Called to Holiness

Q: My teacher says that we are all called to holiness. Does that mean that we should all be nuns or priests?

A: Not everyone is meant to become a priest or nun. We all have a vocation to be married, single, or a religious (priest, nun, or brother), but we also have a second vocation, one that we all share. This second vocation is the call to holiness. God calls us all to strive for sanctity, to live our lives to their fullest potential in the name of our Lord. To fulfill this calling we must love God, serve God, and know God; this is the meaning of life, the path to happiness, and most importantly the path to holiness and to heaven.

Christian

Is College for Everyone

Q: What I want to know is if it’s possible that college isn’t for everyone? I don’t think it’s for me.

A: College is not necessarily for everyone. There are a number of very successful jobs out there that do not require anything higher than a high school diploma, but there are also a large amount of jobs that require at least an associate’s (2-year) degree or a bachelor’s (4-year) degree. No one job is necessarily better than the next, just because you have to go to college for it. There are also a ton of different types of colleges – small or large, public or private, liberal arts or subject specific, trade schools – plenty of which are geared at training people for specific jobs, like culinary arts school for people who want to be chefs.

The important thing is to figure out some idea of what you want to do before deciding whether or not college is right for you. For example, if you want to be a rocket scientist or a teacher, both of which require a number of years in college, don’t give up just because you don’t think college is right for you! Look at your reasons behind shying away from college. Do you think you’re not smart enough? That college will be too expensive? That four more years of school seems overwhelming?

If college truly is not for you, there is nothing wrong with that. However, don’t talk yourself out of going to college because you might not feel adequate enough. Have faith in the intelligence and talents that God gave you, and give it a try! Doubting yourself is never a good reason to give up your goals and dreams.

Maureen D.

It's Okay to Be a Quiet Person

Q: I’m not a shy person, but whenever I get into a group of people I don’t know too well, I can’t find anything to say. I like who I am and I think I’m a decent person to get to know, and I’m tired of being told that I’m too quiet. Why can’t people accept that not everyone is outgoing and talkative, and that’s okay?

A: Boi, I know exactly how you feel. I have people telling me that I’m too quiet every other day, and it can get annoying I know. Do you know the saying “actions speak louder than words”? Well it’s true, and considering that actions are louder than words it shouldn’t matter what others say to you, or about you. St. Thomas Aquinas was called a dumb ox at school because he was so quiet, and you know what? He ended up becoming a Doctor of the Church. There is nothing wrong with being soft spoken. God made you and me that way for a reason. We’re in this together dude.

Christian

Keeping the Sabbath

Q: Why do I have to go to church on Sunday? Can’t I just celebrate the Lord’s Day in my own personal way at home?

A: The third commandment tells us to keep Sunday as the Lord’s Day because on Sunday Christ rose from the dead, and on Sunday the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (also known as the “birthday of the Church”). We are commanded by the Church to worship God in a special manner on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. We are commanded to worship God on Sunday by assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Jenna

Is Addiction a Sin

Q: If someone is addicted to drugs, are they responsible for their actions? Is it a sin to get addicted?

A: Yes and no. Yes, it is a sin to get addicted because before you start using drugs you know doing drugs is morally wrong and that you could hurt yourself or someone else. You also know there is the chance that you could get addicted.

No, you’re not entirely responsible for your actions because when you get addicted you are so irrational and irresponsible that you can’t always do the right thing. That’s why people say don’t even get into drugs, because once you get in its hard to get out. So you are responsible for your actions beforehand, because you know that you can turn uncontrollable. But once addicted, you have no self control and you will probably need someone else’s help to break that addiction. However this does not mean you don’t know wrong from right. Sometimes you can tell wrong from right, but you choose not to do right. That kind of thing is sinful. But if you are not able to think and choose clearly, denying every wrong or right thing, that’s when it is not sinful.
Austin

Facing Anorexia

Q: My friend is dangerously preoccupied with losing weight. She is big boned and thinks she is fat. I think she looks fine. How can I help her?

