Thank you to all who have submitted questions on our faith! As of July 2021 we are no longer accepting anonymous questions.
Fr. Josh Answers Your Questions! (Archives)
Check out Fr. Josh's answers to your past questions! Thank you to all parishioners for your submissions and Fr. Josh for providing insightful answers!
We have received numerous questions lately about Confession: What times are they available? Where are they available? Where are the locations of the Confessionals? Hopefully this is helpful to everyone:
HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH
Confession is available Saturdays from 3:00-3:45pm.
Confessional is located in the back of the church next to the cry room.
Take a right as you enter the church and if there are people in line please sit in the two pews directly in front of the Confessional and you may enter when the previous person has finished.
ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Confession is available Saturdays from 3:15-3:45pm.
Confessional is located to the right as you enter the church from the main entrance. There is a standing sign that says “Confessional” at the corner.
As always, if these times are not convenient, it has been a considerable time since your last confession, or if you have something more sensitive to discuss that would take more time, please feel free to call St. Mary’s Rectory to schedule a convenient time with one of the priests. (860) 666-1591
What is the significance of rose-colored vestments for this [4th] Sunday [of Lent]?
Thank you for asking! The rose-colored vestments are worn twice a year by priests and deacons, once during the third week of Advent (known as Gaudete Sunday) and again on the fourth Sunday of Lent (known as Laetare Sunday). Both Gaudete and Laetare mean "rejoice" in Latin, and they are the first words used for the Introit (introduction) to Mass on those days. We celebrate these special days with special vestments because those days signify the arrival of two very significant events in our liturgical calendar as a Church; the coming of Christ's birth at Christmas, and the resurrection of our Lord at Easter. May God bless us all this Lent as we anticipate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday!
What does the church believe about the role of mental health in suicide?
Answer: Suicide is one of the hardest things family and friends have to deal with. So many questions and thoughts arise... I didn't see this coming... They seemed fine... I wish I knew... I know they struggled so much... What could we have done? This list goes on. On the part of one who contemplates or actually follows through with suicide, we can only imagine the emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual pain they must be experiencing. Here is a great article written by Fr. William Saunders on the teachings of the Church on suicide:
https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-is-the-churchs-teaching-regarding-suicide/
If anyone you know is struggling with suicide, have them call the ACTION Line at 1-800-467-3135, 24/7 - 365 days of the year
How do you expect to handle the crowd size for the 4PM Christmas Eve mass?
As we get closer to Christmas Eve and have a clearer understanding of what the situation looks like at that time, we will be coming out with guidelines for attending Christmas Eve Masses. As of now, the current Archdiocesan and State of Connecticut limits on attendance are capped at 200 people. We may have to institute a reservation system of some kind, but we will get word out well in advance to let our parishioners know the procedures. As a reminder, one of our 4:00pm Masses will be live-streamed via Facebook and posted later on our parish website.
I know that the church cannot take a position in the election of any candidate and has provided information for people to review. However, my question, if a candidate is "pro-choice" isn't that enough for that person to be disqualified from consideration no matter what other views they have on any other topic, as the killing of innocent children is in direct opposition to one of the most fundamental principles of the Catholic Church. Who cares what position this type of politician has on taxes, school choice, the supreme court etc.
The issue of abortion and respect of life at all stages is of utmost concern to the Church and rightly deserves to be one of the most important issues to consider when trying to make a well-formed decision, whether it be in our own lives, society as a whole, or in our approach to politics. Protection of God's children is often considered the basis of everything else we hold to as a Catholic Christian community, because if we cannot protect those who are unable to protect themselves then the rest of what we stand for may be called into question.
Archbishop Blair recently released a video titled, "Catholic Guide to Voting, 2020." You can view the video by following this link: https://youtu.be/ej6pDnivIdo
When do we get back to going to Mass? It's been way too long. What is being done about that?
Public Mass has resumed as of July 2020. However, the obligation to attend weekend Mass has been suspended through November 2020.
We want to return to celebrating public Masses as much as you do! As of May 19, we have not heard any directives from the Archdiocese of Hartford as to the opening of our churches for the public celebration of Mass. While many of us may be frustrated with the current situation, we also have to recognize that many more are concerned about their wellbeing during this pandemic. Archbishop Blair is in consultation with our state and local governments and we are confident that prudent decisions will be made shortly. As soon as we know anything we'll be sure to let you know. For now, Holy Spirit Church is open every day from 8:00am - 2:30pm for private prayer, and Confession is available by appointment by calling (860) 666-1591... extension 1 for Fr. Shawn or extension 7 for Fr. Josh.
