Catholic Answers Live

If the writings of the Church Fathers aren’t part of the Bible, why do they matter? We explore their authority and role in understanding the faith, plus tackle questions about God’s omniscience, Eucharistic miracles, and why Mary doesn’t appear more often in Scripture. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:15 – I constantly hear that God knows everything that’s going to happen, but in the Old Testament He changed His mind. It sounds like a contradiction. 10:02 – How seriously should I take the ancient church fathers given that they are not sacred scripture? 13:50 – How do I get atheists/agnostics to recognize the bible as a legitimate source? 16:00 – On the assumption that God is all-powerful, merciful, etc. Then why would he make us if he knew we were going to go through all this suffering and anguish? 22:52 – Is heaven empty until Jesus returns? If not, then how can Catholics believe that we all go to sleep and enter heaven until the second coming? 30:59 – In the Our Father, what is the true meaning of” thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?” 35:14 – How is it possible for Satan to stand in the presence of God in Job if evil can’t withstand the presence of God? 41:00 – Why doesn’t Mary appear more in the Bible for all the reverence we give her? 46:01 – Debating with a Christian who claims Eucharistic miracles are demonic; how do I respond to them? 51:46 – Why should I care if there is a God?

Many Marian prayers mention having “recourse” to her—but where does that phrase come from, and is it something Catholics are required to believe? We explore its origin and meaning, plus questions on Mary’s titles, Christ’s conception, and the early practice of the sign of the cross. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:44 – Many prayers to Mary say we have recourse to her. What is the origin of that? Is it required to believe that?  08:12 – In the liturgy it says that Christ was conceived through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Doesn’t the bible say “the most high” overshadowed her?  12:30 – How can Mary be both the spouse of Joseph and the spouse of the Holy Spirit? It’s kind of uncomfortable to hear that.  17:14 – When CCC 674 says Jesus won’t come back until he is recognized by “all of Israel,” who are they talking about?  23:21 – How early on did the practice of making the sign of the cross happen?  28:39 – Why do we withhold the Eucharist from adults up until confirmation?  33:33 – If you forget to confess sins during confession are they absolved or is it a valid confession?  37:50 – When we are in heaven do we reflect on our lives on earth?  42:55 – What are your thoughts on children marrying someone who’s not Catholic?  46:31 – I’m Catholic but this is a question that I get from atheists: Why did God create us in the first place?  50:02 – How do I talk to a very combative protestant who demonizes everything the Church teaches? 

Are we responsible for staying silent when others sin? We explore what Scripture says, plus why some parishes don’t offer the chalice, how to pray for a seriously ill loved one, and the meaning of “action follows being” in Thomistic philosophy. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 02:44 – Where does it say in the bible that we would be culpable if we don’t speak up against someone else’s sin? 10:57 – Do you think the people present at the Tower of Babel were different races? 24:18 – Why do some parishes not offer the chalice during communion? 35:00 – What type of novena or sacrifice should I be doing for my very ill 27-year-old daughter? 50:58 – What evidence do we have for the Thomistic principle of action following being?

What exactly is a Pride Mass, and does it meet the requirements of a valid Catholic Mass? We break it down and also tackle topics like abstaining from meat, Mary’s need for a Savior, and the authority of Scripture in Catholic teaching. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 05:16 – Do arguments for the resurrection work? 12:59 – Is there a difference in worshipping Jesus and God the Father? 17:20 – I’m a convert from Orthodoxy. Were my confessions as an Orthodox considered valid now that I’m Catholic? 21:34 – I went to confession and got my sins absolved. What happened to my soul? 29:30 – Are children required to abstain from meat during lent? Are we adults supposed to abstain from meat on non-lent Fridays? 35:07 – Why did Mary need a savior? 43:20 – What is a pride mass? Is it a valid mass? If not, why is it allowed? 47:09 – Do we believe in scripture as being the final authority since we always refer to it as evidence?

