Ask the Priest

February 12, 2017

Q. How did Noah keep all the animals from eating each other?  How did he keep all the animals that needed to be cold cold and the ones that needed to be hot hot? –Anonymous

A. God has power over nature and by grace could have just easily prevented the animals from eating each other.  It was by God’s grace that the animals knew to go to the ark and willingly boarded it as if they were going on a cruise.  Somehow Noah and his family guided the animals to their staterooms, I mean, designated quarters, without a struggle and they weren’t attacked or eaten either by the wilder animals.  These animals were most likely the very young ones (cubs, pups, etc.) and the kind that haven’t reach their predatory stage.  It makes sense for them to be young and small so that they could easily fit inside the ark and have longer life existence to repopulate their species.  As far as temperature issues, the cold-blooded animals were likely kept in the lower section of the ark while the warmer ones were kept above where the warmer air would naturally rise.  Since the world was set to be flooded and there was only one boat, the animals temporarily adapted to the environment they were in.  As the old saying goes, when you’re hot you’re hot, and when you’re cold you’re cold!

Q. Who is the patron saint of pilots? –Anonymous

A. The most popular saint invoked by pilots and astronauts is Saint Joseph Cupertino (1603-1663).  This 17^th century Franciscan priest would sometimes float in the air while deep in prayer.  We’re not talking about just a couple of inches off the floor.  Eyewitnesses attested he would float 20 feet to the extremities of the monastery ceiling and he wouldn’t even know he was up there during his spiritual ecstasy!  Nothing could bring him down except when the superior commanded him and then he would float back down.  Fittingly, this “flying priest” was the natural choice for the church to declare him the patron saint of pilots.  During Pope Benedict XVI’s reign he added this Franciscan saint to the patron saint of astronauts as well.

Q.  If you mess up putting more water with the wine in the chalice, what would you do? –Celine Willard

A.  I’ve seen that happen to a priest once when I was still in high school.  The altar boy accidentally poured too much water into the chalice.  The priest drained the chalice and had to start all over again.  Since this takes place before the consecration, the wine has not changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus so it is all right to drain the water and wine into the sink.

February 19, 2017

Q. Is the tomb that Jesus was buried in still there? –Ethan

A. Yes, it is still in Jerusalem and a great basilica was built around it.  It is called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  The tomb of Jesus was also where he rose from the dead.  Back in March 2008 Father Mullaney and I concelebrated Mass there and was the first time we met.  Someone took our picture and had it framed.  You can see it in the Parish Education Center’s lobby and Library.

Q. Is the parish hall downstairs, the hallway, and narthex going to be renovated as well? –Anonymous

A. I wish!  We have very limited funds at this time.  We can only include the renovation of the narthex.  You will read about the work that will be done in the narthex soon in the Shepherd’s Notes!

Q. What was Mary’s role at Pentecost?  Where was Joseph when all this happened? –SBC

A. Traditionally, it is believed that when the apostles and other disciples were huddled in fear and confusion after Jesus ascended into heaven, they sought guidance from Mary who knew Jesus better than anyone.  During those 9 days she reminded them Jesus’ instruction that they pray until He sends them the Holy Spirit (who is also Mary’s Divine Spouse).  At the end of 9 days, which traditionally became the first of many 9-day novenas, the Holy Spirit arrived and turned them into “super disciples.”  We commemorate this day as Pentecost.  Regarding Joseph, he missed the big birthday of the Catholic Church (Pentecost) because he died before Jesus even began his 3-year public ministry.