Author Archives | Cathy Caridi, J.C.L.

Cathy Caridi, J.C.L. - who has written 49 posts on Catholic Exchange.


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Confession by Appointment and Face-to-Face

Posted on 29 October 2009

Q1: We just moved, and our new parish doesn’t have set confession times. The bulletin says “confessions by appointment.” My wife doesn’t think that’s a violation of our right to receive the sacrament, since the priest will hear our confessions…

What if One Spouse Doesn’t Want the Annulment?

Posted on 15 October 2009

Q: I read Sheila Kennedy’s book about her annulment experience, and it sure sounds like the Boston archdiocese put her through hell! I heard later that she appealed to the Vatican and they overturned the annulment her husband had got…

How Soon Should a Baby be Baptized?

Posted on 01 October 2009

Q: Our new next-door neighbors have a 14-month-old daughter. They’re Catholics, but I just found out that they still haven’t had their daughter baptized yet! When our own children were born over 30 years ago, we had them baptized when…

Clergy and Summer Vacation

Posted on 23 July 2009

Q: Our pastor seems to go on vacation constantly. This year, he already spent one week at a retreat house, left on numerous short trips to see his relatives, and now he’s going away for two weeks to Florida — and…

Notre Dame, Obama, and the Bishop’s Authority

Posted on 09 July 2009

Q: We all know that the bishop of the diocese where Notre Dame University is located wouldn’t go to graduation this year because President Obama was coming. But why didn’t he simply forbid the school to allow Obama to come?…

Is Confession Still an Easter Duty?

Posted on 02 April 2009

Q: When I was a kid, everyone was required during Lent to make his “Easter Duty.” Every parishioner received a card from the parish. When we went to confession before Easter, we handed the card to the priest. By Easter…

What’s the Difference Between Sisters and Nuns?

Posted on 19 March 2009

Q: My children go to a Catholic school that is run by nuns.  Or at least I always assumed they were nuns. Recently I walked by the principal while she was talking to another parent on the street, and I…

Are Catholics Supposed to Abstain from Meat Every Friday?

Posted on 05 March 2009

Q: Are we Catholics still supposed to be abstaining from meat on Fridays? Or has this definitely been done away with?  –Vince

A: Lent has just begun, and we Catholics are well aware of the obligation to abstain from meat on…

Can Non-Catholics Receive the Catholic Sacrament of Matrimony?

Posted on 19 February 2009

Q: We Catholics believe that marriage is a sacrament. So how is it possible for a Catholic and a non-Catholic to get married in the Catholic Church? Doesn’t that mean that somehow, a protestant or even a non-Christian is receiving…

Why Do Marriage Annulments Take So Long?

Posted on 06 February 2009

Q: Why does it take so long for people who request marriage annulments to get them? I know a couple of different people who have been waiting for an answer for over a year! They’re not all from the same…

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