What exactly is the seal of the confessional?

QUESTION:  What exactly is the seal of the confessional?
I've heard a priest describe a sin, and say that they weren't willing to absolve it. Isn't that something to be kept private?

Answer: The seal of confession is:

Can. 983 §1 The sacramental seal is inviolable. Accordingly, it is absolutely wrong for a confessor in any way to betray the penitent, for any reason whatsoever, whether by word or in any other fashion.  (Code of Cannon Law)

It is hard to comment further without the facts but if the priest was stating a general instance that he couldn't forgive the sin, then there is nothing wrong with that. Especially, if he is using it to educate others on how to better form their lives to Christ.

How Does RCIA work?

QUESTION: Exactly how does the RCIA process work for someone who wants to convert to Catholicism who has never been baptised in any faith? Is it too late to start the classes? If we complete the class at St. Ignatius, do we have to join that church? Can a non-Catholic attend Mass while in the process of converting? Will I know what to do if I've never attended a Mass? Do I receive communion?

Answer:  The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program is set up as a series of classes that teach the truths and beliefs of the Catholic Faith. The goal of the processes is to teach the person What and Who the Catholic Church is and what she believes so that the person can be fully informed in their decision to become catholic or not. If one wants to become Catholic after learning about the faith they are welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil (Sat night) by receiving the Sacraments. If the person has never had a christian baptism, they are baptised, then receive First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. A non-catholic can attend Mass but should not receive Holy Communion because they are not yet in Communion with the Church. It is not too late to join RCIA but you should join a program at the Church you would like to belong to. I hope this helps. If you have anymore questions please email me at tobina@stignatius.org

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary

This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The Assumption of Mary is one of four Marian Dogmas - a dogma being the highest declared revealed truth of the faith. The four Marian Dogmas are:

1) The Divine Motherhood of Mary (aka Theotokos)
2) Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
3) Mary’s Immaculate Conception
4) Mary’s Assumption

 In 1950 Pope Pius XII infallibly declared that, “The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory” (Munificentissimus Deus). This truth was unanimously held in the Early Church and by Church Fathers, what we call our Sacred Tradition. But Pope Pius XII also points out the connections in Sacred Scripture.

Pope Pius said that the truth for the Assumption flows naturally from the scriptural foundation of another Marian Dogma, the Immaculate Conception which was defined in 1854. In Genesis 3:15, what is commonly called the protoevangelium (the first gospel), we see God say to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed…” The serpent represents Satan and his seed is sin, evil, and all evil humans and angels. The Woman represents Mary and Jesus her seed. The Church defines this enmity as an absolute and complete opposition to sin and evil. Thus, Mary was granted, as a gift from God, an immaculate (sinless) nature at the moment of her conception – the Immaculate Conception. Naturally flowing from this truth, Mary then would not suffer the effects of original sin, one being death and corruption of the body. Therefore, this absolute and complete opposition prophesized in Gen 3:15 is opposition to sin and the effects of sin, death (Rom 5-8). Also, proceeding from the Assumption is the Coronation, which is Mary being crowned Queen of heaven and of earth. We see this in Rev 12:1, and this presumes Mary being assumed bodily into heaven.

Because this is a gift granted to Mary by God, and therefore declared that by the Catholic Church in the form of dogma, acceptance of Mary can not be arbitrary nor extraordinary. It is appropriate that we come to Jesus the same way he came to us, and that is through Mary the Mother of God. We as Catholics do not worship Mary, we only worship and adore God. We give Mary the highest honor and veneration over all creatures ever created, because God did first! We see in 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba, the gebhirah, or Queen Mother’s, role in the Davidic Kingdom. She enjoyed a position superior to all other woman, was crowned and sat in a throne at the right hand of the king. (see also 1 Kgs 15:13, 2 Chr 15:16, Jer 13:18, 29:2)

Therefore, it is essential that we find a place in our hearts for Mary. We must honor her because God honored her and crowned her Queen of heaven and earth. Because of Mary we have received the Word of God made flesh. On this feast of the Assumption may we truly take Mary into our homes, and into our hearts as Christ, using his last few breaths on the cross, commanded us to do (Jn 19:26-27).

