The same thing that is wrong with telling your children to sample all materials found in your medicine cabinet or under your sink… Delay in telling them about right and wrong, truth and error in religion can be permanently disabling and even eternally fatal. Would any sensible parents hold off instructing their children about eating vegetables or brushing their teeth or not playing in the road? Parents who cooperate with God in bringing children to God not only for their children's bodily well being and safety, but even more severely for their souls.
Reprinted from September 27, 1996
Why does the bishop carry a staff?
The ceremonial pastoral staff or crosier that a bishop uses is a sign of his authority as the shepherd of God's People. It is an ornamental derivation of a shepherd's "crook." A shepherd, at least in ancient times, would use the upper part of his staff, the hooked part, to pull sheep or lambs out of danger. He would use the bottom part to prod the sheep along when they hung back too far from the flock. Bishops are the successors of the Apostles and are assigned by Christ as the shepherds or pastors of His flock.
Reprinted from October 25, 1996
Is there a law or date which requires that a mission church
be opened 24 hours a day?
There is no Church law or mandate like that for the universal Church, nor in the Diocese of Lincoln. However, there could be diocesan law about such things in various dioceses. These matters are usually left to the discretion of the pastor and I suggest you talk with him about concerns in this regard.
Reprinted from August 13, 1999
How long did Lazarus live after Jesus raised him from the dead?
We do not know the answer to this question. We do know that after Lazarus was raised from the dead (John 11:1- 44), he dined with Jesus (John 12:2), and that he was the object of public curiosity because he was brought back from the dead. We know as well that the enemies of our Lord plotted to kill Lazarus along with Jesus (John 12:9-10), because so many people came to believe in Christ because of that resurrection miracle. There is a pious legend that Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, later migrated to what is present day France and died at Marseille, but there is not much historical evidence for this
Reprinted from December 17, 1999
Why are vigil lights used in churches? Are they required
to be in churches?
Candles and vigil lights are used by the faithful to honor our Lord or to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin or one of the saints. They are often a symbol of the desire of one of the faithful to continue to pray, even when duty calls one from the place of prayer. The burning candle or vigil light indicates a person's intention to continue in prayer were that possible. Church Law also requires that a burning light of either bees wax or oil, called a sanctuary lamp, be kept lit near the tabernacle when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a church. This is to indicate the presence of our Lord in the reserved Holy Eucharist and to show the faithful where they can direct their adoration and prayers. Vigil lights and candles (apart from the sanctuary lamp) are not required in churches. Many pastors provide these for their people. However, danger of fire and similar problems may sometimes make them impractical.
Reprinted from December 24, 1999
We live in a mission parish. Is it all right for us to attend Mass, rather
than at our mission church, over at the church where the priest resides and
give our money there? Our mission parish is responsible for 20% of the support
of the priest and rectory.
If I were you, I would talk this over with your parish priest. Certainly,
you may at tend Mass wherever a Catholic Mass is properly celebrated and,
on Sundays and Holy Days this satisfies your obligation. It may be possible
for you to make your contribution in a specially- marked envelope, which would
enable your parish priest to apply your parish support to your mission church
rather than to the main or mother church. However, there may be aspects of
this matter that could cast another light on it. Therefore, talk it over with
your pastor.
Reprinted from December 24, 1999