A: Have you ever had yourself so convinced of something, that no one could show you that you were wrong? For example, you have yourself absolutely convinced that you hate the taste of broccoli – the last time you had broccoli was before you can remember, but nonetheless you hate the taste of broccoli. All of your friends try to tell you that broccoli isn’t so bad; your mother pleads for you to try just a little bite; but no, you continue to believe that the taste of broccoli is horrid, and won’t listen to another word otherwise. This is the same kind of thing that your friend is going through. She may have so completely convinced herself that she is fat that every time she looks in the mirror that is all she sees – fat. No matter how many people try to convince her otherwise, her mind is set. This can be a very dangerous situation if it gets out of control. Unfortunately, your friend needs to change her way of thinking and looking at herself, which is something she must do on her own. But don’t despair. There are a number of things you can do to help your friend along.

First, tell someone else – a parent, a teacher, a guidance counselor. Chances are that if you're worried about her obsession, it's serious enough that an adult needs to get involved. Second, talk to your friend. Tell her that you think she has a problem, that you are worried about her, and that she should talk to someone about it. Offer to go with your friend to talk to your school’s guidance counselor, or a priest. Third, don’t give up. The first time you tell your friend she has a problem, she will most likely become angry or indignant, denying everything you say and brushing you off as “stupid.” Try not to take it personally. Have you ever been told that something you strongly believed in was wrong? It’s not the easiest thing in the world to admit one’s faults, so keep trying to convince her to get some help. Fourth, let your friend know you’re there for her. At some point, your friend is going to have a really bad day, and need to talk about it. Listen. Often people who think they’re fat have other issues that they’re dealing with, and turn towards losing weight as a form of control or stability. Letting her talk out her problems with you is one major step towards helping her learn how to fix them. Fifth, tap into your resources. The Internet is full of different websites with information and advice on helping someone through an eating disorder – use it!

Finally, know that you cannot fix her on your own. Being there for your friend is important, but letting your grades, health, and emotions suffer as a result is not healthy. Learn how to tell when you can help, and when it is beyond your control or ability.

Maureen D.

Women Priests

Q: I have a hard time, as a girl, understanding the pope’s logic on why women can’t be ordained. Sure, Jesus’ disciples were male, but wasn’t that just what the time period dictated?

A: It is more than just the “pope’s logic,” it’s a doctrine of the Catholic Church. I think it’s pretty obvious that God chose males to be the leaders from the beginning of time since most of the prophets were male. The twelve apostles were male and sat with Jesus at the Last Supper where the priesthood was first instituted. They then went out and followed Jesus’ example when they chose their successors. We are bound, as Catholics, to follow Jesus’ example too. (CCC, 1577)

Jesus did some radical things for his time. If He wanted both men and women to be priests then He would not have hesitated to set that example for all human kind. Our Blessed Mother points to Jesus and says, “Do whatever He (Jesus) tells you.” (Jn. 2:5)

It has been Catholic Tradition that men should be priests and those teachings have been divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes faith just requires us to trust the Church’s authority.

Ashley

Bible Stories

Q: How come there are two different creation stories in the Genesis? Is it because Adam and Eve weren’t real and the creation story is just that – a story?

A: There are two different accounts in Genesis of the creation story and this is because we do not really know how the world in which we live is created. Adam and Eve as the first man and woman were real, but there is no historical way to figure out if these were their real names or if they even had names. We know that God did create man and woman, as well as the rest of the world. We do not know if it took Him seven days or 7,000,000 years. God's time is unlike our own and so we can only hypothesize on God's marvelous creation. Though we do have two creation stories that may differ slightly we know, from other places in the Bible, that the world was created by God and it is not just a story. For example, both Romans 4:17 and Hebrews 11:3 state that God created everything out of nothing. There are also many accounts in Genesis that state that everything God created was good (Gen. 1:4), that God blesses His creation (Gen. 1:22), that God has a purpose for everyone and everything in His creation (Gen. 1:14-8), and that God wants us to take care of His creation (Gen. 2:15). As one can see, God did carefully create the world in which we live, including us and everything around us, so though we do not know exactly what the story of creation is we know there is a plan created especially for us by God.

