October Areopagus

Hello Areopagites!


Our last Areopagus was at the Barr's house. Thanks to them for hosting and to Father Michael for volunteering his time!


We had only two questions:

How do you explain Mary's perpetual virginity to protestants?

Is the council of Jerusalem and ecumenical council?



Till next Areopagus!

Tim

June and July Areopagus!

Hello Areopagites!

The Areopagus for June was hosted by the Kot family, so thanks to them for hosting! Father Lee Acervo was our visiting priest, and he did a wonderful job! We hope to have him join us again!

The July Areopagus was hosted by the Kostiuk family, many thanks to them for volunteering their home! Father White was the visiting priest and I'm sure that I echo the sentiments of the other Areopagites in hoping that we are able to have him join us again!

Some of the questions asked were:

1.  How can you tell that your excuses are legitimate?
2. What are some ways we can discern the call to the priesthood or religious life?
3. Did Mary die?
4. Does the Orthodox Church venerate the same Saints that we do?
5. Is Harry Potter ok?
6. Should you leave Masses at which liturgical abuses occur? 
7. Can deacons give homilies?
8. Does the Bible talk about Mary's immaculate conception and lack of sin? If not, how do we know that they are true?
9. How do you prove the existence of original sin and the effects of it?
10. What is your opinion on war and the justification of it?
11. How can I help stop abortion?
12. Is atheism a religion?
13. If Adam had been the first one to eat the apple (in the Garden of Eden) would women have been the dominant sex in history?
14. Did Judas go to Hell?
15. How strong is a human's tendency towards good?
16. Are priests allowed to receive communion in the state of Mortal Sin?
17. Can you pray while in Purgatory?
18. Why can anyone baptize if they know the correct form?
19. How does one become closer to God?

Until next time, 

In Christ,

Tim

Areopagus 5/18/18

Hello Areopagites!

Our last Areopagus at the Clark house was well attended, many thanks to them for hosting!


Here are some of the questions from Areopagus:

1. In the Glory Be it states: "World without end." What does this mean, since we know that Earth with eventually end.
2. Does God hope?
3. Thoughts on depression?
4. Is it a sin to have a tattoo 
5. Is it fine to listen to songs that don't seem Christian?
6. At what age should a person begin to give things up for lent?
7. What happens to the souls of aborted babies
8. When Catholics move to places with no Churches nearby, and no priests, how would they fulfill their Sunday obligation?
9. How do you explain the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin to a non-Catholic?

Hello!

Some of the questions from previous Areopagus meetings are:


1. How does a Catholic talk to a protestant about Mary's perpetual virginity?
2. How do you respond to someone saying that there is not evidence that Christ started the Catholic Church?
3. How do you respond to the Charismatic movement?
4. How can you determine between being friends with a boy (if you are a girl) or with a girl (if you are a boy) and being in a relationship?
5. Did Mary die before being assumed into Heaven?
6. How should you respond to hurtful things said behind your back?
7. What is your opinion on social media for teens?
8. In the 5 steps to a good confession the 2nd is contrition. Isn't going to confession contrition in itself?
9. Will there be animals or material objects in Heaven?
10. When Jesus meets the adulterer in the gospel, he says to: "Go and sin no more" does this mean you can go to confession only once?
11. Why do some Catholics not like Latin in the liturgy?
12. What is the best part of being a Catholic priest?
13. Do Jews have men that are considered prophets after Jesus? Do they consider John a prophet?
14. Is it sinful to flirt?
15. If you are married and don't try to have kids, is it a sin?
16. Can you consume the Host while in mortal sin and go to confession afterwards?
17. Who is your favorite Saint?
18. There are some companies that are implanting chips in their employees. Is this a sign of the mark of the beast?

Hello Areopagites! Our last Areopagus was July 21st.


