Columnists
What is consecrated life?
Every Feb. 2 since 1997, the Church has marked World Day of Consecrated Life. This year’s observances were held the weekend of Feb. 3-4. Two questions arise when this day is mentioned. First, what and […]
Columnists
Columnists
Why St. Jude is the patron of ‘hopeless’ causes
Q: Why do we use the term “hopeless” in terms of St. Jude? Suffering is hard enough without adding the negativity of hopelessness. (Aiken, SC) A: In designating St. Jude as the patron of hopeless […]
Columnists
10 life-giving things to do
On New Year’s Eve, our local newspaper ran a feature entitled “50 Things to Do in South Carolina before You Die.” Not surprisingly, it listed attending Spoleto, going to the sweet tea festival in Summerville, […]
Columnists
Praying for the souls of the dead
Q: As Catholics, we believe in the resurrection of the body, so why do we only pray for the “souls” of those who have died? (Aiken, SC) A: This is a great question that highlights […]
Columnists
Sometimes ordinary angels show up
The man who pushes a mop and carries boxes at the Circle K in Jacksonboro is probably not an angel. I have seen him numerous times, and the evidence is that he is flesh and […]
Columnists
Keeping ashes at home
Q: In a previous column, you said that Catholics can’t scatter the ashes of loved ones because they have to be preserved and shown respect. Is it possible to keep the ashes at home? I […]
Columnists
Mary matters so very much
I was in seventh grade when I noticed an acceleration in Sister Eymard’s cautions to us about the importance of being Mary-like. I just knew that she had gotten wind of the recent addition of […]
Columnists
Is giving to my parish enough?
Q: In my parish, we oftentimes have two collections. I give as I’m able, but I also receive numerous solicitations from religious groups. Why do they send these things? Isn’t giving to my parish enough? […]
Columnists
’Tis the season for yearning
“Blade Runner 2049” does not seem, as of this writing, to be a blockbuster success. The film is a sequel to “Blade Runner,” the screenplay of the late 1960’s sci-fi book “Do Androids Dream of […]
Columnists
Should I be a bridesmaid?
Q: My sister has had a difficult life, especially in the area of love, and she recently asked me to be a bridesmaid at her wedding. But this is her second wedding. She was previously […]