2012

21 December

• Fr. Illig died one year ago today.
• The 13th baktun has ended; the 14th has begun. We wish a blessed baktun to one and all! One baktun = 394 solar years. The date on which the calendar will go to the next piktun (a complete series of 20 b'ak'tuns), at Long Count 1.0.0.0.0.0, will be on October 13, 4772. That is 3000 years after the date I chose for the beginning of the end of the world in 1972! Maybe I got the month and day correct. :o)
• This is the last live show in 2012. Next week will be filled with special Christmas programming selected by La Princessa.
• Gaudete week.
• O Antiphons.
• Special Guest: Daniel W. Mruzek, Ph.D.

• Sandy Hook murders.
• children with disabilities and the holidays
• disabilities and the Year of Faith.

• Maria from Buffalo: Has a daughter who is disabled and has question on topic of ausburgers.
• Chad from Rochester: What is the difference between autism and ausburgers?
• Christine from Rochester: How does autism affect the person's faith?
• Margeret from Rochester: Wants to speak on member of her parish that has autism and is a lector, altar server and who leads people to mass at community hospital.

18 December

• For Sr. Kay Serasera, NTBA: "Gina locuta; causa finita est." Wisdom! Be attentive!
• One week to Christmas!
• God has already given us everything we need before we realize we need it.
• "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good" (Rom 12:20).
• Take and Receive.
• Philip from Indooroopilly: "Our Christmas trees in our shopping centres is just a tree with gold and silver balls. I was told by my bishop that the Christian tradition is to put a nativity scene under the tree and to have RED ornaments on the tree. I can understand the presence of the nativity scene, by why are red ornaments necessary?

Christmas colors

• I was wrong a few weeks ago when I said that all the baptized may receive the Anointing of the Sick. Can. 1004 §1: "The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age."
• John from Wilson, New York: I am struggling with the status of my fallen away brothers. I pray daily that they come back to the Church. My eldest brother I worry the most about mainly because of the following verse that I hope you can clarify for me:

Hebrews 6:4-6 - For it is impossible* to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt.

When Paul refers to those who have tasted the Heavenly gift and then committed apostasy is he referring to the Eucharist and if so does that mean my brother who left the Catholic Church and is now a Baptist minister is guilty of apostasy?

Thank you Father for you answer and please pray for my family.

• Margaret from Cuyler, NY: Question about the shooter and the fact that he has autism.
• John: I would like to pray in thanksgiving for the blessing of my family and friends, the Church and the ministry of EWTN and The Station of the Cross, which continues to strengthen my faith.
• Gina from Niagara Falls: she is a nurse and wants to comment re. shooter and possibility of demonic possession.
• Heidi: I pray for God's grace to heal my broken heart, somehow during this depression. And if His will, bless my husband with wisdom to return. Or bless another man to love me after this divorce and annulment.
• Father can you explain how it is that we can "bless God"? eg. when we read "O God, we bless You and adore You."

14 December

• Memorial of Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), priest and doctor of the Church. Founder of the Discalced Carmelites for men, following St. Teresa of Avila. Doctor of mystical theology. Imprisoned by his fellow Carmelites; had to escape from his cell.
• O Antiphons.
• Sandra from Denver: and last Friday I listened to you, Fr. Marty, and I need a clarification about something you said. Will you please respond to this question on Friday, Dec. 7 if possible. I will be listening. You said that God’s mind can be changed through prayer. I thought He was unchanging.

My sister, Charlotte from Florida, asked you on your radio station for prayers for her family. I want to tell you that your prayers have definitely helped. It is a miracle.

Also, will you pray for a special intention of mine.

• Scott from Rochester: asks what is meaning of Luke 10 where Jesus "rebukes" martha about her many concerns?
• Joel from Welland, Ontario: Please pray that I can find a full-time job.
• Debbie's mother Margaret passed away this week. Mass intention for both Debbie and Margaret.
• Prayers for the victims and their families in today's mass murder in Connecticut.
• Michael from Rochester: Character in The Exorcist said that his greatest doubts came from "disagreements among people of good will."
• Jason from Rochester: Are Catholic schools today as good as they were 30 years ago?
• One guy called overnight and left a message that said he was so happy Fr. Marty called him from CAC he was sending another $20.
• Dolores from North Boston, NY: Has empathy for Father with regards to procrastination. She listened to Dr. Ray and he was talking about it today too. Looking for the virtues for the luminous mysteries.

http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/6865

7 December

• Tomorrow is December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day of obligation! Authorities disagree about whether one Mass can satisfy both the obligation of the holy day and the obligation of Sunday Mass.
• Memorial of Saint Ambrose (340-397 AD), bishop of Milan and doctor of the Church. Chosen as bishop while still a catechumen. "On 7 December 374 he was baptized, ordained as a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church and the poor, both for the good it did, and as an example to his flock" (1648 years ago today!) Baptized St. Augustine. One of the four traditional doctors of the Latin Church. Meliglossos: honey-tongued. Opponent of the Arian heresy in the West. He accepted local authority over local affairs: "When I am at Rome, I fast on a Saturday; when I am at Milan, I do not. Follow the custom of the church where you are." This gave rise to our English saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
• 71st anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
• First Week of Advent.
• This coming Sunday's responsorial psalm (Ps 126):

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.

• Philip from Indooroopilly (Brisbane), Australia: "If Catholics and orthodox were one church until 1054, then we have the same early church fathers and we should have the exact same beliefs. So how is it that we have different bibles? And how is it that we accept purgatory and they reject it? Did they reject it from the beginning or did we make it up later in time?"
• Anonymous from Williamsville, NY: "Do you know anything about a teen group called Young Life? My child came home wanting to join it and said it is a non-denominational Christian group of teens that meets to discuss Jesus and the Bible and have fun socializing, too. Some web pages say it is okay for Catholics to attend; some say it is cult-like; some say it is based on Calvinistic principles. What disturbed me the most, was an actual writing from the Young Life training manual for leaders in how to deal with Catholic teens. It mentioned about how to talk to them about becoming "new Christians." A friend of mine said that as Catholics, we are not supposed to attend any non-Catholic prayer or Bible study groups. Is that correct? How do I explain this to my child who really just wants to hang out with her friends?"
• Anonymous from e-mail (I think): What does the Church think about the neurosurgeon who wrote Proof of Heaven? Does his near-death experience really prove that there is life after life?
• Bonnie from Springville: nine prayer requests.
• Mike from Rochester: wants to comment on seriousness of Catholic radio and how Church is doing with increasing vocations.
• Anonymous from Buffalo: Please pray for health, to find a job and special intentions.
• Anonymous from Victor, New York: Please pray that they find the lost relative they have been searching for, that another family member will have help with a behavioral problem, and for good financial resources to find a place for their family to live.
• Elizabeth from St Catherines, Ont.: prayer requests for her friend that has a chronic illness and for herself for good outcome on health test results as she still has a young family to care for.
• Mary Jane from Wheatfield: how does a Catholic treat a person begging on a "street corner"?

30 November

• Last Friday in Ordinary Time. This is the week of Christ the King. Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
• Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle, "called in the Orthodox tradition PrōtoklÄ“tos, or the First-called, is ... the brother of Saint Peter; patron of happy marriages and pregnant women. The name "Andrew" (Greek: manly, brave, from ἀνδρεία, Andreia, "manhood, valour"), like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews, Christians, and other Hellenized people of the region."
• Philip from Indooroopilly (Brisbane), Australia, listening on iCatholicRadio: It says in Exodus that "The Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people" (32:14). How could Moses change God's mind if we humans can not change the will of God? If God is all-knowing and perfect, then how can a prophet change his mind?

Interpreting fiction

• Scott from Rochester: How can I better understand the book of Revelation which has been featured in the daily Mass readings for the past few weeks?

Tomorrow's readings end Ordinary time. The last day of Ordinary time foreshadows the End of Everything.

• A friendly Monsignor from the Buffalo suburbs: We say the Three Persons are "equal". But the Son alone becomes "incarnate". Doesn't that mean that the Son has a "quality", i.e. "incarnation," that Father and Spirit do not "possess"? Ergo, doesn't this upset the "equality" of Father, Son and Spirit?
• Kevin from Buffalo: Is it morally wrong for Catholics to circumcise their sons?
• Q: I attended Mass in a diocesan cathedral while on a trip out west. Although a priest and deacon were presiding, a cantor sang the invocations for the "Lord, Have Mercy": "You were sent to heal the contrite of heart," "You came to call sinners," and "You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us." Can a lay person sing this part of the Mass?

A: Surprisingly (to me), yes. "The cantor is both a singer and a leader of congregational song. Especially when no choir is present, the cantor may sing in alternation or dialogue with the assembly. For example, the cantor may sing the invocations of the Kyrie, intone the Gloria, lead the short acclamations at the end of the Scripture readings, intone and sing the verse of the Gospel Acclamation, sing the invocations of the Prayer of the Faithful, and lead the singing of the Agnus Dei. The cantor may also sing the verses of the psalm or song that accompany the Entrance, Preparation of the Gifts, and Communion. Finally, the cantor may serve as psalmist, leading and proclaiming the verses of the Responsorial Psalm" ("Sing to the Lord," #37).

• Anonymous. Requests prayers for health, to find a job, and peace in the family
• Michael . Massaden (Rochester) . Wants to make a comment about the readings in Revalation for yesterday.
• Polly . Tonawanda . Just wants to ask about today's readings and Hollywood
• FACEBOOK NO. 1. Kimberly. What is a Jesse Tree?

9 November

• Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (324 AD): "This feast became a universal celebration in honor of the basilica called "the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world" (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput) as a sign of love for and union with the See of Peter."
• Daniel's Prayer of Repentance and The Lord's Prayer.
• I subscribed to http://www.flocknote.com to read the Catechism in a Year.

They have a link to see all the previous e-mails from the first day of the Year of Faith.

Few footnotes. E.g., quotation from St. Thérèse: "But above all it's the gospels that occupy my mind when I'm at prayer; my poor soul has so many needs, and yet this is the one thing needful. I'm always finding fresh lights there; hidden meanings which had meant nothing to me hitherto."

• Kevin via e-mail: To call the US from Australia, it would be 0011 + 1 + city area code + number. So 0011 1 877 511 5483
• Philip from Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia, listening in the morning via iCatholicRadio: I live in Brisbane Australia. I am a Melkite Catholic, i have about 50-60 cousins that live in Brisbane and no one comes to mass on Sundays. How can i explain to them the importance of the Mass and the Eucharist? What can I do? I try to go to Mass seven days a week to pray for all of them, but they just don't see them importance of Sunday Mass.
• Philip from Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia, listening in the morning via iCatholicRadio:

And again she gave birth to his brother Abel. But Abel was a pastor of sheep, and Cain was a farmer. Then it happened, after many days, that Cain offered gifts to the Lord, from the fruits of the earth. Abel likewise offered from the firstborn of his flock, and from their fat. And the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his gifts. Yet in truth, he did not look with favor on Cain and his gifts. And Cain was vehemently angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain: "Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master." (Genesis 4:2-7)

Hey I'm struggling to understand this... Is it that Cain did not make a blood sacrifice or is it something else? It seem clear to me that he was a farmer so it makes sense that he offer fruits but I'm struggling to understand why God was not satisfied?

• type of offering
• quality of offering
• the interior dispositions of Cain and Abel

• Jackie from e-mail: "Father discussed how to pray for the souls in purgatory by making a novena. Is there something that I could use as a reference to help explain this to my family. We always include prayers for the departed but never heard about having the souls pray for us. Also please explain the indulgence involving visiting cemeteries in November. I would love to share this information with my family and friends."
• Emily from Corning: Wondering if Father ever went to the Basilica in Rome. She saw something there and was wondering why people touch a brass plate by the entrance.
• Alex from Miami, FL: Trying to do a plenary indulgence. Wondering how he would know if he has an attachment to sin.
• Mike from Rochester, NY: Wants prayers for the Country. To pray for the the renewal of respect for life and also for the conversion of politicians. He has ideas of how to get around the hhs mandate. . .
• Charlotte from Niceville, FL: Has a prayer request for her son and daughter. They are not talking to each other and are in a "hate campaign". She feels like she is in the middle and is praying for love between them.
• Mary: Please pray for my daughter’s healing and recovery.
• Paul from Amherst: Received an email from a Catholic professor who is "pro life", voting for Obama, and gave a list of reasons why it was ethical to vote for him. Wants Fr.'s opinion.
• Kimberly: Since the election I feel let down but my friends. I am noticing that i am saying things and acting out of anger to some of the posts on face book. Can you please say a prayer for all of us. I want to accept this decision and move on. Please pray for me too.

6 November

"If I close heaven so that there is no rain,
if I command the locust to devour the land,
if I send pestilence among my people,
if then my people,
upon whom my name has been pronounced,
humble themselves and pray,
and seek my face
and turn from their evil ways,
I will hear them from heaven
and pardon their sins
and heal their land." (2 Chr 7:13-14)

• Lord's Prayer
• USCCB Voting Guide for Catholics
• Lynn from Facebook: "I wouldn't say the democratic party is anti-catholic. Other than being pro-choice (which is not pro-abortion), democrats tend to hold views that are more Catholic Christian than other parties - support for the poor and disenfranchised, inclusion of historically segregated populations."
• Emily from Corning, NY: if the election doesn't go the way we want, our faith will be tested
• Bob from Elma,NY: Disagrees with the caller that says democratic party is not anti catholic
• Steve from Amherst, NY: asking where idea that republicans are anti-poor....
• Bob from from Boston, NY: comment about slavery issue.
• Christine. Texas. After voting for anti-abortion politicians it occurs to me that some may support the death penalty. If I find out they are pro-death penalty have I sinned?
• Sharon from Elma, NY: wants to encourage voting and for Father to encourage also

2 November

• Tomorrow is the last day of Mother Olga's novena of First Saturdays for the sake of the election.
• This week marked the 500th anniversary of the completion of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. On 31 October 1512, Pope Julius II was joined by 17 cardinals for a celebration of vespers in the Chapel, in thanksgiving for the glorious work that had just been revealed.
• [X] Memorare to Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Martyrs, Patron of the Americas, Mother of Good Counsel.
• We have recently received two versions of the same question:

1. William from Warren, Ohio: "I have trouble with Mary. The Bible says Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. How can I come to terms with this?
2. Ale from Facebook asked during the Frank Kelly show (three weeks ago): "Why do Catholics pray to the saints instead of to God directly?"

• Intercession and One Mediator

• Gino from Facebook: On the Cross, Jesus said, "It is finished" and "Today you will be with me in Paradise." He made no mention of any further purgation to the repentant thief. I believe that He took ALL our sins away and paid for them ALL with His precious blood. Whomever the Son sets free is free indeed!

Purgatory.

• Sarah from West Seneca: What is the difference between "soul" and "spirit"?
• John from Webster, NY: Can father go over the general guidelines for brining Communion home to the sick? Prayer Intention for Mom's healing.
• Dennis from Buffalo: Please pray for my family, as my situation continues to go down hill. I am fearful that my daughter's best interests won't be protected.
• Brian from Buffalo: Was the Holy Spirit formally recognized in the Old Testament? In the New Testament the Holy Spirit seems to be revealed to us through Jesus for the first time.
• Michael from Rochester, NY: Prayer Intention for media reporters covering the elections.
• Catherine from East Aurora, NY: Prayer intention for Connie for healing for her shoulder.
• Heidi: I rarely ask for a prayer intention for my own benefit, but I ask for God's grace that my husband return to our faith, the sanctity of our marriage and a prayerful model to our sons. If it is God's will that our 19 yr marriage end, then grant us the grace of peace and hope. If not, please guide him towards reconciliation and forgiveness.
• John B. from Facebook: "The Uruguay bishops' conference said that Catholic politicians who voted to allow abortion have excommunicated themselves. Will all bishops' conferences around the world eventually do the same? Are we kidding ourselves about the fight against abortion if such statements are not made around the world?

"Uruguay bishops say lawmakers who support abortion are excommunicated."

Uruguay's bishops say that local lawmakers who recently voted to legalize abortion in the country are automatically excommunicated for separating themselves from the Church's teaching.

“Automatic excommunication is for those who collaborate in the execution of an abortion in a direct way,” said Bishop Heriberto Bodeant, secretary for the Uruguayan bishops' conference.

“If a Catholic votes...with the manifest intention that he thinks the Church is wrong about this, he separates himself from the communion of the Church,” Bishop Bodeant recently told reporters.

“Excommunication means you are not in communion with the ecclesial community to which you openly claim to belong by doing something that puts you outside communion, and therefore you cannot participate in the Eucharist,” he explained.

• John Z. from Facebook: when my wife and I participated in a catholic bible study, the first book we read was the book of Exodus because we were told that composition of the book of Exodus was really the beginning of what we now know as the Bible. It was the main story that gave the Israelites their tribal and religious identity. The book claimed that everything else, including Genesis, was written after the book of Exodus. What does the Church teach about this claim?
• Caroline from e-mail: What is the age or sacrament requirement to receive the Anointing of the Sick? Can a child, say the age of 5, receive it?

26 October

• Year of Faith: "I have come to cast fire on the earth; would that it were kindled already!"
• Come, Holy Spirit (short version).
• Grant from e-mail: What information do you have on the orthodoxy of Australian Catholicism?

• 5.7 million Catholics = 27.5% of the population.
• Catholicism in Australia largely begun by Irish immigrants, but more diverse nowadays.
• Catholic Social Services: Australia's 63 member organisations help more than a million Australians every year.
• The Catholic education system has more than 650,000 students (18% of student population).[1]
• Australia has 32 dioceses and 1,363 parishes.
• Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a national public university. It has six campuses and offers programs in five faculties throughout Australia. The University operates as a company limited by guarantee, under the Companies (Victoria) Code and has a constitution which clearly identifies its objects in education, scholarship and research as part of the mission of the Catholic Church. The University is a member of the publicly-funded national system of Australian universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the International Federation of Catholic Universities.
• St. Mary of the Cross (Mary MacKillop), who founded an educational religious institute of sisters, the Josephites, in the 19th century, became the first Australian to be canonised as a saint in 2010.
• The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is headed by Archbishop Denis Hart and there are three Australian cardinals:

- The Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell, seems to be orthodox. Something of a lightning rod?

- a former Archbishop of Sydney, Edward Bede Clancy

- the former President of the Vatican Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Edward Cassidy.

• Australia played host to World Youth Day 2008.
• Paul Collins, Australian Catholics facing disaster." 7% to 9% rate of Mass attendance. 25% of parishes without a priest.

• Sarah from West Seneca: Can you tell me when to recite the Fatima Prayer when saying the Rosary? I sometimes hear people recite the Fatima Prayer before any mysteries are prayed at the beginning of a rosary following the first three Hail Marys and the Glory Be.
• Frank Kelly: Links and notes from the October 12th show with Frank Kelly, who had trouble speaking Buffaleese.
• Anonymous: what does the statement "we may complete in ourselves for the church's sake what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ". caller said he heard it at a Sunday Mass.

• Suellen: Regarding, "making up for what is lacking in Christ's sufferings..." A beautiful analogy was once given to me of a mother baking a cake. Her child asks to help and she, of course, lets him. Does mom need her child to help? No. Is the "help" even sometimes a "challenge" for mom? Yes. But the child needs and wants to help bake the cake, and so mom, in her love, let's the child help. Isn't that sweet? Thanks for another great show.

