Immaculate Conception Parish
11 Prospect Street, Marlboro, MA 01752

Dear Fr. Michael,
 
In the Liturgy of the Hours, Book III, page 1060, last intercession, it reads: "Be merciful to the faithful departed, keep them from the power of the Evil One."  My question is this: How are the faithful departed vulnerable to the power of the Evil One?

Thank You
 

Thank you for your question regarding the prayer for the deceased in the Liturgy of the Hours.  I believe the prayer is an expression of our belief that God never takes away our freedom even after death and would never force us to be with Him.  We have an example of this when we consider the choice of Lucifer and the angels who chose to turn away from God even though they were with God in Paradise.  c.s. Lewis also speaks of this in "The Great Divide".  The story speaks of the deceased waiting to make the final passage to Heaven.  Each of them have a choice to make.  They can remain where they are, away from God, away from all others, or they can board the bus to Heaven where they realize they are not yet ready for the experience.  To remain in Heaven, they have some growing to do, growing that will be difficult.  Not all choose to remain, but, those that do experience the greatness of God and the Kingdom.  It remains for us, the living, to pray they will make the right choice and not be persuaded to turn away from God and Paradise.

I hope this has been helpful.  Let's all continue to keep the faithfully departed in our prayers.

Dear Fr. Michael,
 
What is the difference between a church and an oratory?

Thank You
 

Thank you for your question.  What is the difference between a church and an oratory? Well, both are places of prayer and liturgical worship.  In each, all liturgical celebrations are celebrated unless restricted by the bishop.  So, in this sense they are very similar.  The distinction arises from its intended users.  An oratory is a place of prayer set aside by the bishop for the use of a specific community or group.  A church is a place of prayer meant for everyone.  It is therefore distinguished from an oratory which is for a particular community.

Dear Fr. Michael,
 
This is a tough question of which I have been reading many articles that conflict in their respective answers. What is the official teaching of the Catholic Church with regard to salvation? Does the church say that only Catholics can be saved because they are of the one and only true universal church instituted by Christ ? I am a Catholic and I have many Protestant relatives.  I would like to know.

Thank You
 

Thank you for your letter regarding salvation.  As you indicated in your email, this is not an easy question.  Traditionally it has been taught that the church is necessary for salvation, that Jesus is present in his body, the Church, and he is the one mediator and unique way to salvation.  However, the documents of Vatican II, specifically Lumen Gentium, state:

 

"Those can also attain to everlasting salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience."

 

God's kingdom includes, therefore, all who are drawn to it through the workings of the Holy Spirit if they but seek the kingdom of God and live as lovingly as they possibly can.

 

I hope that this has helped to answer your question.  And, I pray that one day we will all be reunited as one family of God seeking to do his will and enter his kingdom as brothers and sisters.

 

Fr. Michael

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Dear Fr. Mike,

Is it true...that if you get a divorce you can no longer receive Communion?

Dear Father Mike, 

Can a non-Catholic, non baptized individual be a god parent?  I am due in the Fall and I've run out of Catholic family and friends to call upon, unless I re-use the same people as god parents.

Thank you for your question regarding sponsors (godparents) for the Sacrament of Baptism.  This one issue generates many questions among the faithful.  The key to choosing a sponsor is to remember that when a person agrees to be a sponsor, they take on a very important responsibility. The sponsors promise, along with the parents, that they will assist in the Catholic/Christian upbringing of the newly baptized.  And, further, they will fulfill this role by "word and example."  In other words, they will teach the faith by living the faith.  Therefore, to be a sponsor, one must be baptized.  Other regulations regarding sponsors at baptism are:

• The sponsor must be designated by the one to be baptized or by his/her parents or by the one who takes their place.
• The sponsor must have completed the 16th year.  (exceptions are possible)
• The sponsor must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
• The sponsor must not be bound by any canonical penalty.
• The sponsor may not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.

 

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to the baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor.

I hope that this has been helpful.  Your choice of a sponsor or sponsors for your child is very important.

Fr. Mike

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Dear Fr. Mike:

I was wondering why Cardinal Sean is still referred to as Bishop Sean during the mass.  When will his name officially be changed to reflect this higher honor?

Thank you for your question regarding Cardinal Sean O'Malley and our prayer for him during the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.