Karen

Weird Saints

Q: Some stories about the saints are pretty weird. Were there really people who could bilocate, heal diseases, read other people’s souls, and stuff like that?

A: Yes, it’s true! You might want to think of it this way: God can do anything, right? Stories about Jesus healing the sick don’t sound strange because He’s God. He can do anything. When you hear about one of the saints healing the sick or performing some other miracle, it’s not that the saint you’re hearing about is some kind of mutant with superpowers or anything. It's actually God working through the saint to do His will.

Michael

Dating and Atheism

Q: I just recently ended a relationship with an atheist. While we were dating, I totally felt like I could convince him that Catholicism is wonderful. Instead, I feel like I’ve offended God. Was I wrong for going out with my atheist boyfriend?

A: I’ve actually been there and tried it. The problem with a relationship like this is that the other person may be willing to listen to your ideas about Catholicism, but will not come to see the love of God the way he or she should, not to mention the “love” that they feel for you. He will instead have a worldly perspective on the whole thing, and this is very dangerous, especially at a young age. I know that it seems like a good idea at the time, and you feel like you will be able to bring a person to Catholicism through this, but I strongly recommend a different approach. As hard as it might be, keep the relationship strictly on a friendship level. Share your faith and beliefs with the other person, and allow him to know the true love of Christ and what love is really all about. The person after some time will hopefully have a true personal relationship with God, and then it would be much more appropriate to get into a romantic relationship.

Tom

Choice

Q: My friend is pregnant and wants to have an abortion. If she has the baby, her whole life will be ruined. She won’t be able to go to college or get a good job. I would never have an abortion, but I don’t see how I can tell my friend that she can’t do whatever she wants to do with her own body.

A: If your friend were to have the baby, it definitely would not ruin her life. If she can’t take care of the baby, she can give him or her up for adoption. There are many people who want a baby; your friend would be giving them a gift. That would leave her feeling like she did something worthwhile and good. Abortion would leave her feeling guilty and depressed. She would have to live with the fact that she killed her own child. Deep in her heart, does she really want to kill her little boy or girl? According to the National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, teenagers are ten times more likely to attempt suicide in the six months following an abortion than those who have not had an abortion. Once your friend has the abortion, she can’t take it back.

Saying that it’s okay for other people to have abortions is like saying that it’s okay with you if someone commits murder. It is her body, but is that a good excuse? She did do what she wanted with her body and now she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. Yes, she made a mistake but does she want to make an even bigger mistake by choosing abortion?

What can you say to her? Don’t try to change her mind so much as share your opinion with her. The best thing to do is pray for her to make the right decision.

Amanda

For more information visit
Hope After Abortion
Counseling for Abortion Alternatives

Why Go On Living

Q: I don’t see any reason for life. Why should I, or anyone else, go on? What is the meaning of life and why am I on this earth? To be spit on by every person who thinks they’re better than me? Can you answer that?

A: God loves us more than we could ever know and He didn’t put us here to be miserable. The only reason that God ever had for creating us is so that He could love us. In fact, God didn’t have to create you, he could have created someone totally different, someone smarter, someone stronger or more talented, but no, God wanted You, He created You. He loves you so much that He sacrificed His only Son so that you can be with Him in heaven.

We weren't put on this earth to be put down by others, though God does teach us that we should turn the other cheek. We should love our neighbors even if they hate our guts. If we hate them back then that’s just going to increase their dislike for us. Really, when we hold a grudge on someone, we’re hurting ourselves more than anyone else. It’ll take a bit of effort, but if you do your best to love others, it’s really a whole lot easier in the long run. Who knows, they might see that despite their detestable feelings for you that you love them anyway, and that might really move them.