• Grant from "oz" says thanks for answer and its 7:21am in his part of oz
• Bob from Boston, NY: did jesus ever voluntarily complete a miricle?
• Alice: Is there a way for a person to KNOW if their sins are forgiven after a confession?
• Polly from Tonawanda: Is Father Malachi Martin in good standing with the Catholic Church?
• Barabara from Niagara Falls: Why did Jesus tell people not to tell others when he performed a miracle?
• Kimberly: What is the best way to offer up your day of fasting to God? Are there any prayers for offering your Fast?
• Anonymous via Facebook: I am getting ready for my second colonoscopy in two years. I had a precancerous polyp the first time, am now experiencing some pain, and I am really pretty nervous about the whole thing. Cancer scares me. Please pray for me, my wife, and my children.

19 October

• Fun Drive.

12 October

• Year of Faith began yesterday.
• Tomorrow: Anniversary of last apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. Miracle of the Sun (1917 — 95 years ago).
• Fatima Prayers.
• Guest: Frank Kelley from Humarock, MA.

- http://frankkellyministry.com/

- Short Circuit to God. All proceeds for “Short Circuit To God” are sent to missionary priests in India and Ghana to help the poor.

- "Frank Kelly's mission is to serve God daily by giving glory to God the Father and to help bring people closer to the Trinity in all aspects of their lives. "Healing Services,Spiritual Seminars, Confirmation instruction Classes, Retreats and Conferences."

8 October

• Monday is a day of Miracles, Meditation, and Mystagogy. The mysteries of the faith are "soul food." Frank Sheed complained that, too often, Catholics swallow dogma without thinking about it, which is as crazy as eating walnuts without cracking open the shells. We need to realize what we believe.
• 29 days to the election. The Blue Army is doing a 30-day rosary crusade "for God and country" that started yesterday on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Our Lady of Victory; Battle of Lepanto, 1571). They are asking priests and laity to offer Mass on November 3, the First Saturday of November, for that intention as well.
• Prayers to Our Lady of Victory.

"Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon,
bright as the sun,
as terrifying as an army set in array?" (Sng 6:10)

• Karen from Facebook: Is Judas part of God's plan of salvation? What would have happened if Judas did not betray Jesus?
• Michael from Buffalo: What happens to the prayers you make if someone is in hell? Can you gain plenary indulgences for someone who is in hell?
• Jason from Buffalo: What is the Church's teaching on a woman being prescribed birth control for cycle regulation?
• Anonymous: requests prayers for health, employment and special intention.
• Tommy from Buffalo: Is it possible for a priest to change the creed during Mass?
• Paul from Buffalo — West Side: Can priest omit penitental rite at start of Mass?
• Carl from Buffalo: What should a Catholic voter do when both candidates (Republican or Democrat) don't follow the Church's teaching on social justice? What can be done about this in the future?
• Marie from Williamsville: Is it nessasary to go to confession again if priest does not let her say act of contrition before giving absolution?
• John: Please talk about the indulgence granted with the Year of Faith. What are the conditions?
• Rich from Buffalo: Wants to follow up with comment on father's answer on Catholic voting here in Buffalo.

5 October

• Today is the feast of St. Faustina, through whom God gave us Mercy Sunday and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
• The Year of Faith, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, begins next Thursday.
• Mother Olga's Novena continues tomorrow. Two First Saturdays left before November.
• EWTN's novena continues until Sunday, the feast of Our Lady of Victory and the Most Holy Rosary. The Sunday liturgy will be that of the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, but that does not prevent us from thinking of how gracious God was to Mary and, through her, to us.
• [X] Salve Regina.

John from Facebook:

• "How does predestination figure into that? What does the church teach us regarding predestination? Is someone who is predestined to Heaven incapable of sin? Or do their choices no longer matter at all?"

• Anonymous. Victor, New York. Thanks to Father for answered prayer on finding keys. Still need help finding missing family member. Please pray for her daughter-in-law to have a change of heart about a pending divorce. And for great financial need as well.
• Michael from Rochester, New York: wants to suggest prayer for the country and would like to talk about the appropriateness of the prayer.
• John from Rochester, New York. Requests prayer for Mom who has cancer. Also to accept whatever God's will is in the situation. John would also like Father to speak about the feast of Our Lady of Victory.
• Holly from Tonawanda, New York: Has question on Sister Faustina's vision of hell.
• Bob from Boston: Has question about Balaam. Where he came from and was he a prophet.
• Delores from North Boston New York: Has question about Purgatory — can a priest hear confession there? And if you come in late after consecration at a daily Mass, can you receive Communion?

28 September

• Today is the Memorial of Good King Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, who was beheaded by three of his brother's knights.
• Tomorrow is the feast of the Archangels Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael. It is also the first day of EWTN's "Novena to the Mother of God for the Nation." The novena ends on Oct. 7th, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.[1] For those who would like to participate, EWTN suggests that the should:

- Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion each day of the Novena.

- Receive the Sacrament of Penance.

- Read the Scripture and Pray the Rosary each day.

- Make a donation or do something practical to help the poor.

- Encourage as many people as possible to make the Novena.

• [X] Memorare.
• Anonymous from iCatholicRadio app: Please pray for a father who is struggling with his son's drug addiction. The father is a fallen-away Catholic. Please pray that both he and his son will turn to God for help in their struggles.
• Carol from e-mail: I want to pray and fast for our country and this coming election. How do I do that? Do I give up a meal every day? Or stop drinking a favorite beverage? What are some guidelines for a 4-day fast?
• Anonymous from e-mail: Can you recommend a saint book for children under age 7?

- This is a job for our listeners! :o)

- Good books for God's children.

• Jeff from e-mail: please pray that his mother does not have cancer in her foot.
• Scott. Rochester 1460 am would father give summary of today's and Sunday's scripture readings?
• Bonnie from Springville: Please pray for friends and relitives- jerry for knees heart blood pressure, dad for heart diabites, stella for cancer, elesi for cancer, nick for his heart, aunt bard cancer, aunt betti legs, for self -health, prayers of thanks giving for healed legs and also thanks to joyce
• Mike from Spencerport offering book suggestion: "bible stories" 10 volume set.

From a listener via voicemail and Erica: "My mother (who is 92) has been experiencing pressure from others regarding her wishes about how we should care for her at the end of her life. We want to do things correctly. Do you have any resources that would help us?"

- Google "catholic bishops end of life care."

- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), "End of Life."

- EWTN, "End-of-Life Decisions."

• John from Facebook:

• Please pray for my sibling's marriage, which seems to be getting worse.
• "Some Protestants claim that once we accept the gift of salvation by faith, that is all we have to do. How do we answer them?"

Faith that works.

• Anonymous: please pray for important set of keys that have been lost for 4-5 days and safe return of lost family member and for change of heart for divorce starting to take place in family
• Matalina: Rochester 1460 am: requesting prayers for her health and health of her father and brother
• Deloris from North Boston, NY: wants to comment on different wording of St Anthony prayer and has question about Hebrew word "nana" she thinks its like "mana" as in the desert
• Anonymous: Please pray for her brother in Tennesseee who went into the hospital today due to pancreatitis.

21 September

• Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.
• Psalm 51 — the Miserere
• James from Facebook: "Please pray for those who suffer from illnesses, including addictions and alcoholism."
• Alex from Miami: Are there four bodies in Heaven right now: Enoch, Elijah, Our Lady and Jesus? Are Enoch and Elijah the 2 prophets or witnesses from Rev. 11: 1-14?

[X] Bodily resurrection in Matthew's gospel — ch 27.

• Ray from Rochester: Please pray that the next bishop of Rochester will be a man of holiness, love, and orthodox in faith.

- http://www.mpnnow.com/topstories/x354105084/Pope-accepts-Bishop-Clark-s-resignation-Syracuse-bishop-named-interim-leader

• Scott from Rochester, New York: Has question abt Confession-how long should he take?And can a priest help a new Catholic with their Confession?
• Anonymous: Please pray for health, to find a job and special intentions.
• Ron from Buffalo, New York: Confused about the recent Gospel where Jesus' Apostles ask Him who He is? Elijah? Moses? Could you clarify that Gospel as to why they thought Jesus was one of the prophets?
• Megan from Sterling Heights, Michigan: If you buy medals to wear, should you have them blessed by a priest? also, if you were given one in a prayer card, can you wear it?
• Michael from Rochester, New York: Wants to comment on Fathers' prayer and prefering to be cleansed in Confession VS Purgatory.
• Anonymous from Victor, New York: Please pray for tooth infection, family member to be found and financial need for a home.
• Emily from Corning, New York: She is confused abt something she heard last week on one of the shows about baptism. She thought she heard Father say that when people get baptized in other faiths they are Catholic really because they are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What does this mean?
• Johnny from Stafford, Texas: How do we show love without words to someone who lives a very sinful lifestyle but not to come off to them that were ok with their sinful lifestyle? If I use words then I could be pushed away for good and any chances of helping them out again
• Joanne from Buffalo, New York: Wants to know if you can be spiritualy attacked in sleep. Having nightmares and bad feelings.
• Joyce from Buffalo, New York. Joyce is asking for prayer because she is having cataract surgery next Thursday and she is afraid. Please pray for positive outcome to surgery.

September 14

• Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• Three Fatima prayers.

Wikipedia, "Feast of the Cross."

In Byzantine liturgical observance, the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-creating Cross commemorates both the finding of the True Cross in 326 and its recovery from the Persians in 628, and is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the church year. September 14 is always a fast day and the eating of meat, dairy products and fish is prohibited. The Feast of the Exaltation has a one-day Forefeast and an eight-day Afterfeast. The Saturday and Sunday before and after September 14 are also commemorated with special Epistle and Gospel readings about the Cross at the Divine Liturgy.

• Chris from Houston: Please pray for the repose of the souls of Jorda and my grandmother JoAnn; please pray for all bishops and priests, and teachers and students beginning another school year; as well as for the physical health of Lee, Sara and my mother Deborah.
• Polly from Tonawanda: What do you think about the condition of our nation? The President refused to put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. Democrats booed when asked to include one reference to God in their platform.
• Freddy from Chicago on iCatholicRadio: prayer intention and question about the apostle, John, and the book of revelation.

- Recommends "Truth and Life" application for smart phones.

• Kimberly: I try and say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at three o'clock every day. sometimes at that time of day I don't have my rosaries with me and I am working or with a group of people. I still say them to myself although I do not feel like I am giving my total attention to God but I still mean the prayers I say from my heart. Do you think It is pleasing to God no matter when you pray?
• Jim: Please pray for a private health intention for me. Things aren't looking good.
• Deloris from Boston, NY: Wants to ask about starting novenas in diocese — getting 5 non negotiables out to the faithful.
• Anonymous: Please pray for me to find a job in this difficult economy.
• Emily from Corning, New York: Is survival-guilt a lasting problem for a person who was born and knows their parents wanted to abort him or her? Is this something that Jane Roe's child experienced

- "What Happened to the Roe v. Wade baby?" She was given up for adoption.

• Betty from Temple, Texas: Please pray for patience for my healing from foot surgery.
• Barbara from Kenmore- is it OK for parishinores to clap after mass for choir?
• Anonymous: prayer intention for lost family member to return, the whole family, resourses ($) and for no divorces to take place in the family
• Bonny from Springville: prayer requests for herself and her family.
• We have been asked by listeners several times whether it is acceptable to wear the rosary as a necklace. I should have known that there was something about this question that I didn't understand. I just found out this week that the rosary is being worn by some rappers, gang members, goths, etc. HipHop Bling offers a "Bling Bling Fully Iced Out Bead Black Rosary Necklace" for $39.95.

"Texas Teenagers Flash Rosaries as Gangsta Signs."

Stooping to a new level of a cultural low in the United States of America, high school students in Brownsville, Tx. are openly wearing rosaries not to symbolize their faith in Roman Catholicism, but to show the world that they are gang-banging street thugs.

The Houston Chronicle reports that, “attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said they are looking into whether the Brownsville Independent School district policy against displaying rosaries and crosses is violating students’ religious rights.”

Lisa Graybill, ACLU legal director, announced she filed open records requests to examine district policy amidst reports that all students had been prohibited from openly displaying rosaries and crosses.

According to the Houston Chronicle, “District Police chief Oscar Garcia said a handful of students at Simon Rivera had been wearing handmade ‘rosaries’ around their heads and waists, which was an indication of affiliation with prison gangs.”

He said, “through our intel and the contact that our gang officers have had, and as a matter of fact from what gang members are telling us, these rosaries are symbols to identify their association.”

My apologies to our listeners if, by chance, they thought that I might have been approving of the desecration of religious objects when I said that there is no rule against wearing a rosary as a necklace. What matters with a sacramental is the faith of the person using it. To those who use the rosary reverently, it is a source of blessing; to those who use it irreverently, the sin is in their irreverance, not in the act of wearing it around their neck.

• Chris from Houston: Please pray for the repose of the souls of Jorda and my grandmother JoAnn; please pray for all bishops and priests, and teachers and students beginning another school year; as well as for the physical health of Lee, Sara and my mother Deborah.
• Jim: Please pray for a private health intention for me. Things aren't looking good.
• Anonymous: Please pray for me to find a job in this difficult economy.

September 7

• Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI, Part II.
• Bob from North Dakota via e-mail: While listening to talk radio (secular, not The Station of the Cross) I’ve heard quite a few ads for a website called GenesisVeracityFoundation.com and I was wondering what your thoughts are on it. Apparently those who run the site have found that many of the explanations for prehistoric happenings are included in the Book of Genesis. They’re trying to show that science and faith are mutually inclusive. I know faith and reason go hand in hand, I just don’t know if this is a credible source. How does the Church stand in terms of these thoughts?
• Betty from Texas: Please pray for my foot surgery on Monday.
• Michael from Rochester, New York: Wants to discuss St.Thomas Aquinas says life in body comes from the soul.
• Anonymous from Victor, New York: To find a family member and great fiancial need for home.Also to prevent a divorce in the family .And if Father has any suggestions for prayer she will be listening.
• Bob from Cheektowaga, New York: Want to ask father what he thought when democrats booed god at Convention.
• Kimberly from Facebook: I pray every day for the conversion of my family and friends. I also mention to God the particular people close to my heart that need conversion. A lot of my friends and family do not believe or choose not to go to church. I don't know if conversion is the right thing I am asking God for. Someone mentioned to me I should be praying to God for them to be "Saved". What is the difference?
• Joyce from Buffalo, New York: Wants to let father know how his advice re: her son and live-in girlfriend turned out.
• Renee: Please pray for my mom Helen who has terminal cancer and has been declining rapidly this week. I'm not sure she will make it through the weekend. Thank you, Father, and everyone.
• Michael from Buffalo, New York: wants to discuss dogma extra eccelesia nulla salus in re: to previous caller on salvation.
• Theresa from Indiana via iCatholic radio (Android): Was sexualy abused by family member.Wants prayer re:bad dreams to stop and fear and how to handle when they happen or what specific prayers can she pray. She has gone for counseling re:this issue.
• Christian: "You recently answered my question about whether I could call myself Catholic before formally entering the Church. I I was baptized with the trinitarian formula in a Non-Denominational Church before I came to the Catholic Church. Now, I have studied ancient Christianity for 3 in a half years and I found out that the Catholic Church is the one true church and the fullest of the faith.

On the show you mentioned I was a catechumen, but isn't that for those who aren't baptized? I'm joining the CCD program, so am I considered a Candidate?

I have read in the Catechism that those who are baptized validly are part of the Church. Plus I have a very strong and solid Catholic faith and I love the Catholic Church and never miss one Mass. So would I be considered a Catholic not fully initiated since I still need to receive the other sacraments?

• Sarah from West Seneca: Is Melchizedek one of the patriarchs?

August 31

• Tomorrow is the First Saturday of the month. We should remind listeners who heard Mother Olga at the women's conference that she has invited people to join her in a novena of First Saturdays on behalf of the nation. Sept, Oct, Nov: three left.
• Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI, Part I.
• From Alex in Miami via e-mail:

My biological parents had their marriage annulled years ago.

My father's new wife, my other mother, is fighting cancer. She’s not in good shape because this cancer is aggressive.

They’re not married in the church, and I know she has the desire to receive communion.

He’s not a practicing catholic but I know he’d be willing to con-validate the marriage so she can receive her sacraments.

1) Would a priest in cases like this be able to expedite the marriage process so they can be in the graces to receive the Eucharist?

2) Would you please pray with the intercession of Our Lady for her health and for the graces my dad needs to be on fire so they can both cling on to Our Lord in this difficult time and He can strengthen them in the walk God willed ?

• Paul from e-mail: I was listening to your broadcast on Friday, August 24th. A caller requested a prayer for a family member who was suffering from tremendous foot pain and poor circulation in that foot and leg. It sounds like the same condition I have in both my feet and legs. It has made me permanently disabled. My condition is Diabetic Neuropathy. I pray to Father Baker for the relief of pain and control of my diabetes. When Fr. Moleski said a prayer of healing for this person, my legs started to tingle and I have gotten great relief from pain in both legs and feet. I even walked to church yesterday and today, something I would always use the car to do.
• John on FB: Is it okay to use the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary as your daily devotion with the Brown scapular? Or do you have to use the more traditional five-decade rosary?
• Debbie. Lockport, New York. Speaking of Bibles...their are so many Bibles to choose from -which version (i.e. Jerusalem, Ignatius,etc.) would be the closest to the original Word of God?
• Anonymous. Can Fr. prayer for people who are unemployed or going to lose their jobs for this upcoming Labor day weekend and safe travel ?
• Bob.Boston,New York-has ques re: atheists and whether they are really atheists if they put up billboards?
• Damon. Kansas City, Missouri. iCatholicRadio. Question on wearing Rosaries

August 28

• Feast of St. Augustine.
• Sequence for Pentecost. For Holly from Tonawanda — "Try, try again!"
• Erica from in Williamsville: Off the top of your head what are the first 3 books that come to your mind that would be under the category of “Must Reads” for Catholics? I’m looking for 3 from any genre, on any topic, but edifying to our faith, either in a blatantly obvious or symbolic way. Thanks a ton!

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales.

'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Heaven, But Were Afraid to Ask by Peter Kreeft.

Crisis of Truth by Ralph Martin.

• Jason in Los Angeles: A family friend, who is a Catholic, is going to get married this weekend. She is going to marry a non-Catholic man, who has 2 children. I don't know if the man is divorced or has ever been married, but I know that they will not be married in the Church. I have been invited to the wedding reception and asked to be representative of her family to thank the guests for their attendance. My question is: if I accept the invitation, will I show my support for her wedding outside the church and commit a sin? What should I do? Thank you for your answer Father. God bless you Father and Gina.

St. Augustine: "Love, and do what you will."