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament

Do you feel like you do not know the Bible as well as other people?  Do you want to know it better?  Well, the truth is that come Catholics are not as familiar with the Sacred Scripture as we should be.  St. Jerome’s popular words should give us chills;

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!”

There is no need to be worried anymore.  Ignatius Press has come out with a new Catholic Study Bible for the Revised Standard Version 2nd Edition with commentary by Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch.  For anyone who is not familiar with Biblical Scholars Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch,  needs to know that these are two renowned scholars who are paving the way for Catholics to rediscover the treasure of the Church, Sacred Scripture, and therefore rediscovering Christ.  Not only does this Study Bible have the most comprehensive commentary on the text, but it also has an introduction and outline for each book, topical essays explaining Catholic Doctrine, a concise concordance, and a index of where Catholic Doctrines are scripturally based.  The only bad thing is that there is only the New Testament right now.  We will have to wait a while for the Old Testament to be finished, but hopefully not long.

This Ignatius Study Bible is truly a must!  We as Catholics need to reconnect with our biblical roots and this Study Bible proves to be the best tool to do so.

The Year We All Became Protestants

I shared this article with the Men Of St. Joseph this week and I wanted to share it with the Parish too. It is the best explanation of why we need the Magisterium as a divinely instituded teaching office. This shows us the Splendor of the Church which eminates Jesus saying, " I've came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) 
Check the article out here - The Year We All Became Protestants

Are we allowed to take pictures?

QUESTION: Is there a policy prohibiting photography or videotaping in church? I have heard that Archbishop Rodi was not pleased with people taking pictures during Confirmation and Father Martin instructed the parents last weekend not to take pictures during First Communion.


The Catholic Week shows pictures of Archbishop Rodi performing mass, seminarians at ordination, baptisms etc. Furthermore, I have been to the Cathedral on many occasions, for example, Ash Wednesday, and there are TV crews inside the Church videotaping and the Press Register photographer taking up close photos during the mass.



ANSWER: Archbishop Rodi has requested that during Confirmation photos not be taken as it distracts from the solemnity of the event. He informed us well in advance with a letter to each parish and in a planning sheet for the Mass. His custom is to speak one on one with each person being confirmed and it is distracting to have photos being taken while the sacrament is celebrated.


Father Martin asked that individuals not take photographs during the First Communion for the same reason as mentioned above, namely, that it distracts from the sacredness of the event. Father Martin did permit an official photographer to take pictures because he could be positioned in one place for the entire period of the reception of Holy Communion. Unfortunately, some are more concerned with capturing the moment on film that they miss actually watching the event for themselves. In the past there have been multiple parents moving at the same time to get the 'right' angle so much so that the commotion ruins the event for others who are seated in the pews.

Who Is This?

We just finished up with the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. They both went very well. I would like to congratulate all those who made their Sacrament of Confirmation and First Communion, yet I’m thinking that neither the second graders nor the teenagers are reading this, so I would like to congratulate their parents and all the family involved. What a beautiful gift the Sacraments are!

My favorite part of this experience has to be the interviews. I think I can speak on behalf of the priests and deacons and say they would agree with me. It is such a joy to be able to talk to the candidate and their parents one-on-one. The parents are seemingly more nervous than the child most of the time. Inching off of their seat, looking sternly at the child, awaiting an answer that they know they know. Some of the children are so nervous that when I try to throw them an easy pitch like “tell me what Sacrament you are going to make”, they look at me like it’s a curve ball. But once they get rolling the answers don’t stop. I had multiple 2nd graders upset with me saying, “Aren’t you going to ask me my Ten Commandments?” or “Don’t you want to know if I know the Memorare?” Of course I quickly reply, “Yes, I would love to hear what else you know.”

