Dear Father

The basic difference between a cross and a crucifix is that the crucifix has a corpus (an artistic rendering of Christ crucified) attached to it, while a cross does not have this symbol.

It is possible that the cross first began appearing in Christian homes shortly after the apostles began to preach the faith as an article to express their faith and deepen their devotion. Such belief is supported by the writings of the Church Fathers, who call the early Christian community "devotees of the Cross," while the surrounding pagan community calling the Christians "cross-worshipers."

Q: Why don't parishes offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick more often? Wouldn't it be a good idea to offer it on a regular basis, say once a month or so? 

Obviously, Jesus bestowed this great gift upon His Church with the understanding that she would make it as available as possible to His people for their spiritual and physical benefit. That being said, however, He also cautioned us not to dispense the sacraments frivolously, telling us neither to "cast (our) pearls before swine" nor to "give what is holy to dogs."

Yours is a most astute question, for not only is Jerusalem the great capital of ancient Judea and also the place where the mystical events of our salvation occurred, but it is also the scene of the birth of the Church on Pentecost. With all that going for it, one would naturally surmise that that city, so rich in the tradition of the Church and so vital to its origins, would be the very center of our religion.

Q: I recently attended a parish First Communion Mass at which the celebrant invited the first communicants to stand with him in the sanctuary for the eucharistic prayer. Is that okay? 

Q: Why are Catholic parishes allowed to have fish fries on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? Aren't these days on which we're supposed to fast? 

To paraphrase an old line from Mark Twain, man is the only creature capable of fasting, which is good, because he certainly needs to!

Q: What is the Church’s teaching on the wine used for the Precious Blood at Mass? Is it acceptable for a priest struggling with alcoholism to use a non-alcoholic wine? What about the laity who might
be struggling with alcoholism?