We’ve learned so much through the questions you asked!  Thank you for submitting them.

Let’s continue to learn together as Father James answers more of your questions.

SUBMIT THEM AT THIS LINK

Hope to see you at the next AMA where Father James and Zara discuss whatever questions you may have about Catholicism, prayer, the Bible, Church happenings, and your very own local priest! Next AMA will be in June 2022

2:35 Welcome to the monthly AMA with Father James. 4:44 Can you speak about what the sin against the Holy Spirit is? 7:08 How do you respond when people say the Holy Trinity is not in the Bible? 10:12 Why doesn’t the Church say no to the vaccine if it contains a baby’s fetus, cells, etc? https://www.ncbcenter.org/ncbc-news/vaccinestatementupdated https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/what-the-bishops-are-saying-about 17:42 I want to rephrase a question I submitted.  Is it a sin not to take the vaccine, as in Not taking good care of my body, not caring about others, possibly shortening my life?  (I am concerned about long-term side effects which may show up later.  It appears safe now, but no one really knows what effects it will have on your body 2 – 5 years from now.  It is not like all the other vaccines that have been made previously.) 22:42 Bishop Barron said young people polled said they leave the Church because they didn’t get answers to their questions. My daughter raised 2 to me: 1) the questioning of the story of Jonah being swallowed by a whale- how can this possibly be true? 2) Noah filling an arc with 2 of every animal- how can this possibly be true? Please help me with a response to these and maybe a reference for where I can point her towards to help with other questions like these. 28:18 The Biblical Institute of the Diocese of Joliet; a Bible School in our backyard! 30:20 What is the best thing about being a priest and the thing you dislike about being a priest?  We all have something we dislike concerning our job or life’s choice in what we do.

33:32 Do you have any fears in life? 36:24 Do you look forward to being a pastor or not? 39:11 During the Mass before the Priest consecrates the Body and Blood of Christ why does a Eucharistic Minister get the host from the Tabernacle if the Priest is the one who is most Holy enough to hold Christ? 42:35 Shouldn’t everyone be allowed to receive communion as long as they believe that the host is truly the body and blood of Christ? Despite lifestyle choices or circumstances or any other disqualifier? 46:39 Regarding reconciliation, non-Catholics don’t understand why we need to confess our sins to a priest. I’ve explained that it is a sacrament in which we earn God’s graces and that it became the apostle’s job to forgive sins. How do we answer them when they say they can confess directly to God and how do I know they aren’t earning the same graces? 51:50 If the main purpose is to receive the Lord when we come to Mass how come we can’t receive communion every time we go to Mass? 53:25 Can you explain why small amount of water is mixed with the wine before consecration? 56:09 Why is a small part of the host left in the cup?

10:00 Why does the Church hire people who aren’t Catholic? 11:07 Why don’t we have a Linen Cloth for our Tabernacle? The polyester cloth has been there for 20 years and it’s yellow, not white anymore. 12:09 What is the incense that the church uses during certain masses? Shortage of incense in the future article https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/frankincense-trees-declining-overtapping 13:23 The transcendent reality of the Mass. 16:28 I’d like to know about how they are supporting the community and victims of church scandals, for sure. And is there restorative education happening within the clergy to make sure it doesn’t happen while also unpacking why scandals happen at all? Where does that oppressive and abusive power come from? 21:30 I know that communion represents the last supper, but what about the rest of the mass? 28:05 At the beginning of Mass Father asks to call to mind our sins. Are we forgiven of them? Also, why are we allowed more time? Thank you! 31:23 Why does Father James hold your 3 fingers together during the prayers at Mass? 33:48 How often do you and Father Don receive emergency calls such as urgent requests for the anointing of the sick, etc.?

38:22 I know you like sports and exercise.  Do you practice Yoga?  Part of the answer https://relevantradio.com/2020/03/is-yoga-okay-for-catholics/ https://olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org/fitshepherds/ https://olmercy.old.diocesanweb.org/marys-squad/ 46:26 How serious are venial sins? 49:45 My grandmother and mother “beat” their chest 3 times when the Eucharist is offered and again when the chalice of wine is lifted.  It coincides with the ringing of the handbells.  I asked my mother once why she does it and she said she just always has.  Do you know the origin of this gesture?  I would like to do the same but feel I should know why it is done.  Many thanks! 51:56 I know that diocesan priests do not take a vow of poverty, but that is all I know of the differences between diocesan and religious priests. What are some other differences between the two and why did you choose to become a diocesan priest instead of a religious priest? 58:45 Living the simple life and”The Purge” 1:02:41 I know this is sort of random, but this question popped in my head during mass last Sunday. What happens if a priest is a recovering alcoholic, but needs to drink the consecrated blood (wine)? Does he have to drink it or can he get someone else to do it for him? 1:05:20 My 8-year-old grandson wants to know how God made himself. 1:08:17 Will you ever consider having ad orientem Mass or Latin mass at our church? 1:10:11 What’s going on @ OLM: MAGNIFY, Charisms Workshop, and OLM Block Party!

18:50 – At the ceremony for Tom Logue becoming a Deacon there were 2 priests/seminarians wearing a shawl. Were they carrying the Host?

20:58 – Who was your favorite teacher at Benet Academy?

21:35 – Can a priest choose which parish he wants to be transferred to or does the Bishop make the decision?

24:10 – What does the church believe about non-Christians and salvation?

see Lumen Gentium 16-17 https://www.vatican.va/…/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen…

32:40 – Why don’t they show people getting communion on the live stream?