• Polly from Tonawanda: Regarding your book suggestions, she has some Catholic movies she'd like to get your opinion about.
• Bonnie from Springville, NY: Please pray for her friend Jerry for his eyesight, blood pressure, hernia; for her dad Keith for his diabetes & heart; for her brother Bob for his stress & diabetes; Andrew for guidance and direction; Estella for cancer; Elsie for cancer; Nick for his heart; her aunt Barb for cancer; and for herself, for her legs, diabetes and eyesight.
• Emily from Corning: Prayer request for a young man, Jessie, who is dying of Leukemia, and for his mother who is refusing to accept his upcoming death.
• Anonymous from Facebook: "I was saved by the grace of God. I felt the Holy Spirit and all his gifts. I did great for a while, but wound up returning to my old life of sin — Stealing, partying, lying. I feel I hurt the Lord after He had saved me. I feel I've lost the Holy Spirit. If, in fact, I was disqualified, do you think it's possible to get the Holy Spirit back? I love the Lord, and I will keep trying. I won't give up. He taught me so much. He has changed me for the better, but the evil one won't give up. Pray for me! God bless all of us!"
• Nicolette from Amherst: "I heard that someone who receives a portion of the celebrant's host receives more grace. Is that true?"
• Rita from Rochester, NY: Prayer request for her daughter who is going to be married this Friday, for a blessed wedding day.
• Anonymous: Prayers for health, to find a job and special intentions.
• Beth: Madonna House is in Combermere, Ontario! A beautiful place. Near Barry's Bay.
• Kristin from Buffalo: She was recently diagnosed with fibromialgia which is causing constant pain, please pray that she'll be able to take care of her small children, and for healing.
• Christian: I am in the process of becoming in full Communion. When people ask my religion, may i say I am a Catholic?
• Theresa from West Seneca, NY: Please pray for her friend Debbie's mother who is in the hospital with a bowel obstruction; and for her mother who has stage four stomach cancer; her brother who recently had surgery; for all people who are suffering in any way.
• Gina from Niagara Falls, NY: Comment on Eastern church, consuming remaining sacred species. She had that experience, and wanted to share it. Also regarding Combermere, she used to take her children....

August 24

• Feast of St. Bartholomew (Nathaniel: "Gift of God").

St. Bartholomew — Iconography."

The Golden Legend says that St. Bartholomew traveled to India, where he bound in chains of fire a black demon who had troubled a local king, who then converted. The pagan priests complained to the king's brother, who captured Bartholomew and had him flayed alive.

Portraits usually show St. Bartholomew with a book and flaying knife ... Sometimes he is instead shown skinless ... or in the process of being flayed ..., and sometimes he stands with his book in hand and the black demon chained at his feet ...

The Legend describes St. Bartholomew as having black curly hair, large eyes, fair skin, and a long beard starting to gray. Of these features the only one followed consistently in the images is the curly hair.

Today's maxim from St. Philip Neri

"The skin of self-love is fastened strongly on our hearts, and it hurts us to flay it off; the more we get down to the quick, the more keen and difficult it is."

• Sequence for Pentecost. Holly from Tonawanda asked me to say this prayer at the end of Friday's show, but I didn't read the question correctly and there wouldn't have been time even if I had.
• Preaching the Gospel — followup to Greg's question last Friday about how to evangelize non-Catholics.
• Freemasonry — a specific reply to Rick's claim that the EWTN article says that the penalt of excommunication is still in force.
• Freddie from Chicago,Ill. Wants to ask father if he received the Rosary he sent and has prayer request for family members who are ill.
• Joyce from Buffalo, New York has prayer request for Amy who is back in Roswell.
• Anonymous from Clarence, New York has prayer request for a young mom who delivered twins.The baby girl died in her arms.The baby boy jack is in ICU. The babies Mom is distraught and doesn't understand how this can happen.
• Anonymous from Victor, New York-Has prayer request for family member they have not heard from and fiancial needs.
• Tim from Albion, New York: wants to discuss Hochuls position on HHs
• Anonymous. Please pray for my dad who is having severe vascular-related pain in his foot.
• Laura from El Segundo, California.(listening on Internet) Has question re: her marriage and a tubal ligation she had and ques. of sin.
• Joyce from Buffalo, New York: forgot another prayer request-she is concerned abt Bonnie another CAC caller.Says she hasn't heard her recently
• Renee from My mother is dying of cancer after a long struggle and bizarre complications. People have tried to convince me to discontinue IV's and tube feeds but it just doesn't feel right to me. Please advise and pray for my mom and that I make the best decisions for her.
• Mary: Wants to thank you for mentioning ICatholic radio as she was unaware of it.
• From anonymous via e-mail:

Short form of the question

• From anonymous via e-mail:

My 30-year old son is in a crisis. He did used drugs in high school; I don't know whether he is using drugs at present. He smokes and drinks too much. He is $60,000 in debt, and probably won't be able to finish his master's degree. He can't find the kind of job he wants and cannot support himself. He is interested in religion and attends Mass.

— Should we offer to pay for a course to help him finish his degree?

— Should we encourage him to move back home until he decides how to proceed?

• Mass at St. Rose of Lima with our new bishop at 8:00 AM.
• "Rally for November", Saturday, 12 noon, Federal Court House, 2 Niagara Square.

August 17

• Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI, part I: "Thy Will Be Done."
• Windy from Facebook: My daughter was told that praying the rosary was wrong because we should not pray to anyone but GOD. From this standpoint, the rosary seems to be idolatrous. Since I am new to the faith myself, I really don't know what to tell her. When she did pray the rosary, she told me it made her feel good, but now she won't even touch it. How can I help her with this?

Rosary

• Greg from Buffalo, NY: What does it look like for a Catholic to approach a non catholic to talk about the faith. How does that conversation start? Is that something we should do all the time.
• Rick from Los Angeles, California: Itunes. Is looking for clarification on yesterdays question about free-masions being excomunicationed.
• Bob from Boston, NY: Comment: Mary never did anything aghenst the will of God. Its never a mistake to pray the rosary.
• Debbie from Getzville, New York: Prayer Request- For Father John, 95 years old not doing well. He is scared.
• Jenny from Boca Raton, Florida: Wondering ways to change impatience with her mother. What is missing in her prayer life?
• John in Wilson: - I started to read about locutions, I was wondering if they are Church approved. Did the consecration of Russia requested by the Blessed Mother and ever happen. Do you know anything about these apparitions?
• Anonymous: I have been taught that if you are divorced, and married in the Church, we are called to live chaste lives in order to be able to take the Eucharist. I went to mass with my boyfriends family, and was a little surprised when I saw that my boyfriend's mother take the Eucharist. She is married in the Catholic Church, been divorced for about 3 years now, and has a boy friend. This is disturbing my peace. Am I sinning by judging?
• Chad from Rochester, New York: I purchased a brown scapular I haven't worn it as of yet because I read the pamphlet that came with it and it indicated that there was some blessing or enrollment that I need to participate in prior to wearing it. Can you tell me how do I go about having this done so I can wear my scapular?
• Holly from Tonowanda, New York: Prayer Request: that you pray the come Holy Spirit prayer at the close of the show.

August 13

• WLOF, the mothership of The Station of the Cross, is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima.

Memorare.

• Jason from Pittsburgh: It was recently pointed out to me that the Tridentine Mass has no epiclesis in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and that until the current Ordinary Form of the Roman Mass came, the Roman Rite was the only Rite in the Church that did not have one in the Eucharistic Liturgy. What do you think could be some reasons why this never developed in the Roman liturgy, and why do you think they added a brief epiklesis to the Mass after Vatican II? Also please pray for my injury, the health of loved ones, a difficult situation that I hope has been resolved, and a difficult situation at work. Thanks and God bless.
• Darren served as the quasi-hobbit in the Outer Darkness.
• Angie from Rochester: prayer request for her niece. She is having difficulties with her liver and has diabetes.
• Anonymous from Buffalo: she wants to know how best to speak with her husband about not staying at her sons home during thanksgiving in which the son is living with his girlfriend.
• Erica from Amherst: over the weekend I was spending time with family and my aunt and cousin asked if I had ever done the “needle and thread” bit to see how many children I’ll have. The idea really bothered me and made me feel very uncomfortable. You and I talked about this so briefly before the show ... could you talk more about it? Thank you!
• Mike from Rochester prayer of thanksgiving for Bible & the Church and wants to speak with you on theological virtues.
• Mary from Syracuse, NY: Questions about grieving the Holy Spirit.
• Yvonne from South Texas: I have heard of the needle thing down here in South Texas. Here though, they place a needle hanging from a thread over the pregnant woman’s belly and if it swings vertically over the belly, you will have a girl, if it swings horizontally, you will have a boy. Crazy, huh? I liked your response though! First time listener...I’m really enjoying this during my work day! Thanks!
• Anonymous from Victor New York area: prayer request for guidence from the holy spirit for a special family member that has not been heard from for a long time and this persons birthday is in 5 days. also for abundent resourses($) , general needs and that no divorces take place in their family.
• Anonymous: prayer request for health, to find employment and special needs (many of them).
• Deloris from Boston, NY: prayer request for niece Sarah — a 125 lb roll fell on her.

August 6

• Feast of the Transfiguration.
• A prayer derived from Colossians 1.
• Shawn from Facebook: Why do so many people leave Church after receiving communion and before the priest says mass is ended? Are they doing what is right? Is it OK for them to leave early?
• Erica from Amherst: Why aren't same-sex couples satisfied with civil unions? Why are people pressing to change the natural definition of marriage?
• Today's wonder-worker (thaumaturge): St. Gregory Thaumaturgus.
• Motwani: My husband Vinod was arrested because of a legal problem. Please pray for this situation, that the Lord may have mercy on him and grant me peace, as this has been very trying for me.
• Polly from Tonawanda: Could Father explain a prophecy of Padre Pio regarding three days of darkness? Is it valid?

Wikipedia, "Three Days of Darkness."

• Chris from Grand Island, New York: How do we balance preaching the Truth in Love with defending the Truth to death when necessary, following the examples of the martyrs?
• Paul from Amherst: Patron saint of those suffering from Depression. Teresa of Avila.
• Anonymous: Prayers for health, find a job, and for special intentions.
• Brian: Could it be that the people who leave after Communion are in a state of mortal sin while receiving Communion and therefore they are running away from their grief, guilt, or judgment that they have just brought upon themselves?
• Joyce from Buffalo: Could Fr. say a prayer for the repose of her Daughter-In-Law's father, Nick?
• Phil from Tonawanda: Has a question about Anglican communion
• Dennis from Buffalo: Please pray that God may lead and guide me during troubling, confusing and hurtful times. Please help me to see and understand God's will for me.
• Jason from LOS ANGELES (Not Louisiana)

• First off, please say a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for me. My grandmother was hospitalized last Monday and released from the hospital last Friday even though she had had a life-threatening condition. God answered all the prayers, especially Father
• Second, I would like to hear your thoughts and comments on heaven. I have read one of St. Don Bosco's dreams about his meeting with St. Dominic Salvio after St. Dominic's death. St. Don Bosco asked St. Dominic if they were in heaven and St. Dominic answered no. St. Don Bosco seemed to be confused because the place where they met was very divine full with heavenly splendors. Could it be possible that St. Don Bosco meet St. Dominc in paradise? Would it be possible that all the saints may go to paradise instead of heaven after their deaths and they will go to Heaven to rejoice in the Beatific Vision after the general judgment?

• Lillian from Buffalo: Wants to know if she is allowed to receive Communion twice.
• "Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches." ???
• Lizette from Texas: If a person is in hospice and doesn't want to eat and the person has a request not to tube her in and the person is 88 and no conscious. What would you do?
• Anonymous: Prayer request for a family member that they haven't heard from and would like prayers to hear from them, for big financial resources, and for no divorce within the family.

August 3

• First Friday of the Month today — First Saturday tomorrow. Mother Olga's Novena for the U.S. — fast and pray on First Saturdays for the Lord's blessing on our national elections in November. Aug-Sept-Oct-Nov: four months left, so it is a tetrana or tetruum(?) now.
• Anima Christi.
• Erica and her husband from Amherst, N.Y.: What is the best way for us to talk with people about same-sex "marriage"? Those whom we know who support same-sex marriage are not going to listen to quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What kind of natural-law arguments can be made to show that marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman?
• Jason from Pittsburgh: Why did the Roman Rite separate the Sacrament of Confirmation from Baptism, and when did this first begin?
• Christine from NY: "I was saved by the grace of God. He gave me His Holy Spirit. Not knowing what was going on, I feel I went wrong and lost the spirit. I love Jesus and have made Him the focus of my life. Do you think I can ever get [the] Spirit back? Living without it makes me so sad. I messed up something amazing. Please help me. Thank you so much, and the love of God be with you all."
• Gary from Ohio via e-mail: Praying to the Holy Spirit is difficult for me. I can visualize Jesus because of pictures and His words. I can't produce the same imagery with the Holy Spirit. Can you provide any assistance?
• V Antonelli via e-mail: Will you discuss Matthew 16:28? "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (NIV)
• Timothy from Bayside, NY, via e-mail: What do you think about the fact that Cardinal Dolan has invited Obama to the Al Smith Dinner? I am outraged. I think Cardinal Dolan is being two-faced. What kind of message is he sending to the faithful? Jesus ate with Judas, but He knew what Judas was going to do. Dolan knows what Obama is doing, and he invites him anyway.
• Arlene: Please pray for my daughter and her boyfriend, that they will always make the right choices in their life.
• Anonymous: Please help me in healing from a breakup.
• Brian: Are you familiar with the arguments presented in "Love and Responsibility?" I find this an excellent argument using logic! Contracepting couples use each other as objects, which degrades the marriage relationship.
• Damon from Kansas City, Mo., iCatholic Radio: married when he was 18 and his bride was 16. Forced into the marriage by her mother. Neither one was baptized. Does he have to get an annulment in order to have his current marriage recognized by the Church?

July 31

• Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (a.k.a. "the Jesuits").
• Take and Receive.
• Some wonder-workers ("thaumaturges").
• Beth. Buffalo. My teenage daughter thinks it’s horrible how Catholics shun homosexuals. I’ve tried to explain we should love all of God’s children, but we need to be honest about sin, and God’s word says a man lying with a man, or a woman lying with a woman, is a sin. Her reply stunned me - if God made us all, he made people to have same-sex attraction. Don’t we say that God is perfect? Why would God make people who were attracted to people of the same sex then say they couldn’t act on it? He’s dooming them to a life of loneliness or sin.
• Brian from Clarence, NY. Some companies support causes we don't agree with. How do Catholics stay in good conscience when they are dealing with these companies?
• Marie from Los Angeles CA. Please pray for my son. He has a New Age website, she's told him it's wrong, but he says he's waiting for God to give him a sign. He's married & has children, she is very concerned, and wishes he would close it down.
• Anonymous. Amherst, New York. What is white martyrdom?
• Jason in Los Angeles. Father and Gina, Please continue to pray for my grandmother's condition. Yesterday's prayer from Father Bernard helped. My grandmother is getting better. Please say a prayer of gratitude for me and for my grandmother's complete recovery. Thank you very much Father.
• John Z. from Facebook: What is your take on spiritual warfare? Is it happening right now around us?

July 27

• July 22-28: NFP awareness week. Theme: "Faithfully yours." (Even better: "Totus tuus," from JP II).
• Prayer of Tobiah.
• Anonymous from Rochester, NY: I'm not feeling well. I feel down. I'm trying to pull out of this & rise above, and I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone, but I'm afraid. I can't seem to do it. Do you have any advice for me in this situation?
• Gary from Canal Fulton, Ohio:

1. Do you know the views of the Eastern Orthodox church on contraception between married couples? My understanding is that members of the Eastern Orthodox church are allowed to receive communion in the Catholic Church. I am under the understanding that there is not an "official" teaching on contraception in the Orthodox church and I could see where this could cause an issue if someone would commune in the Catholic Church.
2. The official Church teaching is that contraception is intrinsically evil. Can you define intrinsically evil?
3. Women in their 40s are considered to be at high-risk if they get pregnant. Does the Church promote having children until it is no longer possible?

• Brendan from Tonawanda, New York: When someone goes overseas and seeks a priest for confession, does the priest need to speak and understand the same language?
• Dennis from Buffalo: Please pray for my family. We are separated right now. We lost our house and have serious money problems. I don't think there's any way to get back together , but I hope some how things will work out. To make matters worse work continues to be very slow.
• Louise from Buffalo, New York: Prayer Request for nephew - clinically depressed/sees no purpose to medications/no purpose to life.
• Mike from Rochester, New York: Comment on appropriateness of making donation to station in remembrance of loved ones.
• St. Dymphna: Patron of those suffering for nervous and mental affictions
• Scott from Rochester, New York: Question about yesterdays Gospel. When Jesus says Blessed are your eyes that see, your ears that hear - What did Jesus mean when when he said this?
• Anonymous from the Victor area: Prayer requests - Have not heard from a family member in a while. Very concerned. Praying to hear from them soon. For financial resources. For Unity in the family - hopefully there will be no divorce. For the souls in purgatory.
• Freddy from Chicago, Illinois: Prayer request. Just got out of an interview.
• Anonymous: Fr. Poblocki used the word "thaumaturge" when he told the story of the life of St. Apollinarus. What does that word mean?

thauma, thaumatos (τό θαῦμα, θαῦματος), wonder + ergon, work = "wonder worker."

July 20

• July 22-28: NFP awareness week. Theme: "Faithfully yours." (Even better: "Totus tuus," from JP II).
• Prayer of Tobiah.
• James from Buffalo:

1. The Fathers of the Church teach that it is self-evident that the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, cannot be given to heretics.

For this reason the Orthodox Church will not offer the Eucharist to Roman Catholics.

2. The Catholic Church, however, permits Orthodox Christians to receive the Eucharist at Mass.

3. Yet the Orthodox formally deny the dogma of papal infallibility, which would make them heretics.

4. Why, then, does the Catholic Church admit the Orthodox to her Sacraments?

5. One Orthodox Christian tells me that he is forced to conclude that the Catholic Church cannot be very convinced of her own insistence that papal infallibility is, indeed, a dogma to be held by all Christians.

— What would the Catholic response be to that charge?

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.

§5. For the cases mentioned in §§2, 3, and 4, the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops is not to issue general norms except after consultation at least with the local competent authority of the interested non-Catholic Church or community.

• Betty from Temple, Texas: I’m a Protestant, but I enjoyed listening to Fr. Corapi’s Catechism series when it used to be on EWTN. Having an aid to follow while reading the Catechism was a great help. Are there any other audio or video series on the Catechism that you could recommend to me?

- Book: Living the Cathechism of the Catholic Church. 52 meditations by Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn.

- U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults Audio CD.

- * familyland. org — comments on every single question in the catechism.

• Henry: Please pray for me in my various struggles.
• James from Buffalo: The Fathers of the Church teach that it is self-evident that the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, cannot be given to heretics. For this reason the Orthodox Church will not offer the Eucharist to Roman Catholics. The Catholic Church, however, permits Orthodox Christians to receive the Eucharist at Mass. Yet the Orthodox formally deny the dogma of papal infallibility, which would make them heretics. Why, then, does the Catholic Church admit the Orthodox to her Sacraments? One Orthodox Christian tells me that he is forced to conclude that the Catholic Church cannot be very convinced of her own insistence that papal infallibility is, indeed, a dogma to be held by all Christians. What would be the Catholic response to that charge?
• Laura: Requests prayer for her brother Andre and his liver. However she is most concerned because he doesn't believe in God, is anti-catholic and she doesn't want him to die in mortal sin.
• Anonymous from Victor, New York: Please pray for us to hear from a close family member, for their well-being. Please pray for needed financial resources, for son to resolve legal problems and keep his marriage and for Souls in Purgatory to reach Heaven.
• Betty from Temple, Texas: I’m a Protestant but I enjoyed listening to Fr. Corapi’s Catechism series when it used to be on EWTN. Are there any other audio or video series on the Catechism that you could recommend to me? Having an aid to follow while reading the Catechism was a great help.
• Anne from Kenmore, New York: Please pray for my upcoming eye surgery.
• Sister Mary from Buffalo, New York: has prayer request, wants to discuss something about the church, and wants to comment re: Fr: Corapi
• John from Rochester, New York: requests prayer for his new grandaughters and wants to let Fr. know commentary on the catechism can be found by Cardinal Francis Arinze on the internet.
• Anonymous from Buffalo, New York: has two comments on Catechism and re:adoption.
• Anonymous from Ontario, Canada she is hurt because her daughter died and her son-in-law has begun to see someone already.
• Chellen: Buffalo, New York (Chellen is 10 years old!) What was the first sin on earth?
• Anonymous: What does the Church teach about adoption? What kinds of problems do people face when a child is adopted?

