Questions of Faith with Radio Maria England

Your questions of Faith answered by Sister Ann Swailes on Radio Maria. 

The chance for you to have your Questions of Faith answered. 

The chance for listeners to call in and have an answer to their questions.

With Priest Director Father Toby O.P.

With Sister Carina.

With Father Toby Lees and Tim Hutchinson. 

With Priest Director Father Toby Lees. 

With Priest Director Father Toby Lees.

With Father Toby and Tony.

With Father Toby Lees.

With Priest Diretor Father Toby Less and Tim Hutchenson. 

With Father Toby Lees.

With Father Toby Lees and Sister Carina. 

With Priest Director Father Toby Lees O.P.

With Father Toby and Sister Gemma. 

With Father Toby Lees O.P.

with Father Toby and Father Eammon.  

With Father Toby and Father Tony. 

Questions of Faith - 2022-08-12 In this episode, Fr. Toby Lees OP, priest director of Radio Maria England, answers questions regarding "Where is heaven", "What did Jesus wear?" and "Who was Jeremiah the Prophet?"

With Priest Director Father Toby Lees and Sister Gemma Simmons. 

With Sister Rose on spiritual tools.

Borrowed Time.

With Father Toby and Father Colin. 

Questions of Faith - 2022-06-24 - With Fr. Dominic Robinson and Phil Kerton Fr. Dominic Robinson and Phil Kerton will be answering questions sent in from listeners.  Fr. Dominic Robinson is the Jesuit Parish Priest of Farm Street, London and Chair of the Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission and ACN's UK chaplain.  Phil Kerton is a longstanding member in Southwark dioces commission of justice and peace and the integrity of creation and is director of small organization called Seeking Sanctuary that seeks to raise awareness of situation of exiles stuck in north west France and awareness of needs .  They will also be sharing practical ways that the church is supporting in living out our mission as a church.

With Father Simon and Father Luke. 

Fr Tony Rogers parish priest Our Lady and St Peter Aldeburghand Sr Gemma Simmonds Congregation of Jesus and is a Senior Fellow at MargaretBeaufort Institute and Director of the Religious Life Institute

With Father Colin and Father Simon. 

With Fr Tony and Fr Luke.

Questions of Faith - 2022-05-13 Sister Gemma Simmonds and Fr. Tony Rogers answer questions sent in from listeners.  Questions include: I lost a family member to dementia. My relative lostcapacity to remember, communicate. Sometimes I worry about this. How do we goto Heaven when so much of who we are – that is our memories, personality andthe rest - can be lost in illnesses like this? Jesus was here with us and rose from the dead. Why couldn’the just have stayed? Why did God come to us and then leave us? The gospel of Mark says to go out to the whole world and proclaimthe good news, but we also need to respect each persons free will, as god himselfdoes. So how do we find the balance with people from other religions, betweenproclaiming the good news to them with the hope of conversion and on the otherhand respecting their own religion?

With Father Luke and Father Colin. 

With Sister Gemma Simons. 

With Sister Gemma Simons and Father Rodgers.

This episode was first broadcast on 22nd April. 

With Father Collin and Father Simon. 

With Father Tony and Father Luke.

With Carmelite Father Matt Blake on St. Teresa of Avila and prayer.

With Father Adrien Graffey and the second part of his talk on the Creed. 

With Sister Gemma and Father Luke. 

Father Stefan and Gladson answer questions on the delicate topic of suicide and self harm.

Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers are back again to answer your questions of faith.

Join for the first episode of the year!

Join us for this special Christmas edition of Questions of Faith. 

Join Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers as they answer your questions of faith.

In this episode, join Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers as they answer your questions of faith.

Join us this week for Questions of Faith with Sr Gemma and Mgr Tony Rogers ready to answer your questions.

First recorded on Nov 26th 2021, this episode of Questions of Faith is with - Fr Simon Blakesley.

