Father Simon Says

Rom 1:1-7 Father believes Paul helped found the Church of Rome Lk 11:29-32 Father talks about the devotion and faith of Ninevites Mass Hysteria Father addresses some of his thoughts about priests singing at mass and incense Letters When are you supposed to sing the communion antiphon? Question about the Creed–visible and invisible Letter about liturgical songs sounding like soft rock Word of the day: Apostleship Callers I have been away from the Church for 50 years and I want to come back but am having trouble believing that Jesus is the Son of God. What advice can you give to help me believe better?

Jl 1:13-15; 2:1-2 Who was the prophet Joel? Father dives into some Lk 11:15-26 What is the finger of God that Jesus mentions? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about valid matter for mass Letters: Letter asking about the finding of Jesus in the temple? Letter about someone who is waiting to Question about circumcision Word of the Day: Unclean spirit Callers: Can Satan influence or control your dreams Question about scripture and exorcisms How do I balance my work life with my spiritual life? I feel like I am neglecting my prayer life to get ahead at work. Is the quote ‘take and eat’ a good argument for communion in the hand?

Mal 3:13-20b Did Malachi actually live? Father explains Our Lady of the Rosary Lk 11:5-13 Jesus explains how God answers our prayers Mass Hysteria: Father talks about some of the food rules at mass Letters: What’s a penitential liturgy? Why are angels depicted with wings? Question about Nathaniel’s confession of faith It is a sin to do other things during prayer? Word of the day: Encyclical Callers How do you know when a child with special needs like Down syndrome reaches the age of reason? When we moved an altar at Church, we saw an insert with a relic inside. Why is there a relic in the altar? What is this for? Is it proper to raise our hands or hold hands at the Our Father? I don’t think it’s right.

Jon 4:1-11 Father says what the hardest part of Christianity is Lk 11:1-4 Father teaches the term ipsissima verba Chrisiti, and how it applies to today’s Gospel Mass Hysteria: Spontaneous masses and structured prayer meetings Letters: Letter about a progressive parish Is it permissible to get married in the Church sacramentally, but not legally? Word of the day: Hallowed Callers: On giving communion to someone w/dementia? Pope’s authority when he speaks ex cathedra.  Could you explain?

Jon 3:1-10 Did God actually change his mind? Lk 10:38-42 Father has an alternate translation for today’s Gospel–“Mary has taken the good portion” Mass Hysteria: Father talks about reading scripture at mass Letters: Who are the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher? Pastor’s homilies have embraced a universal oneness–but rarely mentions God Word: He shall crush your heel Callers: Who is the ‘he’ in ‘he repented of the evil from today’s first reading? Did Jonah live during the time that Syria overtook the Northern Kingdom? Can you recommend a good wedding gift for a couple I don’t know very well? Is suicide mentioned anywhere in the Old or New Testament?    

Jon 1:1–2:1-2, 11 Father discusses on the historicity of the story Lk 10:25-37 Father reflects on what loving God with all we have Mass Hysteria: Father discusses silence before mass Letters: Letter asking about shaking off the dust of the town that rejects them and Jesus rebuking his apostles Letter from a homeschooling mom about who the Waldensians were  Question about when the communion antiphon is said Word of the day: Our Father and our King Callers Luke 2:35 – what is meant by ‘the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’? How do we properly care for relics as lay people? What does the Church teach on the giving and obtaining of relics? What is Church’s teaching on distributism?

Bar 1:15-22 Who was Baruch? Father Simon explains! Lk 10:13-16 In our rejection of life, we’ve rejected God. Mass Hysteria: Father explains the importance of seeing Mass as a covenant, and the writings of Justin Martyr Letters: Question about the birettas A listener has a theory about Jesus calling the woman ‘a puppy’  Letter about Jesus’ plea to send laborers out in the harvest Is it fair that we have indulgences and gifts like the Divine Mercy Chaplet? Word of the Day: Sack cloth and Ashes Callers: Would you give a present to a gay couple for a so called same-sex marriage? I am a lector and I have a collection of lectionaries. How should I dispose of them? Caller asks about a book by a priest, and thinks there a lot of problems with it What was Mary’s maiden name? Can cremated ashes be buried at Sea?

Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength–this is a prescription about how to pray joyfully. When we start to pray gratefully–we begin to see the good that God has done in our lives Lk 10:1-12 What does it mean for peace to return to us? Mass hysteria: Father goes into detail again about communion blessings Letters: Are there any apparitions about going to daily mass? How do we view the marriage of Joseph and Mary? Letter about the lost tribes Word of the day : Face Callers: What should I do when I am spiritually exhausted when praying for a special intention. Looking for different methods to discerning God’s will in my life. Where is St. Peter really buried? How can I use blessed oil and salt to bless my home?

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 Father begins mentioning the apocalyptic nature of the Book of Daniel What does the word angel mean? Father also talks about the anthropomorphizing of angels Jn 1:47-51 What does duplicity actually mean? Mass Hysteria: Father talks about Archbishop Sample’s letter on liturgy; Father also talks about a new vocations video Letters: Letter about Neanderthals Father talks about Francis Cardinal George Word of the Day: Puppy   Callers: Personal dilemma, in a debate with friend on Origenism, tips to refute the argument. What was the Jewish population before the Babylonian exile? How many people were taken from the Jewish land into Babylon? Question about Saint Patrick  

Zec 8:20-23 Father thinks the roots of anti-Semitism came from this period. Lk 9:51-56 Jesus doesn’t want to destroy those who disagree with him Mass Hysteria: Father reads a letter about the Donatists and Augustine Letters: Father reads a letter from someone asking what forbearers means Letter about angels, who Fr. Simon says knows as God knows Letter about the number of books in the Bible Word: Desire Callers Question about Eucharistic prayer Question about a beheading in Scripture Do you need to pray with you eyes open? What does Father Simon know about St. Herbert Derwentwater?