Father Jeffrey Kirby
No gum before Communion
Q. My priest recently reminded us about the fast before Communion. He said that gum is a part of this fast. This just seems extreme to me. What if someone is chewing gum for fresh […]
Opinion
Beaufort Deanery
Freedom for religion helps humanity
Recently I was sitting in the atrium of the Savannah-Hilton Head airport sipping a cappuccino. As I was looking down at the morning marvel of foam and cinnamon, I was startled to hear my name. […]
Columnists
Last rites vs. anointing of sick
Q: Growing up, I always heard of people receiving the “last rites.” How is that different or similar to the anointing of the sick in churches today? (Charlotte, NC) A: The Lord Jesus instituted seven […]
Columnists
Is a DNR order euthanasia?
Q: In our devotional life for the dead, we pray “eternal rest grant unto them” but we believe in the resurrection of the body and soul. No one gets “eternal rest” do they? Won’t we […]
Beaufort Deanery
Little things can mean a lot
“Do little things for little people with little or no recognition or reward.” Those were the words of Msgr. Ronald Cellini, founding father of the John Paul II School in Ridgeland, as he addressed the […]
Columnists
Science and religion can be friends
It isn’t often that a high school commencement address proves to be memorable. But that is what happened at the graduation exercises for Cardinal Newman’s Class of 2018 this May. The speaker was Chris Edge, […]
Columnists
Can we work on Sundays?
Q: I’ve been trying to avoid any monetarily motivated work on Sunday. Is this a good course of action? What about reading non-religious literature? (Summerville, SC) A: The observance of Sunday is a serious responsibility […]
Columnists
Purgatory is real, too
Some years ago, televangelist Joyce Meyer was overheard saying that there must be some opportunity for improvement for good souls after they die. She compared it to continuing education. People can love God, have good […]
Columnists
Abstaining from meat on Fridays
Q: Years ago, my oldest daughter was asked, “How many sacraments are there?” and she answered, “Seven for men and six for women.” Shouldn’t that be the official answer? Perhaps Pope Francis will balance the […]
Columnists
Heaven and Hell are real
It isn’t over when it’s over. That’s one way to express what Christians profess about this life. That doesn’t mean we go about thinking how wonderful it will be to die, but it does mean […]