Father Simon Says

Acts 5:17-26 What is heresy?  Jn 3:16-21 Is the Trinity actually easy to understand?  Letters Father comments on the need for silence before mass Listener thanks Father for his priesthood and comments on the structure of priesthood Word of the Day: Sad​ducees Callers  My father was cremated.  Could I put him in a Church, is that considered a sacred place? Why in the scriptures does it say those who love the world will lose it and those who hate the world will find everlasting life.  Yet, God so loved the world.

Acts 4:32-37 What's the multitude of believers? Jn 3:7b-15 What does it actually mean to be born again?  Letters: What is the Tenebrae service?  What's Father's take on Ez 20?  Father talks about praying the rosary during Lent and Easter Word of the Day: pneuma Callers: My Serbian Orthodox boyfriend proposed to me and how would a mixed marriage, as I'm Catholic. I'm thinking about becoming Catholic and starting to pray the rosary, but getting distracted and I would like helpful hints for prayer

1 Pt 5:5b-14 What does it really mean to be holy?  Mk 16:15-20 Was Mark a witness to the Garden of Gethsemane?  Letters Are LGBT persons doomed to go to hell? (A Dear Abby re-print) I'm a father of 7 children and the youngest child suffered abuse on the Internet; he's now struggling with shame.  I was going to have chicken flavored pasta on a Friday; is that ok?  Did Mary have any other children?  Word of the Day: Confirming Callers  What is the Greek equivalent for the phrase in the Bible,  'I am a Jealous God?' I visited a traditional parish that didn't celebrate Divine Mercy; is it SSPX? Does salvation come through the Catholic Church only?

Acts 4:1-12 Fr. Simon talks about the High Priestly Class during the Apostles' time and also the struggle between Church and State Letters What were Messianic Expectations of the Jewish people at the time of Christ? Question about ashes in Esther and Maccabees and if related to Ash Wednesday   Words of the Day:  Didymus Children 153  Callers:  Is it okay to do the stations of the cross on the Friday of Easter week? What if I don't have any mortal sins to confess for confession when during Divine Mercy Sunday? Should I go to confession? Does God's love apply to the fallen Angels? Who else talked about the devil being the greatest trick? Is keeping Cremated remains in my home a sin?

Lk 24:35-48 Why don't Catholics follow the totality of the Law of Moses? Letters Why does the priest break the host during the consecration?  Letter from listener who came back to the faith Can I participate Reiki?  Words of the Day:  Restoration Refreshment Callers:  My girlfriend enrolled into RCIA and I'd like to thank Fr. Simon because he had some advice.   How do I get the Ouiji out of my house? A relative wants to keep it here and it's making me sick. If there are souls in purgatory, how do we know if we have family members there? My sister said you can go to to communion, as long as you go to confession, I disagreed.  How do I answer her? Caller disagrees with Fr. Simon about Reiki 

Acts 3:1-10 What is the significance of the 3rd hour?  Lk 24:13-35 Father breaks down the Road to Emmaus Letters What is the origin of the Stations of the Cross?  Question about marriage and holy communion Word of the day: Astonishment!   Callers In Luke 16: What does Jesus mean by making friends with unrighteous riches? Is there a difference between Satan and the Devil? Adventists say Jesus didn't convert water to wine, but how do I respond to that?

Acts 2:36-41 What does it mean that 'God made Jesus Lord?' Father discusses and the power of suffering Letters In St. Faustina's Diary, she reveals a confession--isn't that just for sins?  Listener disagrees with Father's desire for older altar servers Word of the Day: Don't touch me!  Callers: Why can't Catholics have their ashes scattered? Is it okay to have a statue of the Lamb on the altar? Can a Catholic get buried in a non-Catholic cemetery and can Catholics attend the service? Does a priest need to have a stole on when doing confession? How should we approach praying at abortion clinics and confronting with people who are being loud and abrasive toward abortion workers and women getting abortions?

Mt 28:8-15 The Gospel seems so implausible, but Father says it's quite believable (he tells the story of the Shroud of Turin) Letters Father talks about a letter from Charles Colson Why do the Greek Christians make the sign of the cross differently?  Jeff has an idea to get people to pray the rosary more Father reads a question about Mary and sitting Shiva What are the steps in forgiveness? Word of the day: high priest Callers  Do angels have creative powers?  Question about Devine Mercy Novena - I missed a day. Did I mess it up? Also, I'm praying online with a group that prays it a bit differently. Is that okay? How do we know that Christ descended into hell and what is the purpose of that? Can I receive communion without going to confession?

Jn 18:1—19:42 Father explains the Psalm Christ quotes on the cross Letters What is Mollinism? Should animals be in the sanctuary?  Are there references to 'Sons of God' in the OT? Word of the Day: Truth Callers:   Was there a Hell in the Old Testament? Question about the first reading at the Mass of the Lord's Supper, and when Passover is celebrated vs Rosh Hashana. Is there a secular writing about Jesus within the first 600 years after he died and rose?