Some of the questions that have been asked are:
1. Do you find it annoying when someone older than you (by a year) calls you honey?
2. to what extent are you to bear wrongs patiently?
3. Since Mary is our mother and St Anne her mother, is St Anne our grandma?
4. How can Mary have authority over Jesus and be subject to God, if Jesus and God are the same person?
5. What do you think about during the rosary? The words are hard to concentrate on once you have said 100'ds of Rosaries even though they are about the sacred mysteries.
6. Is God merciful to aborted babies?
7. If a person has been married to  a couple of different wives and then enters into the Catholic church, is he required to marry one of his previous wives?
8. Is it Moral to sell something for more that it is worth because everybody else sells them for more? For example: cars
9. What is the difference between lust and love?
10. How do you correct a teacher?
11. Why do nuns change their names upon entering a convent?
12. How do you avoid telling a lie in a situation where the truth would cause harm?
13. What happens to people who commit suicide?
14. What is the charismatic movement?
15. Is Renaissance art wrong since it is filled with such immodesty?
16. Is there tea in Heaven?

Hello! the questions for the last few months have been:

1. If you fall in love with someone before you can date, how should you proceed?
3. How do I address the topic of an eating disorder with my friend?
5. Is feminism against the Catholic church?
7. During the Tridentine mass the server leans towards the priest twice during the Confiteor. Why does he do this?
9. What are the requirements for a teen-ager to receive the brown scapular?
11. Why does the Church deny the pre-existence of souls?
13. How do you demonstrate the existence of purgatory to a Christian?
15. In which ways do protestants differ from Catholics?
17. What is the difference between communism and socialism?
19. I read somewhere that the effect of sin is passed down three generations. What does this mean?
21. If you are asked by a protestant why Catholics added books to the bible, how should you respond?
23. What is it to love God? How does one love God?
25. Is boxing for a living immoral?
27. What is the purpose of feminism?
29. How does The Church determine if a church is a basilica?

Hello! Thanks to everyone who has hosted these past months. The questions have been:

Is the penitent bound by the confessional seal?

Is the life of John the Baptist when he was young mentioned anywhere in the bible?

what do muslims believe in the koran?

Should kids have a right to have private stuff?

Do protestants have the ten commandments?

Is there a patron saint of writers?

How much is too much magic in a book?

If Bob is told a secret by Billy Bob about Joe, and Joe asks Bob about the secret. Is Bob allowed to tell the secret to Joe? (this question didn't have names in it but I added them to clarify)

Did Jesus have a guardian angel?

What is rape?

If we evolved from monkeys and apes, why are there still monkeys and apes?

What is your opinion on voting on pro-abortion candidates?

Why are popes elected for life?

Do aborted children go to Heaven?

How do you defend praying to saints when talking to a protestant?

Can confirmation sponsors be parents?

Would St Giana Beretta Molla be considered a saint?

Questions from last Areopagus are:

• What is your opinion on parents checking out our phones?
• If you know someone who swears and if you ask them to stop and they don't what should you do?
• How long have you been a priest?
• Can the saints in their happiness feel sadness or unhappiness when someone sins?
• If you were chosen by the Pope to become a bishop what exactly would you do?
• If someone is invited to the awaken ministries should they go? why or why not?
• Could someone adopted into a family (with no close biological relation) marry a close member of that family
• Where is purgatory mentioned in the bible? How would one convince a Baptist of its existence?
• If a couple (who were Catholic) got married in the Church but not the state would it be valid?
• what are some good saint movies to watch with your family?
• If you know a person who has children but is not in the Catholic Church what is required if they want to enter the Church?
• If you know a person who says," I don't want to hear of your faith and you won't hear of mine" how would you approach them on faith?
• what is the difference between love and lust?
• If you can split your mind between what someone if saying and prayer, should you take advantage of this skill?
• If we get glorified bodies in Heaven, what sort of bodies do the people in Hell have? Are they changed at all?
• How should Catholics treat animals?

The next Areopagus is going to be at the Rectory.