 Sr Gemma and Fr Luke Goymour: My wife is a Christian and loves to point out that Jesus says, ‘The greatest commandment is Love’ – i.e. if she takes this as her guideline but doesn’t pay too much attention to observing the traditions of the Church and receiving the sacraments, she will still be fine.  Whilst teaching our children, I find it hard to instil in them the need to follow Church traditions. I want my children to respect their mother, but I want them to observe all the teachings that we have in the Church. How can I find a compromise?; Does it matter what we wear to Church? Last Sunday I attended a different Parish as I was away for the weekend, and the lay Eucharistic minister who was helping the parish priest distribute communion was dressed very casually (tracksuit/t-shirt style) which I found rather off-putting. Surely as a priest has to be robed in a certain was to celebrate Mass, at least a Eucharistic Minister should be given some guidelines as they have an important role – after all, those serving at Mass usually have to wear a cassock too?; Do you think God has the solutions to climate change ‘up his sleeve’ – if only a large enough number of people would turn/return to Him, be converted in their everyday lives, and seek His help on this issue?; I’m a single father and my daughter is a smart teenager very interested in social justice. She continually complains to me that the Church is disconnected with women today and doesn’t allow them to have a leadership role. Any advice on how I can respond and how I can encourage her to have a good relationship with the Church?; My husband enjoys the extraordinary form of the Mass in Latin, but I feel very disconnected as my mind drifts off and I don’t know what is happening. How I can feel more connected or should I go to a different Mass? 

 Fr Luke Goymour and Margaret Mary McFadyen take a look at this week's questions: With Remembrance Sunday coming up this weekend I’m wondering about soldiers going into war ‘with God on their side’. The Allies fought for ‘God and Empire’ in WWI and the Germans had ‘God with us’ inscribed in their belts. Whose side was God on? Where was God in all of these terrible wars?; When we are confirmed we choose a patron saint, and then the bishop greets us with that saint’s name. Should we be known by our confirmation name thereafter? Monks and nuns usually add to or change their name on making profession or entering noviciate so why don’t lay Christians do the same? (Especially if one hasn’t been given a Christian name at birth/baptism!); My friend sometimes refers to her ‘spiritual director’.  I think I want one! But what is a spiritual director?  How is a spiritual director different from my parish priest?  And how do I get one?!; I mainly hear the Bible during the Mass readings. I’m not quite sure how to use it at other times, besides reading it as a story? Is there a way to use it more in my prayer life besides just at Mass?; From Sam aged 6: ‘Why haven’t scientists found God yet?’; I attend Our Lady of English Martyrs and sing in their choir – I’m Anglican though.  I love singing and have friends in the choir.  Can I participate in the Synodal process coming up? Do other Christian Denominations matter when it comes to this process?   

Sr Gemma Simmonds and Mgr Tony Rogers look at this week's questions: As a Catholic, should I participate in Bonfire Night?; Pope Francis has called a general synod. My understanding is that we are all called to participate. I have a sense that this synod different to others, but don't know if this is a correct understanding, and if it is; why? Could you shed some light?; Why are most English Saints Martys? And with all the war that’s happened this past century, why don’t we have more recent martyrs as saints?; Olive needs some expensive surgery on her heart.  It will cost about £500.  Olive is only 3 years old.  I work for a homeless charity and I’ve got a lot of guilt trying to figure out whether I should proceed with the surgery.  Is it wrong to spend so much money on my dog Olive?

 Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Stefan Park on this week's questions: Has the obligation to attend Mass been reinstated? And if not, when or will it be reinstated?; I’m confused about Halloween which is coming up this weekend. I know in some parts of the Church it is frowned upon to let one’s children dress up and go trick or treating – that in doing so is in some way collaborating with evil. How harmless or dangerous is it? Should we be exercising caution?; In the Gospels Jesus says that the one who sins against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. What is this sin against the Holy Spirit?; How should we mark All Souls Day which is next Tuesday? It seems we don’t we visit graveyards in this country as much as in other countries. Is there a reason for this? Where I was living abroad, Mass would be celebrated in the cemetery on All Souls Day; After we die, will we receive a glorified body at the moment we enter heaven, or at the end of the world after the final Judgement?; Can we pray to Old Testament prophets? Are they saints? 

In this episode Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Luke Goymour discuss the most recent questions: When praying at home or with friends, is it necessary to begin with ‘In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ or even just a silent sign of the cross?; Can we pray the Our Father with our hands open in the 'Oran's position'?; What’s the difference between a pastor, a priest and a preacher?; Why shouldn’t we eat meat on Fridays? And what about fish? For me, fish is a luxury item so I feel if I’m making an act of penance, fish isn’t so suitable; Has the obligation to attend Mass been reinstated? And if not, when or will it be reinstated?; In the Gospels Jesus says that the one who sins against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. What is this sin against the Holy Spirit?; Why can’t Catholic priests marry? 

Questions of Faith - 2021-10-15 Sister Gemma and Fr. Luke Goymour answer questions from listeners.

Questions of Faith - 2021-10-08 Mgr. Tony Rogers and Fr. Stefan Parc answer questions sent to Radio Maria.  A caller asks, "Why is Mary so important to Catholics?"