The meaning of life is simple. We were put here to love God, serve God, and know God. Now, how do we do that? Well, first of all you can’t do one of these without the other two. It’s all or nothing. We can’t really love anyone without making a choice first. So, we’ve got to choose and we have to pray. Pray everyday, even if it’s just five minutes. It doesn’t matter as long as you do it. Be sincere, if you don’t believe in God, or you don’t think He loves you, then just ask Him.

Remember, “An infinite reward is worth a finite wager” –Blaise Pascal.

Christian

Copying Schoolwork

Q: I’m sort of smart and everyone wants to copy off of my homework. Most of the people who ask to copy are my friends. Just recently, I typed up my notes to study for my finals. It took me more than an hour. This girl asked me if she could run them off. I said yes. She ended up running off my notes for at least half of my class. That made me so mad. I spent a lot of my time on that, while everyone else just watched TV, talked on the phone, went shopping, etc. I really don’t think that’s fair!

What I want to know is how to tell people they can’t copy in a nice, considerate way without hurting their feelings or making them mad at me. Help!

A: It is not fair for others to count on you to do their work for them. I think it is best for you to explain your position and stand firm. People may tell you a sob story as to why they couldn't get something done, or give you an excuse as to why they didn't prepare their own study material, but you don’t need to let others benefit off of your time and efforts spent on academics. Tell them that you were taken advantage of last time with your notes getting spread among everyone and you don’t feel comfortable being put in that situation again.

Alex

Popularity and Good Friends

Q: I’m beginning a new year at school and I want to change my popularity status. I mean the popular girls have it so easy. All the boys love them; they look cool even in the ugliest outfits and no one makes fun of them. I have some pretty good friends, but they’re not in the right clique. Do you have any suggestion for becoming popular and making really close friends?

A: Well, my first question would be which is more important to you – being popular or having really close friends? This is not to say that you can’t do both, but consider the consequences for a moment. You currently have some pretty good friends, who happen to be in a different clique than the popular girls. Are you willing to risk throwing away these friendships and move on to the popular clique? Popularity doesn’t necessarily make good friends, and good friends don’t always have to be popular. One problem with popularity often comes in that age old saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Being popular may not end up being as grand as you imagine, so spend some time considering what you really want.

Either way you answer the question, confidence is the key to success. If you want to be popular, you have to believe in yourself that you can be all that you want to be. No more standing in front of the mirror criticizing every dot on your face, no more thinking you’ll never be good enough. Confidence is a very contagious and attractive quality, almost foolproof guaranteed to help you start wonderful, lasting friendships. A good sense of self-confidence starts with believing in yourself and your abilities, but also includes standing up for those beliefs.

Being a teenager can be a really scary confusing time, and different opportunities for new experiences seem to appear daily. Just remember: everything that’s popular isn’t always right, and everything that’s right isn’t always popular.

Maureen D.

Choosing to Overcome Temptation

Q: Why would God make some people gay and then tell them that they aren’t allowed to have an intimate relationship or marry? Isn’t that unfair?

A: First of all, we don’t know that God makes people gay. Whether or not God “makes” people gay is not the most important point to understand here because we don't know what causes homosexual tendencies in a person. There is no scientific evidence for it being a genetic trait; it could be a developmental issue.

I think the best way to understand this seemingly unfair problem is to realize that it’s really just another temptation in life. The important thing is that we can all choose how we act, and homosexuality is a temptation that people can choose to overcome.

Tom

To learn more about dealing with same-sex attraction, visit Courage's youth website.

Searching for God

Q: I've been searching for God for a long time, I've tried religion, but it seems so impersonal. If you have any answers that changed your perspective and life please tell me about it. I want to find the reason why I exist. How did you find God?

A: Everyone finds God in different ways. But how do you find Him? Talk to Him, pray. Tell Him everything, about your mom and dad, siblings, school, things you do everyday. Tell Him you’ve been looking for Him and that you want to know Him. Ask God, “Why do I exist? Why am I here? What is my purpose?” God will show you the way. He has a plan for you.

Stop searching and reach out to Him. He is right there, waiting for you. He is always present, and He will always love you. You will never be alone.

Make time to talk to Him, like you would your best friend. God wants to be your best friend. He wants to be part of your life.