Hello Areopagites,

Thanks to the Kray and Campbell Families for hosting. Next month's Areopagus will be at the Ren family's house so thanks to them.  The Areopagus will be June 10th, at 7:00.

                             In Christ,
                                Timothy

The last two months questions are:

1. How do you convince someone that yoga is wrong?
2. In the next election is it best to vote for Trump, Clinton, or not at all?
3. What is an appropriate reason to go shopping on a Sunday?
4. Are there Aliens on other planets?
5. Is cheating a mortal or venial sin?
6. Are the souls in Hell loved by God at all?
7. What are the most important daily devotions?
8. What instruments can be used during mass?
9. What happens to people who are mentally disabled when they die?
10. Is anger a sin (if held within)?
11. How do you know that you are beginning to love someone (outside your family)
12. When does a kids obedience to his/her parents end?
13. What is taught by the Church concerning dating?
14. Why were the Israelites not allowed to eat the meat of strangled animals?
15. In one of Fr. Z's blog posts he states that although you don't have to abstain from meat on Fridays in the Octave of Easter you should abstain from meat during the Octave of Christmas. Why is that?

Hello Areopagites,

Our next Areopagus meeting will be at the Campbell house, April 15, at 7:00 p.m.  I will not post their address on the Blog, but will send it out within my monthly e-mails.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass, and many of questions for Odysseus the Box.
                     
                             In Christ,
                                Timothy

This month the Kostuik family hosted. so, many thanks to them.

Our questions from last month are:

When the priest reads the preface at mass why does the priest read something totally different in the Roman Missal than in the Missalett

Is it morally wrong to engage in perilous activities without necessity?

If someone were to pray in a state of unrepentant mortal sin would God hear their prayer?

When is it prudent to start the process of marriage?

If it is Muslims and Christians fighting, why in France?

Can you hear a confession over a phone call?

During lent are you allowed to break your fast on Sunday?

Hello Areopagites!

Our next Areopagus meeting will be at the Kostuik house, January 15th, at 7:00 p.m.  I will not post their address on the Blog, but will send it out within my monthly e-mails.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass, and many of questions for Odysseus the Box.
                     
                             In Christ,
                                Timothy

Last month the Patyi family hosted. so, many thanks to them.

Our questions from last month are:

• is it a sin to be a perfectionist? It is good to have a certain amount of pride in your work; but is it bad to obsess over things until they are perfect?
• in the gospel of Mark it says that not even the son of God knows when the world will end. How is this possible since the Father and the Son are one?
• I have friends that are "Catholic" but don't go to mass. One of them is about to be confirmed what should I do?
• what is a married woman's first duty, as a wife, or as a mother
• why is it called Areopagus?

Hello Everyone!

December's Areopagus meeting will be at the Kot's house, December 18, at 7:00 p.m.  I will not post their address on the Blog, but will send it out within my monthly e-mails.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass, and many of questions for Odysseus the Box.
                       
                             In Christ,
                                Timothy

Thanks to the Pilarski family for hosting us last month.  The questions for the November Areopagus were:

• What should one do when inappropriate pictures are sent to them through email, texting, etc?
• What is your personal opinion on Halloween activities and ideology?
• A religion book states: "The Greek Church use leavened bread; since the 9th century the Latin Church has used unleavened bread".  It also states that either kind is valid. Is this true?  Does the Greek Church still use leavened bread?
• How old do you think youth should be to begin dating?

Hello, Everyone!
           Hello! I am Timothy and I will be taking over the e-mails for Evelyn who is going to college. This month's Areopagus meeting will be at the Pilarski's house, November 20 , at seven p.m.,  I will not post their address on the Blog, but have sent it out within my monthly e-mails. Please bring a delicious snack to pass, and many of questions for Odysseus the Box.
                         
