Q:  I’ve heard you’ve just become “pastor” (rector?) of the cathedral. My question concerns the DVD series on liturgy by “Now You Know Media”, the lectures by John Baldovin, S.J.  Some years ago I listened to one of them.   What is your opinion of them, as to their accuracy, up to date-ness, balance, usability, etc.? Thanks. A:  Yes. It is pastor, not rector, because the cathedral is a parish.  I know John Baldovin. I’ve listened to that series. It’s excellent.

Q: I have a question about sponsor and godparent. So of course the sponsor is for the catechumen and then at the Rite of Election they receive a godparent. The Rite says the candidate receives a sponsor. Here is the dilemma. Some Christian faiths do not use a god parent. When asked the question why can the candidate have a godparent I answered “because they are baptized it assumes they already have a godparent. Further I said that the role of Godparent goes with the sacrament of Baptism. I addition I did explain the translation of sponsor is godparent in Latin. …

Q:  What is the Church’s mind on non Catholics reading at a funeral Mass? A:  Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism 133: “133. The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.” So you may ask the bishop for permission.  

Q:  Might I get your take on this?  Your book was quoted in regards to appropriate time for celebrating full communion.  Would you hold that a Sunday of Lent is appropriate for this?  If yes,  would it be appropriate for those candidates for full communion who were presented to the diocesan bishop at a combined R of E/ Call to Conversion to be initiated one week later on the third Sunday of Lent? ( we have to use second weekend for Rite due to numbers and size of Cathedral) Thank you for any input you may have on this. A: …

Q:  I’m wondering if your Q & A emails can be archived in some sort of topical form on your web page? I am not saving every email you send, but I would love to be able to access them as a given topic arises for me in pastoral ministry. Many thanks for making your insights available to us all. A:  It would be labor intensive to index and add a keyword search to the blog.  All posts are on the site – www.paulturner.org.  Try the search button. it will help.

Q:  Not a question Paul, just a word of appreciation for your sensitivity in handling so many of these questions and especially the question about baptizing a baby unlikely to survive birth. Your response was beautiful and very moving. You do the priesthood good. Pax. A:  Thanks. God bless your good work.

Q:  Were women involved in the writing of the Revised Rite of Marriage? Were married couples involved? Many thanks! A:  Yes, but microscopically. The revised Catholic marriage rite represents two different efforts: The Vatican issued a second edition in Latin in 1990. I don’t know if any women or married couples were involved with that upgrade, but it is unlikely. ICEL spearheaded the revised English translation. That translation went through all the usual hoops – base translator, editorial committee, international commission, Vox Clara, and 11 conferences of bishops, any member of which could have consulted women and married couples in …

Q:  A liturgist near here says that the unity candle has been suppressed.  I can’t find that in print.  It isn’t in the new rite.  If not a quick easy answer let me know and I’ll keep looking. A:  OCM 29 tolerates “local customs”. As I’ve explained in my book  One Love, people will argue over what is “local” and what are “customs”. But there is no suppression of the unity candle.

Q:  So much appreciate your blogs. This week’s reading from Acts (6:1-7) speaks to those of us who serve as liturgists and sacristans. And your answers to questions so thoughtfully combine rubric and liturgically appropriate/ common sense (the sweet spot). Our parish needs to refresh/ replace its banners and liturgical-color wall hangings in the sanctuary. I’ve seen a variety of options at other parishes, including a wall tapestries and hangings on the ambo and altar. Which of your books can we use to give us some guidance on recommendations for showing the liturgical colors and for use of themed banners? …

Q:  At a past parish, we invited the HS Seniors to join together for a Parish Mass and Reception. The HS Seniors wore their caps and gowns or a nice outfit. They processed in, removed their caps and worshiped with the community. Some participated in the Mass as ministers. At a neighboring parish, the pastor will not allow caps/gowns or their specific recognition. In which document(s) could I find some reference? Are there any liturgical laws being “broken” with the seniors and their graduation celebration? A:  As far as I know, you’re not breaking any laws. I can’t think of …