Ask The Priest

This column offers parishioners an opportunity to ask spiritual, theological, liturgical and vocational questions. For other inquiries, please contact me directly. Previously asked questions can be found in our bulletins .

Q. How often does someone need to go to confession? Is it true that you can't receive communion if you have not gone to confession in a long time? -Anonymous

A. The church requires that we go to confession at least once a year to receive the sacrament of Penance regardless of whether we have a mortal sin or not. We at least have some venial sin to confess. Scripture teaches us, "If we say, 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, 'We have not sinned,' we make him (God) a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:8-10). Catholics are required to go to confession as soon as they realize that they have committed a mortal sin. But the church recommends that we go to confession frequently; some go weekly, others monthly, some do it seasonally (Advent, Lent, Ordinary Time). Since it is a serious obligation to receive the sacrament of Penance once a year, it would be wise for those who have not gone to confession in a very long time to go to confession first before going to communion especially if they have not gone in several years.

Q. People in Abraham's time lived for hundreds of years. When do you think people stopped living so long? Did it happen slowly or all of a sudden? -Erin Gaylord

A. A very similar question was previously asked and answered at length on the October 4, 2009 Ask the Priest column. You will find the answer on our parish website. Click on the button Parish Life and then Bulletins.

Q. How old is Pope Benedict XVI? -Anonymous

A. He is 82 years old (born on April 16, 1927). He was 78 when he was elected pope and the 8th pope from Germany (the 7th was Stephen IX way back in 1057!). Here are some fun facts about the pope. He speaks fluent German, Italian, Latin, French, Spanish, English, and can read ancient Greek and biblical Hebrew. He doesn't have a driver's license but he has one for a helicopter pilot's and likes to take the controls when he is traveling on a chopper!

Q. Did God make the earth because he was lonely? -Hannah O'Neill

A. No, because God is always happy. He created the people and the angels to share his happiness with creatures even though he didn't need us at all in order to be happy. The Holy Trinity was perfectly happy without us.

Q. Someone told me that there's a difference between a nun and a sister. Is there? -Anonymous

A. Yes, there is a difference. Even though we all call them 'Sisters' there is a distinction between them. Those who live in a cloistered community and do not often leave their monastery are called 'nuns'. Their order is often referred to as a contemplative order. The most common ones we see such as in parishes, schools and hospitals are properly called 'Sisters' and their order is classified as an active order. But both orders normally take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It is not uncommon that a religious order is a little bit of both active and contemplative. Perhaps we should refer to them as 'hybrid' orders.

Q. Should we bless ourselves with holy water when we leave Mass? -Anonymous

A. It's not really necessary. The holy water font is placed at the entrance of the church for the people to 'purify' themselves as they enter God's holy temple. It doesn't replace the sacrament of Penance but blessing ourselves with holy water at least partially removes our venial sins and we also gain a partial indulgence.

Q. Which is bigger, Jesus or heaven? -Patrick

A. Definitely Jesus! Nothing is greater than God and he created heaven. Since Jesus is God then Our Lord has to be bigger.

Q. Besides the two vases on the floor, how many flowers are permitted in the sanctuary? -Anonymous

A. During the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent flowers are discouraged or limited on the sanctuary. But outside of those seasons there really is no limit to the amount of flowers we can use to beautify the church sanctuary. The only prohibition is that no flowers may be placed on the altar itself.

Q. How early does a priest have to get up in the morning? -Anonymous

A. It usually depends on how early we're celebrating Mass in the morning. If I'm scheduled for the 6:30am weekday Mass I'm usually up between 5:30-5:45am. On the other days when my first Mass is at 9am, I usually 'sleep in' and get up around 7am. But some priests and monks who live in the monastery get up around 4:30am everyday to start their early morning prayers (Matins) before Mass.

Q. Many other Catholic churches have candles available for parishioners to light for special intentions. Why doesn't Saint Francis have candles available? -Anonymous

A. We do have candles available to light for special intentions. They are located in the Oratorve little chapel to the right of the main church. It is my understanding that the reason why they are not in the main church is due to a lack of space for them.

Q. How old are you? And why aren't you married?

A. Priests don't really care about revealing our age but if Ihave to let others know how old I am I might as well add the age of the other priests. Father Gerard and I are 45 and Father Cesar is 32. The reason why we're not married is because priests in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church make the promise of living a life of celebacy (unmarried life dedicated to giving more of ourselves in the service of the Lord and his people). We voluntarily decided not to get married when we became first as deacons and then renewed the promise when we became priests. By living a single life dedicated to Our Lord's ministry allows us to grow in our relationship with Jesus without much distraction and also gives us the opportunity to be in greater service to God's people.

Q. How much of our day should we give to God? How much of our money?

A. We should dedicate ourslves to God for the whole day. We can do this shortly when we wake up in the morning by offering we do for the rest of the day to God. A short prayer by talking to God in our own words throughout the day is a good practice. And for those who are seriously into prayer, spending one hour before the Blessed Sacrament (Jesus in the tabernacle) is highly recommended because Jesus told the apostles on the first Holy Thursday, "Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?" (Matthew 26:40). As far as how much money we offer to God, many Christians have followed the Old Testament of tithing. This is giving 10% of what we earn. God has always looked after good people who generously give back to Goc through the church because he will not be outdone in generosity. Here are some nice Old Testament readings regarding tighing: Levitucus 27:30, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronimy 14:24 and 2 Chronicles 31:5.