Verse Before the Gospel Father explains what real love is Jn 13:1-15 Father explains the dynamics of the Passover meal Letters Father answers a question about where to put the Eucharist When I go to confession, my priest absolves me from my sins, but doesn't give me a penance, is my confession complete?  Word of the Day: Remembrance  Callers How did the practice of the Seven Churches start?  Did Judas go to hell?  Is the Catholic Church the only way to salvation?

Mt 26:14-25 How could Judas abandon Jesus?  Letters  Daniel asks about a bruised reed Ana Maria writes in about Jesus exposing Judas as betrayer Listener asks about the vengeance of God Word of the Day: You said so Callers What is the meaning of the word GOD when in all caps as opposed to just 'God' in the Bible.  Also how about lower case 'lord' Could there be reversed transubstantiation? How do we know that Jesus was in the cistern the whole night, when that's not mentioned in the Bible How do we deal with questions from Protestants?  Comment: What Judas did had to happen or there wouldn't be salvation; is that wrong?  Prayer to St. Michael, and say 'cast unto hell Satan'.  wouldn't be better to pray for Satan or is he a lost cause?  

Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Father shares his controversial take on today's Gospel  Letters Can I receive communion 2x in a day?  Listener writes in about Joseph's story--who sold whom to whom?  Did the Pope campaign to be elected Pope?  Word of the Day: Vanity  Callers When I go to confession now, do I need to say those sins I said a couple years when I didn't receive absolution?  If Jesus loved Judas, why did he call him the devil? 

Is 42:1-7 Did Jesus bring justice to the nations?  Jn 12:1-11 Why is beautify important?  Letters Is there any Catholic understanding that human beings are co-creators with God?  When we die are we judged right away or when Jesus comes again?  Word of the Day: Nard Callers  I'm having trouble with my wife, she cheated on me twice, many years ago and I struggle w/hurt and pain.  I love her more than ever.  How to get over My wife is Orthodox and my son is an Orthodoxic priest.  Why do they do sign of cross they way they do, and why is it called divine liturgy with eastern Christians and the Mass here? Is there a patron saint for those going through divorce, but want the marriage to be saved?

Jer 20:10-13 Why does God give strict laws in the Old Testament?  Jn 10:31-42 What kind of faith are we supposed to have?  Letters Anna Maria writes about the book Exodus, that she rea Listener asks about a supposed quotation from Mother Teresa Father gives advice to someone whose priest isn't using wine at Mass (who called into the Patrick Madrid Show).  Word of the Day:  Scripture   Callers Can one do confession on the radio?  What is mortal sin where I need to go to confession? Can I be on an exercise bike while I am praying the rosary? Or is that wrong?

Gn 17:3-9 Was Abraham Jewish?  Jn 8:51-59 What's God's nature?  Letters:  My priest has been reducing masses and eliminating confession--what is going on?  Word of the Day: Passion Callers: Is the promised land that God promised Abraham the same land that Moses was leading the Israelites towards? Did ancient Israelites keep stones around?  I heard that the Catholic wasn't started till the 4th century. Is that right?

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 How much is too much in cultural adaptation? Jn 8:31-42 To we follow the Lord only for ourselves?  Letters Can Father explain, 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  Reader writes in asking about fasting rules  Word of the day: Bagpipe  Callers Who is in the Sanhedrin? What is the connection of the tree of life and the cross of Christ?  Can I get a source that talks about folding your hands in prayer? I asked my priest and he told me to call RR.

Nm 21:4-9 What is a saraph serpent? Father explains  Jn 8:21-30 Father explains why the Gospel of John is so obscure Letters What was it about the way Jesus spoke that made people believe in him?  Father revisits a question about religious education and the sacraments  Word of the Day: I AM Callers: What is legally require Catholics to do on Good Friday? Are they able to go to work on this day? Can people in Purgatory pray for each other while there?

Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 What's the point of today's reading? Father explains the twelve tribes Jn 8:12-20 Where does Jesus manifest who he is?  Letters Our parish doesn't have a youth group, and my child wants to go to the Lutheran youth group. What should I do? Word of the day: Susanna Callers I am discussing marriage with my boyfriend, who is not Catholic. How can I help his family understand the reality of my Catholic faith? What are the main topics of the Old Testament? When should we do Catechesis for those receiving sacraments in the spring? 

Wis 2:1a, 12-22 Is Wisdom a book of lesser value?  Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?  Letters What makes Catholics so special compared to other religions?  Word of the Day: Greek Callers: Why doesn't the Catholic church let priests marry? Does April Fool's day have a religious connection or origin? I saw a video arguing against Catholicism. They presented it as grace being handed out piecemeal; how do I respond to that?

Ex 32:7-14 What was the purpose of the Golden Calf?  Jn 5:31-47 Father talks about the nature of authority  Letters Question about the bishop's liturgical garments during mass Did Mary have a virgin birth?  Who were the thieves that died next to Jesus Word of the day: Wrath  Callers Can you tell me more about Opus Dei? Do you need to enter holy orders to become a saint? Our Director of Religious Education is not doing his job well, how can I address this?