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On Episode 6: of Talkin’ Faith with Catholic Sis.  Join me live as I give you a look into a week in the life of Catholic Sis through pictures, as well as chat with my good friend Al Smith AKA the Pipe Padre about female altar servers. All of this plus another special Q&A segment. Do you have a question to ask me? Comment below or send me a private message for the chance to have your question featured this week! Make sure you’re tune in every Thursday at 7pm. PST/ 10pm. EST at www.fiatministrynetwork.tv/live

Also check out Catholic Sis website at www.catholicsis.com

Tonight I’m talking about what the why I love Easter Vigil so much, what those things you saw at the Easter Vigil really mean. I’ll also be talking a bit about what God says about making and keeping friends, as well as a special Q&A segment! You won’t want to miss a thing, so stay right where you are.”}

Opening Segment:

For my first segment, I’d like to welcome my guest for tonight, the one and only Al Smith AKA “The Pipe Padre”. Let’s hear a round of applause from the audience at home. Hello! How’s it going?

First Segment: Altar Serving:

For our first part of the show tonight, we’re going to be chatting a bit about altar servers. I understand that you’ve been helping train altar servers for very long, is that correct?  Tonight I want to chat about what altar serving is, what some of the best things about it are, as well as talk a bit about who can be an altar server.
So I recently got a question about who exactly is allowed to be a server at the altar, especially girls. Since you’re the expert on that, can you enlighten us as to what the Church teaches on that?
Permissible by the Vatican. Up to the bishop to allow in his diocese, but his priests are not bound to obey him – it is their preference.
Ideally, it should be male servers – but when conditions dictate otherwise, females are allowed.
So it all comes down to whether or not the bishop allows it in his diocese, and whether the priest agrees or not.
Historical fact: Altar servers were originally priests in training before there were seminaries because they were learning to become a priest by assisting him at Mass; much like you would shadow someone in career training.
So Al, for those of us who don’t know – what exactly do altar servers get to do up there at the altar, aside from get the best view in the house?
Something worth pointing out is that no one, girls or guys, have the “right” to be an altar server – it is a blessed privilege. Before I say mine, what do you think are the greatest or coolest things about being an altar server?
My Reasons:
You get to be one of the first people to see Jesus become present at the altar.
You always get the best view in the church and are always assured a seat.
You don’t have to worry about what you wear to Mass.
You really get to know your priest.
You get to be active in the Mass so you don’t ever feel bored.
Al, what advice would you give to someone who is considering being a server at Holy Mass?
We’re just about at the end of this segment, so before we go to our commercial, I just want to thank my very good friend Al Smith, the Pipe Padre for joining us tonight – it’s always a pleasure to chat with you, and have you share your wisdom with us!

Second Segment: A Week in the Life of Catholic Sis Through Pictures:

Some of you might know this already, but I love taking pictures because I love to capture God’s beauty and splendour forever in time so that I can go back and look at it later.
This week, I decided to use my pictures to let you take a peek into a week in the life of Catholic Sis. I have chosen five of my favourite pictures from this week to show you, and I have put my traditional Sis spin on each one. Hang on, we’re going in!
Grass – I took this picture in my backyard when I was lying on the ground, and realized that from that angle, every grass blade is clear an defined – as opposed to when I am standing up and they all blend together. This picture reminds me that sometimes in order to find God and the clarity that comes from Him, we have to get down on our knees before Him and get up close and personal.
Bird – Yes, we really are looking at something aside from a tree. Do you see the bird in the branches? I was on a walk, and heard this little guy calling to his mate down the street. He captured the essence of the joy of Christ that we, as Catholics and Christians are to radiate to others.
Candy – I am addicted to sour candy, so I buy some whenever I can. Although it looks like normal gummy candy from the outside, it is actually stomach wrenching sour candy. Appearances can be deceiving!
Stop Sign – Well, isn’t this an exciting picture? I took a picture of a stop sign because it reminds me that sometimes we have to stop whatever we are doing and talk to God, whether to praise Him, thank Him, ask for forgiveness, or simply say hi. If we are too busy for God, then we are too busy.
Tree – This is one of my favorite pictures that I have taken this week. It reminds me that while we all have scars and imperfections, we are all part of a wonderful creation made by God Himself. This tree looks rough and worn when you look up close, but when it is in bloom and the sun is shining, looks beautiful.
Path – This picture captures a very powerful sentiment. We each have to travel down the road of life, and we can’t see everything, only God can. We can only see enough ahead of us to put one foot in front of the other and rely completely on Him.
Clouds – What do you see peeking through the dark clouds? The sun! God is the Son and the Sun (spelled both sun and son) and is always there even when the storms of life seem overwhelming.

Third Segment: Questions to #askcatholicsis

Q & A’s from the Chat Room, FaceBook, and Twitter – @MandarinSays
“How do you imagine heaven?” – What a great question! I imagine that everyone has a different answer, and mine doesn’t include fluffy clouds and cupids. I think heaven is going to be a compilation of all my favourite things and people. But, I have to say two things. I think heaven would be great because then I can finally get God to answer the seven foot long list of things I want to know. “Why is the sky blue?” “What did you really look like as a little boy?” And the second thing is that I can’t wait to be able to see Him whenever I want. I used to watch Bible movies and envy Mary Magdalene, because she could just go to the house where Jesus was and talk to Him in person. I am going to talk His ear off.
“What do you think about Oceans; ay or nay?”– Uh yay! I love this song by Hillsong so much!

Closing Segment:

Thank you to everyone who watched and who submitted questions!
Make sure you join us next week when we continue to Talk Faith with Catholic Sis
If you have questions through out the week, make sure you send them to me either via email or Twitter using the hash tag #askcatholicsis, and who knows, they might be on next week’s show?