- the natural parents

- the adopting parents

- the adopted children

- natural children of the adopting parents

July 17

• Novena to St. Anthony.
• Jason from Pittsburgh via e-mail: Can you please talk about the readings from Mass last Thursday?
• Brian from e-mail:
  • Do you know of a good book to read about St. Anthony of Padua?

Friar Jack Wintz, OFM: St. Anthony of Padua: His Life, Legends, and Devotions.]

Charles Warren Stoddard, St. Anthony: The Wonder-Worker of Padua.]

• • Also, do you know any good books about spiritual gifts?

Ralph Martin, Steve Clark, Bert Ghezzi, Sr. Ann Shields, Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan (sp?)

• Follow up from Brian regarding his earlier email. Hi Father, My question about St. Anthony & spiritual gifts is referring to the charismatic gifts, Pentecostal gifts. For example, discernment, reading people like St. Pio, sight into the spiritual realm, locutions... Also, I ask about St. Anthony because I find that when I ask for his intercession for a cause he will always come through and occasionally it is in a miraculous way, such as one time I lost my keys and I prayed to St. Anthony, the next thing I knew my keys were in my pocket.

• Joanna from Rochester: Please pray for my friend’s granddaughter who has been missing for more than a week.
• Jim from Corning, New York: Please pray for my friend, Fr. Herb.
• Betty from Temple, Texas: Please pray for my friend's daughter Carolyn. She attempted suicide recently.
• Christopher from Houston, TX: Does a Mass of Christian Burial for a deceased person automatically mean that they are in heaven? If God is a God of love and forgiveness, how can people go to hell? Is it okay to doubt where a deceased person is at?
• Sharon from Elma: would you please pray for my daughter Anna who will be travelling home tomorrow from Colorado... and for all those who are travelling this summer?
• Anonymous: Please pray for my brother in law, who I just learned has kidney cancer, he's got more testing coming up & needs surgery. (She also loves this show and appreciates all of the priests who share the faith with her )
• Anonymous: Please pray for health, to find a job, and special intentions.
• Beth. Buffalo. A friend told me when she sees a woman in the store or out and about with a burqa on she feels afraid. The garb is so odd and harsh and secretive. She is a good Christian woman, and feels guilty about judging someone just by what they wear. But after all the terrorist attacks and the ongoing “war on terror,” I didn’t know how to advise her.
• Ginny from Buffalo: I was a nurse, I know of a family that had two cases of kidney cancer. They are doing very well. There is hope, don't despair. Also, my god daughter Meghan is a special needs girl, she's 23, and is having seizures, is very sick as is her mom. Please pray for them.
• Bob from Boston, New York. Comment about woman who is frightened of women in burqas. when he encounters women in burqas, he would address them with "peace" in Arabic, "shalom alikam", to put them at ease.
• Chris. Houston. Please pray for the repose of the soul of my dear grandmother JoAnn and other loved ones, for all bishops and priests, for all newly-ordained priests and for the physical health of my mother Deborah
• St. Gerard Majella was, like St. Anthony of Padua, a wonder-worker:

http://www.stgerard.net/StGerard1.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Saint-Gerard-Majella-and-Miracles-Attributed-to-Him&id=3029596

http://www.sspx.ca/EucharisticCrusade/2005_September/Saint_Gerard.htm

http://jonathanturley.org/2010/11/03/parisian-baby-falls-seven-stories-into-arms-of-passer-by-where-is-jt-staying-by-the-way/

July 13

• July 22-28: NFP awareness week. Theme: "Faithfully yours." (Even better: "Totus tuus," from JP II).
• Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas for Chastity.
• Lisa. I heard you talk recently on the program about Hell not being an actual place. How is that so when visionaries such as the children of Fatima have testified to having been taken there?
• I recently heard the term "nephilim" [neff-ill-eem]. What does it mean?
• Tim from iCatholicRadio: Would you please pray for my friend Gino who is having problems with his restaurant business is off problems with his landlord and he is giving up on hope. If the restaurant closes 12 people will be out of a job.
• John: Is there any difference between a saint that is an angel, as in St Michael, vs saints that were human and had a human body? Is there any place in Scripture where human Saints after death in heaven are above the Angels in ranking? Also when in the history of the Church did Michael start being called a Saint?
• Bonnie from Springville,NY: Prayer request: For friend Gerry - his eye appointment on Tuesday for eye pressure; for Bonnie for her dr. appointment Thursday for her diabetes and asthma
• Fred from Chicago, Illinois: Android. Prayer Request for his small business.
• Jack from Lockport, New York: Question about what happens to the prayers for the deceased in Purgatory if they have been released from Purgatory?
• http://www.etsy.com/shop/BuildYourRosary?ref=seller_info_count
• http://www.etsy.com/listing/103052387/one-decade-hockey-puck-sport-rosary?ga_search_query=hockey
• Anna from Northwest Arkansas: iPod. Prayer request for son in delinquent camp.
• Bill from Buffalo, New York: Question about Holy Spirit and follow-up from last Friday about Mass parts.
• Challen from Buffalo, New York: What day was Jesus actually born?
• Egide from Nashville, TN: Can Father talk to him off the show?

July 9

• St. Francis of Assisi was one of the great Reformers of the Church. God said to him, "See! My church is falling down. Rebuild it." We need St. Francis to aid us in re-forming and re-building the Church in our day.
• Peace Prayer of St. Francis.
• I pretty totally missed the point of Ale's question on Friday, I think. Even if she hasn't written in complaining about it, I realized that I went off on an almost totally irrelevant tangent. I took her question to mean, "If we are saved by our faith, doesn't that mean that the death of Jesus was in vain?" What she really asked was, "If Catholics believe that both faith and works are necessary for salvation, doesn't that mean that they are saving themselves by their works instead of relying on Jesus' saving work on the Cross?"
• Possible follow-up question: On Friday, you discussed whether non-Catholics can pray the Rosary in terms of the component prayers. What about the mysteries of the Rosary? Do any of them pose a particular problem for Protestants?
• We asked our listeners for help with Alex's question about how to persuade a friend to be chaste before marriage?
• Christopher from Houston:

- for the repose of the soul of Albert Peter Marcello, Jr. + and his family & friends who mourn his death (especially his wife, son, and priest-son *Father Alberto P. Marcello III*)

- for the repose of the soul of Father Barry McLean +

- for the safety of those traveling during these summer months by air, car, boat, & train

• Bonnie from Springville, NY: Prayer requests for her friend Jerry for eye pressure, Art for his stress, Dad, Keith, for his diabetes and heart, for Bob for his diabetes and stress, Andrew for guidance and direction, Elsie for cancer, Estela for cancer, Nick for his heart, and for Bonnie's own diabetes and asthma
• Sue from Buffalo, NY: . . Hello Father and Gina,

Today I am asking for many prayers for a child I have never met. His name is OLIVER and he is one year old. He is in Children's Hospital of Buffalo awaiting surgery. Here is what I know. . .

This child who just recently turned one year old was taken to the emergency room less than a week ago after his pediatrician told his mom he had the flu. With symptoms persisting(I do not know how long he has ha flu like symptoms), she wanted reassurance that he would soon get better. In the ER tests were taken and very heart wrenching news was delivered to the parents. . . Oliver has not one but two brain tumors. One is at the base of his little brain and the other which is massive, has grown within his brain, causing some paralysis. Operating on the larger one will surely debilitate Oliver with chances of him living out his life on a ventilator. The smaller tumor at the base of the brain will be biopsied later this week. If the surgeon believes he can safely remove the tumor, it will be done immediately, then Kemo will be administered in the hopes of shrinking the larger tumor to the point of safe removal.

Needless to say many prayers are sought. Friends of the family have reached out in all faith directions for prayers of support and healing. We can all say prayers for Oliver, his parents, his family, the doctors and nurses who are caring for him and keeping him comfortable, prayers also for the surgeon and so on.* Please Father, say a prayer on the air today. And perhaps your listeners can add their own private prayer to help in this devastating situation.

• Anonymous from Victor, NY area: Please pray for family member who they have not heard from in a long time- for a good outcome AND for financial resources for a big place to unite them all AND for poor souls in purgatory including a loved who passed away whose birthday it is today.
• Brian from Fitchburg, Massachusetts: Wants to share about not living together and NFP
• Jason from Pittsburgh: Good afternoon Father, Gina, and listeners.

I work in technology and many of my co-workers come from India. We often have celebrations at work for holidays like Diwali, that are Hindu in origin. Our celebration at work mainly involves food, and sometimes a little bit of information on what the holiday is about. As a Catholic, is it appropriate to participate in such celebrations? Thanks and God bless.

• One More Soul.
• CCLI: Couple to Couple League International.
• Tom from Buffalo, New York: Comment about Father not mentioning Eastern Rite - would like to comment on this and prayer.
• Gina: The Peace Prayer isn't from St. Francis either! "The prayer in its present form cannot be traced back further than 1912, when it was printed in France in French, in a small spiritual magazine called La Clochette (The Little Bell) as an anonymous prayer, as demonstrated by Dr. Christian Renoux in 2001."
• Brendan: Is Pope Benedict writing a trilogy? Does it have hobbits in it?

"Jesus of Nazareth, Part 3, expected in 2013."

Part I: Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration.

Part II: Holy Week: From Jerusalem to the Resurrection.

Part III: Infancy Narratives (Matthew and Luke)

July 6

• Feast of St. Maria Goretti.
• Public service announcement: beware of the Monday worm that threatens to cut computers off from the internet.
• Annie via e-mail: Please pray for my mother (Vickie) and my sister (Liz). Thank you, God bless you.
• Ale from El Paso, Texas: Hello, my Catholic friend referred me to this station. I am a practicing Christian, and I noticed that one of the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism is the concept of being saved by Faith alone (our belief) versus having to do works and along with Faith. Does that mean that Jesus came to die for us for nothing? I'd appreciate if you can explain this to me.
• Bill from Hamburg, New York: wants to discuss the new Mass translation and things he doesn't like being done in Church during Mass.
• Emily from Corning, New York: -wants to comment on "New Translation" being discussed.
• Delores from Boston, New York: Wants to ask Father about a green scapular and has prayer request.
• Bob from Boston, New York: Were St.Joseph and Mary both from house of David? And were they related — like cousins?

John Z. from Facebook: We were listening to a discussion of Eucharist on the Station of the Cross, which raised three questions:

• Is it possible to just receive Communion by receiving the Precious Blood without also receiving the Host?
• When did the Church decide to distribute Communion under just one species?
• Was the change made because of health concerns?

Communion under one Kind.

• From Pastor Jim via e-mail: I enjoyed your program on Monday, I was thankful that I could listen to most of it on the way home.

• 1. When you received the call to ministry was it to be a Jesuit?
• 2. You mention about some pictures of the saints and you replied (I believe) that the Jesuits didn't have a rosary. Why was that?
• 3. Since I have a numbers of older Catholic patients I see, is it wrong for a non-Catholic to recite the rosary?

Can non-Catholics pray the Rosary?

July 2

• Friday was the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. I completely forgot to invoke their aid in the opening prayer.
• For our U.S. listeners: last three days of the Fortnight for Freedom. When we pray for our own nation, we are also praying for our international audience on iCatholicRadio...
• Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty.
• A friend wrote, "Father, If you pick on the callers they aren’t going to call you. I’m praying over here and you’re making them feel bad for answering the prayers!"
• Martina from e-mail: This question was posed to me recently. If God is all good why would He create a place like Hell or allow evil at all?
• Bonnie from Springville: Prayer Requests: Friend Gary, eyes, Blood pressure & Heart, 2.) Dad keith, heart diabetes, 3.) Estella - cancer, Elsie - Cancer, Nick Heart, Herself Asthma and eyes.
• Sister Mary from South Buffalo: Confused about the Afordable Care Heart and the CHA news release about it.
• Rica across the Hall: Father, I recently went to an estate sale and picked up a statue that I wasn’t familiar with. The saintly man is in a black cassock…I can’t remember if anything is in his hands, but down by his feet is a skull. Do you have any idea who that could be? Thanks, Padre!
• Joyce from Buffalo: Wants to say praise God for Sr. Mary. :^)
• Anonymous: Prayers for health, to find a job, and special intentions.
• Ellen from Buffalo: Wants to guess - Also has an answer on the Skull at the foot of the cross.
• Gina: "Selected Memories of a Catholic Boyhood": The Saint With a Skull at His Feet. Francis was the first saint I came to know after Mary and Joseph. I grew up in Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in New Haven, Connecticut and, like my father and his mother before him, went to Saint Francis School. Our church’s statue of Saint Francis fascinated me. Flanked by Saint Patrick on one side of him and Saint Anthony on the other, he stood above a flaming bank of flickering red vigil lights. The statue showed him mysteriously wounded, dark eyed, with a human skull at his feet and the book of the Gospels in his pierced hands. We little boys were fascinated by the skull. It was a long time before we discovered that it wasn’t real; it was nonetheless a very convincing plaster imitation.

(4:38 PM) Gina: "1927 Jesuit Statue TM Oconnell Skull Inverted Cross."

• Alex: Will you please pray for me , I just got slapped with a $13,000.00 bill from the hospital after having a baby, I don’t ask for the money to come out of nowhere I only ask for the grace to bear this debt with patience as long as God wills. And is this something I can offer up daily?
• Erica: What if it’s St. Gerard Majella??? He’s shown with a crucifix in his arms and skull at his feet. He’s the patron saint of expectant mothers!! Maybe it’s him! That would make sense for me.
• Fr. Bernard in the Car: Wants to weigh in on the Saint.
• Jason from LA: Father and Gina, I think that is the statue of St. John of Cross.
• Gina: St. Gabriel of Sorrows.

June 29

• For our U.S. listeners: second week of the Fortnight for Freedom. Apologies to our international audience on iCatholicRadio...
• Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty.
• Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
• Jason from Pittsburgh: In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." So, when DID Jesus hand the keys over? Also, we know that as Bishop of Rome, Benedict XVI is Peter's successor today. Who is Paul's successor today?
• Alex from Miami: I explained to my friend that when you go to confession you’re not confessing to a man but confessing your sins to God and He absolves you. My friend went to confession and the priest said having pre-marital sex isn’t that bad as long as he intends to get married. So he told me that God said that it was okay. Could you please help me help my friend who now thinks fornicating with his girlfriend isn’t confessional-worthy?
• From a caller in Rochester, New York: If a non-Catholic had a vasectomy, but now wants to become a Catholic, may he get married in the Church? Would he be required to have surgery to reverse the vasectomy?

Self-sterilization.

• From a friend on Facebook: I am looking for some suggestions for spiritual reading that I can use for a sort of re-focusing on purpose and direction, something to recharge the spiritual battery, something to help me struggle through some questions. I am traveling to Ireland with my mother for two weeks and want to bring some thought-provoking reading on discernment with me. My faith in God is unshakable; my faith in people...not so much lately.

St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life.

• From Peter via e-mail: "If the Decree on Religious Liberty from Vatican II states that man has a right to worship God in the way that they see best how can the Church in its agencies not allow people to have contraception? Isn't that coercive as well?"
• From a parishioner: Is the Eucharistic Fast one hour from the beginning of Mass or one hour from the time of reception?

CCC #1387:

To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church (Cf. CIC, can. 919.). Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.

Canon 919:

§1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

• After a recent broadcast, a friend complained to me about how easy it is to ask questions about the Church's teachings on morality and how hard it is to answer them: "It only takes them a few seconds to muddy the waters; it takes us five minutes just to start a reply!"

The ultimate answer is to see God.

We can't make people see God. They have to be willing to be converted and to be healed. We cannot give them that prerequisite for truly understanding the meaning of their questions and the meaning of our answers.

"The vision that can be put into words is not the real vision." But there isn't anything better to talk about, as best we can.

• Betty from Buffalo: 1.) Why do we no longer see the Banns of Marriage in our parish bulletins? 2.) What purpose did they serve in the past?
• Joyce from Buffalo: Came home and found a note on her table from her husband. her Mom fell and hurt herself this afternoon. She's 101 and she hasn't heard anything yet. Prayers please.
• Anonymous from Victor-area (1460 AM): 1.) She hasn't heard from a member of her family for months, and would like prayers for their safe return. 2.) Also, she would like prayers for financial resources for a home for all of them to be together again 3.) The well-being and spiritual well-being for all members of her family 4.) and the poor souls in Purgatory.
• Bob from Boston, NY: The Church always teaches that we are to participate in salvation by CWOM. Jesus actually asked for participation when he asked for a drink from the Cross right?
• Diane from Rochester: Wants to weigh in with Fr. regarding the conversation with Bob.

22 June

• Memorial of St. John Fisher (1459-1535), patron of the Rochester diocese, and St. Thomas More (1478-1535), both executed by Henry VIII of England.

"Fisher was executed by order of Henry VIII of England during the English Reformation for refusing to accept the king as Supreme Head of the Church of England and for upholding the Roman Catholic Church's doctrine of papal primacy." Fisher was beheaded, just like his patron saint, John the Baptist, and on the same grounds of criticizing the illicit marriage of a King.

"Historian Hugh Trevor-Roper said in 1977 that More was 'the first great Englishman whom we feel that we know, the most saintly of humanists, the most human of saints, the universal man of our cool northern renaissance.'" More is widely quoted as saying to the executioner: "I pray you, I pray you, Mr Lieutenant, see me safe up, and for my coming down, I can shift for myself"; while on the scaffold he declared that he died "the king's good servant, but God's first." Another comment he is believed to have made to the executioner is that his beard was completely innocent of any crime, and did not deserve the axe; he then positioned his beard so that it would not be harmed.

