Father Christopher Mahar earned a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from Providence College in 2000 and subsequently completed his Bachelor's degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2003. He was ordained a deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 2003 and a priest in the Diocese of Providence in 2004. He currently serves as Pastor at St. Augustine Church in Providence, Rhode Island. In Today's Show: EMAIL: Troy from Spencerport, NY Recently I've been so addicted to scrolling, social media, and just the digital vanity as a whole; I've neglected my prayer life, I've put off confession, and hence I've put off daily Mass. It's been incredibly difficult to try and break this habit, and I don't know what to do. Do you have any advice? EMAIL: Jeremy I treat my life as a job application for Heaven. My wife and I try to totally detach from the material world and focus on what comes next. Whatever God has in store for us, we want to be prepared. We do try to live as if our life is a job application for what comes next in Heaven. Is that the wrong mindset? In my opinion, even if we're wrong, we are still serving our Lord while on earth. Caller: Lugboxer from Olean, New York In Acts 2 the end times are described in verse 21, 'and it shall come to pass that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved' Why is anything other than calling on the name of Lord needed to be saved? EMAIL: Wilson from Greenwood, South Carolina I watched a Catholic podcast yesterday that featured two prominent priests, and both of them believed that Halloween is "the devil's favorite holiday". When I scrolled down to the comments section, many seemed to be in agreement, and I just don't get it. Halloween was a historically Catholic holiday, and its name is short for "All Hallows Eve". Why do so many Catholic personalities seemingly have an agenda against it? Caller: Teresa from Syracuse - YouTube The priest at her parish first said that Christ is present in the Eucharist, then said that they are no longer offering the cup because of the cold and flu season. How does this not contradict the belief that Christ is truly present in both the host and the cup, if they are now withholding the cup for fear of illness? She would like Fr. Mahar's opinion. @AmirReza_Harandeh I am from Iran and in Iran Muslims who change their religion will be executed. I can't have access to baptism and catholic religious works . What do I have to do ? @De-Evilizer What is the history or meaning of the white collar that priests wear? @phillipdela How do I lovingly reach out to my niece who committed adultery, and not condone her actions? @IJ72 Do people who take their life go to hell or purgatory? Or do we not know? Caller: Debbie from MA - 1060AM How can someone stop being judgmental of others, if they recognize that tendency in themselves? @Felix Last time on the show, you said that parts of Genesis can be considered mythical. If Genesis is sometimes mythical and sometimes not, how are we to know which parts are mythical and which ones are not? @prcvids2024 What is Father's take on those who say that adopting abandoned embryos of IVF and having them implanted into surrogates to give birth to them is called being PRO LIFE? Caller: James from Iowa - YouTube When at mass, and girls are dressed immodestly distributing Holy Communion, should he step outside the line, or just accept it? EMAIL: Aaron from Boston, MA Why are pilgrimages seen as penance? It feels like taking a break and going on a nice vacation but just focusing the experience on God. EMAIL: Bradley from Redmond, Washington What are your thoughts on invincible ignorance? What about a gentile in some tribal society that sees no missionaries who have not reached that tribe? EMAIL: Anonymous from New Orleans Is a confession valid if the priest alters the words? For example, if he says "I pardon you..." instead of "I absolve you..." Should I ask the priest to give the absolution again correctly if this mistake happens again? EMAIL: Anonymous from Texas My husband feels he doesn’t need to go to confession because he doesn’t do anything bad. I’ve told him we are all sinners, but he isn't receptive. What words can I say to him so he will understand the importance of this holy sacrament? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!