Will we be having outdoor Masses?
Again, as part of the response to the previous question, we are not sure at this point exactly as to how our worship will unfold in the near future until we receive more directives from the Archdiocese of Hartford. Outdoor Masses may be part of the temporary solution, but we do not know for sure. Please continue to check this website as we will be informing you all of developments as we receive word from the Archdiocese. In the meantime, know that our prayers are with you all and please be sure to pray for our parish!
I was baptized within months after I was born. Now that I am "Born Again" do I need to be baptized again in the Holy Spirit?
As Catholics, our usual practice is to baptize infants so that they are welcomed into the fold of the Christian family. As we read in scripture, baptism was practiced by John the Baptist and confirmed as a Sacrament by Jesus Christ when He Himself was baptized. The term "born again" is usually used by our Protestant brothers and sisters in the faith, but there is no need to be baptized again. Once you are baptized, even as an infant, you are eternally welcomed into the beautiful family of Christianity by our Lord!
Can someone get confirmed who is an adult that was not married in the Church? (baptism & communion received)
Absolutely! The best route to confirmation as an adult is through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Deacon Jim Tanguay is the director of our program at Annunciation Parish and he would be glad to help you get the process started. He can be reached by calling the rectory at (860) 666-1591 or via email at [email protected]. We can also explore the possibility of having your marriage blessed by the Church (otherwise called Convalidation).
What is the correct version of the Bible to buy from a store or online?
Finding a good Bible translation can be a daunting task. For Catholics, the two most popular versions are the New American Bible (NAB) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The New American Bible matches most closely with what you hear at Mass, but the NAB and NRSV are great versions, especially the study Bibles. For reference, here are two links to some great study Bibles on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Study-Bible-2011-09-30-Paperback-dp-B01FW69U3O/dp/B01FW69U3O/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1580663988
https://www.amazon.com/HarperCollins-Study-Bible-Revised-Updated/dp/0061228400/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580664035&sr=1-1
Why are Protestants so negative about Mary?
Many people have many different views about Mary, but yes, there can be a misconception that as Catholics we "worship" Mary in the same way we worship Jesus. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Mary always points us in the way of Jesus Christ, our one and only redeemer. The hiccup that some have is the fact that we pray to Mary, which is true. Yes, we pray to Mary, but much in the same way that we ask other people to pray for us. Because we know that Mary is in Heaven with our Lord, we ask her to pray for us, knowing that her only desire is for us to know and experience the love of her son, Jesus Christ. What a beautiful gift it is to have such a loving person praying for us in Heaven!
Please explain what Paul was saying in Romans 3:23-27 and how it applies to us:
Firstly, here is the scripture passage being referenced:
23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation,[a] through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, 26 through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 What occasion is there then for boasting?[b] It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith.[c] (taken from the Bible Gateway at www.biblegateway.com)
Because of original sin, we are all inclined to sin... we have to work at our holiness. Just like anything else that is good and worth obtaining, it takes practice and intentional effort to cultivate holiness in our lives. St. Paul was always very careful to remind people of his time that it was of vital importance to worship in community, or in communion, so that we might be a support to each other in our efforts to align ourselves more with Christ than with the sinful inclinations of our human nature. This still very much applies to us today. Even though our Church isn't perfect, we are still called to worship together so that we can be an inspiration to each other and not have to "go it alone". Verse 27 brings up the age-old argument of faith vs. works as a means of our salvation. While St. Paul is not trying to say one or the other is necessary for our salvation here, it is worth pointing out that works are a result of our faith. What good is our faith if we are practicing it only for our own salvation? We are called to share our faith via works in the great hope that God will work through our efforts to bring the light of the Gospel to all we encounter.
What is the proper way to dispose of last year's palms?
Since the palms were blessed at Palm Sunday, the appropriate way to dispose of palms (along with almost any other blessed object) is either to burn or bury them. If neither option is feasible for you, bring them to the parish and we'll be able to dispose of them in the proper manner.
Did Jesus baptize John after John baptized him?