• Erica from Williamsville, New York: I heard someone say recently that she gets oil blessed by a priest and then puts it with her food, like taking in the blessing. Is that okay? It wouldn’t all be used, so what’s to be done to clean it out? Do you wash it outside and let it soak into the ground? … How does one go about using blessed salt?
• John from Cheektowaga: I’m having trouble memorizing the ‘Hail, Holy Queen’ prayer… I hope our Blessed Mother will forgive me for asking but I’m wondering if there is an alternate concluding pray to the rosary? I just can’t remember the words; can’t relate them, they are not straightforward such as words are in other prayers.
• John from Wilson: Do we know if Nicodemus ever became Christian?
• Jason from Pittsburgh: I have not been able to listen to CAC most of this week and so I do not know if you talked about Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher. If you did, I was not able to hear it. St. Thomas More is one of my favorite Saints - one of the few examples of a canonized Saints who is both a husband and a father. Since today is their Optional Memorial, could you please talk about them? Thanks and God bless.
• Brian from e-mail: Please pray for Rose who has terminal cancer. The doctors have given her a few days to live and she has a young child. Through the intercession of Mary our Mother may she be healed.
• Alexis from Facebook: To help me memorize prayers i ask my guardian angel for help, then break the prayer up in 4 for each decade of the rosary and on the 5th decade i say the whole prayer per bead. ..hasn't failed yet, hope it helps
• Joyce from Buffalo, New York: knows about Blessed Salt and has prayer too.
• Erica wrote back concerned abt vacuuming it up.
• Ken from Skanteles (Skin-e-at-less), New York: Wants to discuss Theology Of The Body and getting it in parishes.
• Michael from Rochester, New York: Wants to talk abt how he explains receiving Communion to young children.
• Brian from Buffalo, New York: Has good news to report regarding a prayer request he submitted to us last week.
• Scott from Rochester, New York: Went to Confession and was told by person outside confessional that he took too long. Wants to know is there a time limit on how long Confession should be.
• Pamela from Amherst, New York: request for prayer for her Dad who is in the hospital that he be restored to health and that the doctors are able to find what is wrong and diagnose her Dad.

15 June

• Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus today; Memorial of The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary tomorrow.
• World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy.
• Prayers from St. Paul.
• Maria in Akron: "I caught the tail end of a question from Alex that Father answered on Monday about our presence at Church being a source of evangelization, and I want to agree whole-heartedly with that! Each week when I see people show up from whom it is a physical challenge, it means so much to me! I think how strong their faith must be and how strong their belief is to make that effort each and every week! People do notice, and it does make a difference!"
• John Z. from Facebook: "I was doing my daily Bible reading before bed, using the NIV one-year Bible. I was reading Acts 7:51-8:13. Just before that Stephen was going thru a discourse that looks like it is a editorial copied right out of the Old Testament. It looks like it was added to the story. When he was finished, the text says that "the witnesses laid their clothes the feet of a young man named Saul." What does this mean? Was there some kind of tradition or custom? Why would they lay their clothes at his feet? It seems as though this has nothing to do with the story.
• Debbie from Lockport, New York: Prayer request for Christians fleeing Syria and persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Also for victims of domestic violence and that their friends, family, and co-workers will have open ears to hear their fear and cry for help. And that the bondage of fear and silence be broken to enable them to find refuge and new hope.
• Erica from Buffalo, New York: How have Catholics traditionally “gone all out” and celebrated feast days like today? For some reason, growing up, we never really paid any special attention to feast days (besides going to Mass for holy days), but I certainly want to celebrate them in their proper, awesome Catholic style. What are your suggestions, padre?
• Scott from Rochester, New York: Is gambling a sin? If it is- is it a venial or mortal sin ? And if you only spend a little money is it still a sin/
• Freddie from Chicago, Illinois: Prayer request for fiancial issues.
• Bob from Boston, New York: Wants to ask Father how he can obtain copy of Latin titled document. Discussion of the history of the canon of the NT.
• Bob from Hamburg, New York: Has question re: The Blessed Mother. Did our Blessed Mother die before she was assumed into Heaven?
• Anonymous from West Seneca, New York: Can you discuss Taize prayer and Centering prayer? Similiarieties and differences.
• Rhonda from Canandaigua, New York: Wants to discuss upcoming events and relation to Scared heart enthronement.

11 June

• Yesterday was the Feast of Corpus Christi. "Give us this day our daily bread."
• Anima Christi.
• Memorial of St. Barnabas, apostle.
• My 31st anniversary of ordination is Wednesday, the Feast of St. Anthony, Great Doctor of the Church, Wonder-Worker, and Patron Saint of All That Is Lost.
• Timothy from iCatholicRadio: Please pray for my friend Tim and his godson’s relationship.
• Bonnie from Springville, New York: Has a number of prayer requests and wants to speak with Father.
• Alex: I'm not in walking distance to my parish and was wondering if making an adoration hour at home with a website like savior.org that shows the Blessed Sacrament 24hrs as efficacious as going to a parish that has perpetual adoration
• Angela: If God allows us to be tempted so that we will learn to grow closer to Him, then why do we pray "Lead us not into temptation" in the Our Father. Wouldn't we want the temptations that God allows so that we grow closer to God?
• Paul from Buffalo, New York: has prayer requests and wants to talk to father.
• Anonymous from Buffalo, New York: Prayer requests for health, job, special intentions.
• Lou from Buffalo, New York: Prayer requests for his children. One son he would like advancement in his job . Another son just graduated from college and he wants employment for him. And for his daughter in her career choices.
• Amon or Anonymous: Kansas City,Missouri. Has questions re: Annullment.
• Adam: I am a 24 year old male. I have been struggling with the concept of what lust really is. I see women with short shorts and short skirts and it's almost impossible not to look. When does it become lust?
• Contraception and the HHS mandate.
• Angelic intimacy.
• Seven new saints.
• From a friend in Amherst: "I recently heard Fr. Barron call Origen an early Church Father. Is that true?"

• 185-254 AD.
• One of the first to use the term "homoousios" (one in being, consubstantial) in thinking about the Trinity.
• Very influential teacher and thinker.
• Castrated himself.
• His theory of apokatastasis has been rejected by the Church.

"Origen's works fell under the ban of the Church, though their author lived the life of a saint, and died, shortly after the Decian persecution, of the sufferings he had undergone in it" (Catholic Encyclopedia, "Fathers of the Church").

Bottom line: It is impossible to understand the patristic era without reading Origen. He contributed to the development of the philosophy and theology of the Church. There is much to admire about him, and much to reprehend. We have learned from his mistakes.

May 25

• Happy Easter!
• Feast of St. Bede the Venerable (673-735 AD), the only English Doctor of the Church and the Father of English history. Last of the Fathers, first of the Scholastics.
• Triduum for Pentecost: today, tomorrow, Sunday.

• Novena to St. Philip Neri and the Holy Spirit

• Jen from Buffalo: "At the North American Martyr Shrine there are crosses and the word 'Jesus' on many of the trees and all the posts in the main church. I was told it was a 'Jesuit thing' but not given any additional information. Do you know anything about this? Can you explain it?"

• "Jogues passed his days in the forest, repeating his prayers, and carving the name of Jesus on trees, as a terror to the demons of the wilderness."
• "How often on the stately trees of the forests did I carve the most sacred name of Jesus, that seeing it the demons might fly, who tremble when they hear it! How often, too, did I not strip off the bark to form on them the Most Holy Cross of the Lord, that the foe might fly before it, and that by it Thou, O Lord my King, 'mightest reign in the midst of Thy enemies' — the enemies of Thy cross — the misbelievers and the pagans who dwell in that land, and the demons who rule so powerfully there! I rejoiced, too, that I had been led by the Lord into the wilderness, at the very time when the Church recalls the story of His Passion, so that I might more uninterruptedly remember the course of its bitterness and gall, and my soul pine away at the remembrance" "Heritage History: St. Isaac Jogues").
• "The columns in the Coliseum are marked with crosses and the name “Jesus” to remind worshipers that Father Isaac Jogues had carved the name of Jesus in the trunks of trees around Ossernenon" (National Shrine of North American Martyrs).

• Jason from Pittsburgh via e-mail: "What is the Old Catholic Church? Why are they in schism?"
• Sandy from Amherst:

1) "Please pray for the repose of the soul of my mother-in-law, Betty Whistler, who died on Wednesday. She was 90 yrs old and lived a beautiful life and had 12 of her 13 children and about 30 of her 47 grandchildren and many of her great grandchildren with her throughout the past few weeks. It's sad but a blessing."

2) "Please pray also for our 30 yr old niece, Betsy Whistler, was operated on shortly after her grandmother's death for a malignant brain tumor, in New York city. Betsy is too young to die, and her father is not able to grieve his mother's loss and may not even make the funeral."

• Today is also Chris from Houston's bday, if we could throw a prayer his way
• Michael from Rochester: Comment on the balance of toleration of other viewpoints.
• Lou from Rochester: Concerning the Incarnation. Most Protestants believe the Incarnation was for atonement. Do we believe that there's more to it?
• Erica from Amherst: Great news!! Colleen Nixon (the SUPER talented Catholic artist we prayed for last Friday) reached her goal of $25,000 to record her solo album. Praise God! Would you please pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for His awesome plans for her life and the use of her talents for His greater glory…and for Colleen and her family, as well. Thanks a bunch, Padre!
• Barbara from Kenmore: Prayer Request that she'll be more open to the Holy Spirit and less inclined to be lukewarm.
• Peggy from Akron: Has a comment regarding Canisius Graduation wherein Shumer was the speaker.
• Lynn: What did Jesus mean when he said " I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,"
• Bob from Boston: Wants to respond to the last two callers (Schumer and whether or not Christ has to die)
• Hobbit: I didn't hear if this part was answered, but why do they still call them Jesuit colleges and universities if they're private?
• Margaret from Hamburg: Comment on Schumer showing up at Canisius. Agreeing with Bob that it's political
• Lynne: Please pray for my brother - he had surgery to remove a brain tumor, they didn't get it all, and he is not recovering well. His daughter is getting married next week, and all he wanted was to walk her down the aisle. thank you
• Jim from Rochester: Another 'Schumer showed up and said the same thing at another college this weekend' story.
• Ken from Cheektowaga: Mention a project he and some others are working on videos in response to the HHS mandate and Sandra Fluke.
• Sharon from Williamsville: Another Chuck Schumer call.

May 18

• Happy Easter!
• Novena for Pentecost: start Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

• Novena to St. Philip Neri and the Holy Spirit

• "Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life; wherefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. " St. Philip Neri.
• "The true way to advance in holy virtues is to persevere in a holy cheerfulness.";
• "The cheerful are much easier to guide in the spiritual life than the melancholy.";

• Please pray for John McDonough, recently deceased. Please also pray for his widowed wife Veronica who is a friend and supporter of WQOM.
• Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bob Grossman, cousin of Rick Paolini.
• Please say a prayer for my stepdaughter Dina, who has been here in Strong in Rochester in an ICU for 2.5 weeks now, where I have been most of the time also, with Marlene. She had liver failure and was considered in need of a transplant, but thanks to lots of prayer I am sure her liver turned around and is almost back to normal now. She also has severe pneumonia however, which is dangerous for her due to her chronic lifelong COPD, and has been sedated since the end of April and on a respirator, etc. She is slowly improving but very slowly, as you can imagine Marlene is beside herself.
• Erica from North Buffalo: I heard that there is a new special prayer or prayers available for babies in utero. Do you know more about this? I only heard it in passing and didn't quite catch it all, but I certainly would be interested in asking for those prayers for my baby. Thanks!

"Vatican Approves New Rite of Blessing for Unborn Children."

"Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb."

• From two friends in Amherst: Why aren’t there religious sisters teaching in schools like there used to be?
• From a friend in Amherst, not on the line: May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week.
• John Paul II's birthday.
• Marie from Buffalo, New York: She does not understand John 14:27-31 which was one of the readings at Mass this week. When he says the Father is greater than me because she thought Jesus and the Father were equal.
• Paul from Amherst, New York: wants to discuss recent publicity from Vatican re:religious order leadership.
• Sister Mary a sister from the Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo, New York: Wants to discuss the LCWR issue.
  • http://labouresociety.org/
  • http://jimmyakin.com/category/podcasts
• Erica from Amherst, New York: Has question and prayer request. Question is from Acts of the Apostles, today's reding re: Paul shaving his head and the vow. She doesn't understand the reading.

Prayers for Colleen Nixon's album.

• Bryan from Buffalo: As a 12-year student of Catholic education including 4 years of Jesuit High School, I agree with Fr.'s comments on Catholic education. I remember when our teachers - 3 out of the 8 in elementary were nuns - told my father that my behavior wasn't up to par - it got corrected very quickly at home. God bless Catholic education!
• Sister Mary called back and wants Father Marty to pray for healing for her and ask others to pray for her as well. But she did not want to go on air.

May 14

• Happy Easter! Thursday is Ascension Thursday, so it's time get ready for the Novena to the Holy Spirit.
• Mother's Day was yesterday.
• Fatima Prayers.
• I was wrong about the Great Western Schism being settled by the council of Florence (1431-1445). It was the preceding council of Constance (1414-1418) that deposed three claimants to the throne and selected Pope Martin V (not a saint, but a good pope).
• Devotion to St. Jude, Patron of Hopeless Cases.
• What can a faithful Catholic do about liturgical abuses?
• Dennis from Buffalo: Please keep me in your prayers. I have been at my job for 18 years and come next week we have 2 orders left which will take us a day or two, then we are out of work.
• Bill and Carol from Buffalo: Please pray for us as we struggle with the loss of our only son, as well as other losses, deaths and severe financial hardships.
• Gina: This is fun. I remember this from a homily at Franciscan, that Pope John XXIII had a good sense of humor: According to a favourite Curia story, Pope John XXIII was once asked how many people worked in the Vatican. "About half," he replied. ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4233443.stm )
• Dennis. I have a friend who originally married in the Catholic Church. He fell away from the Church and started going to one of those "mega" churches. He divorced and remarried. Now he wants to go back to the Catholic Church but he is unsure if he will be able to receive the sacraments. He asked me about it, and I didn't want to answer his question wrong so I advised him to pick a parish and call and talk to a priest. I told him at the very least his case probably would be reviewed. But I really didn't know what else to tell him. Is there a general rule about those cases or is it a case by case thing?
• Louis from Rochester, NY: Re. Our Lady of Fatima prophecies, the conversion of Russia specifically.
• Billy from Buffalo: Just wanted to let you know that the official Fatima site (santuario de'fatima) has an awesome web page, including a live web cam of the spot of the visions.

• http://www.santuario-fatima.pt

• Anonymous from Buffalo: Please pray for my daughter Marie and my grandson Jacob. May my daughter continue to have custody of Jacob and that they both grow in their Catholic Faith.
• Anonymous from Buffalo: Please pray for the deliverance for Peter who has been wrongly influenced. Please help him to abandon the ways of the past and present and to return to the Church.
• Kim from Niagara Falls, NY. Prayer request for her son who is again addicted to drugs. Prayers for his recovery.
• Ann from Kenmore, NY. Prayers, her vision is poor in one eye, and she cannot see out of the other. prayers that her sight will be restored. She is 90 years old and wants to be able to care for herself.
• John from Lakeview, NY. Question regarding validity of sacraments with liturigical abuse.

May 11

• Sequence for Pentecost.
• Prayer request relayed by Jim Havens: Kendray has a congenital malformation of her brain stem. She has endured 3 brain surgeries and also suffers many painful syndromes associated with Chiari and takes many medications to help get her thru the day. She is scheduled for brain surgery next Tuesday. Please pray for a successful surgery with no complications, freedom from pain and anxiety, and healing of an enlarged ventricle.
• Question from Pat relayed by Mrs. Ploucha: Why didn't you mention Confession as part of our Easter Duty in your recent article in the Station of the Cross's monthly newsletter?
  • Precepts of the Church .
• Sunday is May 13, the 95th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima. There are three days left to do a "triduum" (three-day prayer) in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.
• Carlos from Buffalo: It seems to me that becoming pope or bishops comes from a history of "placing on hands" in a lineage from Jesus to St. Peter and on. With the anti-popes and relocations of the papacy was this lineage of "power" broken?
• Pastor Jim from Elmira: According to Catholic theology, when Jesus died, his human body was in the tomb and his human soul went to heaven. What about the Divine Jesus during this time?

• Descent into hell
• How to think about Trinity and Incarnation

• Scott from Rochester, New York: Scott is blind and would like to know what the priest is doing during benediction when he rings the bells, as he cannot see what is going on.He has a prayer request for blessing for his eyes and that his job goes well.
• Anonymous: Prayer request for health,job, and special intentions.
• Candido from Delaware: Can you please give a little insight about lighting candles during private prayer at home?
• Ray from Central Valley, California: Wants to speak with Father on issue of gay marriage in North carolina and Civil Rights.
• Glen from Amherst, New York: Enjoying the show today. Wants to discuss Georgetown University inviting Catherine Cebillius (sp?) to speak.
• Carlos: Please pray for Theresa who had surgery today. Thank you.
• Anonymous from Buffalo, New York: She realizes there may not be sufficient time to discuss this but wants to know what prayers are directed to St.Jude Thaddeus (as in what causes) and could we give some information abt. him.

May 1

• Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.
• Happy Easter!
• From Bill: Could you please remember in your prayer intentions my Uncle Gene who died last week? I actually found him outside his house. He was almost 80. (His 80th birthday is May 9, 2012.) He was diabetic and in declining health. Apparently he had his SUV towed to the dealer who gave him a ride back to his house, but unfortunately his house keys were on the same ring as the car keys that went back to the dealership. His cell phone was also apparently in the vehicle. He was never married and lived alone and lived in the country. I think the car went to the dealer on Tuesday, and I found him on Friday.
• Prayers to St. Joseph.
• Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations. "The Pope commended all those discerning ... a vocation to the Virgin Mary, calling her “mother of every vocation in the Church.”
• Thomas: Please pray for me to St. Joseph to find a job. I just lost my job of 9 months.
• Ann from Buffalo: Prayer request: for her friend, Mary Ann - she has heart problems and has now developed a severe infection in her lungs.
• Eloise from Rochester: Please pray for Sr. MARY LYNCH SSJ who was admitted to Strong Hospital in Rochester.
• Erica from Amherst, New York: "Hey we should pray for our little Sr. Stinky, it's her feast day and I didn't even think about it earlier when she was here." ==> Please pray for Sr. Miriam Joseph on her feast day.
• Barbara from Kenmore: Prayer requests: Thanksgiving - for 30th wedding anniversary; friend who needs a job; friend who needs healing...both named Mary
• Anonymous is asking for prayers for his daughter. She's struggling with diabetes, a mental condition, blood clots in the lungs, and another private situation. Please pray.
• Erica from the outer darkness: Father, I'm interested in the May crowning and Sister was talking earlier today about a May Altar. I never grew up with these traditions, but as I mentioned, I've always been interested to know more about them. Could you explain some ways in which we could honor our Blessed Mother in a special way this month?

The month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary in many cultures. May is considered the season of the beginning of new life. Already in Greek culture, May was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In Roman culture, May was dedicated to Flora, the goddess of bloom, of blossoms. The Romans celebrated ludi florales (literally: floral games) at the end of April, asking the intercession of Flora for all that blooms. This is also related to the medieval practice of expelling winter. May 1 was considered the beginning of growth.

• Brian from Niagara Fall: Please pray for his fiancee's mom who has been very ill and is close to death and for his fiancee who is traveling now that she makes it in time to see her before she dies.
• Ann from Rochester: She has a comment about May devotions that she found in her Bible.
• Bryan from Buffalo: Can you please pray for my sister who is having financial difficulties. She has a struggling business and can use our prayers.
• James from Kenmore: how do the saints hear our prayers?
• Anonymous from Rochester: Please pray for her depression and that God guides her through her stress and emotional issues.
• Kim from Niagara Falls, NY: When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent some disciples to Jesus to ask if there was someone to follow Jesus, if there was someone to come after Jesus. Why did John the Baptist ask Jesus these questions?

Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:18-23.