Questions of Faith - 2021-10-01 Sister Gemma Simmonds is joined by Radio Maria guest Fr Vladimir Felzmann. Fr Vlad is the Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy’s dedicated Catholic Chaplain. He is also Catholic Chaplain for sport, CEO of The John Paul II Foundation for Sport (which he launched in 2011) and is a trustee of The Passage, CaAPA and Genesis. Today's episode is a special for the Feast of St Therese of Lisieux. Fr Vlad and Sr Gemma look at how St Therese's 'Little Way' can help us to come closer to God in our everyday life - in particular looking at the virtues of faith and hope. 

Questions of Faith - 2021-08-20 Sister Gemma Simmonds and Fr. Luke Goymour answers questions from listeners and Radio Maria volunteers. Send your questions to Questions@RadioMariaEngland.uk

Questions of Faith - 2021-08-13 This week's Sr Gemma Simmonds and Fr Luke Goymour, tackles the following questions that we've received recently: 1) Where did people go after they died before Jesus sacrificed himself? 2) Can you negotiate with God, because Moses seems to be doing it a lot in our recent Mass readings?  3) God in the Old Testament sounds different depending on which prophet is speaking. How can we explain this? If it is God speaking through the prophet, surely he’ll be recognisable as the same person? 4) Jesus was meek and humble but also threw over the money-changer’s tables in the Temple. How can I know when my anger is justified? 5) Do you think just going to Sunday Mass gives me enough spiritual guidance in my life? What else can I do to find some direction? I want to pray more but sometimes I feel that I’m not getting very far with it. 6) How can we make an important decision in our life and be sure that it is God’s will? 7) How is it that God always existed? My mind can’t fathom it at all. And what was He doing before he made the world? 8) How can I forgive my spouse for things that hurt me a lot?

Questions of Faith - 2021-08-06 Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Stefan Park of Clare Priory look at this week's questions: 1) How is the Orthodox Church different from the Catholic Church? 2) Some Christians from non-Catholic denominations think that we worship Our Lady. Or even if they accept that we ask her to intercede for us through prayer, they believe we are not allowed to as she's not alive. What can we say to that? 3) If a couple are unable to conceive, is their marriage relationship still licit? i.e. medical reasons, older in age. 4) Is it possible that we’ll have women priests one day? I’ve heard it’s not possible because the Church is the spouse of Christ and so this supposes that the one who stands in for Christ, the priest, is a man. Is this right? 5) Can people with learning difficulties become consecrated? 6) Moses never step foot in the promised land. Don’t you think God was being a bit harsh on Moses by only letting him see it? Wouldn’t it have been a good opportunity for God to show how forgiving he is? 7) We’re living through so much turmoil and the news is frequently full of floods, heatwaves and natural disasters – do you think we are in the end times? Or do you think God is just trying to wake us up?

Questions of Faith - 2021-07-30 Fr. Luke Goymour and Mgr. Tony Rogers are back answering questions.  2 young ladies also showed up to ask them about what angels look like and are there such things as Guardian Angels.  

Questions of Faith - 2021-07-23 Hosted today by Mgr Tony Rogers and Fr Luke Goymour, both parish priests in the diocese of East Anglia. Some serious questions today, delving deeper into the riches of the Catholic faith. 1) Everyone is talking about the Latin Mass this week and the Pope’s Muto Proprio ban/announcement. What has happened and why has the Pope done this? Does it affect all liturgy in Latin? 2) This week is the feast of St Mary Magdalen. Do we know whether she is the sister of Martha – the Mary who sat at the feet of the Lord? And who is the Mary who wiped the feet of Jesus? Part 2) Mary seems to have been a very popular name at the time of Jesus – what does the name mean? 3) As we’re probably going to be stuck in Britain all summer, are there any Catholic shrines we should make an effort to visit? Is there special grace attached to making such a trip? 4) Regarding exorcism, do bishops appoint enough exorcists. 5) Have we neglected the words of Jesus in recent centuries? 6) I’m always confessing the same things. Should I stop confessing them? How best can I get out of sin and bad habits? 6) What is temporal punishment? When I suffer, should I accept it as ‘punishment’? 7) Does the Church still believe in the existence purgatory and if yes, how long much time might we spend there? 8) The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that through Baptism laypeople participate in the mission of Christ as prophets, kings, and priests. What does it mean? What is the common priesthood? 9) Now it’s the sports season, it is OK to pray for your favourite team or player to win?

