When compassion and fatigue collide at the parish

Every day brings a new parade of mental illness to our rectory door. We see schizophrenia, manic-depression, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, drug addiction and just plain craziness. They come by phone, by car, by foot, by bicycle and by email. Here they come with all their troubles. They dump them at our doorstep and say, "Fix it." The problem is that much of the time we can't fix it.

Time it takes to join the Church depends on the person

Q. I would like to know the appropriate duration for receiving instructions in the RCIA program. Some have told me that it is three years, other say less. (Ibadan, Nigeria) A. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process of education, faith-sharing and rituals for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. […]

Escaping from prayer as God patiently waits

Does attending SSPX Mass fulfill a Catholic’s Sunday obligation?

Q. I have seen conflicting reports relative to the Masses celebrated by the clergy of the Society of St. Pius X. Their members, it seems, adhere to all the core beliefs of the church but do not agree with some of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. I understand that the Holy Father has lifted the excommunication of the society's bishops. What is the current status of the society, and does attending one of the society's Masses fulfill a Catholic's Sunday obligation? (Sidney, Neb.)

Pope Benedict XVI’s prayer intentions for September

General intention: “That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for the truth.” Mission intention: “That Christian communities may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and lay people, along with concrete resources, to the poorest Churches.” [hotblock]

How many books are there in the Bible?

Q. I have always found your column in the Catholic Star Herald to be interesting, educational and enlightening, but I was confused by a recent reference. In answering a question about Catholics reading the Scriptures, you referred to the 73 books in the Bible: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Admittedly, I am a very old-school Catholic, but in all my years of Catholic education we never had more than 72 books (45 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.) Was another book discovered, unearthed or otherwise approved when I wasn't paying attention? (Camden, N.J.)

Did Jesus have siblings?

Q. At a Bible study group in our apartment complex, it was shared with those attending that Jesus had five siblings. What Bible passage does that come from and, if it's true, why do we call Our Lady "Virgin Mary"? (Some in the group said that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth but had five additional children with her spouse Joseph.) (Albany, N.Y.)

Blessings are not a protective coating, but channels of grace

“God bless, God bless,” said the woman as she stood next to my car. While I appreciated the blessing, frankly, I think my car needs a more thorough benediction. First there was the midnight text message from my oldest son, whose nickname is — rather ironically — Crash: “I got into a little fender bender leaving prom tonight.” Now I am in the middle of a left turn lane on Lancaster Avenue, my front bumper and side mirror bent and dented after being sideswiped by a minvan.