In May 1996, the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune, Mississippi, were requested to submit questions that they had been asked about their faith or questions that they themselves had about their faith. The purpose of these questions was not to write a book, but to enable me to address these questions during the Sunday homilies in order to provide answers and raise the consciousness of the parish about things Catholic.

As it turned out, the questions were so good and covered such a wide variety of topics that I felt that it would be most convenient to put many of the questions and answers into a booklet which everyone could use as a reference. We have all been called by Jesus to evangelize, but many today don't know how to start; or believe that they don't have the proper background. The easiest way to evangelize is to LIVE YOUR FAITH every day and when questioned, provide an answer. Saint Peter said "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls on you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:15-16, RSV-CE). Jesus also said "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-22, RSV-CE).

Many of the more common questions one may be asked are addressed in this booklet. If you are asked a question which is not addressed, or you don't have an immediate answer, don't make one up. Instead say "I don't know right now but I'll find out and get back with you," then look it up or contact your priest. In any case, you can always say "I'm Glad You Asked" and begin to share your faith.

Yours in Christ, Fr. John Noone, Pastor

Edited & Revised 23 December 1999

Throughout this discussion, scripture quotations are taken from either the New International Version (NIV) [copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers] or the King James Version (KJV) [no copyright] of the Holy Bible rather than from approved Catholic translations. This is not because there is any fault in the Catholic translation, but because the NIV and the KJV are among the most popular Protestant translations, and whenever possible we should point out to our separated brothers and sisters that their translations of the Holy Bible reflect and support the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Quotations taken from an approved Catholic translation are from the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (RSV-CE) [New Testament copyright 1965 and Old Testament copyright 1966 by Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, used by permission].

Copyright © 1999 by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church