Becoming a World Church
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 21, 2019
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature, ” Jesus told his apostles (Mk 16:15). Christianity has been doing that ever since.
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.
No Rides to Weekday Masses
Pat McCloskey, OFM
September 27, 2019
I have a very rare and painful illness that has left me handicapped. I have trouble finding rides to doctors’ offices and to church.
Consequently, I feel very disconnected from my parish in which I once served as a catechist and director of religious education. I do some adult education from my home. My chemo schedule makes attending weekend Masses problematic, but I could go to some weekday Masses if I had a ride. Any suggestions?
Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
September 27, 2019
Can a Catholic be pro-choice? I am a practicing Catholic who is very pro-life. I know several Catholic women who are pro-choice. I’m an old man who thinks this is a contradiction.
St. Francis and the Eucharist
Pat McCloskey, OFM
September 27, 2019
What did the Eucharist mean to St. Francis? How did he express his devotion to it?
Why Does a Baptized Person Need the RCIA?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
August 23, 2019
Why does a baptized adult have to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)? Such a person may already know almost everything about the Catholic religion, its prayers, and the Ten Commandments.
Why So Few Catholic Bible Study Groups?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
August 23, 2019
Why doesn’t the Catholic Church encourage its members to establish small groups for
Bible study? Aren’t many Catholics joining nondenominational churches to go deeper into their faith and have a closer connection with other believers?
Will I Know Him?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
August 23, 2019
My husband died of cancer almost two years ago. He was the love of my life as I was his. Will I ever see him again and be with him?
Yes, you will see him and be with him. Jesus’ teaching that those in heaven “neither marry nor are given in marriage ” (Mt 22:30) is a caution against thinking that life in heaven is simply an extension of life on earth. Being in God’s immediate presence changes everything. Saints there are aware of each other.