God certainly places a high emphasis on baptism, as Jesus himself was baptized according to the Gospels. We can't know for sure whether John the Baptist was baptized himself as the Gospels aren't clear on this, but what we do know for sure is that baptism is the Sacrament by which we are claimed by Christ through his own baptism. The purity of the baptismal water is a symbol of our cleansing, but the Sacrament itself is an actual cleansing of original sin.
Are there confession times posted anywhere?
Yes! Confession times are posted on our website as well as our bulletin. 3:00-3:45 on Saturdays at Holy Spirit Church and 3:15-3:45 on Saturdays at St. Mary Church. Of course, you can always call the parish office to schedule a time for confession outside of our regularly-scheduled confessions.
Was there supposed to be a One Minute Reflection in the month of November?
Yes, there was... and December! Unfortunately, Fr. Josh's voice was kidnapped by a cold and we were waiting for its return. Even more unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet... but we posted one for January voice or no voice! We hope you enjoy our reflections, which we hope to be posting much more regularly going forward.
What do you think about people wanting Mary to have the title of "Co-Redemptrix"?
The short answer is there is only one savior and redeemer, and that is Jesus Christ. Not to belittle the role that the Blessed Mother played in bringing Christ into the world, but she in no way ever desired a share in her son's redeeming nature. In fact, Mary only ever points us in the way of her son, Jesus Christ, as our redeemer. Pope Francis recently spoke on this subject, bluntly calling any notion that Mary is a Co-Redemptress as "foolishness." What we do have in Mary, among many other things, is one that prays for us constantly that we might know the true redeeming nature of her son.
What is the history of the St. Michael Prayer?
As many of us are aware, Archbishop Leonard Blair mandated that the St. Michael Prayer be prayed at the end of every Mass in the Archdiocese of Hartford, especially in light of the resurfacing of allegations of abuse within the Church. This is a very powerful prayer to combat the forces of evil. For a brief history of the prayer, we suggest the following link: https://aleteia.org/2017/09/25/the-demonic-vision-that-inspired-the-st-michael-prayer/
What is being done regarding the safety of parishioners in our churches?
In a society where it seems every other day we hear about a mass shooting, the Church has taken a proactive approach to ensure that we respond to unanticipated threats in an appropriate manner. Priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford have been briefed and trained by the Connecticut State Police on ways to recognize and respond to crisis situations. In our own parish we have several retired law enforcement officers that have also been trained in this area that are able to respond should the need ever arise.
We have received numerous questions lately about Confession: What times are they available? Where are they available? Where are the locations of the Confessionals? Hopefully this is helpful to everyone:
HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH
Confession is available Saturdays from 3:00-3:45pm.
Confessional is located in the back of the church next to the cry room.
Take a right as you enter the church and if there are people in line please sit in the two pews directly in front of the Confessional and you may enter when the previous person has finished.
ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Confession is available Saturdays from 3:15-3:45pm.
Confessional is located to the right as you enter the church from the main entrance. There is a standing sign that says “Confessional” at the corner.
As always, if these times are not convenient, it has been a considerable time since your last confession, or if you have something more sensitive to discuss that would take more time, please feel free to call St. Mary’s Rectory to schedule a convenient time with one of the priests. (860) 666-1591
What is the significance of rose-colored vestments for this [4th] Sunday [of Lent]?
Thank you for asking! The rose-colored vestments are worn twice a year by priests and deacons, once during the third week of Advent (known as Gaudete Sunday) and again on the fourth Sunday of Lent (known as Laetare Sunday). Both Gaudete and Laetare mean "rejoice" in Latin, and they are the first words used for the Introit (introduction) to Mass on those days. We celebrate these special days with special vestments because those days signify the arrival of two very significant events in our liturgical calendar as a Church; the coming of Christ's birth at Christmas, and the resurrection of our Lord at Easter. May God bless us all this Lent as we anticipate the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday!
What does the church believe about the role of mental health in suicide?
Answer: Suicide is one of the hardest things family and friends have to deal with. So many questions and thoughts arise... I didn't see this coming... They seemed fine... I wish I knew... I know they struggled so much... What could we have done? This list goes on. On the part of one who contemplates or actually follows through with suicide, we can only imagine the emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual pain they must be experiencing. Here is a great article written by Fr. William Saunders on the teachings of the Church on suicide:
https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-is-the-churchs-teaching-regarding-suicide/
If anyone you know is struggling with suicide, have them call the ACTION Line at 1-800-467-3135, 24/7 - 365 days of the year
How do you expect to handle the crowd size for the 4PM Christmas Eve mass?
