Can you help me with this battle?

Hi everyone I am so happy to be part of this Catholic community. This will be my first post and I am actually looking for some advice. You see I was baptized a catholic, raised as a catholic, and even went to catholic school from grade 1 through 12. But in my mid twenties I fell into grave and utter mortal sin. It was a life of partying, which eventually in my thirties turned into depression. I became a born again Christian in my mid thirties and was not happy at all. Late thirties I found my way back to the Catholic Church, but it was not until November of 2009 just a few months from my 40th that I really committed myself to my catholic faith. Everyday morning before work I go to Adoration and say the rosary, St. Michaels Chaplet, and mid day on my lunch hour find a quiet place and say the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I was doing this since November 2009 to present. The problem I am facing is a very shameful one! When I first started to pray I was accosted by very violent...

Should I attend Protestant testimonials?

I go to a predominantly Protestant college where many of the students and some of the professors are anti-Catholic. I attend the Newman Club meetings and the Catholic Bible and book studies that are offered. However, my hall has a Protestant Bible study that I have attended in the past. At the hall Bible study we never have discussions or read from the Bible, but two of the girls volunteer to give their testimonies. Recently I have not been attending it because I don't believe what most of the girls profess (e.g., claiming that they were saved at three or four but they don't remember it). As a Catholic I am not sure whether I should attend because I do not believe in their statements. But as a friend I think I should attend to support my friends. Any advice on this would be great!

Is a priest a citizen of the Vatican?

When a priest is ordained does he become a citizen of the Vatican?

What do I say to my mother?

I am a cradle catholic, raised on the heavy side of the "Spirit" of the law. I am very grateful to my parents for teaching me about God's unconditional Love and for helping me attend a strong catholic school (TAC) which helped me see and appreciate the Letter of the Law. I am married with 4 children. My husband and I pray that our children will love and live their Catholic faith. The question: We often visit my parents, who live about a 5hrs drive away from us. We will be visiting them during Lent, and they would like to celebrate one of the kids birthday's on Sat., while we are there. The children will be giving up sweets for Lent, so I asked if we could have the party on Sunday. My moms response was that we could have the party on Sat., starting at 1pm, and then go to Mass. "Remember, it's the Spirit of the Law, not the Letter." How can I explain to her that it does matter? It matters to me because Heaven will be celebrating the resurrection, Sat. sunset and...

Is it moral to keep this cell phone discount?

My cell phone company offers discounts to individuals who work for certain organizations as a means to attract more customers. At the time we signed up, a 20% discount was being offered to employees at my wife's job. As a result of having children, she has chosen to stay home and is no longer employed there. As the cell phone company does not keep track, we continue to get the discount. Now, employees of my agency are offered a 19% discount, which comes out to a difference of $1 per month ($24 over the life of the contract). In order to switch to my discount, we would need to change the account into my name, which is a long and frustrating process. In order to avoid this process, would it be acceptable to simply keep the discount in my wife's name and either purchase a product for $24 that I otherwise would not have gotten from the cell phone company? Or perhaps give the money that we are saving to charity? I want to do what's right but would rather avoid unnecessary annoyances....

What to do about missing Mass?

Need some guidance here: our 17-year old son is scheduled to go to a spring training baseball trip the first weekend of March. We gave him the trip as a Christmas present- then the flight times changed such that it coincides with weekly Mass (after 4 pm Saturday and before midnight Sunday); Trouble is, he's travelling w/relatives whom do no fully share our Catholic views regarding the importance of attending weekly Mass. Accordingly, he will miss Mass (his flight leaves at 4 pm on Saturday and he does not return home until Tuesday); I will take him to Saturday a.m. daily Mass and ask Father for a dispensation, but I still somehow feel that this is immoral and a "pre-planned" mortal sin. I tried asking the relative to take him to Mass (I found the church closest to where they're staying), but I received a ton a grief and push-back. What to do? We utterly recognize the Holy Sarifice of the Mass; Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Yours in Christ- Steve D.

Is my Confirmation valid?

It has come to my attention that parents are not supposed to be confirmation sponsors. When I was confirmed 22 years ago, my dad was my sponsor. I don't remember anyone saying that he wasn't supposed to be or getting any sort of special dispensation, and he definitely wasn't standing in as a proxy for anyone. I was confirmed by our bishop with the rest of my confirmation class. Does this have any effect on the validity of my confirmation, or does it just mean that I don't have a valid sponsor? Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Does the power of the sacraments come from Jesus?

Hi, one person I know said that the grace of the sacraments comes from God the Father, I responded that the grace of the sacraments come from Jesus Christ. That his sacrifice effected that grace. I didn't feel right about saying that since I wasn't sure if I could relegate the power to one specific person of the Trinity (in this case Jesus). I want to clarify this to the person and group who unfortunately heard my response. Please let me know what is the Church's teaching. Thank you, unworthy

When Do Non Catholics who are becoming catholic make the sign of the cross?

I was wondering when do people who are wanting to be Catholic who are waiting to take rcia or similar, when do they make the sign of the cross? Would it be with the rcia or similar? Or is it just something you learn by reading and watching other people do it? Thanks