Oh, for Pete's Sake

I have to assume that the expression, "for Pete's sake!" has something to do with St. Peter. I can't think what it would be, but today I'm glad to call on St. Peter to talk some sense into people. Since our last post about the haunted house we've had a loony discussion in the comments section that I feel we must address. 

 I am wondering whether those haunting the house have a message of healing to offer, and keeping on being ignored just makes it harder for them to offer it? Logically, this is a possibility offered by process of elimination, consulting the options Sister has discussed so far: "Their purpose may be to teach or warn, or request some favor of the living." Thus, if I had the courage, I might ask what it is each remaining one wants, or to offer that is helpful.

What part of "don't talk to the ghosts" did you miss? Don't talk to 'ghosts'.  We don't know what they are but, whatever they are, it can't be good.  The author who talked about ghosts being there to teach or to warn wasn't talking about some type of spirit that endlessly hangs around a house smoking cigars and rattling the dinnerware.  He was talking about an apparition, like when you suddenly see your dead Aunt Margie and she is motioning to you.  (She is motioning to you to pray for her, no doubt.)

What about the people like the long island medium who believe the dead can talk to/through them? She seems sincere, and it appears that she comes up with things that she has no way of knowing -- it gives so much comfort to people, I can't believe a demon would do anything to comfort anyone. She says she's a practicing Catholic, but I'd love to know if she has discussed her powers with her parish priest, and if so, what he told her.
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If she talked to a priest he told her, "don't talk to ghosts".  It's against canon law to be a "medium", so any priest would tell her to cut that out, no matter what she believes she's doing. We thank another reader for setting things straight:

Meg commented: I can't believe a demon would do anything to comfort anyone Why not? If it causes you to run to psychics or mediums or the like, they've done their job.

I couldn't have stated it better.

If you've used blessed salt, and it hasn't bothered them (quantity wouldn't matter, it's the faith with which it is used), they probably are souls in purgatory. These souls are only allowed to manifest themselves to ask for prayers, so I really think that what you are doing (praying for them) is the right thing. I'll pray for them, too, and for you!

No, they are not souls in Purgatory, because no one has Purgatory in their house or yard or old hotel. Purgatory is outside time and space.  You're right that souls from Purgatory have sometimes asked for prayers, but, again, they ask and that's the end of it. Even Jacob Marley didn't spend the rest of Christmas Eve badgering Scrooge. He gave Scrooge the what for and took off.

This idea that anyone would have to endlessly hang around to get their point across is why, ultimately, the apparitions at Medjugorje have never been approved by the Church. If Our Lady hasn't delivered her message by now, after daily apparitions to a bunch of children for years on end, we have to wonder what's up with Our Lady. 

At this rate, I'm surprised no one has mentioned trying a Ouija Board or some Tarot cards. Trying to talk to the dead is on the same "do not try this at home" list of sins as those things. I hope this settles the matter. We have questions that need answering!