Questions of Faith - 2021-07-16  Fr Sam is joined again by Fr Stefan Park of Clare Priory in Suffolk who was co-host in Mary. Together they tackle this week's questions: 1) After England lost to Italy last Sunday there was some bad behaviour from some of the British fans. Might this behaviour and the reaction suggest that football is fundamentally ‘ungodly’?  It seems to me that the emotions and commitment given to football support is a form of idolatry – what do you think?  And are there other forms of idolatry in Western Societies? 2) My husband and I are discussing getting rid of the TV because of the effect that it is having on our children. I also read that TV encourages football hooliganism. What does it mean for Christians to be in the world but not of it? 3) My friend says I shouldn’t have a statue of Buddha in the garden. Is that right? 4) I’ve lived abroad where people dress less provocatively. Do you think it matters what we wear? And what about the clothes were when they go to Church? At Mass on Sunday a woman was wearing a very scanty dress which I found distracting and inappropriate. On the continent they often have signs as one goes into the Church about not wearing shorts and covering one’s shoulders. Shouldn’t we have them here too? 5) In the Nicene Creed and in the Apostle’s Creed we say that we believe in the catholic Church but there is nothing in the Bible about a ‘Catholic’ Church.  In Acts 11:26 the followers of Christ were called ‘Christians’ and not ‘Catholics’ – where did this title come from? 6) Recently a Catholic Bishop in Switzerland gave communion to some Protestants and a Catholic Cardinal in Germany gave communion to Protestant clergy and I have heard that the same has happened here in England and in France. I thought that this wasn’t allowed?  Has the Church changed its teaching? 7) Is it true that the Catholic Church in the past prevented people from reading the Scriptures by burning Bibles it didn’t approve of and by chaining other Bibles to lecterns to prevent people from reading these?

Questions of Faith - 2021-07-02 Fr Sam is joined by Sr Cecelia, a Stone Dominican currently based her in Cambridge. They answer these questions: 1) Why do some Popes become saints but some don’t? 2) Does the Church still believe in the existence purgatory and if yes, how long much time might we spend there? 3)If someone commits suicide are they damned? 4) If someone else makes us really angry and so we respond with anger, is that a sin? 5) Is it possible to completely forgive someone, so that when we think about that person we don’t feel inflamed with emotions? 6) How can I implement ‘holiness’ in my everyday life? 7) Does God love me even when I feel so far away from him? 8) I struggle to engage at Mass, what can I do about this?

Questions of Faith - 2021-06-25 On this week's Questions of Faith, Fr. Sam and Sister Gemma answer the following questions:  Who is St. Ignatius of Loyola?  Why are we celebrating a special year for him and what does it mean for me?  What is a plenary indulgence?  Why does the liturgical season have colour themes at Mass?  Why do women wear veils at Church and why is the practice growing in popularity?  Is the phenomenon of a statue of the Virgin Mary weeping blood accepted in the Church?  If you're not a Christian and you've never heard about God, can you still go to heaven?

Questions of Faith - 2021-06-18 Fr. Sam is joined by Sarah Taylor, Trustee and Volunteer for Radio Maria England.  They discuss questions that listeners have sent in to the station including: Do Catholics celebrate Father's Day?  Why do Catholics kneel when they enter a church?  What are some ways to make praying a habit in my life? Please send questions to Questions@RadioMariaEngland.uk

Questions of Faith - 2021-06-11 Fr. Sam has invited Jane Crone, Community Participation Coordinator, for East Anglia Diocese is Parishes and schools with CAFOD.  They'll be answering the following questions sent in by listeners: 'I am a confirmation candidate and need to do a service project with my parish and I’m really interested in helping our planet. I’m only 15. Any suggestions on how I can help?'; 'I’ve read a lot of troubling news coming out of Colombia. Is the Church doing anything to help them?'; 'The G7 Summit is coming up and they will be talking about rebuilding after the Pandemic. Does the Church have any opinions that they will be sharing?'; 'We know that people have had hard financial times during the pandemic. I’ve also switched jobs this past year as it wasn’t feasible to keep working in hospitality. I’ve incurred a lot of debt as well.  I’ve had massive help here in England. Is there anything that the Church can do to help with debt… besides pray?'; 'My children are struggling to get anything out of Live Streamed Mass. Any resource suggestions?'; 'My friend in Lebanon constantly prays for Saint Oscar Romero to intercede for her. Why would someone in Lebanon connect with a saint from El Salvador?' You are very welcome to send in your questions to Questions@RadioMariaEngland.uk.

