Why Does Evil Exist?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 18, 2020
If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does evil exist?
Posts from:
Pat McCloskey, OFM
Pat McCloskey, OFM, is the Franciscan advisor for St. Anthony Messenger and the writer of its "Ask a Franciscan" column.
‘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 dresser of sycamores.” What does that expression mean?
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 seventh-grade religious education class about the paschal mystery, I would like to know where we get the word paschal.
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.
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.
The Rift between Jews and Samaritans
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 16, 2020
I have been perplexed by the rift between Jews and Samaritans and their hatred mentioned in the New Testament.
Eucharist: Jesus Always With Us
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 15, 2020
When Vatican II described the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Church’s life” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #10), Catholics began to participate more actively at Mass, now celebrated in their mother tongue.