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Helping non-practicing Catholics return
Dear Father: Several of my close relatives who were raised Catholic no longer practice the faith. Easter seems like a perfect opportunity to invite them back to the Church. How do I approach this delicate subject? If they agree to attend…
When your job requires immoral work
Dear Father: My friend works for a company whose methods she says are rather dishonest. She’s really not comfortable with the way they tell her to serve customers. She would like to quit, but she’s afraid for her own financial situation and…
How can I keep Advent sacred?
Dear Father: In our culture it seems that celebrating Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year. Stores get out the Christmas merchandise in October! As a grandmother, I want to instill in my grandchildren the importance and…
How do I talk to God?
DEAR FATHER: I was reading a spiritual book about personal prayer, and in the book it talks about how to get into a meditative state and just talk to God. I have a wandering mind and find it very difficult to get into a meditative state of…
Ask Father: A suicide in the family
Dear Father, The husband of a dear friend committed suicide two years ago. She is still in a state of shock and can barely function normally. Is there anything I can do to help her? — AT A LOSS Let me begin with a story. St. John Vianney,…
Why did my husband die so young?
Q. Dear Father: On Dec. 10, 2016, I lost my beloved 44-year-old husband to a sudden death. He had no symptoms until three days before he died. We were married for 14 years and have one daughter. We have a lot of friends and family members…
Do I need to confess the abuse I endured?
DEAR FATHER: Father, I have a question for you. A few years ago, my sister went to my 85-year-old mother and revealed a period of incestuous molestation that one of my brothers perpetuated against her, myself, and another sister. I have…
I am losing my friends to the casinos
DEAR FATHER: What do you think of the trend of people spending their time gambling in the casinos? This seems to be their main form of entertainment. I am losing my friends to the casinos. — A Losing Hand DEAR A LOSING HAND: Poker legend,…
Why can’t I go to Communion if I don’t go to Mass every Sunday?
DEAR FATHER: I don’t go to church that often, but I enjoy going with the relatives on holidays like Christmas and Easter. On those occasions I also like to go to Communion with all the family — it gives us a special sense of togetherness,…
Reverence for God
DEAR FATHER: When I was young, my parents and teachers told me that Sunday Mass was very special; we were visiting with God. We showed our respect by wearing our best clothes, blessing ourselves with holy water as we entered the church in…