"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"

And he said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

• Fr. Confer: I heard you talking on CAC about a Holy Thursday Holy Hour and it reminded me of St. Gemma Galgani’s devotion to making a Holy Hour every Thursday night in remembrance of our Lord’s sufferings on Holy Thursday.
• Debbie from Amherst: Were women ordained as deaconesses in the New Testament? Did women ever take over priestly duties in Christian communities because the men were martyred?

April 27

• Happy Easter!
• Anonymous from Canandaigua: Please pray for her family member that they have not heard from in about 4 months. They don't know where he is or what has happened to him. May God return him to his family safe and sound. Also for necessary financial resources they need.
• Jesuit feast in honor of St. Peter Canisius (Roman calendar: Dec 21).
• Long prayer: Sequence for Pentecost.
• Testimony line: 1-877-888-6279, then press 4.
• Jason from Pittsburgh:

1. Why is the Anglican Ordinariate under the Latin Church, instead of having its own hierarchy?

2. Why does the Society of Jesus celebrate the Feast of St. Peter Canisius on April 27 (today), instead of December 21, as it is on the General Roman Calendar?

• Diane from Amherst: Please pray for Audrey. She has stage four lung cancer.
• Chris from Grand Island, New York: Please pray for my job search.
• Pauline: please pray for peace and justice in my country
• Fred from Chicago,Illinois: iCatholic Radio,iPod. Has prayer request re:difficulty sleeping.
• Polly from Tonawanda, NY: Wants to discuss Planned Parenthoods' program for young boys and what we can do about it.
• Dennis from Buffalo: I know before Paul converted, he really opposed the new Chirstian church. My question is did Saul ever confront Jesus before his death? I know Jesus spent alot of his time at the temple. I don't recall ever hearing that Saul came across Jesus. Or was the first time he met Jesus was when he was knocked off his horse?
• Violet, from her IPad: I am a Southern Baptist at the beginning of my journey to Conversion. My question is that each Sunday I see the Penitential Act (form A and B) on the pamphlet in my pew, but I have not heard it being said in the regular Sunday Mass. When is this suppose to be said? I am learning and RCIA has not started yet, so at times I am behind the prayers and responses. Just trying to keep up.
• Stephanie. Two things: please pray for my friend Pat who has pancreatic cancer, and a question.. How close are the society of st. piux 10 members and the church to reconciliation??
• Bob from Boston, New York: Wants to discuss with Father origin of different terms from Bible like Bishop,Diocese,Presbyter,etc.
• Marilyn from e-mail: See "Catholic Health tapped for program." "What is your opinion? Is this a slippery slope toward rationing based on cost control?"

In an accountable care organization, doctors and hospitals take on joint responsibility for the health of their patients and receive financial incentives to save money and meet quality targets by avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures, tracking patients as they navigate through the network, and doing a better job of providing preventive care.

Catholic Health officials touted their selection, saying the program is a natural extension of the hospital system’s progress in integrating care across its many sites.

“Regardless of what the Supreme Court does, and I hope it rules in favor of health reform, health care is moving away from fee-for-service care. We have to look at patients’ whole health status and not provide services episodically,” said Joseph McDonald, president and chief executive officer.

Catholic Health anticipates the program will begin June 1 and eventually care for about 25,000 patients.

The patients may not notice a big difference, except their physicians will use a team-based approach, including dietitians, nutritionists, pharmacists and office-based nurses, said Dr. Michael Edbauer, chief medical officer of the physicians’ network.

For instance, last summer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the results of a demonstration project that started in 2005 to test ways to reward physicians who provided care of higher quality at lower cost to Medicare patients. The 10 large medical groups in the Physician Group Practice demonstration project improved their performance on quality measures after five years, but the cost savings were modest.

“If the Supreme Court rules against the health reform law, then what?” McDonald asked. “We still need to do this. It’s consistent with our values.”

April 20

• Happy Easter!
• Long prayer: Sequence for Pentecost.
• Testimony line: 1-877-888-6279, then press 4.
• A listener heard a program we had about Russia being consecrated and they objected. I know there is debate and confusion on this, so thought it’d be good to talk about it. The links for resources are below.

• EWTN Expert Answers.
• EWTN Fatima Consecration.

• Matthew from Facebook: I just discovered a 1987 book by Malachi Martin called The Jesuits: The Society of Jesus and the Betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church. The book, which chronicles how Liberation Theology/Marxism so pervasively infected the Society of Jesus, was both eye-opening and extremely disheartening. I know that the Jesuits are not the only religious order that embraced such theological garbage, but I know that the Jesuits were often at the vanguard among orders. Because this book was written 25 years ago, do you know if the Jesuits have made any progress in returning to some semblance of what they used to be (orthodox and obedient to the Holy Father)?

"Still, it was Paul VI who, very late in the day of his papacy, realized that the original dual purpose of the Societyof Jesus had been changed. Under his pontificate, an extensive critical dossier about the Society was compiled. It is enough for the moment to say of that dossier that its contents were damning. It was a portrait, in effect, of a Jesuit Order that, like a weathervane atop a roof,had been turned by a different wind. For Jesuits, the papacy no longer held primacy of position. The corporate aim of the Society was now to place itself and the Church at the disposal of a radical and purely sociopolitical change in the world, without reference to — indeed, in defiance of — papal strategy, policies, and aims."

• John C. from Cheektowaga: Thomas de Wesselow, author of The Sign, an art historian, has a new book about the Shroud of Turin and makes great arguments for its authenticity. He was on Charlie Rose the other day and sounds very interesting, but there is some controversy. Do you think this is a book worth reading?
• James: I have questions about the Scapular. Do I just pick one and start wearing it? Are there rules for wearing it? Wikipedia says that there are lots of different scapulars. How do I pick one? Am I limited to pre-existing ones, or is there a way to make a new type of scapular?
• Brian from Facebook, Buffalo: 1.) In today's Gospel, Jn 6: 1-15, Jesus multiplied barley loaves. What is the reasoning for us as Catholics to use hosts that are wheat? Why not barley, corn or rice? Does it tie into what is / was used at Passover? 2.) During our Easter Vigil our parish had a young woman baptized. To honor her we presented her with a candle and a white stole. I was confronted this past week that presenting her with a white stole could be offensive to some because the stole should be reserved for clergy only during Liturgies. This caught me off guard. Is a white stole appropriate or should something else be considered?
• Guy: Requesting prayers for a friend who is going through a rough time.
• Jason: From L.A. Calif.Happy Easter Father and Gina,

With the current news in the Church, as you have known, during this week, the Holy See has issued the findings on the LCWR and ordered renewals of the LCWR under the Archbishop Sartain and the potential reunion of the SSPX with the Church. I have sensed the work of the Holy Spirit work manifiested here. I am interested to know what your thoughts on the LCWR, SSPX and the future of our Holy Mother Church. I am very excited and thankful for God's work through the Holy See and I can't wait to see the fruits of the Holy Spirit work.

Thank you Father for your thoughts and God bless. Have a great weekend Father and Gina.

• Emilio from Simi Valley, California, listening on Android Device: Has ques. re: sign of the cross he is Religious Instruction teacher. Why do some people kiss their thumb after making the sign of the Cross?
• Ed from Lyndonville, New York: Wants to speak with Fr. re: Fatima just discussed. Thinks the consecration has still not been made.

13 April

• Long prayer: Sequence for Pentecost.
• Erica's birthday.
• Charles B. from Facebook: "Please pray for my sister Claudia; she has to have her gall bladder removed on the 19th."
• Mike from Australia via Facebook: Keep me in your prayers, please. I've injured my back at work. Thank you."
• John C. from Cheektowaga: In today's gospel St. John tells us that the ‘net’ had caught 153 large fish. He made a point of exactly 153 (not 152 or 154, and not a generalized amount of about 150). Is there something significant about this number, or, was it just so amazing that the apostles counted it out to the nth? I would appreciate any further comment.
• Michael: Fr. Moleski, Can you explain the Church's teaching on temporal punishment for me? I read the following in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but it would be helpful for me if you could unpack it:

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the "old man" and to put on the "new man.">>

• Bob from Boston, NY: Wants to comment on the meaning of 153.
• Joe from Chili: Son is dating a russian orthodox. Has questions like, can she recieve communion?
• Anonymous: What percentage of folks do you think will make it to heaven (including purgatory)?
• Christie from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England: I went to Mass with my cousin on Saturday. She thought it was absolute nonsense and my heart ached because I take Mass so seriously. She said religion does not matter if you live your life right and are a good person. She drew an example from that Mass when I asked a lady if there were any hymn books on her side. The lady in a nasty way replied "no! You have to go to the back of the church!” My cousin saw this and thought the lady was an absolute hypocrite and this strengthens her will not to attend Mass. What can I say to her and to all others who don't believe in religion but claim to love Christ?
• Lorraine: I am 44 w/ 2 young children, I just found out I have to have a mastectomy. Please pray for my children, John and Teagan.
• Jim Havens . Here’s an interesting interpretation…

St. Augustine

“The number which signifies the law is ten, from the ten Commandments. But when to the law is joined grace, to the letter spirit, the number seven is brought in, that being the number which represents the Holy Spirit, to Whom sanctification properly belongs. For sanctification was first heard of in the law, with respect to the seventh day; and Isaiah praises the Holy Spirit for His sevenfold work and office. The seven of the Spirit added to the ten of the law make seventeen, and the numbers from one up to seventeen when added together, make a hundred and fifty-three.”

I added them up and he is right!

• Ray from Buffalo . Hi Father and Gina: What’s up with the naked guy that randomly shows up as the guards are coming to take Jesus away at Gestheme?
• Jason from Pittsburgh: Prayer request for travellers.
• Joyce from Buffalo: Her daughter asked her to pray for a friend who has stage 4 lymphona.
• Scott from Rochester:

1.) At the end of Mass we pray to St. Michael. Is that appropriate?

2.) With me being blind, the bells during consecration are helpful. Is it proper for them to, or not to ring the bells?

11 April

• Come, Holy Spirit.
• Chris from Houston asked on Tuesday, "Why are Communicantes prayers for special feast days and solemnities removed from Eucharistic Prayer I in the revised edition of the Roman Missal?"

I've checked the Roman Missal. All of the special Communicantes prayers are still in it. It may be that they are not printed in parish missalettes, but they are definitely in the official text of the Eucharistic Prayer.

• 6 days left to Divine Mercy Sunday. "Frequently Asked Questions about Divine Mercy Sunday."
• Anonymous, not on the line: "I am upset that my parish plans to host Brad Brown's magic show, 'Presenting the Gospel Through Magic.' It will be held in the church itself. I think the magician will use the altar in the magic show. Is it acceptable to have events like this in the Church? What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about magic? Does the Church have any teaching on incorporating magic into evangelization?"
• Stephanie from Facebook: "Easter blessings to you! could I ask for prayers for my neighbor who has pancreatic cancer? thank you. His name is Pat B. God bless you."
• Chris. Grand Island, New York. Please pray for my dad who has a great deal of pain in his foot and the doctors can't seem to figure out why. Every test they do reveals good health, but the pain persists. Thank you.
• Dennis. Buffalo. I love Good Friday services, and my Protestant friend took in the service as well. He really had a lot of questions about how and why we venerate the cross. He said it was like we are worshiping the cross. The way I explained it was that we aren't worshiping the cross. We kiss the cross as a sign of our appreciation that Jesus died to take away our sins. I don't know if that was the correct answer. Can you please tell me if there's a better way to explain this to him.?
• Erica, from the outer darkness, writes: Father, I've got a frustration. It is my understanding that there is no a way in which an authentically Catholic person could support the HHS mandate. Regardless of a person's "feelings" or what some "Catholics" might think is or is not the "truth" this mandate is in opposition to our Catholic faith. I wholeheartedly believe that I am not in error to think this way. What's the verdict? Am I right, or am I right?
• Brian writes:

Hello Father and God Bless, Are we able to speak to people in Purgatory as we are able to speak with Saints? I know that the Catechism says that love transcends all time and since people in Purgatory will eventually be Saints can our love transcend time so we may speak with them? Thanks, Brian P.S. I love the show!!!

• Marlene, Colville, NY (met Fr. at the women's conference) - prayer request - husband hired lawyer to separate from her (she doesn't have one - lawyer) - was served divorce papers - she doesn't want this. Prayers for healing & reconciliation - they have 6 children/grandchildren.
• Phyllis (80 yrs. old), Rochester: How do you reconcile with a son (who is a grandfather) who hasn't spoken to you in about 4 years because he and his siblings had an argument?
• Did you tell Father that you pray to the souls in Purgatory to wake you up?
• Erica: yes, Nick and I do on occasion. Actually, Nick's grandpa Nicholas used to pray every night and ask the Holy Souls to wake him up. He never used an alarm clock.

9 April

• Easter Monday with Jim Havens. First day of the Octave of Easter. We are also on the fourth day of the Novena of Divine Mercy.
• The Pope spoke on Holy Thursday about the the coming Year of Faith:

• "The Year of Faith, commemorating the opening of the Second Vatican Council fifty years ago, should provide us with an occasion to proclaim the message of faith with new enthusiasm and new joy.
• We find it of course first and foremost in sacred Scripture, which we can never read and ponder enough.
• Yet at the same time we all experience the need for help in accurately expounding it in the present day, if it is truly to touch our hearts. This help we find first of all in the words of the teaching Church: the texts of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church are essential tools which serve as an authentic guide to what the Church believes on the basis of God’s word.
• And of course this also includes the whole wealth of documents given to us by Pope John Paul II, still far from being fully explored" (homily for the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.)

• Prayer for a New Pentecost
• Elizabeth from Ontario: Prayers for her children and for healing of an old injury to her ankle.
• Debbie from Lockport. Could you explain in the New Testament, John 20:17.
• Jason from Facebook: Please pray for a difficult situation with which I am struggling. Thanks and God bless!
• Lynn from Flordia: why do we kiss the Cross?
• Anonymous: Prayers for health, to find a job and special intentions.
• John from Rochester. Would like to offer some suggestions re: evangelization.

• "Novo Millennio Ineunte: At the beginning of the new millenium."
• John Paul II and the New Evangelization, edited by Ralph Martin and Peter Williamson.
• Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelley.
• Fr. Frank de Siano, CSP (Paulist).
• Lighthouse CDs. Sign up for them through The Station of the Cross Catholic Radio.
• $1 CD: "Planning Your Family God's Way — What Every Christian Needs to Know."

• Mark from Tallahassee, Florida, listening on a droid: Prayers for a friend's daughter's husband, who has had 3 strokes, his name is Mark also.
• ANONYMOUS: Prayers for safe return of a family member that they don't know where they are, haven't heard from them in a long time. For their safe return to home area. Also for another family member that God will change their minds about a divorce; And also for herself, for needed financial resources to help them out and unite the family.
• Giselle from Ontario. Would you discuss the Shroud of Turin — is it authentic?

April 3

• Saturday is the second month of Mother Olga's Novena of First Saturdays of fasting and prayer for the nation.
• Margaret from Hamburg asked on Friday, "What are the regulations about Eucharistic Adoration on Holy Thursday?" Fr. Confer supplied several helpful answers in e-mail after Friday's show.
• Jen. Snyder, New York. Do you know how I can access the prayers or prayer booklet that people use in the Holy Thursday pilgrimage?

• Chris from Grand Island, New York: Anchorage pamphlet for Holy Thursday prayers.

• Audrey from Indiana from I Catholic Radio: Has question re Obligations for Easter Mass attendance.
• Chris. Houston.

• 1.) Why are Communicants prayers for special feast days and solemnities removed from Eucharistic Prayer I in the revised edition of the Roman Missal?
• 2.) I know someone who was recently confirmed "conditionally" by a Pius X Society bishop but was already confirmed as a teenager by their Diocesan bishop. Would they have the sacrament of Confirmation twice?

• Mary from e-mail: If a lay person wanted to buy a chalice as a gift for a priest to potentially be used for the celebration of the Mass, are there requirements for where to buy it or anything other than that a 'precious material' be used? I'm hoping to buy a chalice as a gift, if possible, but want to make sure I know what the requirements are for it be licitly used within the Mass. Thank you very much!
• Anonymous from Canada: His Priest changed his washing of the feet of men, to everyone washing each others' feet. When questioned why, the priest said, "I made it up". Is this proper? He doesn't want to go back to this Priest.
• Alison from Facebook: Please pray for the repose of the soul of my friend Rose Marie who passed away on March 31 of cancer. Rose Marie was a long time volunteer at our local crisis pregnancy center where I worked with her and got to know her gentle and loving spirit. She was also active in many other ministries of our parish, including the St Vincent de Paul Society. Thank you and blessings to you and your listeners.
• Bob from Boston, NY: Do you know the graces promised for saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the dying?
• Brian. Please pray for all priests in the U.S. to preach against the HHS Mandate. Thank you!
• Theresa on an iPad: I am recovering from a severe infection in my left hip. I have had four surgeries in six months. This is the time I have found your station. Please keep me in your prayers.
• Delores from North Boston, NY : She has a Good Friday story.
• Anonymous . Prayers for health, finding a job and special intentions, please. Did not want to give location, either.
• Kelly. Is it appropriate for a priest to have the parishioners wash each others hands? I heard the part about the feet and assume this would be the same. I know of a church where this has become their new tradition.

30 March

• Sunday is Palm Sunday.
• Dennis Z. from Facebook: "You have spoken from time to time about the Catholic Church and the Eastern Churches. What do we have in common? Wha separates us?"

• Eastern rites of the Catholic Church.
• Varieties of Orthodox Christianity.

• Carlos from Facebook: For your show today I was wondering if you can explain the differences between early manuscripts and later ones. I noticed that sometimes certain passages will be included in the scriptures, but some will only be in the footnotes. What languages are the early ones as well as the latter ones?
• Bryan: Are there any special requirements for Holy Week? For example, are any of the days Holy Days of Obligation, fasting, etc.
• Jason from Pittsburgh. Father, FYI, Patriarch Bartholomew is in Constantinople. By canon law, the head of the Church of Constantinople must be a resident of the city. He is being pressured to leave, as are all Christians in Constantinople by anti-Christians in the area. They want all Christians to leave so that no one can become his succesor.
• Ellen from Buffalo wants to speak with father about the Maronites.
• Leo from Rochester: Question about absolution and the priest acting in persona of Christ.
• Bob in Cheektowaga today, but from Mass: Has question about Books of Bible. Why some are omitted from other Bibles?
• Margaret from Hamburg: Questions about 24 hr. Eucharistic Adoration during Triduum — what are the regulations?
• Barbara from Kenmore: Wants to comment about current conversation about Eucharistic Adoration as she does Eucharistic Adoration.
• Sue Ellen: I just want to echo the last caller from Christ the King. I have an Adoration hour from 3-4 a.m. on Friday mornings and our Chapel at St. Gregory the Great is closed from the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper through Monday morning. They also site a Canonical regulation about this, though I believe Adoration is licit once the Easter Vigil is over.
• Delores from North Boston, NY: says she spoke with Fr. Marty last Fri. about a presentation at a library in Hamburg,Ny says women there saying they were priests.

23 March

• I thought Sunday was Laetare Sunday — one of my all-time favorite Sundays of the year! Instead, I was off by a week. I'll have to wait until Advent to wear pink vestments again. :o(
• Karen S. from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, via Facebook: What do you think of the "trumpet sounds" that people have been hearing around the world in recent months? We here in North Borneo heard it, too. I know there is something in the book of Revelation about angels blowing trumpets at the end of the world. Note: Strange booming noises have been heard in Wisconsin recently. Moodus, Connecticut, has a long history of earthquake-related noises.

