Ask a Franciscan
Three Lenten Questions
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 22, 2020
Lent is based on Christ’s 40-day fast in the desert, which recalls the 40 years that the Hebrew people wandered between leaving Egypt and entering the Promised Land.
Is There More Power in Praying for One Person?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 19, 2020
Q: When I pray a petition, I can't help feeling that if I pray for one person only, the prayer will be stronger or more effective than if I pray for 20 people at once. For example, is "Please help David" ...
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Why Does Evil Exist?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 18, 2020
If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does evil exist?
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‘Dresser of Sycamores’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 16, 2020
Q. In Amos 7:14, at the king’s sanctuary in Bethel, the prophet verbally defends himself against the priest Amaziah by denying that he ever said he belonged to a company of prophets. Amos adds, “I am a herdsman and a ...
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Meaning of the Word ‘Paschal’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 16, 2020
I know that words often have a root meaning. For example, our word sacrament comes from the Latin word sacramentum, which I know St. Augustine described as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” In preparing for a ...
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Pope Francis, Big Bang, Evolution
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 16, 2020
According to a news article, Pope Francis recently acknowledged the Big Bang theory and evolution. I was quite startled by comments I’ve heard about this story. I hope you can enlighten me on this matter.
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Holy Communion without Confession
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 16, 2020
I am a 79-year-old Catholic who doesn’t believe in the Sacrament of Penance.
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