Father Simon Says

Acts 13:13-25 What does it mean to be born from water and wind? Letters Jeff asks for prayers for his son What do I do if I'm struggling to listen to both the Church and my husband? Is lying always a mortal sin? Erin enjoyed what Father said about notional faith? Word of the Day: Men Callers Could the thorn in Paul's side have been blindness or visual impairment? What is the kabbalah?

Acts 12:24—13:5a Where was the first chancery office? Jn 12:44-50 What's the main benefit to being a Christian? Letters Do we respond to the priest at mass when he says alleluia? Listener disagrees with Fr. Simon's take on altar servers Word of the Day: Synagogue Callers Why does Apostles Creed use 'creator' and Nicene creed says 'Maker' If Father wants beauty, maybe we should go back to the...

Acts 11:19-26 What's Hanukkah? Father Simon explains Jn 10:22-30 What does it mean that Jesus and the Father are one? Letters Listener has a question about the TV show, 'The Chosen' Do Josephite marriages in modern times? Listener writes in about women who celebrate abortions Ashley Judd wore a green scapular, but she supported abortion in the past; can someone who is pro-choice become a Catholic?...

Acts 11:1-18 Who was a Centurian and why was he important?  Letters Father receives a question about abortion  Did Judas go to hell?  What is a novena?  Word of the day: Discriminating  Callers What does one do with Easter Candles that are half used?  And what does Father think of crosses with the resurrected Christ?  Why are young people attracted to Christianit...

Father discusses the recent Supreme Court draft on abortion Acts 8:26-40 We're comfortable with structure, but are we comfortable with miracles? Jn 6:44-51 Father talks about the connection between today's Gospel and the Eucharist Letters Father answers a question about, judgement St. Paul and the angels Do we receive God in the Eucharist? Word of the Day: Chariot Callers Can I consecrate my marri...

Acts 8:1b-8 Father explains the first persecution of the Church  Jn 6:35-40 What do Jesus' words "I will not reject anyone who comes to me" mean?  Letters Can we have bells during Lent?  Does Jesus reference the Eucharist when he says 'Feed my sheep?' What happened the Pharisees that called for Jesus' death?  Word of the day: Unclean Callers So should I go to my godson's weddin...

1 Cor 15:1-8 What does it mean to say the Creed?  Jn 14:6-14 Father talks about what it actually means to do something in the name of Jesus  Letters Father reads a letter about apostrophe rules in the English language  Reader asks about the wound in Jesus' side Why does Father say 'take what I say this a grain of salt?' Is morbid obesity sinful?  Why wasn't Mary stoned to death...

Acts 6:8-15 Father talks about the reality of miracles  Jn 6:22-29 Father talks about the difficulty of trust Last Sunday's Sunday's Gospel: Father explains the different words for love Letters Is it OK to use an iPad to follow along with the readings?  If God has accepted the death of Jesus, why do RR hosts pray that God would accept the payment of Jesus on the cross?  Word of the...

Acts 5:34-42 Father explains Jewish belief in life after death Letters Father riffs more about silence in church I saw someone selling a relic of John Henry Newman; what should I have done?  Can we substitute Psalm 51 for the psalm of the day during Lent? Father answers a question about marriage and communion  Word of the Day: Sat Down, going up Callers: How to identify venial sins and w...

Acts 5:27-33 Father gives context about the book of Acts  Jn 3:31-36 Father talks more about the Trinity  Letters Father reads a letter from a retired priest friend who bemoans the lack of respect during mass Listener writes in about her marriage and temptation  Father clarifies if Jesus had more siblings (*He didn't!) Word of the Day: Ration Callers  Is purgatory closed? ...

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...

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 b...

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...

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 t...

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...

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? Advent...

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...

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? W...

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...

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 sta...

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 transubstant...

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?&...

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 p...

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:&nbs...

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...