Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Jenna Marie Cooper: Bishops can delegate confirmation duties

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Question corner Q: This past week a member of our parish was confirmed at Sunday Mass, but it was just our parish priest who did the confirmation. I always thought confirmation had to be done by a bishop? Is it allowed for a priest to confirm, or was the recent confirmation at my parish an […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Do not sweat delay in penance

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Question Corner Q:  Recently I went to confession on Saturday afternoon before my parish’s vigil Mass. The priest told me to say a rosary for my penance. But since I was the last one in line, Mass was starting right away and I didn’t have time to say my penance. Then I’m embarrassed to admit […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Communion response is only ‘amen’

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Question corner Q: Is it ever acceptable to say something other than “amen” when receiving Communion? Would “thank you,” “he’s alive” or even “hallelujah!” ever work? (Indiana) A: The short answer is no, the one and only appropriate response when receiving holy Communion is to say “amen” after the priest or Eucharistic minister says “the […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Descent into hell sealed redemption

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Question corner Q: In the Apostles’ Creed, we say that Jesus “descended into hell” after he died on the cross. But why would Jesus go to hell if he was sinless? A: The short answer is that Jesus was not sent to hell as a consequence for his own sinfulness, but in order to free […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: ‘Absolution’ of sin is a complex topic

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Question Corner Q: I heard a priest on the radio talking about holy water fonts in church, and he said that as a sacramental, the holy water “absolves us from venial sin.” He actually used the word “absolves.” That doesn’t sound right to me. What does the church teach about this? (Rhode Island) A: I […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Prayers of petition are not bad

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Question corner Q: In a recent homily, my parish priest suggested that we all “give up prayers of petition for Lent.” He said we’re not being good friends to God if all we do is ask him for things, and that “you’ve all said enough prayers of petition, it’s time to say some other prayers.” […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Charisms inform range of religious orders

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Question corner Q: Why are there so many different kinds of convents out there? I don’t understand why a young woman who feels called to give her life to God would need that many choices. (Ohio) A: The short answer to the question of why there are such a variety of convents out there is: […]

Jenna Marie Cooper: Why Mary’s perpetual virginity matters

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Question Corner Q: Why is Mary’s perpetual virginity so important to us Catholics? I’ve had discussions with my Protestant friends about this, and while they believe Mary was a virgin when Jesus was born, they don’t understand why we’re so “hung up on” the idea that Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her […]