Is Jesus the Only Way to Everlasting Life

Question: Is Jesus the only way?

Answer:   Yes. This comes from Jesus Himself, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.” (Jn 14:6) If we hold that there is another way to God, other than Jesus, then we are calling Jesus a liar. Also, the only reason it is possible for Jesus to be the bridge from the human to the divine, or from this world to the supernatural world, namely heaven, is because He is fully human and fully divine. That is why Jesus is the “name above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:9-10)

Now, if the question that follows would be, “What happens if someone never knows Jesus”, the answer is simple. Any person who by no means of their own doesn’t have the opportunity to come to know Jesus but faithfully seeks Truth, Life, and Love then they are seeking Jesus, even if they don’t know Him by name.

Check out what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says in paragraph 51-53, 151, 754, 2609.

This is a very important and foundational question. If there are any more questions that come up from this answer, feel free to ask.

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.