Questions of Faith with Radio Maria England

Join us for this special Christmas edition of Questions of Faith. 

Join Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers as they answer your questions of faith.

In this episode, join Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers as they answer your questions of faith.

Join us this week for Questions of Faith with Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers ready to answer your questions.

First recorded on Nov 26th 2021, this episode of Questions of Faith is with - Fr Simon Blakesley.

 Sr Gemma and Fr Luke Goymour: My wife is a Christian and loves to point out that Jesus says, ‘The greatest commandment is Love’ – i.e. if she takes this as her guideline but doesn’t pay too much attention to observing the traditions of the Church and receiving the sacraments, she will still be fine.  Whilst teaching our children, I find it hard to instil in them the need to follow Church traditions. I want my children to respect their mother, but I want them to observe all the teachings that we have in the Church. How can I find a compromise?; Does it matter what we wear to Church? Last Sunday I attended a different Parish as I was away for the weekend, and the lay Eucharistic minister who was helping the parish priest distribute communion was dressed very casually (tracksuit/t-shirt style) which I found rather off-putting. Surely as a priest has to be robed in a certain was to celebrate Mass, at least a Eucharistic Minister should be given some guidelines as they have an important role – after all, those serving at Mass usually have to wear a cassock too?; Do you think God has the solutions to climate change ‘up his sleeve’ – if only a large enough number of people would turn/return to Him, be converted in their everyday lives, and seek His help on this issue?; I’m a single father and my daughter is a smart teenager very interested in social justice. She continually complains to me that the Church is disconnected with women today and doesn’t allow them to have a leadership role. Any advice on how I can respond and how I can encourage her to have a good relationship with the Church?; My husband enjoys the extraordinary form of the Mass in Latin, but I feel very disconnected as my mind drifts off and I don’t know what is happening. How I can feel more connected or should I go to a different Mass? 

 Fr Luke Goymour and Margaret Mary McFadyen take a look at this week's questions: With Remembrance Sunday coming up this weekend I’m wondering about soldiers going into war ‘with God on their side’. The Allies fought for ‘God and Empire’ in WWI and the Germans had ‘God with us’ inscribed in their belts. Whose side was God on? Where was God in all of these terrible wars?; When we are confirmed we choose a patron saint, and then the bishop greets us with that saint’s name. Should we be known by our confirmation name thereafter? Monks and nuns usually add to or change their name on making profession or entering noviciate so why don’t lay Christians do the same? (Especially if one hasn’t been given a Christian name at birth/baptism!); My friend sometimes refers to her ‘spiritual director’.  I think I want one! But what is a spiritual director?  How is a spiritual director different from my parish priest?  And how do I get one?!; I mainly hear the Bible during the Mass readings. I’m not quite sure how to use it at other times, besides reading it as a story? Is there a way to use it more in my prayer life besides just at Mass?; From Sam aged 6: ‘Why haven’t scientists found God yet?’; I attend Our Lady of English Martyrs and sing in their choir – I’m Anglican though.  I love singing and have friends in the choir.  Can I participate in the Synodal process coming up? Do other Christian Denominations matter when it comes to this process?   

Sr Gemma Simmonds and Mgr Tony Rogers look at this week's questions: As a Catholic, should I participate in Bonfire Night?; Pope Francis has called a general synod. My understanding is that we are all called to participate. I have a sense that this synod different to others, but don't know if this is a correct understanding, and if it is; why? Could you shed some light?; Why are most English Saints Martys? And with all the war that’s happened this past century, why don’t we have more recent martyrs as saints?; Olive needs some expensive surgery on her heart.  It will cost about £500.  Olive is only 3 years old.  I work for a homeless charity and I’ve got a lot of guilt trying to figure out whether I should proceed with the surgery.  Is it wrong to spend so much money on my dog Olive?

 Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Stefan Park on this week's questions: Has the obligation to attend Mass been reinstated? And if not, when or will it be reinstated?; I’m confused about Halloween which is coming up this weekend. I know in some parts of the Church it is frowned upon to let one’s children dress up and go trick or treating – that in doing so is in some way collaborating with evil. How harmless or dangerous is it? Should we be exercising caution?; In the Gospels Jesus says that the one who sins against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. What is this sin against the Holy Spirit?; How should we mark All Souls Day which is next Tuesday? It seems we don’t we visit graveyards in this country as much as in other countries. Is there a reason for this? Where I was living abroad, Mass would be celebrated in the cemetery on All Souls Day; After we die, will we receive a glorified body at the moment we enter heaven, or at the end of the world after the final Judgement?; Can we pray to Old Testament prophets? Are they saints? 

In this episode Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Luke Goymour discuss the most recent questions: When praying at home or with friends, is it necessary to begin with ‘In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ or even just a silent sign of the cross?; Can we pray the Our Father with our hands open in the 'Oran's position'?; What’s the difference between a pastor, a priest and a preacher?; Why shouldn’t we eat meat on Fridays? And what about fish? For me, fish is a luxury item so I feel if I’m making an act of penance, fish isn’t so suitable; Has the obligation to attend Mass been reinstated? And if not, when or will it be reinstated?; In the Gospels Jesus says that the one who sins against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. What is this sin against the Holy Spirit?; Why can’t Catholic priests marry?