Religion helps you in your relationship with God, it doesn’t get you one. That’s probably why “religion” seemed so impersonal. Finding the religion you want to be is hard because everyone is out there telling you that his or her religion is best. Do some reading about the Catholic religion (see the bibliography), pray, and take your time. Ask God for direction. Don’t worry about not having a certain religion, God will love you anyway, but be open to God’s plan.

The Catholic faith, especially through the Eucharist, is how I found God, and continues to take me to deeper levels in my relationship with Him. I found out why I exist through my Catholic faith.

Amanda


Foreword

Foreword
By Sue Crawford

As I banged on his door and then scrambled to find the key, I felt, instinctively, that there was something wrong, terribly wrong. As the door opened and I saw him on the floor, I knew right away that he was dead. Looking back, I wish that I had knelt down to pick him up off the floor, but I was afraid. What I wouldn’t give now to hold my son in my arms just once more, to run my fingers through his hair, to press my cheek against his.

No Question Left Behind is dedicated to the memory of Danny Davis who was my son. I want to share with you a little bit about his life, and his death.

Danny was a normal kid; his life filled with disappointments as well as joys. He didn’t always make the team or get the girl, yet he stood out from the crowd. You couldn’t help but be drawn to him, even if you had only met him once. Some say it was his infectious smile, while others say it was his eyes. I say it goes much deeper than outward appearance. Mostly, I think, it was the way in which he opened his heart to reach out to people. He made everyone feel important when he talked to them. In fact, he often chose the underdog for his friends. I think this was because he wanted to help them find the power to believe in and love themselves.

Strong in spirit and strong willed, Danny wanted to leave a legacy. While, the legacy that he left was not the one he desired, it is one I am confident he would want you to learn from, especially if you are facing challenges and difficult decisions in your life.

Danny was a leader, not a follower. Though he struggled to fit in during his grade school days, he blossomed as he reached junior high school. He learned that it was okay to be himself and that he didn’t have to live up to someone else’s idea of who he should be. So many kids are afraid of what other kids will think about them, but not Danny. He believed in himself and it showed.

Danny wasn’t afraid to let everyone know that he was a spiritual person. He loved God and the Catholic Church, and he didn’t hide that fact in order to gain popularity points. It was this honesty that drew people to him. His high school friends felt comfortable in banding together with Danny to praise God. They would attend Mass and worship together. Those who didn’t agree with Danny’s religious beliefs still respected him deeply because he stood tall for who he was.

To Danny respect was a two-way street. He would never have put someone down for disagreeing with him. He would have never dreamed of judging another person’s soul. If he saw that your life was heading tragically down the wrong path, you could count on him to be there to help you pick up the pieces.

This is a beautiful example to follow. Band together with your friends. Build up one another so that no one has to be afraid to admit to their deepest-held convictions. People will respect you when you stand up for what is right. More importantly is that others who believe as you do will step forward, no longer afraid, as there is power in numbers.

This is not enough though. You need to go beyond believing in your friends and care enough to help them when they make mistakes. Be strong enough to speak up when you see a friend messing up or to stand up for him when someone else is putting him down. It is not judgmental when you say, “This is wrong and I want to help you.” They will know you love them, for this is true friendship.

Open your heart and let God in. When Danny and his brothers were little, we would all attend Mass together on Sundays and holy days. I had a sense that my three sons were more spiritual than me. They had a child-like love for God that I was missing. I am jealous of people who have been close to God all of their lives. There is nothing more beautiful than the innocent faith of a little child, and it is an awesome thing to watch that simple faith grow into a deeply-seeded faith of a teenager and a young adult. I was lucky to witness this through my sons.

Let others, your family and friends alike, witness the beauty of your faith. Teens can learn about the love of God from other teens. I think that is why the book that you now hold in your hands is of such importance. I love No Question Left Behind because it is all about young people helping one another. Danny would have loved this book too. It’s an important book for you to read, and to share with friends, because it is written by your peers, young people from 14 to 23; from public school, private school, and homeschool; male and female. All these young people have opened their hearts to you. They are not ashamed to hold their heads up high and shout, “I love Christ and His Church!”

