Category Archives: Parish Life

How Can You Obey a Law, If You Don’t Even Know It Exists?

Q:  Our Archbishop issued a Decree requiring the St. Michael prayer be prayed after all scheduled Masses.  For a variety of reasons, not every parish implemented the Decree and some don’t pray the prayer as directed. Now, after four years, … Continue reading

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What’s the Difference Between a Pastor, and a Parish Administrator?

Q: I read your piece about the pastor of a parish having to be a priest, not a layperson.  That leads me to ask another question, what’s the difference between a pastor, and a “parish administrator”? The pastor of our … Continue reading

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When Can a Layperson Be a Pastor of a Parish?

Q: My sister-in-law and I were having an innocent conversation about our parishes, and ended up in a huge fight.  I made some comment like, “the pastor of a parish always has to be a priest,” and she went ballistic, … Continue reading

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Receiving Holy Communion Outside of Mass

Q: At my parish the priests will give people Holy Communion at any time of day, if they were unable for some reason to attend daily Mass.  I always assumed this was the norm. But I was travelling this summer, … Continue reading

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When is it Okay to Go to an SSPX Mass?

Q: My parents (devout Catholics) have been attending an SSPX Mass on Sundays. I have always understood that SSPX churches are not licit options for a Roman Catholic. I have read your posts, and showed them to my parents, but … Continue reading

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