Parents Circle

Fr. Joe answers questions from children

Dear Father Joe…

WHEN I GO TO CONFESSION I DISGUISE MY VOICE BECAUSE I’M EMBARRASSED. CAN YOU HELP! – Josefa

Dear Josefa –

Thanks for the honesty of your question. Certainly it is appropriate to feel sorry for the wrong we’ve done and for the good we’ve failed to do. But we do not ever need to fear God’s reaction when we go to Confession. The truth is that we do not have enough power to make God stop loving us. God never invites us to grow without first loving us where we are!

Perhaps you are embarrassed about what the PRIEST might think. But I’m sure that almost every priest is like me in this regard: When someone comes to me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because they are sorry, I do not think badly of them. Instead, I only have MORE love in my heart for them.

When Jesus told us the story of the prodigal son, he described a young man who had broken his dad’s heart and made a mess of his life. When the son returned to his father to beg for mercy, his dad was so glad to have him back he threw his arms around him! Jesus told us that story to describe what GOD is like. I encourage you to let your own voice be known, because that is the kind of love that waits for you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In Jesus,
Fr. Joe

Excerpts from: “Living Faith, Kids” magazine. These are real questions submitted to Fr. Joe from children. Check back every couple of months… we will post a different question with an answer from Fr. Joe!
Click here and check them out! Living Faith, Kids (Living Faith, Kids)
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Lectionary Correlation for Big Al LIVE DVDs

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Frequently Asked Questions

My Friend told me about Big Al. Who is he?

Find out more about Big Al by clicking here: Who is Big Al?

What makes Big Al special?

Children (from age 2-102) easily identify with Big Al because of his humor and his honesty. Big Al often puts words on what we all think or feel. In some instances, he doesn’t understand the message of Jesus. At other times, he knows what Jesus asks, but is hesitant to do the right thing because it is hard. And sometimes Big Al loves so wonderfully that he inspires us all. Big Al provides a way for children of every age to see – and live – the beautiful values of Jesus in their own lives!

Will I be able to watch Big Al on TV?

Yes! You can see Big Al LIVE segments on EWTN every Tuesday at 4:20pm Central Standard Time.

Where is Big Al available?

Follow this link to see more about Big Al products: Products

Where did Big Al come from?

Big Al and Fr. Joe have been buddies for a long time. Big Al first came to St. Louis several years ago to work with Fr. Joe on a video to help people find God in the midst of suffering. Because of Fr. Joe’s and Big Al’s special love for people who are hurting, it was natural that – together – they would continue spreading the simple message of Jesus to children all over the world!

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Are the messages in the Big Al LIVE DVDs good to use for educational purposes?

YES! The segments in each of the Big Al LIVE DVDs have been correlated with the Church’s Lectionary Year. Some Parochial Schools, P.S.R. (C.C.D) Programs and Home-schoolers use them as part of their religion curriculum.