The REAP Team - Teen Issues

How do I remove a mask?

stlyouth — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 11:02:29 -0500

Dear Paul,

On your retreat, I realized that I wear masks all of the time. It is so bad that I am not even sure who I am any more. What advice can you give me to help me remove my masks?

Can I punch mean kids at school?

heather — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:45:25 -0500

Can I please punch the mean kids in my class? They drive me crazy. I try to be friends with them from time to time, but just end up more frustrated and hurt. Heather gives practical tips for understand mean kids and specific steps for changing your attitude toward them so no punching is necessary.

Why won't God answer my prayer?

heather — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:08:44 -0500

Why won't God answer my prayer? It was a simple, easy prayer for Him to be able to answer. It is really hard to keep praying when I think He is not listening or does not care about me.

Am I called to be a priest or sister?

heather — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:29:33 -0500

How do I discern whether or not I'm called to religious life or the priesthood? I think I'm called to marriage, but sometimes I also think that God might be nudging me toward religious life. If I get really open, I'm scared God will absolutely call me to religious life or the priesthood! What should I do?

Could I be gay?

heather — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:18:03 -0500

Dear Heather,
Sometimes I wonder if I might be homosexual. I sometimes have those thoughts and am attracted to other boys. Does this mean I must be gay or is it possible to not be gay and still have some thoughts about it. I don't think I am, but do not know anymore. I feel strange having the thoughts, but maybe this means I was born gay. What do you think? Read Heather's clear, three points to help teens understand such a situation.

Can I change my Confirmation name?

paul — Mon, 21 May 2007 10:48:42 -0500

Can one pick a new Confirmation name? I wish I had picked the name of my favorite saint, but at the time I thought it was not a pretty name. Am I allowed to fix this poor choice?

Is it a sin to listen to music with bad lyrics?

paul — Thu, 10 May 2007 10:47:21 -0500

Is listening to music that had curse words and other bad things considered a sin?

I have gay friends

heather — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:05:09 -0500

I have gay friends. Is it okay or Catholic to support my gay friends?

I've been sexually abused - what should I do?

heather — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:24:57 -0500

I've been sexually abused. What should I do? Carolyn guides this young person through the steps that lead to healing and hope.

Can I talk to dead people?

heather — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:40:03 -0500

Dear Paul, A good friend recently died that I cared for dearly, in fact, he and I were dating. Can I contact him? Paul offers the good, effective ways to communicate and warns against the surprisingly dangerous ways of trying to contact the deceased. Do you know the difference?

Is underage drinking a sin?

heather — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:58:05 -0500

This is not an easy one to answer, so please be patient and read through it all before you make your decision to drink or not to drink. Here are my TOP 5 thoughts about underage drinking...

How do I find help to stay strong?

heather — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500

...depending upon others to help me deepen my relationship with God is what I am going to call "spiritual accountability", but I will warn you right now that it is not for wimps, weaklings, or the faint of heart. And while it is very challenging, spiritual accountability has become one of the most valuable tools in my spiritual toolbox. In fact, it is a tool that I have found to be absolutely essential if I want to grow continually deeper in my relationship with Jesus, as well as in my relationships with other key people in my life.

I Have An Eating Disorder - Advice?

paul — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 13:45:50 -0500

I have an eating disorder, and I am really struggling with my faith right now - can you give me some advice?

How can I help a friend quit drugs?

heather — Thu, 18 May 2006 13:50:19 -0500

People trying to make such changes, as no longer doing drugs, need all of the love, friendship, and support that they can get. I have a couple of practical suggestions for you on how to help your friend.

A girl I know is cutting - what should I do?

heather — Thu, 11 May 2006 11:17:35 -0500

What do you say when you know someone is hurting themselves? What you should say depends on a variety of factors, but whether or not to say something shouldn't be a question.

Is being different around different people a mask?

heather — Thu, 11 May 2006 10:31:24 -0500

Being different around different people may or may not be a mask. Read through my distinctions between wearing a mask and just pulling out different parts of your personality.

Don't drugs "broaden your horizons"?

paul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:37:00 -0500

"Broadening your horizons" is a good thing. Live life to the fullest, abundantly, as Jesus encourages in the Gospel. However, illegal drugs have nothing to do with living life to the fullest. I, Paul, would know.

Freak dancing is okay, right?

heather — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:09:46 -0500

From my own experience with freak dancing, I know it's tempting and easy to fall into, but it's far from chastity. Let me explain why.

Don't guys like sexy outfits?

heather — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:01:18 -0500

Okay, girls, as a guy, I, Paul (yes I am a guy), will do my best to give you thoughts that are complete and thorough. This is a darn good response to a darn good question.

What does Jesus teach us about masks?

stlyouth — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 11:04:19 -0500

We all struggle with masks. Jesus was event tempted to wear masks, but He didn't. He was Himself all of the time. Here's how we know...

What if my boyfriend likes porn and strip clubs?

stlyouth — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:50:55 -0500

My boyfriend likes porn and strip clubs. What can I do?

What is the Church doing about the sexual abuse among priests?

stlyouth — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 13:52:01 -0500

Although I believe few answers or solutions to such a problem can remedy the hurt that has already been incurred, I do see change within the Church and reasons to have hope for youth and those seeking healing.

What's the deal with the Church's teaching on homosexuality?

stlyouth — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 13:51:34 -0500

From someone who has several friends with homosexual attractions, let me say this is not easy to respond to in a page or two. So, here are some thoughts and then powerful resources that delve deeper on this topic.

"Friends with benefits..." what do you think about it?

stlyouth — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:50:43 -0500

From a girl who once considered the “friends with benefits” situation and even was the one to suggest it to a guy friend in high school, let me say that it’s...

Does chastity include tight clothes & heavy making-out?

stlyouth — Fri, 26 Sep 2003 13:02:31 -0500

Do you prefer to eat cereal with a knife, fork or spoon? Find out how to get a "spoonful" of what you want in relationships - not just the bare minimum.

I don't regret what I've done. Am I a terrible person?

stlyouth — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 12:58:29 -0500

It's actually natural and normal to not experience the feeling of regret immediately or at all after making a mistake. But, how we feel doesn't change what took place.

Is oral sex okay?

stlyouth — Tue, 14 Jan 2003 12:57:19 -0500

Former president Bill Clinton certainly confused a generation - is oral sex actually sex or something else? Stay puzzled no longer.

What's so wrong with pornography?

stlyouth — Thu, 05 Dec 2002 12:56:53 -0500

Living in a porn nation makes it hard to believe anything is wrong with viewing a couple pictures of movies, right? See why so-called "innocent fun" twists everything about sex and the opposite sex.

Is masturbation a sin?

stlyouth — Mon, 16 Sep 2002 11:56:00 -0500

Masturbation seems harmless, but it perverts sex into selfishness and damages your relationships with the opposite sex, especially your future spouse. Here's how...

Why won't my school make condoms available?

stlyouth — Mon, 01 Jul 2002 12:55:15 -0500

Since you can't stop all teens from having sex, making condoms available at schools seems to be logical. However, our physical health is not the only thing in danger with premarital sex.

I want to live chastely, but don't think I can. Is it really possible?

stlyouth — Fri, 25 Jan 2002 12:54:49 -0500

It’s not an easy decision, and living it can often be a great challenge. However, chastity most certainly CAN be done. Here are four quick stories…