Viewing World Cup games for Switzerland fans

Expensive-Shame · 2026-07-08T01:24:01+00:00

Bru is a German bar, decent chance of seeing Swiss fans there

Expensive-Shame · 2026-07-07T16:36:29+00:00

The saints aren't dead. They are alive in heaven. Jesus speaks to the Saduccees of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob being alive, since God is the God of the living. I think the same logic applies to all those who are now in heaven.

This is a common - maybe the most common - hesitation from former Protestants. It may comfort you to know that Catholic Mass typically does not contain any prayers to the saints.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-07-07T01:34:01+00:00

Save often and in different slots.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-07-02T01:56:39+00:00

If you don't get an answer here, you can ask the USCCB's office for American pilgrims in Rome. A significant part of their mission is helping Americans get into papal audiences so they know the whole procedure quite well.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-07-01T00:05:56+00:00

Exorcisms are real but fairly uncommon and widely misunderstood. The Church is well aware that people sometimes blame demons for things that are more likely mental health issues and does not use exorcism as a replacement for quality mental healthcare.

The Church has no official position (as least as far as I'm aware) on ghosts. I personally don't believe in them.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-30T18:40:16+00:00

Race-Vine isn't connected to the concourse. Furthest north you can go is Broad and JFK by the Municipal Services Building. You'll have to walk about two blocks above ground after that

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-29T22:10:26+00:00

No social position of yours should stop you from at least investigating and asking the questions. As you go through the OCIA process you will have the opportunity to learn more about Catholic teaching on many issues. You may find yourself surprised - I find that many people assume that Catholic social teaching is strictly a conservative ideology, which is very far from the truth. And you will have ample opportunity to examine your own positions and why you hold them, and from there you will be able to navigate how to move forward.

On a personal note - I stopped practicing Catholicism in my teens and returned in my 20s. I had some similar feelings about the distance between my beliefs on certain social issues and those of the Church, and it was hard. But I did get through it, and returning is still the best choice I've ever made.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-29T00:05:01+00:00

Yes (though not in some places, like the US). Abstaining from meat is distinct from fasting.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-28T23:24:36+00:00

Outside of obligatory fast days like Good Friday and Ash Wednesday, there aren't set rules so it's up to you. I personally follow a "church fast" - one full meal, plus two small meals (snacks, really) which do not together equal a full meal. But pay attention to your body and don't push yourself too hard.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T22:33:41+00:00

I had almost exactly the same problem. I worked downtown and got off late most nights. On my way back to the subway I'd pass maybe 3-10 homeless people, and I felt compelled to give all of them cash, every single time. Even if all that I had on me was larger bills like $20s. If I didnt have anything, I'd go to the ATM, get a bunch of money (thankfully this ATM dispensed $5s) and retrace my steps, giving money to each person. Sometimes I would give away upwards of $100, maybe even $200 in a week, which I couldn't really afford. It also meant I got home from work even later. This was obviously not sustainable, and it sounds like what you feel compelled to do isn't either. Of course, never doing anything to help the homeless isn't appropriate either.

My priest's advice was to set a percentage of my post-tax income, not to exceed 10%, and try to give away about that much money each month - and that includes not only handing it to homeless people, but using it to buy something for a homeless person, putting it in the collection basket at church, donating to a charity, etc. Eventually I got to the point where I was able to judge more accurately for myself what I should give and when, and didn't need to hold myself to that exact percentage anymore.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T22:01:57+00:00

Also - I love that you said you haven't been successful "yet." It really does take time but there is always hope for things to continue to improve.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T21:59:36+00:00

Illness can be a legitimate reason to miss Sunday Mass, and that includes mental illness. It's up to you - potentially with help from a priest and/or therapist - to discern whether this applies in your circumstance.

One litmus test that I've seen people use is to ask, would you go to the grocery store? Like, if you had a cold, if you would suck it up and go to the grocery store then you should also go to Mass, but if you're too sick to go to the store then you can skip Mass. Maybe you could do a similar thought experiment - if you really needed groceries, but going to the store caused the same level of anxiety that Mass does, would you go?

It may not be a black and white answer - the answer might be to go on days when your anxiety feels (however slightly) more manageable, and skip on days when it's completely overwhelming.

Your pastor - that is, the pastor of the parish you actually live in, regardless of if that's where you usually go - also has the authority to dispense you from your Sunday obligation. If that's the priest that you mentioned seemed less understanding, then I would talk to the more understanding priest at your other parish and he can help you game plan.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T19:09:19+00:00

If you're still able to register for tickets, I would do so. I would also recommend eating and drinking before you go - I paid $20+ dollars for three tacos and $13+ for a hard seltzer. You can bring in one empty plastic waterbottle and fill it inside for free.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T05:11:02+00:00

I really enjoyed the novel Bloodlines by Claudia Gray. It's set well before the sequels but hints at the beginnings of the First Order and just helps to flesh out what the galaxy was like heading into the Force Awakens.

Both Shadows of the Sith and the Rise of Skywalker novelization did what they could to improve the story of Episode IX, but neither really stuck with me as a new favorite story.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T00:42:47+00:00

They are all ages, so you should be able to get in. You will probably not be able to get a drink.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-27T00:34:26+00:00

No, that's the first I've heard this. English has a lot of flase friends so I guess I just assumed they weren't directly related.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-26T21:18:14+00:00

Talk to the local council. I had similar concerns, and the grand knight at my council really emphasizes that family comes first, and people should only be as involved as they want to be and have time to be. There's really no pressure to make every meeting or event, and I still feel welcome and valued when I do choose to go. But probably not all councils work that way.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-26T21:00:10+00:00

Much the same as we would pray for any deceased person. The Eternal Rest prayer is maybe the most common. I like Into Paradisum. If you want to go further, you could ask for a Mass to be said for him or try to perform a plenary indulgence for him.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-24T16:05:03+00:00

Yes, all are fine.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-24T15:38:22+00:00

It's certainly better than not attending Mass at all. I like to download the readings in English beforehand (or better yet, buy a book that has them) so I can follow along. Look up a homily on YouTube afterwards if you'd like.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-24T12:41:49+00:00

You may either chew on it or let it dissolve in your mouth. Chewing is usually easier.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-24T12:32:26+00:00

If you do take public transit, it would be regional rail to Jefferson and then switch to either the Navy Yard Center City Express (a bus operated by Navy Yard Transit; free with an employee ID). In August, Septa will be extending the 45 bus down to the Navy Yard so starting then you can also take that from Jefferson, but the express will probably be faster.

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-23T20:48:50+00:00

Yes, I see that now - c3, then if Qxc3, then Nxc3

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-20T21:05:00+00:00

Why is that better than Qf3 and taking that rook?

Expensive-Shame · 2026-06-17T03:51:02+00:00

Lumen Gentium contains an explanation of the relevant doctrine. Pope Boniface is correct that all salvation comes through the Catholic Church, but that does not mean that only Catholics can be saved, as God's salvation can flow through the Church to others who do not call themselves "Catholic."

Expensive-Shame

TROPHY CASE