                             In Christ,
                                Timothy

 Apologies for the delay in posting these questions. The questions from the last few months are:

• If one were playing soccer and had to take off his scapular and died during the game would he still receive the merits of wearing a scapular?
• How would you recommend studying the liberal arts?
• Suppose someone wants to marry yet feels a calling to the priesthood. What should he do?
• I want to read and study arguments against homosexuality. Are there any authors that you could recommend to me for reading material?
• I have seen the names of saints listed with either "hist." or "trad." after them I assume that they stand for history and traditional, what is the difference? Also some have "new" or even "new and traditional" after them what do these mean?
• What is the best way to use social media and cell phones without falling into occasions of sin?
• In Lord of the Rings are their any perfect couples other that Beren and Luthien?
• I used to be in the habit of saying the Rosary in bed. often I would fall asleep. I no longer do this, but occasionally can't fall asleep. Can I say the Rosary to the apparent consequence that I will fall asleep? Is this being disrespectful to Mary?
• If one fell asleep on Sunday would they have to go again to fulfill their obligation?
• If someone sold their soul to the devil, would they have to go to an exorcist or would they just have to make a good confession?
• When we go to heaven, will earth still be accessible? Is heaven a defined place, or state?
• In my class, my professor talks a lot about evolution. I realize, that some forms of evolution, slight changes to an organism (finches for instance) are plausible. However when does plausible evolution end and implausible evolution begin?

    Hello, Everyone!
           This month's Areopagus meeting will be held tomorrow, August 21st, at seven p.m., at the Ellis' house.  I will not be posting their address on the Blog, but I sent it out in my usual e-mails.  If you still need it, please contact me at tgagnon@centurytel.net.  Also:  I will be "retiring" fairly soon, and will be passing on the box to my successor.  Before giving them the Areopagus e-mail list, I would like to weed out any old or unused addresses (some of my e-mails bounce back from certain addresses, which I have had to remove).  If anyone has updated their e-mail address or does not want to be on the list anymore, please let me know so that I can update my list.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass, and plenty of questions for Odysseus the Box.
                           
                             In Christ,
                                Evelyn 

    Hello, Everyone!
          The past two months' meetings, held at the Kray's house and the Rectory respectively, were very enjoyable.  Many thanks to the Kray family and Father Ward for hosting us!  We began each meeting by watching a clip from the movie, The Demographic Winter, then discussed the content presented in the clips.  After this, we moved on to the questions, comments, trivial matters, and good jokes, which included:

•  How can one keep bad things (thoughts, images, etc.) from popping into their mind?
• Someone made the statement that "the world was much worse back then than it is now". How should I answer?
• What is the correct response to have when untrue, scandalous gossip is spoken about oneself?  What about when it's spoken in ones presence?
• When you go to confession and you remember a sin and you're done and out of confession, will the sin be forgiven?  Or should you go back in line and confess it?
• Say you are going to a movie that you know has bad images in it, could you still go?
• Is it okay to have a baby's Baptism at someone's home if you still have a priest conduct it?
• What are the dangers of looking for boys on the Internet?

            This month's meeting will be held tomorrow, August 21st, at seven p.m. at the Ellis home.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass and plenty of questions for us to discuss!

                          In Christ,
                               Evelyn

St. Kateri Tekakwitha,   Pray for us!
Sts. Isaac Jouges, Rene Goupil, and Jean Lalande,     Pray for us!

             Hello, Everyone!
                   This month's Areopagus meeting will be held tomorrow, Friday, June 5th, at seven p.m. at the Kray's house.  I will not be posting their address on the Blog, so if you need it, please contact me, so I can get that information to you.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass and plenty of questions for Odysseus the Box.  I place emphasis on the first request due to the lack of snacks at the last meeting.  The hosts provide the house; the Areopagites should be providing the snacks.  At least part of the meeting will be held outdoors, so please dress for the weather and possible bugs.
                     Also, if you have not been receiving e-mails lately or know that someone has not been receiving my e-mails, please let me know, because some of the addresses bounce back, and I am not quite sure who they belong too, if they're old, or something else.  Please also let me know if the addresses I have are not in use anymore, so I can clean up my list a little.