As we get closer to Christmas Eve and have a clearer understanding of what the situation looks like at that time, we will be coming out with guidelines for attending Christmas Eve Masses. As of now, the current Archdiocesan and State of Connecticut limits on attendance are capped at 200 people. We may have to institute a reservation system of some kind, but we will get word out well in advance to let our parishioners know the procedures. As a reminder, one of our 4:00pm Masses will be live-streamed via Facebook and posted later on our parish website.
I know that the church cannot take a position in the election of any candidate and has provided information for people to review. However, my question, if a candidate is "pro-choice" isn't that enough for that person to be disqualified from consideration no matter what other views they have on any other topic, as the killing of innocent children is in direct opposition to one of the most fundamental principles of the Catholic Church. Who cares what position this type of politician has on taxes, school choice, the supreme court etc.
The issue of abortion and respect of life at all stages is of utmost concern to the Church and rightly deserves to be one of the most important issues to consider when trying to make a well-formed decision, whether it be in our own lives, society as a whole, or in our approach to politics. Protection of God's children is often considered the basis of everything else we hold to as a Catholic Christian community, because if we cannot protect those who are unable to protect themselves then the rest of what we stand for may be called into question.
Archbishop Blair recently released a video titled, "Catholic Guide to Voting, 2020." You can view the video by following this link: https://youtu.be/ej6pDnivIdo
When do we get back to going to Mass? It's been way too long. What is being done about that?
Public Mass has resumed as of July 2020. However, the obligation to attend weekend Mass has been suspended through November 2020.
We want to return to celebrating public Masses as much as you do! As of May 19, we have not heard any directives from the Archdiocese of Hartford as to the opening of our churches for the public celebration of Mass. While many of us may be frustrated with the current situation, we also have to recognize that many more are concerned about their wellbeing during this pandemic. Archbishop Blair is in consultation with our state and local governments and we are confident that prudent decisions will be made shortly. As soon as we know anything we'll be sure to let you know. For now, Holy Spirit Church is open every day from 8:00am - 2:30pm for private prayer, and Confession is available by appointment by calling (860) 666-1591... extension 1 for Fr. Shawn or extension 7 for Fr. Josh.
Will we be having outdoor Masses?
Again, as part of the response to the previous question, we are not sure at this point exactly as to how our worship will unfold in the near future until we receive more directives from the Archdiocese of Hartford. Outdoor Masses may be part of the temporary solution, but we do not know for sure. Please continue to check this website as we will be informing you all of developments as we receive word from the Archdiocese. In the meantime, know that our prayers are with you all and please be sure to pray for our parish!
I was baptized within months after I was born. Now that I am "Born Again" do I need to be baptized again in the Holy Spirit?
As Catholics, our usual practice is to baptize infants so that they are welcomed into the fold of the Christian family. As we read in scripture, baptism was practiced by John the Baptist and confirmed as a Sacrament by Jesus Christ when He Himself was baptized. The term "born again" is usually used by our Protestant brothers and sisters in the faith, but there is no need to be baptized again. Once you are baptized, even as an infant, you are eternally welcomed into the beautiful family of Christianity by our Lord!
Can someone get confirmed who is an adult that was not married in the Church? (baptism & communion received)
Absolutely! The best route to confirmation as an adult is through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Deacon Jim Tanguay is the director of our program at Annunciation Parish and he would be glad to help you get the process started. He can be reached by calling the rectory at (860) 666-1591 or via email at [email protected]. We can also explore the possibility of having your marriage blessed by the Church (otherwise called Convalidation).
What is the correct version of the Bible to buy from a store or online?
Finding a good Bible translation can be a daunting task. For Catholics, the two most popular versions are the New American Bible (NAB) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The New American Bible matches most closely with what you hear at Mass, but the NAB and NRSV are great versions, especially the study Bibles. For reference, here are two links to some great study Bibles on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Study-Bible-2011-09-30-Paperback-dp-B01FW69U3O/dp/B01FW69U3O/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1580663988
https://www.amazon.com/HarperCollins-Study-Bible-Revised-Updated/dp/0061228400/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580664035&sr=1-1
Why are Protestants so negative about Mary?