While my son Danny wasn’t afraid to make this proclamation, he occasionally closed his mind to God’s plan for his life and made mistakes, one big mistake in particular. His entire life changed one night at a college party. A close friend offered Danny drugs. I do not believe that Danny said yes in order to fit in with the crowd, that wasn’t like him at all, but simply because he was always trying new things. He loved a challenge. Unfortunately, this was not a challenge that he was up to facing.

Giving into temptation, just one time, created a drug addiction. Drugs became such a powerful force in Danny’s life that only God could fix it. Some of Danny’s friends, and even a few parents, knew of his struggles. Sadly, none stepped forward to tell me. If you have a friend who is struggling with serious issues, please don’t sit by as they self-destruct. I can tell you without a doubt that if Danny were alive today, he would say the very same thing. As Alex points out on the pages of this book, you sometimes need to ask yourself if the friend or the friendship is more important. Real friends share the Truth. Are you a real friend?

Danny died of an overdose on August 22, 2003 at the age of twenty-two. I honestly don’t know what difference it would’ve made had I been given the opportunity to help my son beat his addiction, but I never want another parent to live with that “what if” scenario. If you know of someone on drugs, TELL. If you are the one on drugs the advice is the same, TELL.

Most of Danny’s friends had no knowledge of his drug use. His old high school chums, the ones who shared his love of Christ, were stunned by Danny’s death. They couldn’t understand how their friend, who they all looked up to, could make such a wrong decision. It was these friends that he needed to tell.

I know from Danny’s journal, found after his death, that he was struggling to quit on his own. He did not abandon God; instead he was desperately praying for His intercession. If only Danny had seen that God had already given him resources to beat his addiction. God gave him loving parents, brothers, extended family, and friends, who would have traveled to the ends of the earth to help him.

There are times when I wonder if God called Danny home when He did because Danny’s addiction was more than he could handle. Perhaps, had he lived, the suffering would have been more than he could bear. It may have been that at the moment of his death, Danny was most ready to meet God. I take great comfort in knowing that God is merciful and that He loves my son more than I ever could, and that He took Danny away from his suffering and into paradise.

Learn from my son’s story. Learn to stand up for what is right. Be strong in saying no to temptation, for even one yes can change your life forever. (As The Lord's Prayer says, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”) You have the ability to reach out to others when they are troubled. If you cannot reach them, then go to their parents. God gave you the gift of one another – friends, fellow parishioners, religious, counselors, teachers, and parents. I deem it important, on Danny's behalf and in the love of his memory, that you know that you can always count on an adult when you, or a friend, are in trouble. Don’t worry about being judged, instead know that you hold the power within yourself to reach out. As you will read in No Question Left Behind, it all begins with prayer.

How This Blog Came to Be

No Question Left Behind started out as a book. A publisher asked me to pull together a couple hundred questions from everyday teenagers and then have them answered by their peers. I completed the book but the publisher ran into a cash flow problem. Even though we spent a great day doing a photo shoot with nine of the ten teen authors, the book was never published.

And so, after much prayer I have decided to put it up on the internet. It is my hope that the No Question Left Behind teen blog is a help to the many teens whose hearts are filled with questions about themselves, their friends, the world, and the Church.

My plan is to post a new Q&A every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Introduction

You may wonder what makes No Question Left Behind different than other question and answer books written for teenagers. The difference is that I went directly to teenagers, not only for the questions, but also for the answers.

I gathered questions in a variety of ways. I met with teenagers through CCD classes and club meetings. I also searched the internet for websites and message boards dedicated to teenagers. I compiled more than 200 questions about teens’ everyday concerns and worries, as well as their questions about the Catholic faith.

I edited the questions for grammar, length, and clarity to help you, the reader. Some questions were also edited in order to protect the author’s identity. However, the general context of each question remains intact.