Father Sam Randell is joined by theologian Father Simon to discuss issues in and around the Catholic faith. 

In this episode Father Sam Randell is joined by founding trustee of Radio Maria England, Father Stefan Parc. Among the issues discussed is how did Radio Maria begin, and do we necessarily have to pray with other people?

In this episode priest director Father Sam Randell and sister Gemma discuss the Catholic Church, the faith and social issues, including why is there a Radio Maria.

Priest Director Father Sam Randell is joined by Sister Gemma as they tackle such questions as who were the Church Fathers and how to handle your children at mass.

Questions of Faith - 2021-04-16 Sister Gemma and Father Sam answer a range of questions from listeners including ones received during the programme. I realise that there are so many Jewish traditions , rules and other prayers that I have never heard of; I would have thought Christians would have kept many of the Jewish ways; why don’t Christians follow some of the same teachings at Jewish people?  Why is the Catholic Church holding so many memorials for Prince Philip?  Father Sam was talking about Saint Thomas the other day and mentioned the Gospel of Saint Thomas; could he share more about that? What happened to Nicodemus and why didn’t he stop the Pharisees from crucifying Jesus?

Questions of Faith - 2021-04-02 Father Sam and Sister Gemma answer questions sent in from listeners and volunteers.  Questions include: Sister Gemma and Father Sam answer questions sent in to RME. Questions include: Where is God in this current COVID Pandemic? Why did it happen? Why do we celebrate Jesus’s rising from the dead on Saturday evening, as three days after Good Friday is Monday? What do bunnies and eggs have to do with Easter? Why did they cover the statues and the cross in church this week? Does the Communion wine have to be alcoholic? What are some of your favourite Easter traditions?

Questions of Faith - Episode March 26, 2021 Sister Gemma and Fr, Sam answers questions written into Radio Maria England.  Questions include: When does Lent end?  Is it before Palm Sunday? I’ve heard Passover talked about during Holy Week.  I guess is a Jewish festival.  What is it and do Catholics observe Passover as well? The Bible talks as if Judas betraying Jesus was all predestined and planned by God.  But that makes God out to be vengeful, damning Judas to hell without any real choice about it. We are told that Judas repented before he committed suicide and gave back the silver.  Would a merciful God really send Judas to hell all the same?  I don’t know much about the apostle John that ends up taking care of Jesus’s body after the crucifixion.  Could you share with us a little bit more about him?  Did he do anything else? What happens to a priest if he breaks the law?

Questions of Faith - Episode March 19, 2021 Canon Simon Blakesly joins Father Sam Randall with answering questions sent in to Radio Maria England.  Do you have any questions?  Please do write them in to us at Questions@RadioMariaEngland.uk Why do we even spend time on earth? Why not skip all this suffering and just start off in heaven? What are the rules you have to follow in order to receive communion? Are the rules different in other diocese? Rumour has it that in Cameroon, if you were in a relationship you weren’t allowed to have communion until you were married. How can different dioceses have different rules? What’s the rules for Holy week this year? Can I finally sing? What is the Angelus Prayer? I frequently hear a reference to the Canon Law of the Catholic Church. It is my understanding that this is different than the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Can you tell me, what is the Canon Law? As priests, could you share some special moments in Holy Weeks past that have kept a special place in your memory?

Questions of Faith - Episode March 12, 2021 Questions include:  Is the Pope Infallible?  If you get divorced, can you receive Holy communion? Where do aborted foetuss go? Heaven? I remember when I was in school I was told “Limbo”.  What happens to ordained people when they retire? Should we be spending so much money on fixing old churched that are environmentally unfriendly when it would cost less to build more environmentally friendly and accessible for all people? What’s the point of having the book of Revelations in the Bible? Why are their angels if God can do everything?

Questions of Faith - Episode March 5, 2021 Father Sam and Sister Gemma answer questions sent him by listeners.  Questions include:  Why did Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead, When do you have to have a priest present? Mass? Stations of the Cross? Confession? and Many protestants believe that we are saved by Faith alone and they say that Catholics believe they can “work” their way into heaven. Is that true?

Questions of Faith - Episode February 26, 2021 Father Sam and Sister Gemma answers questions about International Women's Day which is on March 8th, Why do Catholics pray to the saints when our Lord in the Gospel taught the disciples (and us) to pray to the Father and Are Jewish people still God’s chosen people? To send in your questions, please email Questions@RadioMariaEngland.uk