                                           In Christ,
                                                  Evelyn

                                               

    Felicitations, Fellow Philosophers!
              We have had some wonderful meetings these past few months.  Many thanks to our hosts for these months:  the Spankies, the Pilarskis, the Evards, and the Hastings!  I apologize for not posting these questions sooner.  At last night's meeting, we began with, instead of Cicero, the movie, "The Demographic Winter".  We will be watching this movie over the next few meetings in ten-minute parts at the beginning of each meeting.  Father Ward, before starting the movie, gave us a few questions to ponder and answer while watching the clip.  Afterwards, we discussed the part of the movie we watched, then moved onto the questions.

               Among those questions we have discussed the past few meetings were included:

•   What is the best way to deal with liturgical abuses?
•    In the Bible, there is a saying, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (somewhere along those lines).  What is meant by this?
•    If two mountain climbers were roped together and one slipped so they were both hanging, only supported by one guy, could he cut the other guy off his line?  Either both die, or one makes it.
• With school, I do not have enough time for leisure reading.  So for the summer I want to catch up on some leisure reading.  Do you have any suggestions? 
• Is it sinful for men to wear earrings?  
• I have a teacher who is obviously putting the Catholic Church in a bad light.  I try to block some of his attacks, but after this semester I can take another course with him.  Should I take another class under him to defend the Church, or should I avoid him?
• Do you have any recommendations for regaining chastity in a relationship that you do not want to simply abandon?  
• I know women cannot become priests, but I don't know exactly why.  Why can't women become priests?
• Is it uncharitable to not friend a relative on Facebook because they sometimes post things that go against your beliefs or are just plain annoying?
• Do you think that juveniles around 10-15 years old who have committed murder should be sentenced as adults or be treated differently, such as being counseled?
• A friend sent me an article saying, if you're asked to bake a cake for a same sex wedding, Jesus would say bake two, paraphrasing Matt 5:41, and adding Jesus would never exclude anyone. What can I say to that? 
• How does one adore Christ in daily prayer?  It's easy at Mass or at Eucharistic adoration, but how does one apply it to their prayer life?
• Does the Catholic Church do cremations now?
• What does it mean to defend traditional marriage?  What goal should we be pushing for?  Protection of conscience?  Preventing the civil approval of nontraditional marriages?
• What are the roles of nuns in the Church, and how did they first start?

               Our next meeting will be held on the FIRST Friday of the month, June 5th, at seven p.m.  More information will follow later this month.  Have a beautiful and blessed month of May!

                      In Christ,
                          Evelyn

Holy Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee!

      Hello, Everyone!
           This month's Areopagus meeting will be held tomorrow, Friday, May 15th, at seven p.m.  We meet at the Hastings' house.  We are very grateful to them for hosting us!  I will not be posting their address on the Blog, but have already sent it out in the e-mail, so, if you need it, please contact me at tgagnon@centurytel.net.  Please bring a delicious snack to pass and plenty of questions for us to discuss.  (I will be posting questions on the Blog Saturday after this meeting; I apologize for the long delays.)
                         In Christ,
                               Evelyn      

    Hello, Everyone!
              This month's Areopagus will be held tomorrow, April 17, at seven p.m. at the Evards' house.  We are very grateful to them for hosting us!  I will not be posting their address on the Blog, so if you need it, please contact me at tgagnon@centurytel.net.  I have already sent it out in two reminder e-mails.  Please bring a snack to pass and plenty of questions for the box.  Enjoy the warm weather!

                          In Christ,
                               Evelyn

    Hello, Everyone!
           This month's Areopagus meeting will be held tomorrow March 20, at seven p.m. at the Pilarski home.  The address is 13001 Excalibur Lane  Romeo, MI 48065.  We are very grateful to the Pilarski family for hosting us!  Please bring a snack to pass and plenty of questions for Odysseus the Box.

                    In Christ,
                         Evelyn