QUESTION CORNER Q: A recent picture in a magazine showed Pope Francis signing a car that had been given to him. The cutline for the photo said that the pope had signed and blessed the car before putting it up for auction by Sotheby’s in London, with the proceeds going to charitable work. But I […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Do we now go straight to heaven?
QUESTION CORNER Q: What does the church teach about what happens after someone dies? The reason I bring it up is that often when I attend a Catholic funeral, I hear the priest say in a homily that the deceased is now in heaven and suffering no more. But how does that fit in with […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Do priests have a three-Mass-a-day limit?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Recently I visited my home parish in Ohio (Diocese of Toledo). I was there to attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Dec. 24. Before Mass, the regular priest announced that there would be a substitute priest for that Mass because of the limit of “three Masses a day.” (The regular priest was […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Speaking of agoraphobia
QUESTION CORNER Q: I enjoy reading your columns in our diocesan newspaper. Recently you responded to a person who is concerned about missing Mass due to agoraphobia. (Editor’s note: Agoraphobia is defined as an extreme or irrational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places.) As a psychiatrist, I wish you would have added that […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Catholic burial for unbaptized son?
QUESTION CORNER Q: My son passed away recently at the age of 35. We held a memorial service for him since we could not have a funeral Mass. (He was not baptized as an infant — which was my decision, of course, not his.) I have been a Catholic all my life, have followed Christian […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Father Peyton on way to sainthood?
QUESTION CORNER Q: A friend told me recently that the cause of Father Patrick Peyton had been sent to the Vatican for sainthood. Do you know how it stands and when he might be declared a saint? (I hope and pray that it will be in my lifetime.) Also, what are the stages for someone […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Do prayers change God’s mind?
QUESTION CORNER Q: I’m confused about something and would be grateful for your help. Does prayer change God’s mind? Can someone be moved to the head of the line if we pray hard enough? (Cuba, Missouri) A: To answer this question, we first need to admit our limitations. I cannot pretend to know the mind […]
Father Kenneth Doyle What are the duties of a pastor?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Can you please explain what a pastor’s duties are and whether he has anyone overseeing him? Does he report directly to the bishop? Does the bishop ever meet or check with the pastor to see how things are going? (Syracuse, New York) A: A pastor, as the word itself signifies, is essentially […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Does he need an annulment first?
QUESTION CORNER Q: I need some clarification on the church’s marriage laws. I am a Catholic currently married to a divorced non-Catholic whose first marriage was not in the Catholic Church. I tried to arrange to marry him in the church, but a parish priest told me that my husband-to-be would need to get his […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Is yoga communing with devil?
QUESTION CORNER Q: My wife was recently at a gathering of her prayer group that meets every week. At the end of this particular meeting, a deacon spoke to the group and said something that has disturbed both of us. He said that when you practice yoga, you are communicating with the devil. Neither of […]