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Father Kerper Explains
Fr. Michael Kerper, a priest of the Diocese of Manchester, regularly answers questions about the Catholic Faith in the diocesan magazine Parable. Fr. Kerper’s answers are listed below by topic. If you have a question for Fr. Kerper, send it to editorparable@rcbm.org.
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Sacred Scripture and Tradition
Parable: The Lord's Favorite Literary Tool
Jesus: The only true Christmas Gift
Knowing the Difference Between Catholic Doctrine and Popular Belief
What role does fear play in faith?
The Wise Men: Fact or Fiction?
Catholic practices of meditation and contemplative prayer
Freeing oneself of "spiritual clutter"
Why Do Christians Read Different Bibles?
The Lord's Prayer - Why Two Versions?
Are Marian Apparitions Real Events?
Do Christians, Jews and Muslims All Pray to the Same God?
Why were the mysteries added to the traditional rosary?
What is the meaning behind the Glory Be prayer?
Does the Hail Mary take our focus away from the Lord?
Did Jesus actually give us the Lord's Prayer?
How can the Church create new doctrine that isn't found in the Bible?
How can original sin be inherited?
Was Christ born on Christmas or not?
Is there proof of God's existence?
Why are the psalms so violent?
Why do Catholics “pray” to Mary?
The Sacraments
Jesus wants to be touched by human hands
What's sacramental about marriage?
Why is the Confirmation age being changed?
Since when can Catholics marry on a plane?
Can someone with dementia receive the sacraments?
Can God forgive a sin if the sinner is not really sorry for the sin?
How do I explain receiving Communion to my non-Catholic relatives?
What is the Act of Contrition?
Was I wrong to receive Holy Communion?
Is it really Christ’s body and blood?
Can a non-Catholic be a godparent for my child?
Why do I have to go to Confession?
I am divorced. Can I receive Communion?
Why can't we have a Catholic wedding at our favorite inn?
Life and death
Why are Catholic funeral rites different?
'Jesus remember me' - deathbed conversions reveal God's infinite mercy
The troubling mystery of suicide
Your mom's funeral belongs to her
Can Catholics believe in reincarnation?
Parish life
Sacred and secular: What data should I share with the Church?
Silence in church: Creating sacred space to hear God speak
What's the difference between a homily and a sermon?
Beyond the 'liberal' and 'conservative' divide
Can the state stop us from practicing our faith?
What is "faith formation" anyway?
The Invasion of Sacred Space by Electronic Devices
Why don't the monks help out in the parishes?
My son goes to CCD. Why does he have to go to Mass?
Why does everyone do something different at Mass?
Morality and Values
How to make personal prayer meaningful
Following one's conscience when facing immorality
What does God say about racism?
Why prayer is the ultimate political act
What's wrong with consulting psychics, ouija boards and astrology?
How can you be "spiritual" but not religious?
Why didn't Jesus condemn slavery?
Why doesn't Pope Francis like pets?
What do I have to accept to be a Catholic?
What does it mean to be in the state of grace?
Do we have to give money to every beggar who comes along?
What is the difference between mortal and venial sin?
What is right, my conscience or the Church?
The Structure of the Catholic Church
fDecoding the Church's ceremonial 'pecking order'
Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli Tutti
Unpacking Catholic media: How do I know what's true?
Why is the election of the pope so secretive and medieval?
Why doesn't the Catholic Church form its own political party?
Why don’t we elect our bishop?
What is the difference between a Mass and a “Sunday service?”
