Paul Turner

Q: We have always had the tradition that during Advent and Lent the organ is only used to accompany the […]

Q: I noticed in an upcoming Parish Bulletin that the Christmas Eve and day Masses this year are in memory

Q: This year Christmas falls on a Saturday. If we have a Saturday afternoon or evening Mass, what do we

Q: I do a Holy Hour in my rectory everyday. I have been doing Adoration because I use a chapel monstrance inside

Q: We are going to have the Rite of welcoming and acceptance this weekend for our RCIA. I know it

Q: We have a college here and several college students regularly worship with our Parish at the Sunday mass. I

Q: I have had a particular parishioner who has been a successful thorn in my side when it comes to

Q: Just prior and though out the month of November we have displayed the Book of the Names of the

Q: When are people supposed to sit after communion? When the tabernacle closes? When the priest sits? == A: GIRM

Q: My brother-in-law and niece have celiac disease and the low gluten host still has more gluten than they can

Q: Hi Fr. Paul! Thank you for your priesthood! I have a question about when to do the blessing of

Q: Several deacons from various diocese are discussing what a group of deacons at Mass should be doing if they

Q: Is praying the Divine Office (prior to Vatican II) still considered a prayer in communion with all others praying

Q: A priest friend of mine recently asked me if I had heard anything about the bishops wanting to change

Q: I had an RCIA question that has come up and thought of you and your vast knowledge. In my

Q: You recently pointed out a theological error in the collect for December 8, the Immaculate Conception. The prayer concludes

Q: Our pastor has a huge collection of religious art. He believes it should be shared with the faithful at

Q: Will the revised Liturgy of the Hours restore the psalms that condemn enemies, such as 58 and 109? ==

Q: What’s the practice on the use of the music of David Haas? I know our GIA/World Library missalette service

Q: Our diocese requires Eucharistic Ministers to attend a two hour update session every four years. I am a volunteer

Q: We spoke briefly at a conference about re-purposing old altar stones in new altars (in short, OK within the

Q: I hope that all is well with you and with those to whom you minister. I thought you might

Q: December 7th is the anniversary of the dedication of my parish church. If I were to offer mass in

Q: In the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours: 1. Are they planning to restore the usual translation

Q: Your recent blog entry caught my eye. We discussed this in our Diocese and it seems like from the

Q: When a priest finishes Mass by opening up Exposition for extended time of Adoration, what is the proper position

Q: Given that Masses for Various Needs are allowed on the day before Thanksgiving, may the Thanksgiving Day Mass itself

Q: When a church uses screens, what are your thoughts regarding what text should be posted on the screens? For

Q: I enjoy your blog, and thank you for all that you do for the Church.  At my parish, we

Q: For Christmas Midnight Mass, is it permitted to have a candlelight Mass? I can’t find any text that says

Q: Outside of a Holy Year designated by the Holy Father, such as the Year of Mercy, can parishes erect/open

Q: My bishop asked me recently about the custom of blessing people using relics by making the sign of the

Q: I appreciate your responses the connections you make with good resourcing from our liturgical documents. I’ve a question about

Q:  We are involved  in some discussions on the Revised Order of Christian Initiation and  at this moment are wondering

Q: I just had a question about Mass times on  Christmas Eve . . . Is it permissible to have

Q: A neighboring parish has automatic “Touchless Holy Water Dispensers” for parishioners use when they enter church to sign themselves

Q: The Pastor of my parish will not allow the faithful to walk in procession and present the gifts.  This

Q: I am scheduled to officiate at a wedding on New Year’s Day at 4 pm. Do I still have to

Q: We are looking at consecrating a new altar that the bishop has approved. Your book New Church, New Altar has been very helpful

Q: Am I permitted to use different readings for the Office of Readings? == A: The General Instruction of the

Q: I had a thought… is this crazy or genius?  What if we sang an abbreviated Litany of Saints during

Q: When do you use incense at funerals? Only at the end? Or throughout the Mass? == A: During the

Q: Hi Fr. Paul. I am serving with a new and young pastor. Very pastoral. However, we wanted to start

Can a Catholic couple enter into a pre-nuptial agreement. This is a huge discussion recently among marriage planning individuals. ==

Q: Since I asked you a question about the historical liturgical readings, I have been reading your blog regularly. As

Q: I enjoy your catechesis and comments and continue to learn so much.  Thank you! I sent the below two years

Q: Thank you once again for being such a rich resource on all things liturgy.  The Constitution on the Liturgy

Q: What does it meant when it says: “The Word of God in the Liturgical Celebration”? == A: It probably

Q: A parishioner insists on having an Anglican priest friend baptize their newborn, but then they intend to raise the

Q: The question came up amongst our deacon group concerning cremains. A person had their father’s cremains interred several years

Q: During a weekday confirmation mass (ordinary time) do we usually skip the Gloria and Creed (reserved for feast and

