Fr. John-Mary Bowlin serves as Parish Priest at St. Jude Catholic Church in Gun Barrel City, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army and was ordained a priest in June of 2012.

 

 

• What is the most challenging aspect about being a priest? What should we pray for to help priests?
• How do we know that there are not more than three divine persons in God?
• Is masturbation a sin against the 6th commandment if a person is a widow or widower? Where in the Bible is this stated?
• I am a Catholic teen who is very devoted to his faith but struggles with masturbation. I know the church teaches that it is wrong but it also says to take into account the age as well. Should I not receive communion at mass because of this? Am I in the wrong big time, or am I okay due to my age as an adolescent?
• Any special advice from Father's perspective on making a Good First Saturday this weekend?
• How to battle pride? I can be pretty arrogant and egotistical.
• If I was told that I should not attend the wedding of a family member who is marrying outside of the church (they are confirmed Catholics), may I at least attend the bridal shower?
• If, while confessing, I mentally acknowledge the fact that I will likely commit the same sin again (not intentionally, but due to my human weakness), does that affect the validity of my absolution?
• I was told that video games are bad in a sense spiritually and that I should smash my system and destroy it. I even heard that I should smash the games themselves into pieces so others can't fall into sin. Is that going too far, or should I sell it and give the money to my friend who I owe, or is it ok to keep?
• When is it appropriate to give fraternal correction, if we are to give correction at all?
• In the Bible, where does it say that a woman should not be a priest? How can I answer that question when asked?
• Should Christianity be as the apostle Paul preached; has Christianity grown into something different?

 

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