of baptism - or washing - showed an inner disposition for change, for purification.
When I learned the Apostles\' Creed, we prayed:
"He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead."
Recently, while listening to the local Catholic radio station, I heard them praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the leader said "He descended to the dead" instead of hell.
Has the Church changed the wording of the Apostles' Creed or is this just something the radio commentator did on his own?
Thanks for taking my question.
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question. Descended into hell refers to Jesus entering into the death of the body. Therefore, saying "descended into death" is saying the same thing, just more clearly.
Fr. Bob, in your answer to holding hands, you state we should do it out of love, however, should it not be more important to be obedient. Rome specifically responded to this practice and said the lay practices should not change the liturgical norms of the church. We as lay folks don't have a right, and most don't have the knowledge to do so. Most don\'t even understand that the sacrifice of the mass is really about. So is it wise to specifically go against what the Holy See has said. This seems to contradict unity, the very point you make in talking about one cup versus many cups? Additionally, I would add that we have a duty to be obedient by not only listening to the church, but not doing something we haven\'t specifically been given permission to do. As you probably know, if neither the bishops' conference nor the Holy See has seen fit to prescribe any posture for the recitation of the Our Father, it hardly behooves any lesser authority to impose a novel gesture not required by liturgical law and expect the faithful to follow their decrees. Lastly, The use of this practice during the Our Father could detract and distract from the prayer's God-directed sense of adoration and petition, as explained in Nos. 2777-2865 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in favor of a more horizontal and merely human meaning.
Just a few thoughts. I think obedience runs both ways, doing what we are told and also not doing what we haven't been expressly given permission to do. Changing the mass is not mine to change.
The answer for this question:
Thanks for your comments. Pastoral practice always takes into account rules, and there is a hierarchy of rules in the church. Changing the formula for Consecration, for example, is non-negotiable. Saying the "I confess to almighty God" or not saying it is up to the priest. Likewise, the priest decides what Eucharistic Prayer to use. The priest is also responsible for safety issues, so if it is too hard for the elderly to stand, he needs to address such thing. Just keep in mind that rules are made for humans, not the other way around. And above all, love trumps rules should there ever be a question.
Does games like chess have a religious significance?
The answer to this question:
Great question! Believe it or not, the answer is "yes," games such as chess do have religious significance. However, when you go online, you'll discover more information than you can imagine. I'm definitely not an expert--or even novice--in the field of the religious significance of games. Therefore, I suggest that you type in a question on your computer such as "What is the religious significance of chess and other games?", and you'll be amazed at all the articles that will appear in this field. Obviously scholars in this field have been very busy. Fr. Bob
How would I go about Baptizing my wife and children? We have no family around to help us out as God parents. Thanks.
The answer to this question:
For this question, it would be good to make an appointment with me. Just call the office at 762-5491 X 11. That is the front desk, and the worker there has my appointment book. I'll be able to help you. Father Bob
I am concerned that Ann Street has become a two-way street; it is narrow and with 2 way traffic I see it as dangerous! Is this a permanent change?
Second question: I attend 5:30 Saturday evening faithfully and enjoy the beautiful voices but I do not feel it is appropriate to clap after some of the songs. Appreciation can be done in another way.
The answer for this question:
Thank you for your message.
As to the first question, yes, the City of Wilmington has decided to make Ann Street a 2-way street. This is part of the master plan to make Ann Street a bicycle path down to the Cape Fear River. Ann Street will be sort of an oasis from heavy traffic thanks to the blockade on Third Street and Fifth Avenue. Third Street blockade has already been done, so only bicycles can cross the medium there. The same will be done on Fifth Avenue.
As for clapping at Mass, this is something the people do when they want to show their appreciation for special talents. There are two ways of thinking of this. The first is the way I grew up. In those days, we were always silent. The theory was that silence showed respect for the Blessed Sacrament. The other way of looking at clapping has its basis in the teaching of the Church Fathers at the Second Vatican Council. In that Council, Catholic Christians were reminded that Christ is really present in four (4) ways at every Mass: (1) in the assembly (the ones doing the clapping); (2) in the presider (the ordained priest or bishop leading the Mass); (3) in the proclaimed Scripture; and (4) in the Blessed Sacrament. If it is true that Jesus is really present in the assembly, the logic goes, isn't it Jesus who is applauding? Just something to ponder...
