Must we lend money?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
My daughter is $30,000 in debt. On her last payday, a friend asked to borrow $600 for his house payment. My daughter lent him the money because she heard a reading in church that if you have money and your friend needs it, you should lend it. [...]

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Does God have a plan?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
Does God have a plan? Every time something awful happens that can’t be explained, people say it’s all part of God’s plan. I was always taught we have free will, but how can that be if there’s a plan? ~ Beverley
Dear Beverley,
The Catholic Encyclopedia says the question [...]

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What is an occasion of sin?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
What is an occasion of sin? My grandmother refuses to go to casinos. She says they’re “occasions of sin.” What is she talking about? ~ Robert
Dear Robert,
Occasions of sin are people, places, or situations that can easily lead a person to sin or give them an opportunity [...]

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Do all priests take the vow of poverty?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
A priest died and left my father some money. How could a priest have had money if he took a vow of poverty? Do all priests take the vow of poverty? ~ Ann
Dear Ann,
Not all priests take a vow of poverty. Diocesan priests don’t, and they’re allowed [...]

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How can a human pope be infallible?

Sharing an rticle from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
How can a human pope be infallible? I’ve always heard the pope is infallible. I find it hard to believe he never makes mistakes. If he’s human, how can he be perfect? ~ Diane
Dear Diane,
We don’t claim the pope is perfect. From the Church’s earliest centuries, Catholic [...]

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What is palliative care?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
What is palliative care? My friend has stopped fighting her cancer and receives only palliative care. Isn’t this just a passive way to commit suicide? What does the Church teach about it? ~ Barbara
Dear Barbara,
Giving palliative care means being spiritually present to people as they get ready [...]

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Should I report non-Catholics who take Communion?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
Should I report non-Catholics who take Communion? For the last two Sundays, an acquaintance who isn’t Catholic has attended Mass at my church. Both times, he has taken Communion. Should I report it to my pastor? ~ Bob
Dear Bob,
The bishops are quite clear that, in general, only [...]

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Is there more than one kind of conversion?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
Is there more than one kind of conversion? My priest keeps talking about the need for Catholics to “deepen our conversion.” I’m already Catholic. What else is there to convert to? ~ Don
Dear Don,
Many times we think of conversion as something that happens only when someone joins [...]

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Should priests give the sign of peace?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
Should priests give the sign of peace? The new priest assigned to our parish seldom shakes hands at the sign of peace during Mass. Why not? ~ Carol
Dear Carol,
You may be surprised to know that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (154) calls for the priest [...]

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Can lay people give blessings?

Sharing an article from the “Dear Padre” column.
Dear Padre,
I am a Eucharistic minister. While I was in the hospital recently, I was asked to give a doctor a blessing. While it was a powerful experience, I am now wondering if I did the right thing because I am not ordained. ~ Robert
Dear Robert,
Yes, you did [...]

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