Many people have many different views about Mary, but yes, there can be a misconception that as Catholics we "worship" Mary in the same way we worship Jesus. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Mary always points us in the way of Jesus Christ, our one and only redeemer. The hiccup that some have is the fact that we pray to Mary, which is true. Yes, we pray to Mary, but much in the same way that we ask other people to pray for us. Because we know that Mary is in Heaven with our Lord, we ask her to pray for us, knowing that her only desire is for us to know and experience the love of her son, Jesus Christ. What a beautiful gift it is to have such a loving person praying for us in Heaven!
Please explain what Paul was saying in Romans 3:23-27 and how it applies to us:
Firstly, here is the scripture passage being referenced:
23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation,[a] through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, 26 through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 What occasion is there then for boasting?[b] It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith.[c] (taken from the Bible Gateway at www.biblegateway.com)
Because of original sin, we are all inclined to sin... we have to work at our holiness. Just like anything else that is good and worth obtaining, it takes practice and intentional effort to cultivate holiness in our lives. St. Paul was always very careful to remind people of his time that it was of vital importance to worship in community, or in communion, so that we might be a support to each other in our efforts to align ourselves more with Christ than with the sinful inclinations of our human nature. This still very much applies to us today. Even though our Church isn't perfect, we are still called to worship together so that we can be an inspiration to each other and not have to "go it alone". Verse 27 brings up the age-old argument of faith vs. works as a means of our salvation. While St. Paul is not trying to say one or the other is necessary for our salvation here, it is worth pointing out that works are a result of our faith. What good is our faith if we are practicing it only for our own salvation? We are called to share our faith via works in the great hope that God will work through our efforts to bring the light of the Gospel to all we encounter.
What is the proper way to dispose of last year's palms?
Since the palms were blessed at Palm Sunday, the appropriate way to dispose of palms (along with almost any other blessed object) is either to burn or bury them. If neither option is feasible for you, bring them to the parish and we'll be able to dispose of them in the proper manner.
Did Jesus baptize John after John baptized him?
God certainly places a high emphasis on baptism, as Jesus himself was baptized according to the Gospels. We can't know for sure whether John the Baptist was baptized himself as the Gospels aren't clear on this, but what we do know for sure is that baptism is the Sacrament by which we are claimed by Christ through his own baptism. The purity of the baptismal water is a symbol of our cleansing, but the Sacrament itself is an actual cleansing of original sin.
Are there confession times posted anywhere?
Yes! Confession times are posted on our website as well as our bulletin. 3:00-3:45 on Saturdays at Holy Spirit Church and 3:15-3:45 on Saturdays at St. Mary Church. Of course, you can always call the parish office to schedule a time for confession outside of our regularly-scheduled confessions.
Was there supposed to be a One Minute Reflection in the month of November?
Yes, there was... and December! Unfortunately, Fr. Josh's voice was kidnapped by a cold and we were waiting for its return. Even more unfortunately, that hasn't happened yet... but we posted one for January voice or no voice! We hope you enjoy our reflections, which we hope to be posting much more regularly going forward.
What do you think about people wanting Mary to have the title of "Co-Redemptrix"?
The short answer is there is only one savior and redeemer, and that is Jesus Christ. Not to belittle the role that the Blessed Mother played in bringing Christ into the world, but she in no way ever desired a share in her son's redeeming nature. In fact, Mary only ever points us in the way of her son, Jesus Christ, as our redeemer. Pope Francis recently spoke on this subject, bluntly calling any notion that Mary is a Co-Redemptress as "foolishness." What we do have in Mary, among many other things, is one that prays for us constantly that we might know the true redeeming nature of her son.
What is the history of the St. Michael Prayer?
As many of us are aware, Archbishop Leonard Blair mandated that the St. Michael Prayer be prayed at the end of every Mass in the Archdiocese of Hartford, especially in light of the resurfacing of allegations of abuse within the Church. This is a very powerful prayer to combat the forces of evil. For a brief history of the prayer, we suggest the following link: https://aleteia.org/2017/09/25/the-demonic-vision-that-inspired-the-st-michael-prayer/
What is being done regarding the safety of parishioners in our churches?
In a society where it seems every other day we hear about a mass shooting, the Church has taken a proactive approach to ensure that we respond to unanticipated threats in an appropriate manner. Priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford have been briefed and trained by the Connecticut State Police on ways to recognize and respond to crisis situations. In our own parish we have several retired law enforcement officers that have also been trained in this area that are able to respond should the need ever arise.
