Ask a Franciscan

Evening Mass on Christmas for Sunday?

This year Christmas falls on Saturday and the next day is the Feast of the Holy Family. Is it permitted to have a vigil Mass for that feast in the late afternoon or evening of Christmas Day?

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God Knows Our Heart Completely

Did I confess certain sins? If I didn’t, have I sinned by going to Holy Communion all these years? I have gone to Confession faithfully.
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Is a Private Marriage OK?

We decided to get married before God but privately. We knelt down before a crucifix and made our wedding vows before God. Have we committed a sin and, if so, what should we do?
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husband and wife

When Catholics Marry Protestants

Can a practicing Catholic marry a Protestant in that person’s church, before his or her minister? Regarding the Baptism and education of children from that marriage, may the Catholic party accept either Catholic or Protestant Baptism?
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Celebrate or Mourn a Person’s Life?

I recently saw a death notice that read, “A Funeral Mass celebrating Ray’s life will begin....” That sounds to me like a non-Catholic notice. Aren’t we supposed to mourn when a family member, friend or acquaintance dies?
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Who Was John Calvin?

What caused other Christian groups to become separate? For example, who was John Calvin and what did he teach that a denomination is sometimes called “Calvinist”?
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Does Mary Fall Short of God’s Glory?

In Romans 3:23, St. Paul writes, “For... all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” The New Revised Standard Version reads, “have fallen short of the glory of God.” Does this include Mary, the Mother of Jesus?
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Ask a Franciscan

Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of St. Anthony Messenger's popular "Ask a Franciscan" column in ready to answer your toughest questions!

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