Some claim Jesus was Muslim, but what does history—and Jesus’ own words—actually show? We break down how to respond to this argument and also explore topics like Halloween costumes, the woman in Revelation 12, sacred art, and purgatory. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 13:36 – Toddler wants to dress up as a witch for Halloween, is it ok, would like more clarification on what the church teaches? 20:16 – Sheol is hell not Purgatory, could clarify this statement? 24:10 – I run into folks who argue that Jesus was Muslim, I attempt to tell them he was not, that Jesus was of Jewish descent. How can I more adequately speak to them? 30:18 – Revelation 12, who is the woman, and passage regarding birth pangs and representing Mary? And is it ok to interpret the woman as representing the Church and not Mary? 36:45 – Why in sacred images is God the Father sometimes depicted with a body when scripture says he has no body 42:05 – Travels for work, attends Latin Mass and sees a lot of young people at Mass, would like Joe’s thoughts on why that is 49:16 – How does purgatory relate to plenary indulgences? 50:48 – My daughter passed away 3 years ago. She professed being a Christian on her deathbed. Was this enough?

Is it valid or even permissible to attend a Mass led by an excommunicated priest or bishop? We explore this complex issue and also dive into questions on Mary’s perpetual virginity, altar calls at Pentecostal services, and the meaning behind “baptism for the dead.” Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:55 – My wife is Pentecostal and I attend early morning Mass and then Pentecostal service with wife and children I want to know if it is ok  to go up to altar call with my wife and children?  14:53 – How to refute quantum mechanics disproving the Aristotelian proof of God and Causality  18:22 – Perpetual Vigirnity of Mary. Is it reasonable to think that St. Joseph did not know that Mary had taken a vow of Virginity?  24:30 – St. Paul, scripture, baptism for the dead, he has a theory of what it means, wants to get Joe’s take…He thinks baptism for those who are dead in their sin  32:50 – Why does St. Paul go against the Council of Jerusalem when he says some Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols?  36:25 – Can I attend a Mass that is being celebrated by an excommunicated priest or bishop?  42:41 – Mary’s role as intercessor in light of Lukes passages on sword piercing her soul, and the Magnificat.  47:04 – Girlfriend died 3 years ago, he led her to Christ, wants to know if he can still pray to her, even though she may be in Purgatory, and can he ask her to pray for him  52:04 – Calling back with follow-up question, his wife does not want the kids baptized in the Catholic Church. Should he still passively participate? 

Some claim Catholic practices resemble idol worship—but is that true? Joe Heschmeyer explores the distinction, along with the role of Marian dogmas, the qualifications to be an altar server, and advice for those returning to the Catholic faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:51 – I’m in OCIA. What are the qualifications to be a server at the altar?  13:28 – I’m returning to the Catholic Faith. Do I still proceed to return or wait until I clear up my lack of understanding?  24:09 – I’m a convert. How is what we do, not considered idol worship?  37:14 – What is the relevance of Marian dogmas for Christians? 

Struggling with scrupulosity and unsure how it fits within the Catholic faith? Joe Heschmeyer explores how to navigate this challenge, along with preparing for OCIA, understanding the Eucharist in John 6, and the biblical basis for praying to saints. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 10:51 – I’m looking into Catholicism. What should I be doing in preparation for starting OCIA classes? 29:33 – I’ve been told that I have really bad scrupulosity, and I don’t see how that is compatible with Catholicism. 38:30 – Are Catholics wrong about the Eucharist because of John 6:60-63? 41:51 – I’m in OCIA. What do candidates do if they sin since they can’t go to confession? 46:35 – Why do Catholics pray to the saints? Is there a scriptural basis for it?

If Christ is our sole mediator, why does the Church encourage prayer to saints? We explore the biblical foundation for intercession, along with Catholic teaching on mediums, Purgatory, and receiving glorified bodies in Heaven. Questions Covered: 07:21 – What is the Catholic stand about mediums? 15:29 – Can we speak to people in the past in any other way apart from pagan means? 18:57 – Why do we pray to Saints when Jesus says there is only one intercessor? 37:27 – Did Pope John Paul II originate the idea of receiving our glorified bodies in Heaven? 47:00 – Can you explain what Purgatory is like for people? Can you pray for yourself in Purgatory

Many employers struggle to find skilled and confident young workers—Jacob Imama, Founder of the College of St. Joseph the Worker explores why this is happening. We explore the challenges in hiring today’s workforce, along with advice for carpenters on pricing their work, words of encouragement for tradesmen, and biblical insights on land surveying. Questions Covered: 20:11 – 45-year machinist wants to give Jacob words of encouragement and is thrilled about the College of St. Joseph the Worker.   28:20 – I am a carpenter who just started my own business. How do I appropriately price my work for clients, so it is fair but also takes care of my family?   32:24 – I find it hard to find and hire capable young men. Boys and young men just don’t seem confident to learn or try.    41:41 – What are your thoughts on the practice of land surveying as it appears in the bible?