If we are ready to die and face Judgment Day, then we are as ready as we can be to endure the end of the world, if it comes in our lifetime. The scriptures that mention trumpets do not tell us what they will sound like. The recordings on the internet do not sound like "trumpets" to me (I used to play trumpet when I was a boy). In the scriptures, when the angels blow their trumpets, things happen immediately afterward; in these accounts of noises from the sky, nothing happens afterwards that we can point to as caused by the sound of the "trumpets."

We don't need strange sounds from the sky to tell us that we should repent of our sins and pray that our brothers and sisters will repent and believe the Good News. The Church has been preaching that message for 2000 years. Every time we go to Mass, we confess our sins and ask for God's mercy. Every time we say the Our Father, we pray, "Deliver us from evil." Every time we say the creed at Mass, we say, "He will come in glory to judge the living and the dead." What more can we do to be ready for life or death?

• I've had some new insights into the "One Mediator" question often asked on this show and others.
• Max: I went to Mass at Noon. To observe the One Hour Eucharistic Fast, I made sure not to take anything by mouth after 11:15 a.m, except for plain water. I did not have any medicine that I needed to take during this hour. However, around 11:35, I noticed that there was some leftover food particles in my teeth, which I then removed. I don't remember what I did next, but I may have ingested it. If I was not sure whether I did or not, was it okay to receive Communion? Would it have been okay to receive Communion if I knew for a fact that I had indeed ingested the particle of food at 11:35? Thank you.
• Brian from Buffalo: Greetings Fr. Marty and Gina this show is about Faith and Reason right? Any insights of how to engage someone who does not believe in Objective Truth but rather Moral Relativism. I had a frustrating conversation that just went in circles because there was no common ground of Objective Truth.
• Barbara from Kenmore: Thoughts on Cardinal George's HHS Mandate comment about the Catholic Hospitals will close?
• Anonymous: What is the best way to prepare for the confession for Divine Mercy.
• Anonymous: This coming Tuesday there will be a meeting and video attacking Priesthood and celibacy my local meeting hall. What information do you feel is the best way to defend the idea behind the celibacy of priests?
• Karen from Lancaster: A member of her prayer group is attending a Catholic Mass. Also, that same person believes the Rapture is coming.

March 16

• Prayer for Generosity.
• Mother Olga Yaqob.
• Dennis from Buffalo: Can you please pray for me as well as all people whose jobs are hanging by a thread, the layoffs began today. Thank you.
• Alex from Miami:
  • Dear Mother Olga, I pray for you and your daughters almost everyday, ever since I heard one of your conference talks on this station you brought water to my eyes with some things you said. How can I hear or read more?
  • I love Lent as well. Can I ask you to please pray for me the worst of all sinners; a husband and a father, and for all of us who are weak, doubting, unfaithful, lukewarm, confused, lost and proud sheep to have a change of heart even if it means a breaking of heart to give up our heart in a pleasing way to the Lord?
• Billy from Buffalo: Prayer Intention for his teenage daughter
• Mary Sue from Canandaigua: What's Mother's conference on? She would also like to know if Mother has any advice/thoughts for connecting with the Islamic population of the Middle East.
• Brian from Buffalo: Mother, based on your lived experience, what would you consider some of the strengths of this country and some of the struggles we have as a country?
• Jason from Pittsburgh: Two questions for Mother: 1.) Relationship between Eastern and Western Churches & the Orthodox Churches and 2.) How did God call you to start a religious order

March 12

• "Prayer 'n' Meditation Mondays." God is all-powerful, all-merciful, all-knowing, all-present — truly, an "eternal Father, strong to save" ("The Navy Hymn.") "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His mercy endures forever" (Ps 118:1).
• End of Novena of Grace in honor of St. Francis Xavier.
• Anima Christi
• Carlos from Facebook wasn't entirely satisfied with last week's discussion of the purple robe: "Why in the English translation of the Gospel of St. John does it say 'royal purple,' but in the Spanish translation of San Juan it says, 'Capa de color rojo como usan los reyes,' which means 'cape of color red that kings use'? Is that a cultural translation?"

The noun, "porphura," means purple fish, purple dye, purple cloth. One source says that "There were three familiar shades of purple in the ancient world: deep violet, deep scarlet (or crimson), and deep blue (WP, 2, 220)."[2] The adjective derived from the noun is porphyroús--a purple (reddish-purple) cloth or dye. "(Jn 19:5) It was customary in ancient times for a king to dress in purple. Hence, giving Jesus a purple cloak, mocked Him as someone merely posing to be a king."[3]

It sounds as though you are reading a paraphrase version of the Bible in Spanish, one that explains words as it goes along, rather than a more literal translation. Here is an interlinear translation of the Greek.

• Shelly from Facebook: Prayers for her husband who received a pacemaker and is not doing well.
• Kathy from Rochester: Please pray for her brother and aunt who have cancer, brother who has to have spine surgery; two brothers with mental illness, for herself, healing from anorexia and sexual abuse.
• Marlene from Hamburg: Prayer for her niece who has uterine disease, her name is Sarah, prays for complete healing.
• Anonymous: Prayers for her health, to find a job, and special intentions.
• Nancy from Buffalo: Is it wrong to not fast during lent except on Ash Weds and Good Friday. Is it a sin?
• John: comment about color controversy ("Male pattern blindness").
• Anonymous: Prayer for the priest in Maryland who denied a woman that was a lesbian Communion, and he was asked to take a leave of absence.

March 9

• Sundays of Lent.
• Carlos from Facebook:

1.) Why does the wording of the "Our Father" in Matthew's gospel differ from the way we say the prayer at Mass? Is there a Catholic version of the Bible in which Matthew's version is identical to the liturgical version?

2.) In the English translation of the scriptures, the color of the robe placed on Jesus' shoulders after the scourging is purple, but in Spanish it is red. What color was the robe?

Matthew 27:28

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

Mark 15:17

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head."

John 19:2

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.

• From a friend in Amherst: I found this quotation from Padre Pio. It seems to be saying that we should pay as little attention as possible to temptation and as much attention as possible to the goodness and mercy of God: "Don't try, excessively, to heal your heart, as your efforts would only make it more infirm. Don't make too great an effort to overcome your temptations, as this violence would only make them stronger. Despise them and don't dwell on them too much." St. Padre Pio
• Jason from Pittsburgh PA has two prayer requests.
• Brian from Niagara Falls, NY: Requests prayer for members of his family who are ill-especialy Claire who has a severe viral infection.
• Paul from Amherst, NY: Wants to talk about the play Aristotle Meets Jesus and wants Jim to talk about any upcoming events re: HHS?
• Nancy from Buffalo: Requests prayer for her brother Joe who is having colitis trouble,stomach pain and has lost 70 pounds and is also emotionaly depressed.
• John from Webster, NY: has question re:dying to self and about novenas.

March 2

• Sundays of Lent.
• Lent is not so much about what we do for God as about what God has done for us.
• Larry from OP called late in the show last week, and asked what the age limits are for fasting. From age 14 on, Catholics in the United States are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on the Fridays during lent. From 18 to 59, Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, in addition to abstaining from meat.
• John from Webster, New York: Could you speak about today's readings from Ezekiel and Mark's gospel? I found them powerful reminders for us in this age of the "clever" and mean comebacks that is an element of our culture's dialogue with one another.
• Jason from Pittsburgh, Pa: Has a prayer request for his friend's wife who will have a tumor removed from her brain on Monday.
• Larry from Orchard Park: He has an old catechism from the 70's and he would like to know if there have been any updates to it since then.
• Victor from Getzville: Would like to know what Father would done if he were presented with the situation that occurred with the lesbian who was refused Communion by a Priest.
• Phil from Tonawanda: Can Catholics participate in Protestant services?
• Daniel from California: Please pray for me and my family.
• Alex from Miami: Please pray through the intercession of Our Lady of Charity and St. Peregrine for my grandmother's hip surgery and my step mom's surgery coming up.
• Alice from Batavia: Please pray for her daughter, Sonya, who is in the hospital. Also, she has a question as to the meaning of a particular Bible quote of Jesus.
• Kim from Rochester: She has a question about a quote from Pilate in the Book of John regarding the sign he had placed above Jesus on the Cross.
• Bruno from Rochester: What is the history of fasting?
• Sylvia from San Diego, Ca: What is the best thing for me to do as a godparent? Both my godchildren live in the east coast and I live in the west. They both live w/their father and stepmom and attend a 7th day Adventist school. I just found out last night that my goddaughter was baptized into the 7th day Adventist religion. She is 11 and my godson is 17 and he is also planning on getting baptized too.

Their mom is catholic but doesn’t go to church. What should I do? Should I talk w/the kids or should I just stay out of it since they live w/their father in the east coast?

• Reynaldo. I was told that Fish was the Sign of Christ, so by accepting the Fish on Fridays we are showing that we are only allowing Christ into us.
• Bob from Boston: Wants to chime in on the abstaining from meat on Fridays.

24 February

• Sundays of Lent.
• Amila Muskan from Lahore, Balochistan, Pakistan, via Facebook: "Please pray for me and for my mother — she is very ill."
• Polly from Tonawanda:

1.) What are father's two favourite study bibles?

2.) What is the Church's teaching on evolution?

• Janene from Rochester: The St. Ignatius study Bible is New Testament only. They are still working on the Old.

• Billy from Buffalo: I'm lucky enough to have a church on my way to work that has an early holy hour. A person who sets up the altar, etc., is a great distraction on and near the alter. It is extremely distracting and very disrespectful to the Lord. It reminds me of the 'Martha Martha' story, I wish they would just sit and listen to the lord, What do I do? I've tried to signal my displeasure, and have mentioned it to the priest, but I am just a visitor there and don't want to step on toes. I love to start my day there, but sometimes it seems like a waste, because I just get annoyed. Do you think this a test for me and my patience?
• Jason from Pittsburgh: Prayer Request for a friend who is struggling with her Lenten Sacrifice.
• Jason from Los Angeles, CA:

1.) Did the Blessed Mother Mary know that Jesus was God and the 2nd person of the Holy Trinity right after the Annunciation? If not, when was she imparted of the God's mystery of Incarnation of God the Son?

2.) Is there any special grace or blessing or indulgence associated with praying the Divine Office? Why is it that the four Gospels are not used for all the readings in the Liturgy of the Hours?

• Barbara from Kenmore:

1.) How can she find out about the Miracles of Fr. Baker, and

2.) Has the Church ever talked about the dangers of the Welfare State?

• OLV Rectory: (716) 828-9444

OLV Basilica & National Shrine

767 Ridge Road

Lackawanna, N.Y. 14218

• Tony from Buffalo: Wants to ask a relationship question (on and off courship of a woman for four years; should he wait any longer?).
• Rosie from Canada: prayer request for her brother in India (open heart surgery).
• Lizette: My mother has Alzheimers and it is getting worst. She always asks me to go to church but every time she goes after mass she doesn't remember she went to church. I stopped taking her to church. Is this correct to do or should I take her to church even if she doesnt understand anymore?
• Dolores: North Boston. Has advice for Tony. Pray to Mary and St. Joseph.
• Larry from OP: Wants to know about age limits for fasting (14 on for abstinence, 18 to 59 for fasting).

February 17

• A listener called and asked for prayers for her granddaughter, Lisa. She was rushed to the emergency room this morning with a collapsed lung. Lisa's patron saint could be any of the St. Elizabeths; Prayer to St. Elizabeth of Portugal.
• My mother's 86th birthday.
• Bob from Boston NY: Did King David have a Queen?
• Fred from Chicago: Would like father to explain santification VS. justification.
• Brian from Buffalo: I understand the Institution of Marriage is meant to be permanent. However, as we look around today we see even our Catholic Marriages failing. I hear Youth say, "What's the point of getting married if even Catholics don't honor the permanence of it?" What approach would you take in encouraging our Youth to strongly consider Marriage?
• Shelley from Canada: On the topic of divorce: I have a friend who was married for 20 years (both are Catholic). She and her husband divorced, and lived separately, never remarrying for 4 years. They have since gone back together (7 years now) and wonder how do they remarry each other, in the Church? or just in a civil ceremony?
• John from Buffalo: Has question re: first reading today from James 2:14-23.
• Carlos from Buffalo: Why does the Vatican have so many "religious" treasures when seeking Jesus is not an item thing?
• Ray from Central Valley, California: Would like to add comments re: Scripture being Discussed.
  • Please pray for my aunt Edith who was hit by a car and is in bad condition.

Comments from an unhappy listener

St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!

"To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection."

Where we are at fault, we need to confess our sins, do penance, and amend our lives.

If we are not at fault, we need to stand our ground and proclaim "the fullness of truth in clarity and charity."

From: J.
Sent: Tuesday
Subject: Mandate

I have listened to your radio station. I was told that:

1. Voting for a candidate who favors abortion is a mortal sin.

2. Liberalism is evil.

3. Our President is attacking the Catholic Church.

4. I need to go to confession.

5. A person cannot in most cases re-marry unless the other party is dead.

6. Gay behavior is a mortal sin.

7. We should not judge or cast a rock.

8. I should not question the Bishops and must obey their rulings.

I have concluded that the Church:

1. supports vulture capitalism and

2. uses vilification to attack those who do not share their beliefs.

Given that the Church seems to have no problem administrating the sacraments to obvious sinners, casting a rock, vilifying individuals, and misrepresenting facts, I view its behavior as hypocritical and illicit.

Although I love the Church and will support it in a limited way, I have come to believe that past criticisms I have heard about the Church had merit.

A reply is not requested or wanted, for I believe it would only add to my frustrations and serve no useful purpose.

February 10

• Fatima Prayers. Fatima is in Portugal, the home of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, renowned as a queen of peace.

• Do we know which angel appeared to the Fatima children?

- Angel of Portugal

• Saint Scholastica, Virgin. ~480-530 AD. Twin sister of St. Benedict, one of the great God-fathers of religious life.
• Thursday, February 2, was the Feast of the Presentation, Candlemas, and the Day of Consecrated Life. Who knew?
• John from Wilson: This article devastated me. It says in NY that institutions such as Catholic Charities of Buffalo and Baker Victory Center and others have been providing coverage for birth control for the past decade. Please look into this. I was shocked and very disappointed and don't know how to respond to this to the people I have been telling the Church would never go along with this HHS mandate.
• Jason from PA: Prayer Request for him, Chris, and everyone else traveling this weekend
• Shelly from Vancouver, CA: iCath site. Question about Anointing of the Sick tomorrow at Mass and a Non-Catholic attending.
• Erica from Amherst: Are you familiar with the Montessori approach to education? If so, what are your thoughts? Please and thank you
• Amy: What do you make of the new amendment to the HHS mandate that President Obama came out with this afternoon? The fact that planned parenthood liked it, disturbs me...
• Patricia: I hope that someone will speak up for us small business Catholic employers. Currently in New York State contraception is a mandated coverage if you provide prescription coverage for your employees and only the large catholic institutions can claim conscience objection. At least right now we can shop for an insurance provider who does not have prescription coverage embedded in their plan but if this federal mandate takes effect we will not have any choice left but to not provide the insurance and face the fines. Please remember that freedom of religion is for all citizens and not just the large conglomerates. Prayers for our country are urgently needed
• Lisa from Wheatfield: Goes to a Latin Mass, covers her head. She decided to cover her head for N.O. Masses, but she's getting push back. Is she wrong?
• Barbara from Kenmore: Wants a prayer intention for her children & talk about passages from St. Paul
• Ray from California, listening on an iPod: Wants to talk about Obama and the Church telling people who to vote for.
• John from Wilson via e-mail: "An article in today's Buffalo News devastated me. It says that institutions in New York State such as Catholic Charities of Buffalo and Baker Victory Center and others have been providing coverage for birth control for the past decade. Please look into this. I was shocked and very disappointed and don't know how to respond to this to the people I have been telling the Church would never go along with this HHS mandate."
  • Fr. Peter Calabrese shared a chilling quote about the spread of the culture of death in the United States from Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago: "I expect to die in my bed, I expect my successor will die in prison, and I expect his successor will die a martyr in a public square."
• Karen S. from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, via Facebook:

1) Is Mother Angelica alive?

2) Is it a sin to get a tattoo?

It is not an intrinsically evil action. There is a verse in the Old Testament that condemns some form of tattoo or marking, but not all of the Old Testament laws are still in force (see, for example, the kosher food laws that we no longer follow). There is nothing about this in the Catholic Encyclopedia or the Catechism. So you have to make up your own mind. I am personally opposed to tattoos because in the culture of the United States, they are generally used as a sign of rebellion. I can't think of any tattoos that I personally find "edifying," by which I mean something that "builds up" faith, hope, and love. The tattoos are either seductive or some kind of aggressive self-assertion. Things may be different in your culture, about which I know practically nothing.

3) What is a guardian angel?

Guardian Angels.

• From Fletcher at the fund drive: "The word 'licentiousness' was used in the gospel recently. What does 'licentiousness' mean?"

Lack of moral restraint. "License" means "permission to engage in an activity," e.g., driver's license, pilot's license, hunting license, marriage license. Those who are licentious give themselves permission to do things that are improper.

Friday, February 3

• Yesterday was Candlemas (Feast of the Presentation) — 40 days after Christmas for Latin rite Catholics. The Christmas Season is now well and truly over.
• Feast of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr.

Prayer to St. Blaise

• For a friend who is suffering from stomach troubles that have not yet been diagnosed (i.e., Maria in Boston).
• Susan G. Komen Foundation reverses position.
  • http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/
  • Debbie from Buffalo: Dear Gina and Fr. Marty,

Planned Parenthood claims to offer "women's cancer health screening" in that they claim to offer Mammograms. They claim that their funding (or de-funding, in the temporary case of the Komen Foundation) will affect this "women's cancer health screening." However, Planned Parenthood does not, in fact provide Mammograms at all. When various Planned Parenthood locations were called by an undercover agency to see if someone could schedule a mammogram, they were told that they do not offer them.

Ironically, studies show a strong connection between breast cancer and the use of oral contraceptives, as well as an abortion-breast cancer link, both sold as a "bill of goods" to women by Planned Parenthood.

