VEYO :: 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?
Question 37	Do children in Catholic high schools have to take the 'World Religions' course? I have worked hard to teach my children the Catholic faith, and I am worried their faith will be weakened by a course that could lead them to believe that all religions are the same.
Question 38	Are there any regulations on the telling of jokes or using of humour in homilies? I don't mind the occasional smile during a homily, but I do resent reflections on the Word of God descending to the level of comedy routines. What is the best way for me to approach this form of liturgical abuse when I see it, especially when it becomes routine?
Question 39	I know the Catholic Church is completely supportive of evolution, but I am wondering what its teachings are specifically regarding human evolution. Did we or did we not evolve from apes?
Question 40	I recently started taking a course in Revelation at the University of Ottawa, which made me wonder many things about the Church and corruption. I am worried about the "beast" that is coming out of the seven hills, and the association of 666 with the Pope and the Church. Could the story of Jesus destroying the market in the temple be related to the statues common in our cathedrals?
Question 41	How does the Church feel about stem-cell research, specifically embryonic stem cell research ?
Question 42	Why does God allow bad things to happen? Where was God in the tsunami disaster?
Question 43	Sometimes in the Catholic Church people receive Holy Communion in both forms, the Body and Blood of Christ, and sometimes they don't. Why?
Question 44	What are the mandatory criteria for a person to be canonized ? Have these criteria evolved and changed over the years, or do they remain constant ? I have a great interest in sainthood and the history of sainthood.
Question 45	Is it true that St. Christopher is no longer a saint, and if so, why?
Question 46	What do priests, bishops, popes, deacons, monsignors, and cardinals wear, and what is the meaning for what they wear?
Question 47	I am currently teaching a class on morals and ethics to high schoolers. We were discussing the topic of cloning. I know the Church teaches that cloning of human beings is immoral but the topic of cloning of body parts came up. (i.e. cloning a finger to replace a missing one or cloning a liver to replace a malfunctioning one.) What does the Church teach on this if adult stem cells are used (not embryos). Also could you tell me where I might find some documentation?
Question 48	My question is to have the 1st and 2nd secret of Fatima explained in simpler terms. Also, what are your thoughts on Our Lady of Fatima? Do you know anything about the 3rd secret? Thanks.
Question 49	How do you know if guardian angels really exist ? Please explain the nature of a guardian angel.
Question 50	I am not really clear on the concept of indulgences. How does an indulgence differ from confession and penance?
Question 51	Will we be reunited with our pets in heaven ?
Question 52	What is the Roman Catholic Church's opinion concerning cremation? Would alternatives to cremation, such as scattering the ashes, be considered?
Question 53	Please explain to me about "anointing of the sick."
Question 54	My husband is in RCIA. One of the questions that has come up now for three weeks concerns the Our Father. Some people use the ending, "for Thine is the kingdom, the power etc." Roman Catholics do not. We have not been able to find any proof of this 'extra line', if you will, in any Bible and the deacon teaching the classes has no idea where it came from. Where did it come from?
Question 55	Jesus Christ came in the plans of God to the Jewish people. He was born a Jew and his apostles were Jewish. They ministered to Jews and Gentiles alike. Nowhere in the scriptures did Christ repudiate his Jewish heritage. With that being the case, where and why did the church purge itself of its Jewish roots?
Question 56	My question is about reincarnation. This thought occurred to me as I was saying my prayers one day, and was brought about because of all the fighting, wars, and starvation going on in the world today. Would I be so wrong to think that maybe we have been reincarnated, and that for those that are suffering so badly in this world, this is their hell on earth? Why is it that we in Canada and the United States seem to have so much more than others around the world? And why is there so much suffering that there is nothing anyone could do to help? My niece brought up a point "that God is either all-loving or all-powerful". I said that he is both but she says that it cannot be. If he were all-loving there would be no suffering (this is where I thought that maybe our punishment from a past life might come in). Also, if he were all-powerful he would end all suffering.
Question 57	Was the Apostle Peter ever in Rome? I'm a Protestant searching for answers.
Question 58	Why is incense used during a funeral Mass and regular Masses throughout the year?
Question 59	What is the Church's position on in vitro fertilization?
Question 60	I understand that Orthodox Christians venerate the Mother of God, and call her the Most Holy Theotokos. What does Theotokos mean? Does the Catholic Church refer to her as the Theotokos? How are the basic teachings of the Orthodox Churches concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary similar to the basic Catholic teachings, and how are they different? I have several Orthodox friends and we have had some discussions on this. They do not pray the Hail Mary, but they do have prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Question 61	Sometimes when I pray to God to help me make decisions, I hear God speaking clearly, and voices guiding me. Other times I hear nothing and don't know what to do. What should I do when this happens?
Question 62	The following website (address supplied) confused me about the identity of God, the Trinity in particular. Can you help?
Question 63	Is it wrong to wear rosary beads around one's neck as a necklace? As a child my parents forbid it and I still respect the rosary in that manner. I have wondered about this and would like your view on this.
Question 64	Can you help me with this question? "Discuss the growth in awareness that Jesus was God, either in himself or in the thinking of the early Church."
Question 65	What is the Catholic faith based upon?