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Q's from the Pews

Q’s from the Pews: What is the origin of purgatory? February 22, 2026

The word purgatory entered the language of the Catholic faith in the 12th century. Peter Lombard, Bishop of Paris, wrote a four-volume book that became…

Q’s from the Pews: Why do we need to Fast? February 15, 2026

The disciples of John the Baptist pose this question to Jesus: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mt…

Q’s from the Pews: How does one become Catholic?

Full communion in the Catholic Church requires the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Someone who has received these three sacraments is Catholic.…

Q’s from the Pews: How can I be friends with God?

Pope Leo began his “catechesis on Vatican Council II,” on January 14 by reminding us that friendship is exactly what God wants. "No longer do…

Q’s from the Pews: What is the Catholic Challenge? January 25, 2026

Each month in the bulletin we suggest a “Catholic Challenge.” Scripture calls us to spread the Gospel by living it. As St. James puts it,…

Q’s from the Pews: What is the Gift of Self? January 11, 2025

The Gift of Self is a foundational concept in Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It shapes Christian marriage, personal relationships, the…

Q’s from the Pews: Why did Cardinal Dolan Retire? January 4 , 2025

In our last “Q’s from the Pews,” we talked about the difference between Canon Law and Catechism. The recent retirement of Cardinal Dolan, Archdiocese of…

Q: What is the difference between Catechism and Canon Law? December 14, 2025

Two major works emerged from Vatican II: the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the revised Code of Canon Law. The Catechism presents the…

Q’s from the Pews: What are the 3 ways that a person may be baptized? November 23, 2025

The Church recognizes three ways a person may be baptized: baptism of water, baptism of desire, and baptism of blood. The sacrament of baptism is…

Q’s from the Pews: What actually happens during the consecration?November 16, 2025

The consecration of the host and wine is one of the Church’s greatest mysteries. In this sacred moment, the bread and wine— “fruits of the…