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QUESTION: I have heard that during this flu/virus crisis, some dioceses have encouraged people not to receive holy Communion on the tongue but rather in the hand (some even forbidding it). More
QUESTION: Because we do Lent every year, I wonder what the church really expects will happen to us in Lent? What are the expectations? ANSWER: Any response to the...
QUESTION: What do I say to co-workers and friends who ask, “Why is the Catholic Church trying to force its moral views about abortion on everyone...
QUESTION: I attend Mass frequently and find it annoying when people clap following a choir piece. Is that really appropriate? ANSWER: Applause in church takes place more often...
QUESTION: At work, in the neighborhood, even at social events, I hear people talk about Pope Francis. I am surprised to hear how many people just do not like him. That seems odd to me and I...
QUESTION: Surprisingly, to me at least, people still talk about reincarnation. What does the Catholic Church say about this? ANSWER: The word reincarnation...
QUESTION: I have a good deal of experience with young Catholics through our parish youth and young adult activities. I am amazed at how little they know about the Catholic faith. Why is...
QUESTION: I was with my adult grandchildren over the holidays, all of whom continue to say they are Catholic and yet they had no idea about what the Catholic Church teaches regarding...
QUESTION: They had some kind of welcome ceremony for converts to the Catholic Church this weekend at Mass. It got me thinking: Why don’t more people convert to being...
QUESTION: My father lives in a small nursing facility and a priest used to come and say Mass there regularly. Now a deacon or Eucharistic minister comes and does a service. I hear of people...
QUESTION: One of the most enduring memories I have of growing up Catholic was a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I now hear so little about it and I wonder...
QUESTION: Our culture makes a clear connection between Christmas and New Year’s. The liturgy does not seem to make that connection nor celebrate the new year at all. Why is...
QUESTION: I assumed that the “Christmas story,” as we know it, comes right out of the Bible. But as I read the Gospels, no one Gospel has the whole story. Why is that, and how...
QUESTION: Jesus is called “Son of David” in the Bible. What does it mean and why is it so important for the writers of the New Testament? QUESTION: Reading the...
QUESTION: At our son’s wedding, the non-Catholic mother of the bride came up for Communion and the priest asked if she was a Catholic and she said, “No,” and then he said,...
QUESTION: During Advent I see the wreath and the candles in the sanctuary of almost every Catholic church. Is this an ancient custom or one that is relatively recent in the church? Is it...
QUESTION: I have noticed lately that there are a lot of funeral “services” (not Masses) held for people who I know were faithful Catholics all their lives. What is this all...
QUESTION: In an article by Jack Shaw that appeared in the Pittsburgh Catholic Nov. 1, the author took issue with a television series’ treatment of the Catholic Church’s view of...
QUESTION: What does the church mean when it speaks of “sins of thought?” ANSWER: This question is really dealing with three things: feelings,...
QUESTION: During November I frequently hear sermons on praying for the dead. Would you please tell me just how our prayers assist the dead? QUESTION: I have never quite...
QUESTION: I am writing about the preaching I hear each weekend. I don’t need my priest lecturing me about the latest cause taken up by Hollywood celebrities and leftists. I need...
QUESTION: Father, regarding the recent question about corporal acts of mercy, you provided a nice history lesson, but you never answered the actual question: Why don’t we hear about...
QUESTION: In the past, the church used to talk a lot about the “corporal works of mercy.” But I don’t hear much about that today. What has...
QUESTION: Have you ever noticed the “strange” people who attend Sunday Mass? When I go to Mass I want to pray and not be distracted or disturbed. Shouldn’t we be able to...
QUESTION: When people experience some tragedy, I often hear priests and other religious people say: “I’ll pray for you.” I wonder if they say that because they don’t...
QUESTION: In the seats and in the back of churches, I often see small papers and leaflets telling of the “unfailing help” of a particular saint. A lot of times the papers say...
THEIR EYES WERE OPEN
Father John Odeyemi will present "And Their Eyes Were Open at the Breaking of the Bread," on Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsburgh's...
The following information was missing from the parish Lenten activity listings, published in the Feb. 21 issue.
VICARIATE 3
BEAVER/FREEDOM/NEW...
FISH FRY
Transfiguration, Russellton, and St. Victor, Bairdford
Ash Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent, including Good Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., St. Victor Activity...
DIVINE MERCY
“Divine Mercy: Sharing What We Receive” will be presented by Father Tom Gramc on Sunday, Feb. 9, at St. Columbkille Parish in Imperial, starting at 2...
SUNDAY, MARCH 18
“The Heart of the Mass,” presented by John Corcoran, 2:30-4:30 p.m. (Mass at 5 p.m.), Epiphany Church of Divine Mercy Parish, 184 Washington Place,...
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
Living Stations of the Cross, with St. Ferdinand Youth Group, 7:30 p.m., St. Albert the Great Church of Holy Apostles Parish, 3198 Schieck St., Baldwin.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
Eucharistic adoration, 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m., chapel of St. Sebastian Parish, Ross Township.
MONDAY, MARCH 2
“Hinges to Holy...
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
Presentation, “A Pencil in God’s Hand,” by architect Louis Astorino, St. James Church of Divine Redeemer Parish, 200 Walnut St.,...
