Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: According to Paul VI do female readers have to remain outside the sanctuary?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Greeting Father! Corpus Christi Watershed has an interesting post regarding female altar servers: In this article they mention Pope Paul VI allowing the use of female readers. It shows clearly they are allowed only when a male is … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Lied to the priest. Is our marriage valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Many years ago when my wife and I got married we were not serious Catholics. We cohabitated before we were married, and I think we even may have lied to the priest about it but I’m … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , | 11 Comments

ASK FATHER: Mass in the living room

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Our parish priest has agreed to say mass in our home living room. How should we set up furniture wise to accommodate this? Thank you. If your manor house has a chapel, as in Brideshead Revisited, it is appropriate … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Dealing with “blessings” from Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

From a reader… QUAERITUR: At Mass yesterday, I saw an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion dispensing “blessings” for those in line who have not yet received their First Communion or were choosing simply to come up for a blessing. As … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

ASK FATHER: Father says that rubrics are only suggestions

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I am a member of a consultative body for our parish. During a lively (for lack of a less-positive term) discussion at a recent meeting we were told by our pastor that the GIRM is, in … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Confession and absolution via text message? Phone? VOIP?

A question pops up once in a while and I have dealt with it before.  Can you be absolved over the phone or by internet?  NO.  That would be INVALID. I was alerted to this post at the site of … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Stole-less confession. Okay?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does a priest have to wear a stole during confession? I surprised a priest and asked for confession and he did without a stole. No, a priest does not have to wear a stole. The stole is … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Request to readers: towel rack… yes… you read that right…

If I had to build a church or restructure one, there are some traditional things that I would be sure to include in the sacristy. I would make sure there are adequately deep drawers and closets for vestments, a vault, a … Continue reading

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ASK FATHER: Friday fish and chips cooked in beef fat? POLL: “meatless Fridays”

POLL BELOW! This is a repost of a by now classic here from a few years ago.  It is still useful (and fun). From a reader: I was watching TV last night & on the program they were talking about … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , | 61 Comments

ASK FATHER: Lent and the ol’ aligator on Friday dilemma!

I have posted on this in the past, but repetita iuvant as we say in Latin. ORIGINAL: Someone sent me a copy of a letter written by the Archbishop of New Orleans to a member of his flock about eating alligator … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Classic Posts, Lighter fare, Linking Back, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments