5/30/24 - Fr. John-Mary Bowlin

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.     In Today's Show: 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?   Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!