5 comments on LIVE Q&A: Answering Your Questions on Catholicism

1. WILLIAM ( BILL) BORROW says:

   February 26, 2023 at 6:47 pm

   HI GUYS AND FATHER, ENJOY YOUR SHOW AND TO SEE YOU FOUR SMILING AND SUCH A HAPPY LOOK ON YOUR FACES- THAT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL-
   WILL YOU PLEASE TELL ME THE ADDRESS FOR BUYING THE STRONGES BROWN SCAPULAR THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT ON THE SHOW- WHEN IT WAS GIVEN I COULD NOT HEAR THE WAY OF ORDERING- THE ONE THAT WAS DEMENSTRATED ON YOUR SHOW HOW STRONG IT IS AND HOW ONE CAN PUT A MEDAL IN IT. THANKS
   BILL BORROW———————— KEEP SMILING– CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS—-

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2. Rocco Simone says:

   March 22, 2023 at 7:09 pm

   I have a question about how do catholics feel about gun laws and gun carrying permits or to have them in the house.

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3. Jennie says:

   April 15, 2023 at 5:48 pm

   Hi guys,
   I found your YouTube channel. I love the friendship you all have.
   I have a few questions, if you don’t mind. 1. What does the Church say about the Eucharist, Chew or not to chew? I’m 61 yrs old. But when I was younger, you did not chew the host. Has this changed?
   2. I’m disabled. I have been watching my Parish, online. I’ve been to confession, about 6 months ago but I miss the Eucharist. How can I spiritually confess my sins, without going to Church?
   3. I’m a cradle Catholic but never realized that there are different types of Catholics. For example, Marion Fathers of Divine Mercy of the Immaculate Conception? And St. Faustina? Why didn’t I learn about her in Catechism? I’ve been watching them on YouTube. I’ve watched and I’m beginning to feel like they’re a cult. They bring in “Church and State”, where they make fun of our President, who is also a Catholic. They recommend a Republican lifestyle. Seriously? Are Catholics supposed be Conservative Republicans?
   Which brings my next question;
   With apologies to Father Rich, why are “today’s” Priests so free? When I say free, what happened to the priests who gave up all worldly possessions? Join a Seminary. They’re going on trips around the world. Wearing fancy clothes. Jewelry. Fancy hair cuts. Cell phones. And hawk merchandise for money. Not as alms, but for profit.
   I am not familiar with these types of Priest. I’m old school Catholic. I like the information but why wasn’t I educated like today’s Catholic.
   What more am I missing?
   Love you guys, God Bless you. And thank you.

   Jennie

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4. Maureen Seward says:

   October 6, 2023 at 9:59 am

   Can you please list the names of some of the books you recommend somewhere and where to make donations to specific causes you talk about

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5. Kim says:

   January 18, 2024 at 2:43 pm

   Dear Catholic Talk show Gentleman,

   I started listening to your talk show around 6 months ago. I find it educational, contemplative, thoughtful and entertaining. You three crack me up with your banter and deprecating sense of humor!

   I would like to understand your perspective on my admittedly ‘homegrown’ theology. I am certain I am not the only one with these particular set of questions and I am sure they have been addressed before. However, to date I have not been able to find an answer that resonates. I am in a place where I am open to changing my wisdom in this area and gaining a deep understanding.

   I am in the process of studying the Catechism with Father Mike and currently on day 156. As I read, study and garner a deeper understanding I have two conflicting and BIG emotions.

   The first is gratitude for the ability to fully understand one point of view of the plan our Heavenly Father provided in scripture. I have always been a common sense/intrinsic individual. What I have read thus far hits a lot of these notes and directly relates back to the scriptures. I have a greater appreciation for the scriptures to this point, because of what I have read in the Catechism. This allows a deeper connection to my Heavenly Father and has brought me a sense of peace I didn’t know I was missing before.

   The second emotion I have with almost all 156 days is one of frustration because of the exclusivity throughout each explanation of what the Catechism proposes that Catholics obtain in this life and the next, as opposed to everyone else. The easy path, because this causes me a lot of frustration, would be to ignore this questioning voice. Even as I try to pray my way through this frustration and ask for clarity, I continue to hear this ‘why isn’t this inclusion’ mantra over and over in my head.

   I find multiple examples of this dichotomy in the Catechism. One example is in Part 2 of ‘How we Worship’. It starts out describing that we are united to live Christ’s own life through the liturgy and the sacraments. It goes on to describe the goal is that we would be able to transform the world by our own transformation. The second piece of this I don’t disagree with the premise, I do think that people who are focused on others happiness and wellbeing, do set an example to individuals that crave peace. Where it falls off the rails for me is in two places. One is that if Christ is the end all be all to find this sanctity and you’re required to participate in Catholic sacraments, it’s excluding 60 billion people who have died and 4.3 billion people on the earth today. The second place is that the Catechism also talks about the church will get smaller, not larger, before the second coming. These things don’t add up to a world where good God-fearing Christians are going to convert all of humanity. That’s not realistic in this life and 60 billion opportunities have already passed us by.

   I know that there are small sections in the Catechism that provide a message of salvation of individuals who don’t have opportunities to be indoctrinated with Catholicism in this life. I find that notion as a way to justify authoritarian organizations that have developed over time, not just Catholicism, from a myopic interpretation of scriptures. Please don’t interpret my comments as a negative connotation on organized religion. In fact I feel the exact opposite, I can testify religion brings real peace and happiness. I am just not convinced that there is one way to salvation for this life and the next.

   The reason I am not convinced is this message is in direct opposition of our loving Heavenly Father. God’s goal was to have everyone participate in his plan. He started out with everyone, but it did not work, so he focused on one family that didn’t work, then attempted to broaden it again with Jesus. However, how can we assume this is the only way when God is all knowing and obviously knew this one message (old and/or New Testament) would not hit billions of people. Can we possibly conceive that our intuitive God given good can build organizational structures that provide what God ultimately wanted for all his Children without having to claim that there is one baptism for the forgiveness of sins?

   I would kindly ask that your answer doesn’t attempt to review/teach/preach the bible or the Catechism and default to the story of the one salvific Jesus. That understanding, and belief system is NOT my question. I unequivocally believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. I can testify that my relationship with God and Jesus has been established by the Holy Spirit.

   Any light you may be able to shine on this underlying question and/or way to perhaps look at it with a different perspective, would be much appreciated.

   Thanks
   Kim

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