How can I get more out of Mass while wrangling with kids?

As a parent, I find it really difficult to get anything out of Mass when I have to wrangle and take care of my kids through it all. Sometimes it seems like it would just be better to stay home; I don’t get anything out of it, and it seems like they don’t either. I usually end up feeling defeated. What should I do?

By |2025-01-09T19:06:05+00:00September 1, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on How can I get more out of Mass while wrangling with kids?

Aren’t the bishops politicizing the Eucharist?

I am troubled by news that the bishops of the United States might ban politicians who are openly pro-abortion from receiving Holy Communion. Isn’t this politicizing the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist for one’s own ends? I thought that the Eucharist was meant to be “medicine for those who are sick.”

By |2025-01-09T19:06:16+00:00August 4, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on Aren’t the bishops politicizing the Eucharist?

What to do when complaining takes hold of you

I’ve noticed something about myself. I used to be someone who occasionally complained, but recently I’ve realized that I am constantly complaining about one thing or another. I seem to be able to find something to be upset about in every situation and with every piece of news I come across. What do I do?

By |2025-01-09T19:06:26+00:00June 30, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on What to do when complaining takes hold of you

How do I support my seminarian ex-boyfriend?

I am a young woman who was dating a terrific young man. Things were going along really well for us when he broke up with me because he believed that he needed to enter seminary and discern whether or not God is calling him to be a priest. I want to support him, but I’m not sure how.

By |2025-01-09T19:15:09+00:00May 6, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on How do I support my seminarian ex-boyfriend?

Does God just coerce people into following him?

I have recently been reading the Old Testament and have encountered some things that have troubled me. Among them is the way God talks about blessing those who obey him and cursing those who disobey him. I much prefer the New Testament and how Jesus reveals that God is love and calls us to love him. This just seems like God is coercing people into following him. What do I do?

By |2025-01-09T19:15:29+00:00April 6, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on Does God just coerce people into following him?