Yet, at the heart of all my questions, the one question I want to know most of all is, “Do you know who you are going to be receiving?” The answer is a resounding, “Jesus!” to which I respond, “And do you know who Jesus is?”, looking for the answer “God”, so I can bring to light the reality that when they receive the Eucharist they are truly receiving God in all of His glory. Then, moved by this truth, it seems that response was always, “Isn’t that awesome!” The child’s face would light up with a smile and say definitively, “yeah!”

This is exactly what the Eucharist is – awesome and amazing. It is so moving to see that these 2nd graders understand that, at least for the time. The problem is that at some point, most of them will lose this awe and wonder for the Eucharist and their hearts will fill with uncertainty. So the question is, why does this happen? Why do they lose this faith and trust in God? I think many things can factor in to this, but I think overall it is their experiences with the people in the Church. I think we do a bad job in leading by example. The children observe us and our attitudes that have become desensitized to the reality that God is truly present in the Eucharist. They watch us walk right by the tabernacle with no genuflection or acknowledgement of Who is there. They notice our attitudes, like that of being inconvenienced or bored. Also, they notice what we do and who we are after we receive the Eucharist. When children observe this, a sliver of doubt enters inside them, and the questions arises “why if this is really God are these people not acting like it”, and that doubt grows. The more doubt there is the less faith there can be. I think Jesus sums this all up with his teaching, “Truly, Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3)

If I am late for Mass can I still recieve Communion?

Q:  My family doesn't always make it to mass on time and I always wonder if it's still ok for us to receive communion even though we're late. Is there a "cut-off time" or anything? Thanks!


A:  There is not a "cut-off time" that you need to be to Mass by to be able to receive Communion. Although, it is best for us to be present for the whole Mass, the Church understands that tardiness may unintentionally occur sometimes - like a car accident or the alarm clock not going off. So, the Church knowing how important it is to receive Jesus in the Eucharist does not make a "cut-off" for those who are unintentionally late.


But the Church does have guidelines for preparing the soul to receiving Communion, no matter what time you arrive. St. Paul says, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." (1 Cor 11:27-29) Therefore, anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion. (CCC 1385)


If someone is intentionally arriving late (or leaving early) because they think Mass is boring or a waste of time, then they probably shouldn't be receiving. The Sacrament of the Mass is the greatest gift Jesus gave us and we need to learn to appreciate it more. The whole Mass is a perfect time to retreat from the "rat race" and prepare our hearts to receive and be with God. Man will never find anything more satisfying, or fulfilling than the Eucharist, which is bodily communion with the living God, even though he will always search. So, we must make Mass a priority in our lives, trying our best to arrive on time and preparing our hearts for Him.


If you individually or as a family find yourselves consistently running late for Mass, then you should adjust your schedules accordingly. Maybe set the alarm for 10 minutes earlier. Being here sometimes on Sundays when not attending Mass, I do notice a lot of people strolling into Church 15 or 20 minutes late. I can not read souls, but I can read body language and their attitudes reflect their faith. Also, at the 6:30 pm Mass I see people in the back talking, texting, and not paying attention the whole Mass. Their attitudes also reflect their faith. To these people, I really want to ask, Why are you coming? A great southern novelist, Flannery O'Conner, once said about the Eucharist, "If it is just a symbol, then to hell with it!" And I echo the same response. If the Eucharist is just a symbol, then to hell with it. But, if it really is God - body, blood, soul, and divinity - then our attitudes, our priorities, our lives need to reflect that.

Divine Mercy Sunday

In 1931, Jesus appeared to a young nun in Poland and asked her to spread the message of His Divine Mercy. During the course of these visions, Jesus asked St. Faustina numerous times that a feast day be celebrated the Sunday after Easter for His Divine Mercy. Therefore, in May of 2000 Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Faustina tells us:

"On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (Diary of St. Faustina 669)

Because of the Father's Divine Mercy, anyone who partakes in this feast and fulfills the four criteria below, will receive a plenary indulgence, which is the total remission of a persons temporal punishment due to sin. To receive this plenary indulgence, these four criteria must be met.