Q: Quick question — if I have a Sunday evening Mass on 10/31, is the Vigil for All Saints an

Q: On Sep 9/21 you received a question regard the use of the sign of the cross at the beginning

Q: When the Bishop celebrates Mass, and there are many deacons in the entrance procession, where do they line up

Q: I have two sets of twins in my Confirmation classes this year and they asked a great question to which

Q: The Order of Baptism for Children, for Baptism during Mass, has the Rite of Receiving the Child(ren) begin after the

Q: In a blog post dated September 22, 2021 regarding conducting more than one baptism in a parish on one

Q: I used to be the bishop of a diocese that covered so much territory that I celebrated two chrism

Q: The sister of a colleague has died at age 100 and had donated her body to medical facility. For

Q: Hope you’re well!  Quick question regarding chapter 3 in Dedication Ritual.  No. 9 states: 9. The Bishop, accompanied by Deacons,

Q: Hope you’re having a great day thus far! Reaching out since, like previously mentioned, I used your book, Inseparable

Q: Thanks for this hugely helpful blog. At my UK parish we have recently started to have young, primary school

Q: It seems that this question keeps coming up over and over: Can the deacon speak or chant the Kyrie

Q: I look forward to and enjoy your blog postings.  I am a permanent deacon.  During my formation we were

Q: Thank you for this ministry! Is it correct for a properly instituted Acolyte to wear their Acolyte vestments while

Q: Our pastor has asked that we sing the entrance antiphons from the Roman Missal as our processional. He’s implied

Q: This year I suggested to my pastor that we celebrate our patroness (Oct.1-St. Therese of Lisieux) on Sunday as

Q: In the Philippines, the Patronal Feast of the church/parish is a big feast. It is happily celebrated as a

Q: If there is a relic at the dedication of a church and altar, the deacons (or priests) who carry

Q: Hello Father Paul! I would just like to have a clarification on how to better understand GILH number 35:

Q: Thank you for your dedication and commitment to assist us to have a full, conscious and active in the

Q: Greetings, Fr Paul. What would be possible liturgically for a Parish celebration of a diamond anniversary of the church

Q: We recently welcomed four adults into the Catholic Church. We learned shortly before the ceremony that one of them

Q: Could I wear an alb and stole for the liturgy of the word, and then put on my chasuble

Q: Thank you for all the work you do for God and His church. Recently I was watching the baptism

Q: Sorry a quick question (hopefully). I have so many questions, and hey, you are just a great resource! I

Q: Can a priest anoint a sick infant with the oil of the sick? == A: Canon 1005 says that

Q: Is it ever appropriate for the Lector to read the Mass readings from the altar? Should the Mass readings

Q: Greetings from Downunder. I read with piqued interest your recent reflection about the inclusion of Book of Judges extracts

Q: One of our retired priests is celebrating his 50th anniversary belatedly because of the pandemic. He expects 9 concelebrating

Q: Would you have any explanation for the inclusion of Judges 11: 29-39) in the lectionary?  I was asked this by a

Q: Someone I work with is asking me about guidelines regarding lectors. They have a few people who will sign

Q: I cannot thank you enough for your ministry through your blog, not to mention your books and talks, etc.

Q: For the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds, I know we always say the Nicene Creed on Sundays and Holydays. When do

Q: Might I offer an alternative interpretation (only slightly different) for your recent answer on the celebration of Our Lady

Q: I have recently taken over the formation for an adult Catechumen that is hoping to receive the Sacraments of

Q: Since Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day falls in a Sunday of Advent, is it or can it be

Q: In an article entitled “A bidding prayer or two this Sunday – A more heartfelt way of offering the

Q: Greetings!  Thank-you for being here to answer these questions.  Recently, the new pastor at my parish has begun to

Q: Trusting you are well and safe.  I follow your blog every day and thankfully so. What is your viewpoint,

Q: Hi Father. Hope you are having a pleasant Summer. I have opened my homilies often with a joke. Many

Q: I’m planning to accept a ten-year old into the Order of Catechumens with RCIA 260-276, but I don’t see

Q: Am I correct in my understanding that presiders are not able to write their own Solemn Blessings for the

Q:  On page 65 of your book Ars Celeberandi, why do you say/believe it’s okay to have water in the

Q: Hello Fr. Paul! I do not want to leave to common sense or “intent” something as sacred as Holy

Q: In your book Ars Celebrandi, p. 58, I don’t remain sold on your 1973 usage [footnote 9] of the circular letter

Q: I’m looking over for an Anniversary Mass for a couple, and there is no indication given for what the

Q: You recently wore a cope for a baptism outside of Mass. Why didn’t you wear a chasuble? == A:

Q: Does the priest wear a stole at the cemetery when dressed in black for the committal prayers. I’ve used

Q: Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us, it is truly a blessing. We have a new