tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post8193804987503801121..comments2024-03-05T14:07:28.062-08:00Comments on Ask Sister Mary Martha: Now You KnowSister Mary Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580244097177195453noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-3097696905442337652012-06-01T14:41:17.050-07:002012-06-01T14:41:17.050-07:00I'm not entirely sure, but I believe the restr...I'm not entirely sure, but I believe the restriction on genetic engineering only applies to the human genome. We belong to God, but He has given us all the rest of creation. Strictly speaking, breeding programs, hybrids, and the like are forms of genetic engineering.<br /><br />Sister, if I recall correctly "freely assented" means that you have to decide/want to do the sinful act -- compulsion and habit may mitigate guilt.Arkanabarhttp://arkanabar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-73621466908803739432012-06-01T13:50:05.074-07:002012-06-01T13:50:05.074-07:00Sister Martha, please correct me if I am wrong, bu...Sister Martha, please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the genetic engineering part applies to genetically engineering human beings, and not to non-human creatures. Could you elaborate on that part please?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />YuukoIchiharaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-52360766318733449042012-05-31T15:32:02.115-07:002012-05-31T15:32:02.115-07:00@Anonymous, we used to have to do this at school M...@Anonymous, we used to have to do this at school Masses (transferring the host from one bowl to another if we were going to communion). Tongs were used to transfer them, instead of hands, and often one of the Sisters supervised it. This might be a compromise, if your church insists on doing it this way. Ask them to appoint a supervisor and get them to do the transferring if possible.mphnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-91484745807775918792012-05-31T09:57:30.325-07:002012-05-31T09:57:30.325-07:00Sister I found the following on a website of a cat...Sister I found the following on a website of a catholic church while trying to find a church for my children to attend.<br /><br />Quote: If You Are Receiving Communion<br />Inside the entrance to the church are terra cotta bowls containing hosts. When arriving for mass, those who wish to receive Communion are asked to transfer a host from the terra cotta bowl to the white bowl located next to it. The white bowl contains those hosts which will be consecrated at that mass.<br /><br />We do not take up a collection with ushers passing baskets during mass. As you enter the church, please place your community offering in the baskets provided in the gift tables located at the entrance to the church.<br /><br />Placing your host and donations in the containers provided before mass begins is a strong symbol. Both are gifts. The host represents all the work of your hands during the past week. Like the host which is made by applying man's labor to God's gift of wheat, we take creation and apply our labor and our talent to provide for the welfare of our families, as well as the larger community. Our financial offering is also a gift we bring to the Lord's table. It is fitting that they be made together and both are presented to the celebrant by representatives of the community on behalf of us all.<br />Unquote<br />I am heart broken that this is going on. What about the six year old (many are unsupervised) who wants to see how does that host taste....taking one, trying it out, not liking the taste and putting it back in the bowl? How about those who are sick handling the hosts? How about the overwhelmed mother who sends their middle schooler up to " just put seven in the bowl" I imagine this kids scooping up a handful counting out seven and tossing the remained back in the first bowl. I can't imagine that when so many, unfortunately, don't believe in the real presence of Jesus in the host treating the unconsecrated host with any respect. I believe this will be my Jesus and deserves respect too.<br />How lazy do you have to be not to learn the approximate number of hosts that will be needed for any given service? I won't let anything come between me and my catholic church but this is cutting it close.<br />I can be tolerant about hand holding during the Our Father, kissing during peace, tube tops and flip flops but this is sending me over the edge.<br />Am I way out of line? (by the way the church is The Good Shepard in State College PA)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-86158412844877092762012-05-30T22:17:09.796-07:002012-05-30T22:17:09.796-07:00Hello Sister. I just have a quick question. I am...Hello Sister. I just have a quick question. I am a Protestant and my Catholic friend told me that according to Catholic Church teachings I can still get into Heaven. I did not think that was the official position of the Church. So what's the verdict? Can Protestants get into Heaven? What about non-denominational Christians? Mormons? I tried consulting the Catechism on this subject but it confused me a bit.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665772703681669056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-63555211462526562282012-05-30T18:00:46.285-07:002012-05-30T18:00:46.285-07:00Dear Sr. MM....where to begin...... I worked on a ...Dear Sr. MM....where to begin...... I worked on a drug that was genetically engineered to cure breast cancer. I also worked on a pediatric drug that was genetically engineered to immunize millions of children in developing countries. Now I am finding out I have committed 2 mortal sins.......so should I die tonight, according to the Church, I am straight off to hell!? Perhaps I am being slightly facetious, but not really.......Personally I think St Francis' example is all I need, but now all these new sins worry me somewhat......especially since I am not about to leave my field.......Nataliahttp://runlikehermes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-71862488500388403242012-05-30T16:03:15.345-07:002012-05-30T16:03:15.345-07:00Wow. That is an interesting point, Anon. Yes, it...Wow. That is an interesting point, Anon. Yes, it is difficult to think of anything or anyone else. I am curious about the Part Two, because I had also heard that addictions are not sinning. Thanks, sister, keep it up.Anonymous 2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30512717.post-84529638895036703502012-05-30T13:09:42.748-07:002012-05-30T13:09:42.748-07:00Wow! Its been a whole day and no replies, I'll...Wow! Its been a whole day and no replies, I'll start.<br />Why is it impossible to pray for anyone or anything besides oneself when in a state of mortal sin?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com