Video – How can I forgive?
February 25, 2013 by Dan Burke
Filed under Forgiveness, Videos
Fr. John Bartunek and Dan Burke discuss forgiveness, and ways that we can overcome the challenges we face when wounded by others. About Dan BurkeDan is the founder of Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction and author of the award winning book, Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. Beyond his “contagious” love for Jesus and His Church, he is a grateful husband and father of four,... Read More
Why does God only forgive when we repent?
September 12, 2012 by Fr. C.J. McCloskey
Filed under Forgiveness
Q: Dear Father McCloskey, why does God only forgive after we repent and turn back to Him, while we are asked to forgive regardless of whether or not the “offending” person asks for our forgiveness and repents? A: Dear Sister in Christ, you are not alone in your perplexity: I have wrestled with this question myself. The answer simply is that we owe God everything, including our life and redemption and the possibility of... Read More
How can I forgive someone when they do not repent? – Part II of II
July 9, 2012 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Forgiveness, Q and A
Q: Dear Father John, I have had this question regarding forgiveness ever since my husband filed for divorce and treated me terribly during the process. He never acknowledged his treatment of me nor repented and asked for forgiveness, yet, in confession I was always told that I still must forgive him. Fortunately, eventually God gave me the grace to forgive him, as He made me see that, sinner that I am, in God’s eyes... Read More
How can I forgive someone when they do not repent? – Part I of II
June 25, 2012 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Forgiveness, Q and A
Q: Dear Father John, I have had this question regarding forgiveness ever since my husband filed for divorce and treated me terribly during the process. He never acknowledged his treatment of me nor repented and asked for forgiveness, yet, in confession I was always told that I still must forgive him. Fortunately, eventually God gave me the grace to forgive him, as He made me see that, sinner that I am, in God’s eyes... Read More
Divine Mercy Sunday – Time to Celebrate God’s Mercy
April 10, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Divine Mercy, Forgiveness, Indulgences
Worried about the world situation? About your spiritual life? Jesus gives us the hope-filled solution. Seek and accept his mercy. Start in the Eastertide celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday, then continue with the devotion. Jesus himself called for this devotion and feast. He made his urgent, essential request through Polish mystic St. Faustina Kowalska, the first saint canonized in the New Millennium by John Paul II. Jesus said,... Read More
I am struggling with resentment towards the Church, what should I do?
February 6, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Forgiveness, Q and A
Q: Dear Dan, I have been Catholic for three years now, and am very grateful for the gift of faith. However, I have recently been struggling with resentment towards the Church – feeling that there are too many demands, hardships, that too much is being asked of me. How does one combat resentment? A: Dear Friend, welcome home! I am sorry to hear about your suffering. Immediately after reading your question, Jesus’ call... Read More
Are you worth the time? Why would a priest take time for me?
October 18, 2011 by Dan Burke
Filed under Forgiveness, Q and A, Spiritual Direction
Q: Why would a priest spend time with a nobody like me? A: In the past year I have talked with a number of good Catholics interested in spiritual direction. Almost all of them expressed a feeling of being unworthy of a priest taking time out just for them. One woman said, “Why would a priest spend time with a nobody like me?” Now, mind you, this woman recently fought through some very difficult challenges and... Read More
Encounter With Mercy
April 13, 2011 by Dan Burke
Filed under Conscience Exam, Forgiveness, Penance/Confession, Sacraments
Announcing: Encounter With Mercy – A Step-by-Step Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation I am happy to announce the first official publication of Catholic Spiritual Direction! The forward is written by Cardinal Justin Rigali. This step-by-step guide is compact (back pocket or purse size), simple to read, and perfect for rediscovering or deepening our understanding and practice of one of the greatest gifts we have... Read More
Please explain plenary indulgences and purgatory! – Part III of III
October 11, 2010 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Forgiveness, Hell & Purgatory, Indulgences, Q and A, Sin
Based on your feedback and further consideration on the initial question, I thought I should share a few more thoughts on this topic. The Days of Our Indulgences I want to start with two clarifications. First of all, one reader referred to the older practice of linking indulgences with particular numbers of “days” in purgatory. That practice has been officially phased out, not because it was doctrinally false, but because... Read More
Please explain plenary indulgences and purgatory! – Part II of III
October 4, 2010 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Forgiveness, Hell & Purgatory, Indulgences, Q and A, Sin
Q: Dear Father John, Please explain Plenary Indulgences. If one confession fulfills the requirement of plenary indulgences 8 days before and 8 days after, it seems to me that if someone went to Communion everyday, prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father everyday and prayed the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament everyday, that she could release 17 souls from purgatory in 17 days. Is that right? A: Last time we explored,... Read More
