6th graders ?s -- warning, only for those curious about us Catholics

[RJT]

I help out in our parish, mostly finance committee -things like that. I received this e-mail (edited) from our pastor today. I thought I would post it here, so those not familiar with our religion would get some insight into some “elementary” ways of our Faith. I think if you make it through this some of you might be surprised to find us different than how you might have imagined. Especially questions # 4,5,7,10,11,12,13,22,24.

"Recently, our students from Grade Six of … School wrote some questions to me. I
intend to meet with that class on Friday, September 23rd. Their questions are interesting.
I am happy to answer them. Here is a look at their questions & my answers. Enjoy!

From the desk of Father Larry …, Pastor

September 22, 2005

Dear Friends,

The sixth graders at …recently presented some questions for me to answer. Here are their questions and here my answers:

1. Q. When was our church built?

A. In 1923 and 1924.

2. Q. What is Father Larry’s favorite
sport?

A. Baseball.

3. Q. Where did Father Larry go to college?
…

4. Q. What does Revelation 13 mean?

A. Revelation is the last book in the New
Testament. 13 is the 13th chapter. The Book
of Revelation uses much symbolic language. It is
an example of apocalyptic literature. It is about
the first beast symbolizing the Roman empire and
the seven heads symbolize the emperors. The
second beast is about false prophets. Followers
of Jesus who lived during the time of
persecutions had difficult choices to make –
either worship Jesus or the emperor.

5. Q. What is Father Larry’s opinion of
the death penalty?

A. I am against it. The Catholic Church is
against it, too.

6. Q. Why do we have pictures of Bible
stories on the windows of the church?

A. These stories were very important for the
people who built our church.
The stories are important for us, too. Showing
the stories on beautiful windows helps us think
about the stories and helps us think about God.

7. Q. If you are fasting and you chew gum,
is it breaking your fast?

A. No, but nobody should ever chew gum in church.

8. Q. How many priests have we had
throughout the church’s history?

A. More than I can count in the Church throughout
the world. At our parish, we’ve had about 34 through the
years. This includes Pastors and
Assistant or Associate Pastors plus some priests
who were temporary
Administrators.

9. Q. How old is our Parish?

A. It will be 100 years old in 2006.

10. Q. Does God let us forgive whenever
we want to?

A. God hopes that we’ll choose to forgive instead
of choosing to be unforgiving. It isn’t always easy to
forgive. We need to pray that God
will help us forgive. Sometimes, it takes
us a while to forgive. We have to keep trying to forgive, with God’s
help.

11. Q. Does Father Larry like President
Bush?

A. It is important for us to pray for our
leaders, no matter who they are.


12. Q. Does Father Larry think the
President is doing the right thing in Iraq?

A. I don’t have the same information the
President has available to him, so
it is difficult to answer that question. I do
believe we need to pray for peace everywhere.


13. Q. Does Father Larry think we are
doing the right thing in New Orleans?

A. I hope and pray that some very knowledgeable
people do everything possible to make intelligent
plans to help that city rebuild.

14. Q. Did you always want to be a
priest?

A. I thought about it when
I was young. I wasn’t always sure this was what
I should do. It became clearer to me as time passed.


21. Q. Have the Browns ever made it to the
Super Bowl?

A. They won NFL Championships before the game was
named the Super Bowl. The last time they won the
NFL Championship was in 1964. The Browns never
won a Super Bowl. The only way members of the
team ever made it to a Super Bowl game was if
someone gave them a ticket or they bought one.

22. Q. Is taking steroids a sin?

A. If we are not as respectful to our bodies as
we should be, it is sinful.
Taking steroids according to a doctor’s orders
for health reasons
is not sinful.

24. Q. How often does Father Larry believe
athletes should be tested for drugs?

A. I believe a panel of doctors who are more
qualified than I am should help
answer that question.


27. Q. Can a person chew gum & still
receive Communion?

A. People should not chew gum in church.

28. Q. How long ago was Jesus crucified?

A. Nearly 2000 years ago. Remember, He rose from
the dead on the Third Day!


34. Q. I think we should have a
celebration for the 100th Anniversary of the
Parish.

A. I agree. That’s why we had an Ice Cream
Social on 9-11-2005. There
will be more celebrations. Keep reading the
church bulletin, please.

35. Q. I think we should raise funds for
hurricane victims.

A. I agree. We’ve raised some funds. We should
raise more. How will you do it? Send donations
to Hurricane Victim Assistance, Catholic
Charities…

36. Q. Who pays for all the furnishings in the
church?

A. Good people who contribute to the church. We
need offerings to provide furnishings, maintain
the property & buildings, pay people who work at
the church & school, pay utilities, and to do all
the work of the church and the school. We depend
on the loving generosity of people. We need
you!

I hope everyone learned some interesting things
by reading the questions and answers. I enjoyed
this, & I hope you did, too!

Your friend,

Father Larry..."

RJT