Fr. Bob
Well I like to watch television. But how come Christians are offended on television shows the most especially catholic Christians? I even feel infuriated that we get offended the most, more than any other religions.
The answer for this question:
Thanks for your question. I'm not sure that Catholic Christians get more offended than other people. However, sociologists (and others) have noted that in American society, there is more intolerance. It appears that more and more people walk though the world with a "chip on their shoulder." They see themselves as the center of the universe, and anyone who does not think or act or speak as they do, is blasted. Often this intolerance is inflamed by people who misuse religion. They teach intolerance and even hatred. Such people tend to see evil lurking everywhere. To them, God's creation is intrinsically evil, not good. Thus, they are offended by such things as Halloween, not being greeted at Christmastime as they want to be greeted, people who vote differently than themselves, etc. Catholic Christians should strive to live out their faith in joy and simplicity, trying to be "lights to the world" more by their actions than their rhetoric.
Does St. Mary's have church bells that toll? I don\'t recall ever hearing them ring before or after masses or at other times. If bells do ring, when?
The answer for this question:
Thank you for your question! I've been told that the electric Bells of St. Mary's are ancient, and every two years when the man comes to check on them, he expresses astonishment that are still "alive." When they work, they can only be set off twice a day...but we have many more Masses than 2 on some days. I will explore further the cost of a new system. In the meantime, we have no bells.
It would be great to see an evening mass offered during the week. Some working adults would really enjoy a service after a stressful work day and when they are unable to attend weekend services. Have you ever considered an evening weekday mass starting at 5:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 6:30 p.m.?
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question. Currently we have one evening Mass the first Monday of each month at 8 p.m. It is for the Hispanic young adult group and anyone else who wants to attend. We also have evening Masses every Saturday evening: 5:30 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish. Because evenings are the only time many parishioners can have appointments, and because we have many meetings scheduled at St. Mary's on weeknights, I try to keep my evenings free. Therefore, I don't have any plans right now to delete a morning Mass and replace it with an evening Mass.
During Communion, we would always kneel (if the church had kneelers) and stand if there were no kneelers.
Now, even at churches with kneelers ~ a lot of people remain standing and some kneel.
What is the correct thing to do ~ kneel or stand?
The answer for this question:
The correct answer is to always do as the community you are in does. This is sometimes called in monastic life, "Do as your brothers do." In other words, we are not to make a spectacle of ourselves. When we do something different from everyone else, it makes us the center of attention and distracts people from what they should be concentrating on. At St. Mary parish, we kneel until our row goes up to Communion, and then we kneel (if we can) when we return to our seat.
With all my love and respect for our Blessed Mother, I would like to ask why the statue of our Blessed Mother is in the center of the Alter rather than a Crucifix of that size or similar size. I was told that the original crucifix was broken and that Mary was supposed to be on a side Alter, but when that happened the Blessed Mother was put in the center instead.
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question! Unfortunately, I don't know the reason why we have
the statue of Mary where we do. With the angels on either side of the
statue bowing towards her, it looks to many as though Mary is being adored.
That would be, of course, gravely wrong. We only worship (adore) God; we
honor saints.
Legend has it that originally the big statue of Mary above the altar was
supposed to be moved outdoors and be put in the niche in the upper front
portion of the church's front. The legend says the church ran out of money
to construct a beautiful crucifix, so the statue of St. Mary simply stayed
where a crucifix should be. Through time, nobody ever got around to putting
the statue outdoors.
Has St. Mary Catholic Church ever considered having events for single Catholics?
The answer for this question:
Yes, indeed. Last year a couple of English-speaking young women
tried to start such a group but without much success. Their
socials, of which there were only a few, consisted of about 4 or 5
women and one or two men. They gave up the project when they
discovered that most of the young English-speaking young adult crowd
at St. Mary's was composed of young married or engaged folks.