Once I finished that task, I set forth to have the questions answered within the framework of Catholic teaching. To accomplish this, I put together a team made up of young people in their teens and early twenties who have a real love for Christ and His Church. (You will find their biographies in the back of this book.) I lovingly refer to them as my “dream team.” They know what it is to be a teenager in today’s world, and are more than capable to answer the questions put forth by their peers. The team split up the questions that I collected and then answered them over a period of several months.

Finally, I sought priestly council to make sure that the answers in No Question Left Behind are theologically sound.

One final note, “Canon” stands for The Code of Canon Law and “CCC” stands for Catechism of the Catholic Church. You will see these notations throughout this book, as the dream team occasionally quotes canon law and the Catechism. The number following “Canon” is a reference number and following “CCC” is a paragraph number. The Code of Canon Law is an extensive volume and unlikely to find it’s way to your home library. However, the Catechism is a compendium of Catholic doctrine regarding faith and morals that deserves to be on the bookshelf of every Catholic. The Catechism’s system of numbering makes it very easy for you to look up the quotations found in No Question Left Behind.

Appreciation

To all of the nameless teens whose questions fill this book, each of you are very special. I appreciate that you were open to sharing your worries and concerns with the world. You are in my prayers.

I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel for the team members whose answers fill this book. These young people have been a great inspiration to me. They are beautiful examples to the rest of the world. Thank you Michael A, Maureen D, Ashley G, Tom J, Alex L, Amanda R, Austin R, Jenna T, and Karen T.

I must single out one team member and that is my son Christian. Christian went beyond the call of duty, putting aside everything else in his busy life to help me complete this book. He did it on his own and he did it joyfully.

I am grateful to the team members’ parents for lending their children to me. More importantly, for raising such awesome young men and women who walk with Christ in their everyday lives. Thank you Mike and Terri A, Tom and Ginny D, Ron and Cindy G, Jim and Ginny J, Bill and Joan L, Ed and Michelle R, and John and Mary Jo T.

I owe a great debt of appreciation to Father Jim S, for he is the one who initiated this book. The concept is solely his and I am thankful that he asked me to compile and edit No Question Left Behind.

Thanks go to Mike A who first introduced me to Fr. Jim and made the suggestion that Father and I work together. I am also grateful for Mike’s encouragement whenever I begin to doubt my abilities as a writer.

My sister-in-law Sue looked deep into her soul to write the foreword. She, along with her family, is a great blessing in my life.

Father Jerry V volunteered his very valuable time, answering my questions regarding Church teaching on a variety of topics. I will be forever grateful for his wise council.

I must give credit to Ed R for he dreamed up the title No Question Left Behind in a moment of inspiration. I am indebted to you Ed.

Thank you Mike An. for traveling so far to spend a day with the team members for the photo shoot. The pictures came out great. Another thank you goes to the Michigan Historical Center for letting us take over their building to get just the right background for the pictures. It was a blast.

There were times when team members needed help finding information to complete their answers. When I couldn’t help them, I turned to my friends. Thank you Anna A, Nancy B, Patsy C, Ann Marie H, Yvonne R, Marian T, Pete V, and Mike W. I am appreciative of your assistance.

My cousin Stephanie put me, and my children, up in her home during my trip to Chicago to meet with the publisher. Without hesitation, she also allowed me to use her home as a meeting place. She is a dear and I am blessed to call her family.

I am also blessed to have a husband and seven children who support my work as a writer and editor. Thank you Rob, Christian, Mary, Laura, Joseph, Gregory, Margaret, and Brendan for your love and your patience.

Some of the best questions in this book were found through online sources, probably due to the anonymity of the Internet. Thanks go out to all of the webmasters who maintain websites and message boards set up to help teenagers, particularly LifeTeen and TeenAdviceOnline (now defunct).

I am most thankful to God for all of His gifts, including the grace necessary to complete this book. I am also grateful for God’s gift of teenagers. They are wonderfully interesting people, caught between childhood and adulthood, fervently seeking Truth and trying to make sense of the world around them. This is their book.