One of the intentions in the Eucharistic Prayer is for the bishop of the area/diocese in which the Mass is being celebrated. We therefore pray for the Pope as universal pastor and for our bishop as local pastor. Why we refer to him as our "bishop" instead of "archbishop" or "Cardinal" lies in our understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

There are three major orders in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The first is the Order of the Diaconate (deacons), the second is the Order of the Presbyterate (priests) and the third is the Order of the Episcopacy (bishops). In the Order of Bishops there are three "levels" depending on the assignment of the individual. The title "bishop" generally refers to the leader of a diocese. The title "Archbishop" generally refers to a bishop overseeing an Archdiocese. The title "Cardinal" refers to those men, usually bishops, who have been created by the Pope to be his closest advisors and who will elect his successor. All of them belong to the Order of the Episcopacy, meaning that they have the fullness of Holy Orders. They are all bishops with various responsibilities. Even the Pope himself is the Bishop of Rome.

You may hear Cardinal Sean referred to as our "bishop" or as our "archbishop" or as our "cardinal" during the Eucharistic Prayer. All of these titles stemming from the fact that he is the Bishop of this local church known as the Archdiocese of Boston who has been created a Cardinal by the Pope.

I hope that this has been helpful to you.

 

Fr. Mike

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Dear Fr. Mike:

Have you ever considered having more than one Mass intention for each Mass?  I know that there are now a lot of people requesting more masses during the year and this causes somewhat of a problem for people who want a Mass to be said in the very near future, especially after the death of a loved one.

I like to have masses said for the deceased members of my family at least once a month, but sometimes there are special days that I also want to be remembered in a Mass.  I would prefer to have these masses here in my own parish than to have them said elsewhere if possible.

 

Thank you for your suggestion regarding Mass intentions.  I appreciate your faithfulness in providing Masses for your family.

 

The Code of Canon Law is very specific about Mass offerings and intentions.  Canon 948 states that "separate Masses are to be applied for the intentions of those for whom a single offering, although small, has been given and accepted."

 

The meaning of the canon is clear; celebrants may accept only one offering for one Mass.  The donors intention may include more than one person, however.

 

The Congregation for the Clergy granted an exception to this canon which permits celebrants to accept several offerings for a collective intention at a single Mass.  The following regulations must be observed if this practice is followed:

 

1. the donors must be informed of, and consent to, the combining of their intentions before the Mass is celebrated

2.  the place and time of the Mass must be announced

3.  the practice may not be observed more than twice a week

 

Another option is to accept intentions and have the Masses offered in the missions.  Not only will the intention be offered, but also, the missions will be supported and the gospel will continue to be proclaimed.

 

Fr. Mike

Dear Father Michael,

I have a question for you about blessing parishioners at the altar during communion.  Myself, my husband and my two little girls are new to your parish.  However I have a problem with receiving communion.  I have celiac disease which means I can not eat gluten (wheat, flour, barley....) in any form and in any amount.  The communion wafers contain gluten.  In other churches I have been offered wine but I am not always comfortable with this.  Currently my husband brings up my daughters, has them blessed, he has communion and I stay in the pew.  I really miss coming up to the altar and would like to feel included and be able to come up with my family.  Is there any way that I could be blessed as my daughters are and not receive communion?  I would really appreciate any information you could provide.
 

Thank you for you question regarding celiac disease and receiving blessings at the time of Communion.  First, the easy answer.  We welcome to Mass everyone who is attending, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.  We are most pleased and honored by their presence.  This welcome is extended to those who approach the altar at Communion time, even if they are unable to receive the Eucharist for any reason.  Those who cannot receive Communion, or those who choose not to receive because they are not properly disposed, should feel free to approach the priests or deacon and instead of opening their hands, should cross their arms over their chests with their hands over their heart.  When anyone approaches in this manner, Catholic or not, the priest or deacon will bless them.  So, please feel free to come up in the Communion line with your family.

However, allow me to offer you another alternative.  Recently, the Church has authorized the use of low-gluten hosts for reception by those who have celiac disease.  You would have to consult with your doctor to see whether or not this is a possibility for you.  If your doctor gives you the OK to receive a low-gluten host, wholly or just a part of one, we can send in for the permission.  I can then speak with you about tailoring our procedures to your needs.  For example, you could check in ahead of time with the priest to let us know you are attending that Mass.  We would then prepare a special host to be received by yourself, keeping it free from contact with the other hosts.  When you approach for communion we would then make sure that you received the consecrated low-gluten host.  It is not as complicated as it sounds, and you would not be the first person in this parish to use the low-gluten hosts.

You can contact me at the parish to discuss this further, or stop me after Sunday Mass.  I would be happy to speak with you.

Fr. Mike

 

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Dear Fr. Michael,

My son is a Catholic, but is being married by a Protestant Minister in an outdoors.  Is his marriage valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church?  He wanted a Catholic priest to perform the ceremony, but the priest said he could not perform an outdoor wedding.  That's why he is being married by a Protestant Minister.  I was also wondering if you would know if Greek priests perform outdoor weddings?