Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

QUAERITUR: Can we go through a “haunted house”?

From a reader: Is it okay for a believing Catholic to go through a “Haunted House” during Halloween time? Hmmm… I guess so. I am not sure why someone would want to do that, but, okay. I suppose it would … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged | 30 Comments

QUAERITUR: Minister, ministry, apostle, apostolate…

From a reader: I’m on the pastoral council at my parish. I hear people using the term “Ministry” for all kinds of activities. Pretty much all of these folks are lay Catholics. I’m kind-of a stickler for terminology, because muddled … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

QUAERITUR: Sunday obligation and TV Masses

From a reader: I was chatting with someone and she told me the priest in the parish where she is a member gave her permission, due to her ill health and thus difficulty in attending Mass on Sunday, to “attend Mass … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

QUAERITUR: The Sin of Presumption and You: How to go to Hell in an Uneasy Lesson.

From a reader: I greatly appreciate your time and work you do with this blog, it has inspired me at various times to strive for fortitude and perseverance, especially in the sacrament of penance. I have been studying the sins against … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | 16 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can a lay man impersonate a priest for drammatic presentations?

From a reader: Is it permissible to portray a priest as a reenactor? I have been asked to portray a Catholic chaplain of the 69th New York in 1862. I know a few poeple who have done so, but none … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

QUAERITUR: Things manipular. Wherein Fr. Z rants and ties on one.

From a reader: For some reason unbeknownst to me I am intrigued by the maniple. My understanding is that when the maniple comes off, the Mass is suspended, hence the reason for permitting the reading of announcements just prior to … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Brick by Brick, Lighter fare, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , | 19 Comments

QUAERITUR: Proportion of communicants and ministers

From a reader: Today, in a rather large church, there was only 20 in attendance at mass with 17 of us going to Holy Communion. Father had 3 EMHC assist him. One with the Body of Christ and two with … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

QUAERITUR: Mind goes blank during confession

From a reader: I went to Confession the other day, and my biggest fear came true- my mind went completely blank. What happened was the guy ahead of me informed the priest (he’s a visiting priest) that we could hear everything … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

QUAERITUR: Didn’t finish penance from confession before Communion.

From a reader: Yesterday before mass I went to confession and by the time I was in the confessional, the bells of the consecration were ringing. My pennance was 12 Our Fathers and 12 Hail Mary’s. (I had confessed some mortal sins, and … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

QUAERITUR: Ringing bells during Mass

I will leave this to the readers to help with. I’m training the altar servers at my parish, and we want to add ringing the sanctus bells at the epiclesis. In the 3rd edition of the roman missal, when should the bells … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged | 37 Comments