Some states have “dying with dignity” laws. Can you please explain the Catholic Church’s teaching on physician assisted suicide?

It took me several hours to read the new encyclical letter of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, after it was published on Oct. 4. In case you’re wondering about the word “encyclical,” it refers to a letter which is circulated to many people. In case you’re wondering about the title of the letter, it is Italian for “brothers all.”

What does the church teach about physics, mediums, tarot cards, and Ouija boards?

The key to apostolate is to perceive our mission field in our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, workplaces, schools, political arena, extended family, and friendships. Grace builds on nature so the more natural the relationship with individuals, the better we are able to minister to them. If people do not know us, how can they trust us? If they cannot trust us, how can they listen to and hear us?

I am considering donating my body to medical science following my death and then having the remains cremated for eventual burial. What is the Catholic Church’s position regarding these procedures?
— Diana in Petersburg

Hey, Father! How can I turn everyday problems into moments of grace?

— Drew in Springfield

It happens every 12 years.

Our three-year cycle of Sunday readings and our four-year election cycle line up so that, on a Sunday just a few weeks before a presidential election — that is, this weekend — we have before us the Gospel of Caesar’s Coin (Matthew 22: 15-21).

Can I have both fear and faith?

— Amber in Springfield

Spiritual directors and spiritual mentors can mistakenly assume they must have all of the answers before engaging others in their apostolate. This is not true for the following reasons:

 A recent column concerning divorce and declarations of nullity of marriage prompts this question: What about a practicing Catholic who divorces, has the prior marriage declared null, and then marries a divorced non-Catholic who decides they aren’t ready/comfortable with submitting the past marriage to a Catholic legal process? Is the Catholic still able to participate in the sacramental life of the church?

— Anonymous in our diocese

In my senior English class at Decatur St. Teresa High School (1974-1975), we read A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor. It did not go over well. For one thing, there is some really shocking violence. For another, there did not seem to be any sympathetic characters.

What happens if the Eucharist touches the floor?
— Maria Anna in Jacksonville

Whether through simple inattentiveness or by way of a genuine accident, it sometimes happens that a consecrated Host falls to the ground or that a chalice with the Precious Blood is dropped or spilled. In such a situation, what is one to do?

The 2020 Catechetical Sunday theme is taken from St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, “I Received from the Lord what I also Handed on to You.” This theme focuses on the essential work of catechesis, which is an invitation to a whole new life given by Christ himself. It emphasizes that living faith necessitates movement, inspiring all those who hear the Word to share it as witnesses of the true and living God.

The church looks at evangelization as a process. The first goal of this process is to set hearts on fire with the spoken Word. Early Christians called this spoken Word the kerygma (ki-rig-muh). The Holy Spirit gives power to the kerygma or spoken Word through the teaching and preaching that inspires and conforms lives to the Gospel message. The second goal, after this conversion experience, is when the soul realizes a new power within to change and love Christ more deeply. The soul is now ready to learn and gain knowledge of the faith which is called catechesis.

After absolution during confession and have completed our penance, are we completely sinless at that time and point?

— Mike in Ramsey

Traveling on Interstate 55 between Springfield and St. Louis, the motorist sees the sign indicating the “Mother Jones Monument” at exit 44 in Mount Olive.

Mother Jones? Isn’t that a magazine?

How does a person know they have committed a sin of gluttony? If a person is satisfied after a first helping of food and eats a second helping because the food tastes good is that gluttony?

— Ellen in Springfield

Before Christ ascended into heaven, he spoke these final words to his Apostles: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)

Here are some follow-ups from the previous column:

Someone in our diocese has contacted me regarding the anti-racism team of the Illinois Conference of Churches. I hope that, in a later column, I can report on our activity.

No sooner did I write, joking about anti-racism activists and our need for superhero suits, than I discovered that DC Comics has published a young-adult graphic novel called Superman Smashes the Klan! We cannot forget that the story of the Man of Steel himself contains the theme of his being “alien” and “other.”

Why do Catholics baptize infants? Why can’t the child grow up and decide for himself or herself?

—Aaron

Some ask, “What do I talk about?” Anything can be a topic of conversation: difficulties in prayer, temptations, struggles with good or evil desires, victories or defeats, noble aspirations, worries, joys, sorrows, defects, and sins. In addition, struggles with work, ministry, family, friends, or social relations are subjects for discussion in spiritual direction.

I read with great interest the new assignments for many of our priests in our dioceses (effective July 1), along with the titles: dean, parochial administrator, pastor, rector, parochial vicar and pastor emeritus. It’s all “Father” to me. Would you please explain these different titles and responsibilities?

— MaryBeth in Pittsfield

The Glory Be prayer is hundreds of years old. The author did not know that the world will end when the sun goes nova in a few billion years, reducing earth to a burnt-out cinder. The last line is “world without end.” Why don’t they change it to maybe “heaven without end”?

— Tom in Granite City

“We really ought to have superhero suits,” I have joked to fellow members of my ecumenical anti-racism team. I was trained in 2005 and 2006 to serve on a team called Illinois Christians Encountering Racism, part of the Illinois Conference of Churches. Our current membership is scattered widely across the state. We would love to have the power to convene a meeting by flying to some central location. We settle for audio and video conferencing.

The distinction between a spiritual director and a spiritual mentor is that a director must have a master’s degree in a field related to theology. A mentor must be certified to serve as guide and companion to others on their journey to holiness. In both cases, the director and mentor must be loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church because sound doctrine is essential. One who disobeys the teachings of Christ is a dangerous and unreliable guide. As Jesus taught, “When the blind lead the blind, they both fall into a pit” (Mt 15:14).

In the Creed we recite, “He rose again from the dead.” This seems to indicate that he rose before? Can you clarify?

— David in Jacksonville

Can Catholics practice yoga?

— Tessie in Effingham

I suspect that many of us, although we are finding plenty to keep us occupied during our time at home, are coming up with lists of things we want to do when it will be possible to circulate socially again.

There are people who are trained and are competent to assist us as we journey in conforming our lives to God’s perfect will. We should seek wise counsel because the challenges are too numerous for us to journey alone.

In the Gospel of Mark 10:17, a role example of director/directee takes place:

• A man runs up to Jesus. (the necessity of spiritual direction)
• He kneels down in front of Jesus. (humility)
• He asks Jesus’ assistance. (docility)
• “Good teacher,” he says. (recognition of the primary director of the soul)
• “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (desire to obey)
• Unfortunately, the rich young man goes away sad because he is unwilling to undertake the necessary task of self-denial that Jesus offers to him.

Thomas Merton wrote, “The spiritual director is concerned with the whole person, for the spiritual life is not just the life of the mind, or of the affections, or of the ‘summit of the soul’—it is the life of the whole person … a spiritual director is, then, one who helps another to recognize and to follow the inspirations of grace in their life.”

The role of a spiritual director/mentor is focused on a person’s growth in holiness. The spiritual director/mentor is a voice of objectivity, a neutral set of eyes and ears to help a person discern God’s will and to grow in virtue and faith. Once these principles become integrated into a person’s heart and soul, the faith journey becomes the path to a deeper relationship with God bestowing endless grace and blessings. A good analogy is that of a piano teacher: the pupil may feel burdened by the rules and regulations governing their instrument. The teacher may seem authoritarian at first, but as these rules become integrated into good musical habits, the pupil is freed to become an artist!

What spiritual direction is not

Dealing with moral and spiritual matters are the proper domain for spiritual direction. It is not the proper arena to deal with or seek to resolve relational, psychological and mental issues. These cases should seek assistance from therapy and counselling.

Next time — Qualities of a spiritual director