See link for connection between breast cancer and contraceptive use: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contraceptives

• • http://www.stophhs.com/
• Paul from Amherst: Wants to ask how far do Catholic politicians like Pelosi and Seilbieus go before they get the boot.
• Charles B. from Facebook: Father I wanted to thank you for your prayers for my Mom and my family through the situation my nephew created. It seems to be working out. It has been a learning and growing experience for me and I know now why our Lord tells us in the Our Father "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".
• Daniel C. from Facebook (after Thursday's show; he also wrote in asking prayers on Tuesday): Please pray for my family.
• Carolyn: A student in my daughter's class recently asked the teacher who is the devil? The teacher replied he was the most beautiful angel in heaven. I know he was an angel but was he ever considered the 'most beautiful?'
• Jim from Corning: Baptist minister who E-mails with Fr. He says you he and Fr. spoke about discussing similarities between Catholics and Baptists
• Shelley from Canada: Please pray for the repose of the soul of much-loved Francis ... who passed away on Monday from brain cancer; he was often a spiritual speaker at AA and Al-Anon meetings, a kind, soft-spoken and gentle man who suffered a great deal in his last years - but truly a spiritual leader among all.
• Debbie from Amherst: So many times she's read about recommending people get a spiritual director, but how do you do it.
• Jacob from Lockport: Has St. Michael ever appeared to anyone, and if so, why?
  • Alice from Batavia: Didn't St. Michael live in a cave in Italy?
  • Mary-Ellen: St. M appeared to Mother Angelica.
  • St. Michael appeared to the guy that built Mont. St. Michel Monastery in France. He put his finger on this dude's foreheard, and when the dude died, there was a hole in his skull. Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.[5]
• Joyce from Buffalo: Wants a prayer said for her mom-in-law who will be 100

Monday, January 30

• John XXIII's prayer for a New Pentecost.
• Prayer and Meditation Monday.
• Chris from Houston:

1.) for the U.S. Catholic Bishops

2.) for the repose of the soul of my grandmother JoAnn

3.) for priests who are currently on a leave of absence from the priesthood.

4.) When a priest incenses the gifts during the Offetory, why does he sometimes make a circular motion over the gifts with the thurible?

• Jacob: Why don't we have a holiday for Adam and Eve? If we do what holiday is it?
• Sylvia from Buffalo: Please pray for the soul of Maria, who committed suicide last week, that God will grant her mercy, and for her parents, Ron & Michelle & her brother Christopher, that God will help them as they seek healing for their grief.
• Kathy from Rochester: Please pray for her anorexia, which is getting worse. Also for her friend, whose cancer has returned, her name is Lori. And for her mother, her 82 birthday is tomorrow, her name is Maryann. And for her friend's family and her mother who is ill.
• Bonnie from Springville: Please pray for friend Jerry, heart and eyesight; for her Dad Keith, diabetes and heart; for Estella, cancer; for Elsie, cancer; for Nick, for his health problems; for her brother Bob, stress; for nephew Andrew, guidance and direction; and for herself, eyesight and health.
• Ann from Rochester: What can she do as an individual to combat the health care issue of insurance covering abortion?
• Alice from Batavia: Question about the Litany of Loretto.
• Anonymous: I ask for prayers for my son Michael and for our relationship. He is not dealing well with some personal responsibility matters and we are having problems over past relationship issues and some growing up and independence issues. I ask for prayers for God to help him find forgiveness in his heart and for me to be a better father.
• Anonymous: Prayers for her health, to find a job, and special intentions.
• Daniel from California: Pray for me & my family, thank you.
• Margaret from Hamburg: has information on two bills re: the respect of conscience at, one in the House, one in the Senate.
  • National Committee on Human Life Amendment.
  • Respect for rights of conscience act.

H.R. 1179

S. 1467

• Kate from Rochester, NY: Elizabeth means consecrated to God.
• Ann from Buffalo: Asks for prayers for her brother, Father Mark. Also prayers for her peace of mind.
• Elizabeth from Williamsville: Re; Adam and Eve, why would we have a feast day for the if they were responsible for original sin. Also why did the whole race get punished because Adam and Eve made poor choices?
• Mary Ellen from Buffalo: Prayers for Marilyn and Danielle, both suffering from cancer. Last week she called for prayers at 4:40, and the person passed away at 5:00. wANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS TO ST JOSEPH FOR HIS INTERCESSION.
• "Where does St. Paul say that he must keep the faith in order to be saved?"

Phil 3:12-14: "It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus."

Friday, January 27

• Today's readings:

David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 1).

Psalm 51 — the Miserere.

The Kingdom of God grows like seed in a farmer's field — "he knows not how" (Mk 4:26-34).

• Memorial of St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursulines and patron of the disabled. Her body remained incorrupt for centuries.
• 67th anniversary of "Liberation Day" for Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland.
• Anonymous from Canandaigua: Please pray that she finds a nice, reasonable place to live so she and her family can live together. Also, for her son and his children that they receive a good outcome for the difficult situation in which they are currently involved.
• Simon from Facebook. Please pray for me for my continuous strength of body and mind. That I continue to recover and have strength to do a lot of tasks for the community and church. May my mind not be clouded with fear.
• Jason from Pittsburgh: There is a verse in Scripture where St. Paul says that he does not even say that he, himself, is guaranteed of salvation. Do you know the verse of which I speak? If so, where can I find it?
  • Fear and trembling
  • 1 Cor 9:27 "I discipline my body ..."
  • (Phil 3:13-14)
• Steve from Buffalo: How should we interpret Romans 5:12 which says, "Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned" with respect to the concept that there was no death before sin, in light of theories of evolution and modern anthropology. (In other words, it seems that death existed before the fall of man?)
• Laura from e-mail: Please pray for us to be able to live closer to church so we can go everyday.
• Stacy from Lubbock, Texas: Please pray for me for guidance on what I should do with my career and healing for my sister who is sick with cancer.
• Johnny from Edinburgh, Scotland: I love your show and the station of the cross! You have helped me in my journey back to my catholic faith.

1. Could you tell me if it is allowed to have communion more than once per day?

2. Also my sister in law is an Anglican and yet goes to communion at Mass when she occasionally visits us, is this right?

3. Lastly, could you ask father to pray for my elderly dad who had a mini stroke last week. We are all worried about him.

• Bill from Hamburg: He has some feedback to your scripture verse question from Jason. Also, he has a prayer request — thanksgiving for God's Providence in a recent auto accident.
  • "Tune in radio."
• Mary from Buffalo: She has a question with regards to what Father was saying about religious orders.
• Erica from Amherst: "I have a dilemma. From time to time, my fitness franchise takes part in charitable events or holds events itself from which proceeds go toward charity. I love the idea of helping others, but with many charities nowadays doing work that is inaccurately deemed 'charitable' I find myself horribly hesitant to participate. Next month they will be raising money for the March of Dimes. I feel an obligation to inform the other women of what this organization does, so they can make an educated decision whether they want to give their support. I don’t want to step on toes…but then again feelings mean little to me in comparison with the moral culpability of lives at stake. I’ve sent an email letting the woman in charge know that MoD is a questionable organization and does genetic testing on pregnant women (How does that help the unborn?). Tickets are already being sold. I feel like I need to do something. Please help me be reasonable."

Friday, January 20

• Litany of the Apostles.
• Ben A. from Facebook: "I see that you are teaching a course on 'Religion and the Challenge of Science.' I've got a friend who is convinced that Hawking has all the answers. How can I help him see the truth and beauty of the faith?"

It's impossible to guess what will help your friend develop a mind open to God, Ben, without talking to him about his convictions — if anything will. Some folks are "invincibly ignorant." They criticize every act of faith except their own, which they imagine to be an act of pure reason beyond reproach. I like Lonergan's approach: if the universe is intelligible, there must be a God who gives it order; every appeal to scientific discoveries is a concession that the universe is intelligible; therefore, whoever celebrates the advance of science ought to acknowledge that there is a God.

The hard part is persuading people of the first premise. Hawkings et al. are highly skilled in thinking that there is no reason to think that thinking is in need of a reason to explain the success of thought. That the universe has a rational structure and that our minds are capable of exploring that rational structure is just dumb luck from their point of view. This is something assumed, not proven, but it is a very powerful act of faith. Everything else in the religion of materialism flows perfectly logically from this dogma, so it is easy to cover up the fundamental treason against reason by a multitude of maxims in praise of observation, logic, objectivity, verification, falsification, etc., etc., etc.

• Brian R, from Buffalo on Facebook:

1) I understand Science and our Faith are compatible. Both are seeking Truth.

2) Humorous scenario. The question is asked, "Why is that water boiling?"

Person #1 answers, "Well you see the molecules are heating up and bouncing off one another..."

Person #2 exclaims, "I am heating the water to make a cup of tea."

Both answers are correct but coming from a different angle.

• Dennis from Facebook: Has anybody noticed that the confession lines seem to be getting bigger? And that people are taking longer and longer when they do go to confession? I think this might be a sign of some really good priests.
• John B. from Facebook: I have a 10 year old son with a pretty good devotion to St. Michael. I just recently learned there is a St. Michael scapular. I was thinking about getting him one but wasn't too sure about what kind of requirements such as prayers and enrollments there are with it. Do you know anything about this scapular and if it's appropriate for kids or more for adults?
  • Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing
  • Indulgences were approved by the Congregation of Indulgences in 1903
  • The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?"
• From a Facebook friend: "Father, please pray for my Mom. My nephew, her grandson, stole two of her checkbooks and has overdrawn her account by $1700. She has had to file charges against him, and it is breaking her heart. It hurts me to see her in this shape."
• Prayed for June, born two months premature, and her parents.
• Al from Rochester: Please pray for his father, Sam, who has dementia and is in hospice. Also, for his uncle Sam who had colon surgery yesterday. And for his sister's husband, Rod, who has herniated discs that he won't need surgery and will heal.
• Giselle from Ontario: Please pray for her 5 grandchildren who just lost their mother to cancer.
• Jason from Hilton: Why does God not answer all prayer requests for healing?
• Georgia from Clarence: Please pray for my boyfriend, Tim, for a quick recovery from an illness and for good health in general.
• Leo from Monroe County: Please pray for a problem he has had with his eyes for the last 4 years that is causing him to miss Mass. He would love to be healed so he can return to Mass, which he sorely misses.
• Larry from Orchard Park: What is a monsignor?

Monday, January 16

• Martin Luther King Day in the U.S. A good day to pray for the restoration of the right to life in our nation.
• Alex from e-mail: Can you please pray for healing for Hannah and her doctors to determine the reasons behind her stomach pains and Michelle whose appendix ruptured and is having complications in the Hospital. Thanks !
• John Z. from Facebook: Please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you.
• Anonymous, not on the line: Prayers for her health, special intentions, and to find a job.
• Dennis from Buffalo: As we know it was important to replace Judas' spot in the Aposles, to keep the number at 12. How long did this keep going on? Was only Judas replaced, or as the aposltes pass on were they too replaced...if so for how long did they keep this up?
  • Was this because in heaven an Apostle is in charge of each of the 12 tribes of Israel?
  • St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
• Bonnie, Springville. For Jerry, heart and eyes; for Dad Keith, diabetes and heart; for Estella, cancer; for Elsie, cancer; for her brother Bob, stress; for her nephew Andrew,for guidance; and for herself, eyesight and health.
  • St. Matthias http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
• Alice, Batavia. Question about WWII and a section of the catechism.
• Brian. Buffalo. I understand we should respect the Word of God whether it be written or spoken. What would be your opinion on the proper disposal of yearly Missalettes. Should they be burned? Would a paper recycling container do? Any insights you offer would be appreciated.
• Jason, Pittsburgh. Follow up question for Alice's question re: the A-bomb
• 63. Kathy, Rochester. For several illnesses that came up during the holidays.
• Daniel from California. Please pray for my family & wife and for relief of pain in my hands as well as my headache.
• Mark. Fairport, New York. Please pray for the repose of the soul of my brother-in-law, Frank, who took his life early Sunday morning. Please pray for his wife Kelly and their three children struggling to understand why, and for God’s blessings as they position themselves for a future without him.
• ANONYMOUS. For her future duaghter in law who has cancer and also back pain.
• Bill. Scituate, Massachusetts. Please pray for my family's trip to Washington DC this weekend as we travel there to participate in the March for Life.
• Bob, Boston N.Y. Has information you wanted re: the WWII incident.
• Brian, Niagara Falls. Follow up on Brian's e-mail, also prayers for healing for Linda, and Jody who have both been hospitalized for severe depression; and also for healing prayers for members of the family, various problems, health, marital etc.

Sunday's readings

• "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam 3). The miraculous birth of Samuel foreshadows those of John the Baptism and Jesus. He began the tradition of anointing the Kings of Israel (first Saul, then David).
• "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God ... You are not your own" (1 Cor 6).
• John 1: "Lamb of God," "Rabbi," "Kephas," "Messiah."

Monday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time

• First Reading: 1 Sm 15:16-23. Disobedience of Saul. Prophetic criticism of vain sacrifices.
• Gospel: New wine, fresh wineskins.

• John from Facebook: "Father please keep my Mom in your prayers for healing. She is 80,and has osteoporosis. She has 2 wrist fractures. We are taking her to a specialist. She lives by herself and I think soon some decisions will have to be made. Please pray that God will be in our decision making and keep us focused on doing what is best for Mom. As always, thanks, Father, for all your answers and your prayers; it is a blessing that I met you."

Friday, January 13

• Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time for Latin-rite Catholics in the U.S.
• Take and Receive.
• I'm starting my fifth year as the guest priest on Faith 'n' Reason Fridays.
• Today is a great day to start a Novena for Life (Jan 13 to 21).
• From a pastor in the Southern Tier of Western New York:

I listen to your radio program on Fridays on EWTN out of Elmira-Corning. First of all I am an Ordained Baptist Minister who serves as a chaplain in Elmira. Since I work with a retired priest and a deacon I have come to learn more about Catholic Doctrine and am quickly finding out we have more in common that we have differences. I enjoy the stories of different saints and how they furthered the cause of Christ in a dark world.

Now since the name of the program is "Calling all Catholics" you will be surprised that it falls on the ears of a Baptist Chaplain.

Continuing to Listen;

Shalom!

• Anonymous from Cheektowaga

Father, I decided to make a 'tuna casserole' while listening to you program yesterday afternoon... I consider myself a chef and do not follow any recipes for anything; just make it up as I go. I love the combination of tuna and peas so I decided I would add peas to the casserole. Well, apparently I can't listen to the radio and cook at the same time - I forgot to add the tuna and the peas to the casserole...?

Turned out not so good. I consider this your fault - not Chef Carloni's fault - you should make a disclaimer that your program may be distracting for some folks.

• John Z. from e-mail: "We are home-schooling our son, Nick, to prepare him for Confirmation. When we went over the Holy Days of Obligation, Nick asked why Christmas and other feast days are holy days, but Easter, which is really the pinnacle of our faith, is not a holy day. Is it because Easter is always on a Sunday, and it is obligatory to attend Sunday Mass? Similarly, since Good Friday was the day the Lord died, wouldn't that day be more important for our faith than some holy days of obligation such as All Saints or the Assumption?"

• From Billy in Buffalo: "I am wondering if you can suggest a book about St. John Neumann? I feel drawn to him lately, and want to trace his footsteps whilst he was in this area. I have his autobiography, but it is very short. I am excited that I can get this close to a saint right here in the Williamsville and Kenmore areas. I would call in to the radio show today, but that is my drive time, and today it's gonna be nasty drivng, so if you want to answer me on air I will be listening."
  • John Nepomucene Neumann, Saint. Online book.
  • Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann: An American Saint. Long online article.
  • St. John Neumann: His Writings and Spirituality.
  • The Life of St. John Newumann. Fr. James J. Galvin, C.Ss.R.
• Freddy from Chicago (Online - wlof.com): Prayer Request for his Grandmother who passed away today.

John Carlin, 1998.
Used by permission.

• John from Cheektowaga: John sent me a picture he painted of two of his dogs acting as guardians at the 12th gate of Heaven. That got me thinking about who the real obstacles are to our entry into Heaven: everyone whom we refuse to forgive.
• Patricia from Fredonia: "I'm wondering if you saw or read 'The Rite,' and if so, what you thought of it."
  • Interpreting fiction.
• Elizabeth from Rochester: Please pray for my brother, Mark, who is getting married tomorrow in Texas and for safe travels for all attending.
• Eddie from Rochester: Has a question about Saints. Wants to know whether the making of a Saint or the declaration of such by the Vatican is an infallible statement
• Brittany: Please pray that I have the strength to move on from an abusive relationship. I was physically, emotionally and verbally abused for a year. I'm also attending college and will be graduating soon. Please pray for me so I can gain confidence within myself and become successful within my career. I need to be able to stay strong and not let the devil make me think negatively.
• Joyce from Buffalo: Wants to have Fr. say a prayer of Thanksgiving. Her 50 year old son got a full time job in a parish as a maint. guy.
• Anonymous from Buffalo: Does Father know a German priest at Canisius who would/could say Confession? She has an 80-year old German friend who's from Germany and would like to be able to have her Confession heard in German

January 6

• Traditional date for the Feast of the Epiphany.
  • A time when some Eastern Christians celebrate the Nativity.
  • A time in some cultures (mostly Eastern, I think) for giving Christmas presents, in memory of the Magi.
• Today's gospel: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

From a Christmas letter received by two friends of mine in Orangeville, NY:

My wife and I very much hope this letter finds you at least as happy and healthy as we are. We both sort of go along almost taking for granted all our many blessings. This year has been different. For some years now we've been concerned about our daughter's health. It seemed like things were getting worse every time she saw another doctor.

She was reduced to four hour days at work. Even at that she couldn’t work every day. She was urged to consider applying for a disabilities pension.

One day in July, our daughter arrived home feeling she had no more strength. As she dragged herself up the front steps she prayed to God, "I truly believe You can heal me. If it be Your will, I'm asking You to heal me in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ." She had just unlocked the door when she finished praying; pushing the door open she stepped inside.

Can you picture one of these little marionette puppets with strings all loose? It kind of flops about all bent over and barely able to function. This was our daughter. As she passed the threshold, the Master picked up the strings. She stood straight. She had no pain. She was strong. She was healed! The change was so fast and powerful, she felt sure He must be physically standing right there, and actually turned right around looking for Him. The brain injury is gone; so is the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue; the IBS and her hormones are fixed too; the scoliosis in her spine, along with the bulging discs in her neck and back, all gone; and her twisted right leg is straight once again.

So here we are, sharing the house with a living miracle. If God was trying to get our attention, He sure did a good job. It's not possible to have doubts when the proof is standing at the sink, washing dishes and flicking water in her dad’s face.

Hmm, it seems there are a few things he didn’t change. Oh well, I guess a little soapy water won’t hurt me.

Anyway, I think one might say "Our cup runneth over." We’ve been telling just about everyone we talk to; but just in case we missed some we wanted to include this miracle in our letter.

Back to saying nice things: I had expected the doctors to be somewhat skeptical when we told them. They were not skeptical. They just nodded and said "Spiritual healing, I know about that." It seems that miracles happen a lot more often than I ever knew.

• Billy from Buffalo: Wants to ask about Mary's line that Jesus is destined to rule with an iron rod. (I lost this call. My bad!).
  • Rev 12:5 is from Ps 2:9: "With an iron rod you will shepherd them, like a potter’s vessel you will shatter them.” In the book of Revelation, the phrase is repeated in 19:15: "Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty."
• Dennis from Buffalo: In Matthew 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi. How long did the Holy Family stay in Bethlehem? Would they have been in Bethlehem for nearly two years before the Magi visited Jesus? Did that mean the nativity star shined for years?
• Anonymous: If someone believes that God is calling them to take a particular step regarding their vocation, but circumstances such as lack of financial resources or current location are preventing them from doing so, how would you advise them to try and pursue God's will despite the challenges to them doing so?
• From Anna listening on an iPhone: Question about placing crosses in her home. A non-Catholic friend objects to having them above her doorway and in her bedroom.
• Henry, not on the air: Where does the Menorah originate from?
• Louise from N. Tonawanda: Two question regarding Anima Christi.
• Marilyn from Buffalo: Has a question regarding a recent reading: John 1:11 'To his own he came. . . Who is the 'they' in the verse?