The Spanish-speaking young adults, on the other hand, have an
incredibly vibrant and active group. They meet every Monday evening
for prayer, fellowship, sharing, service, and other activities. The
first Monday of each month, they gather at church for singing and
Mass, and then they come to the rectory for pizza and fellowship.
This group is quite famous throughout the Diocese of Raleigh and is
known as one of the most spectacular Hispanic groups in the whole
diocese. Members of this group can be found on our campus just
about every day of the week, and they hold all roles (except for
priest) at the two Masses in Spanish the 2nd Sunday of each month.
There are 50 members of the St. Mary Hispanic Young Adult Group.
Everyone is invited to the music and special Mass the first Monday
evening of each month beginning at 7 p.m.
Why do people share the same cup at communion rather than drinking from their own glass? It would be more sanitary.
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question!
We drink from a common cup in our branch (Roman) of the Catholic
Church to signify the unity of the Eucharist. Some other branches
of the Catholic Church do not do this. And yes, using methods other
than drinking from a common cup--such as "intinction" in which the
person simply dips the Sacred Host into the Precious Blood--would
probably reduce risk of infection.
Some Protestant Christians simply have little plastic medicine cups
with grape juice. For them, the grape juice is symbolic of Jesus,
not the Precious Blood of Jesus. Thus, the little cups can be
thrown in the trash when done. But what would we do with the
individual medicine cups after Communion? Would the priest then be
required to individually clean hundreds of cups after Mass as he is
required to clean the chalices? How would the cups then be
disposed? You can imagine the practical dilemnas that would occur!
I read in your 'Stewardship of Treasure' about Children's Envelopes received and Offertory. Is this a Diocesan endeavor? How does it work at St Mary?
The answer for this question:
Thanks for the question! I'm glad you wrote because this item is listed in the bulletin but we don't do children's envelopes anymore. Because of your question, we're deleting this item from the bulletin.
What is your question:
Is your church a Catholic Shrine? I thought so but not sure. Thanks.
Julia
The answer for this question:
How can I go about getting my whole family husband and 2 sons in to baptized with St Mary's Church.
The answer for this question:
Set up an appointment with Fr. Bob to discuss this situation. To do this, simply call: 762-5491 Ext. 11. The person at the desk will be happy to make an appointment with you.
I have noticed that during Mass many people in church hold and raise their hands with others while reciting the Lord’s Prayer. I was never taught to do that and I do not see any mention of it in the review of new diocesan norms -part VI given to us earlier this year. Why is it done and are we suppose to do it?????
The answer for this question:
The short answer can be found in Norm #79 of the Diocese of Raleigh’s Liturgical Norms which states:
79. While it may be a custom in some places to hold hands as the Our Father is prayed, this gesture is not encouraged as the reception of Holy Communion is the sign and bond of unity of the Church at prayer.
However, there are two other principles to consider when deciding what to do in this situation.
First, an important principle of Catholic Christian liturgy is to do what others are doing. The first thing a young man is told when studying to be a monk is: “Do what your brothers are doing.” This is part of the “unity of the Body of Christ.” In other words, don’t make a spectacle of yourself. When you deliberately do actions that nobody else is doing, you are giving two messages: “I’m superior in holiness to others,” and you are putting the spotlight on you instead of the Lord.
Second, charity or love is the primary principle that is to guide us in all our actions. Therefore, if someone were to hold out their hand to you to pray the Lord’s Prayer, and you firmly rejected them, you would have violated Jesus’ triple love commandment of loving God, our neighbor, as yourself. Further, you would be indicating your lack of understanding of Christ being really present in the assembly.
So, what should you do? I’d go with love and common sense.
Is it okay to leave mass during the last hymn (the recessional)? I suspect it is because so many people do exit at that time, but it has always seemed wrong to me... like leaving before the end. Thank you!
The answer for this question:
When I was growing up, the Sisters and priests always told us to wait until the recessional hymn was finished before we walked out of church. Today this "rule" seems much laxer. Many people need to leave to get children who are in faith formation classes or nursery, get home as soon as possible as their sick loved ones need care, they have a hard time walking and need extra time exiting the church, or a host of other reasons. I'm just happy they came to church to worship the Lord in community. So, I don't care if people leave before the last hymn is sung. - Fr. Bob