Ask Father Norbert

Question 1	What is the overall purpose of confession, since I don't understand why I should tell another person my sins?
Question 2	If God is everywhere, why do we have to go to church? Can I not just pray at home? I find Mass boring.
Question 3	How did the earth begin? If God created Adam and Eve, then who created God? Where did God come from since there was nothing on earth?
Question 4	How are archangels sainted? How does a person become a saint?
Question 5	I don't understand where the 'don't have sex before marriage' rule comes from. Is it a sin to have sex before marriage?
Question 6	Where does our belief in purgatory come from as I do not recall reading about it in the New Testament?
Question 7	Has Jesus really risen from the dead?
Question 8	What are the three degrees of Holy Orders?
Question 9	Why is incense used during some Masses?
Question 10	Please define what is meant by salvific, sacrificial and redemptive suffering. What is their purpose in Roman Catholic theology?
Question 11	How does one become a bishop? Is it true that a cardinal is also a bishop?
Question 12	When I have a dream which seems so powerful and big, how do I know whether this dream comes from God?
Question 13	What does ‘ Corpus Christi ” mean?
Question 14	Do you know where it is written in the gospels: "Lord, Lord, where are you going? And Jesus answered him, Back to Rome to be crucified a second time."?
Question 15	What is the difference between a bishop and an archbishop?
Question 16	What does it mean to be excommunicated? Please explain the circumstances concerning this. How can one be excommunicated when our Lord is willing to forgive all of our sins?
Question 17	Why can we not have women priests in the Church?
Question 18	How does the Church view corporal mortification, such as the use of the cilice? I understand that we are asked to share in the Lord's redemptive suffering, but should we purposely inflict corporal mortification upon ourselves to convert souls and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary? Or does our Lord mean us to simply accept our natural daily sufferings?
Question 19	What is the Catholic Church's position on the separation of Church and State, and where should the line be drawn to prevent a majority from abusing a minority? What are the responsibilities of a Catholic politician?
Question 20	*Is the book The Da Vinci Code* allowed to be in Catholic school libraries?**
Question 21	Father, will you explain in simple terms the difference between a bishop and an auxiliary bishop please?
Question 22	In the Creation Story, where do the dinosaurs come in?
Question 23	I was wondering if you can explain what a novena is and what the Sisters of Charity meant by a "flying novena". I remember there were nine something’s. Please explain if you could what a novena is and what prayers are said, and maybe even some other examples of novenas.
Question 24	Are saints omnipresent? If they're not, how are we able to pray through their intercession?
Question 25	Why is it that in Scripture we see no Christian priests? Other than the High Priesthood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and universal priesthood of all believers, there seems to be silence concerning legitimate priests for today in the New Testament. Why would this be so, since the priesthood is such a critical element in the Catholic Church?
Question 26	I was wondering if Catholics believe in ghosts / spirits?
Question 27	Why do Catholics believe in Mary and Protestants do not? Do Catholics worship Mary? And if not, how can we help others not misunderstand this devotion? Where is Mary in the Bible?
Question 28	Not so long ago archangel Raziel came to me in a dream, taking the job of a guardian angel, and repeating his name. After reading I found out Raziel is the chief of Thrones, belongs to the First Choir, is one of the Archangels of Presence, and one of the archangels most close to God. I got a book, "Getting in touch with your Guardian Angel," and began practicing. … I've tried to get more info on Raziel, but it's all repetitive, about the book he wrote and who got a hold of it. But it is not like Gabriel and the others. Can you tell me more about Raziel?
Question 29	When people say "Let's talk about the birds and the bees", I know what they're talking about. But why exactly do they say the birds and the bees?
Question 30	I'm 18 and interested in getting a job as a pharmacy technician. What gets me is dispensing contraception. Would this be sinful on my part? I realize that the pill may be prescribed for different reasons and I am not out to judge anyone, but at the same time I feel that I would be causing these people to sin by helping provide them with the means to do so. What if the contraceptive aborts? Do I hold some responsibility because I was a step in that? Your advice would be much appreciated have put off applying for a job for quite a while because I am not sure.
Question 31	Why do Catholics believe in saints?
Question 32	Do Novenas really work? I am not Catholic my husband is. I am Baptist. Can I pray a novena and receive the blessing?
Question 33	I do not feel able to accept the rulings of the Second Vatican Council. Is this gravely sinful?
Question 34	When Mary died she was assumed into heaven as a mortal person. So how does she live? Does she have to eat if she is still human? Is she surrounded by souls? I do not understand: if she did not die, how can she still be living, and wouldn't she need food and water to survive?
Question 35	In the Bible when Jesus is asked whether one should pay his/her taxes, he replies: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." However, I am not entirely sure how this comes into play when it winds down to paying taxes to governments that use this money to fund organizations and/or activities that support abortion in Canada. Is Jesus' quote meant to be taken literally?
Question 36	I was wondering about the verses in Matthew 16:18-20 in which Jesus gives Peter the Keys of the Kingdom, so that whatever he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven. Jesus is singling Peter out, and bestowing on him something extraordinary. But is Christ also allowing all believers to 'bind on earth and bind in heaven' when in Matthew 18:18 he uses similar words while addressing the disciples?