34:19 – What is the difference between thinking of committing a sin vs. committing the sin and going to confession after the sin? Example: thinking of robbing a bank then actually doing it and confessing after the fact.

35:30 – If you could be one of the 12 apostles, which would you be and why?

37:28 – If we go to Mass on Saturday morning and receive communion if we go to Mass at 4pm that same day, can we receive communion again?

Code of Canon Law #917 stipulates, “A person who has received the Most Holy Eucharist may receive it again on the same day only during the celebration of the Eucharist in which the person participates, with due regard for the prescription of Canon 921, §2.” which says, “Even if they have received Communion in the same day, those who are in danger of death are strongly urged to receive again.”

39:52 – Why does mass attendance on Sunday matter? Can’t we just go during the week on the day that’s most convenient? What if we have to work on Sunday?

43:10 – Fasting before communion- is this an hour before receiving communion or an hour before mass begins?

Canon 919. §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

44:27 – How many Masses are you and Fr. Don allowed to celebrate?

46:45 – Why did Jesus live during the Roman Empire?

50:43 – Does Fr. James have any siblings?

51:53 – Do you have any hobbies?

54:00 – Can you say Mass in Latin?

55:41 – What’s your favorite dinosaur?

56:12 – Did God create more people than Adam and Eve? What about the other people in Genesis?

58:40 – Is there a purgatory? And what does the Church think?

1:02:37 – What exactly is gossip? For example, my son has asked me about my brother and I shared with my son details of my brother that is rather unsavory, is that considered gossip, or is this just history about my brother and family which my son wanted to know about.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:

– of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

– of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them;

– of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

CCC 2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.”

1:06:02 – Describe the classwork of the subject of Confession in seminary, other than logistics?

1:09:07 – How do priests go to confession?

1:12:15 – Describe the moment before and after consecrating bread and wine at Mass.

1:14:21 – I have heard that you Fr James have recently become the Spiritual Director for Waterleaf. That is wonderful to hear. What type of duties and services will you be doing at Waterleaf?

1:17:40 – If you could write a book what would it be about and what would the title be?

1:20:05 – Are we consecrated to St Joseph after reading the consecration prayer at mass on his feast day? I was planning to use Father Calloway’s book to follow the 33-day program. Did we bypass this?

1:20:56 – What can parishioners do to help you in your ministry, Father James? What can we do to help Father Don?

1:24:50 – If God is merciful why do some babies suffer who aren’t yet able to understand faith? Basically, why do bad things happen to good people? Also, do you believe an atheist who is a kind caring person their entire life can go to heaven?

1:32:30 – What does it mean to ‘offer it up’?

1:33:55 – Why is the door to the Holy Eucharistic Chapel still locked?

1:35:28 – Why did Jesus descend into Hell after dying on the Cross for us?

1:37:00 – For college students: How can we keep a close relationship with God while continuing to do well in our studies, keep up with homework, our friendships, etc? Can you give some tips for this?

1:41:55 – My daughter-in-law and her brother were baptized by their grandmother in her bathtub against their parent’s wishes. Does it count?

Can. 868 §1. For an infant to be baptized licitly (properly):

1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent;

2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason.

§2. An infant of Catholic parents or even of non-Catholic parents is baptized licitly in danger of death even against the will of the parents.

1:46:15 – Currently we are given dispensation from attending mass. If you are traveling out of state and unable to attend mass do you still have dispensation from attending mass in another place or does that particular Diocese need to be giving dispensation?

1:48:45 – My daughter has a boyfriend who belongs to a different Christian religion. What should I tell my daughter if the time comes, if her boyfriend asks her to join his religion?

1:52:54 – If a friend is getting married outside of the Catholic Church can you attend their wedding or be in their wedding? If your sibling is getting married and is Catholic but isn’t getting married in the Catholic Church can you attend?

16:45 The slaughter of the Amalekites in the Old Testament: Trent Horn on Pints with Aquinas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPyjIMn5-yg

23:55 Why does Fr. James use a different-sized host than Fr. Don?

26:43 Why do we pray to Mary? Is she part of the Trinity?

30:18 How do we balance between relying on God and relying on ourselves?

34:53 Do you have any advice for a young woman considering a calling to the religious life?

see Discerning a Religious Vocation: https://pintswithaquinas.com/how-to-discern-gods-will-w-fr-vincent-yeager/

39:54 How do priests choose a seminary?

43:30 Why can’t women be priests?

see Inter Insigniores: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19761015_inter-insigniores_en.html

and Ordinatio Sacerdotalis: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1994/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19940522_ordinatio-sacerdotalis.html

53:34 Why do the saints seem to live the shortest and suffer the most in living their faith?

57:15 What does the Church teach about the TV series The Chosen?

see https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen

1:01:09 What’s your favorite movie?

1:03:37 What do I do if a close relative/friend invites me to their same-sex ceremony?

1:07:55 Has Fr. James joined Fr. Don for a bike ride?

1:08:22 Why do you not live at the rectory?

see Companions’ website: https://www.companionsofchristjoliet.org/

Code of Canon Law 280: “Some practice of common life is highly recommended to clerics; where it exists, it must be preserved as far as possible.”

Code of Canon Law 533 §1: “A pastor is obliged to reside in a rectory near the church. Nevertheless, in particular cases and if there is a just cause, the local ordinary can permit him to reside elsewhere, especially in a house shared by several presbyters, provided that the performance of parochial functions is properly and suitably provided for.”