1. One must take part in the Mass on Divine Sunday with a spirit that is completely detached from the affection of sin, even venial sin.
2. One must take part in the Sacrament of Confession, within about 20 days before or after the feast. The best option is receiving Confession before Sunday Mass so you are completely detached from your sins before celebrating the feast.
3. One must take part in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, preferably on the feast day, or ASAP on the days before or after.
4. One must offer up prayers for the intentions of the Pope.

This should not be something we should take lightly. Our Father in Heaven wants to shower us with His mercy. Please humble yourselves, open your hearts, and rejoice in Our Fathers love and mercy.

There is also a Novena that can precede the feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. These are the prayers that Jesus asked St. Faustina to pray for the conversion of sinners which includes the Divine Mercy Chaplet. For more information on the Divine Mercy Chaplet or the Novena, please click the link.

Why do we not say 'Alleluia' during Lent?

Q: Why do we not sing the Alleluia during Lent? Why do we sing the Latin Sanctus during lent and where can we find the words and translation?

A: Great Question. During lent we refrain from saying or singing the Alleluia in the liturgy to remind us we are not in the state of rejoicing. The season of lent imitates the 40 days in the desert, which is a time of preparation and waiting. When Easter comes the "Alleluia" becomes more significant and exciting, just as chocolate is on Easter morning if it you sacrificed it for lent. Secondly, Sanctus means Holy in Latin, so when we say Sanctus we are referring to the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer when we say or sing:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth

are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

You can follow along with the Order of Mass in the front of the missalette, Celebrating the Eucharist. Unfortunately, the missalette does not have the Mass parts in Latin. A personal missalette, called the Magnificat, has the Order of Mass and the Latin Mass parts. A Magnificat would be a great resource to have for this and the daily readings and feast days. I love my Magnificat!

Our First Question!

QUESTION: My husband is in the process of becoming Catholic and would like to attend his first confession. He will be confirmed this coming Easter. Does he need to do anything special to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or can he just go in and tell the priest it's his first time going to confession as a convert?


Answer: First, you must have been baptized to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through Reconciliation you are not only reconciled with God but also with the Church, so you must be a member of the Church to be reconciled to it.

Secondly, through the RCIA process the catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized) are being prepared to come into full communion with Church. The ordinary time for acceptance into the Church is at the Easter Vigil. When entering the Church the person should be free from all sin. Because the Sacrament of Baptism washes away all the stains of sin, the catechumen will not have to make a confession. But since the candidate will not be baptized the director of the RCIA program should schedule their First Confession as close to the Easter Vigil as possible, preferably before the Vigil Mass. When they enter into the Sacrament of Reconciliation the Priest will know it is there first time, so he will not have to say or do anything special.

Thirdly, the Church does understand the reality of the burden of sin and would never withhold God's grace from someone. If your husband understands the fullness of the Sacrament and therefore knows its power and wants to receive healing and forgiveness for his sins that burden his relationship with God, he should mention this to the priest at the Church and ask to receive the Sacrament earlier.

Welcome!

Welcome to the St. Ignatius Parish blog. The goal here is to give the Pastor, Associate Pastor, DRE, Youth Minister, and other ministers in the Parish the forum to share their hearts with the Parish in the effort to grow in community as the Body of Christ. We will post our thoughts, comments, concerns and love in hope that it will help the readers in their journey of faith.

Also, this blog will be used to answer questions that the parishioners have about faith, Mass, Jesus, the Church, etc. All questions are anonymous and, it's worth hearing again, there are never any stupid questions. If you would like to ask a question please click 'Ask A Question' on the right.

We hope this blog will be a useful resource for you to get answers and inspiration and strength for your walk with Christ. We also hope it will be a good way for us to stay connected as a community, so make sure you save this to your favorites!

"Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam - All for the Greater Glory of God"
- St. Ignatius