Echoes - A forum of Catholic thought. The Opinion section of thebostonpilot.com

October 23, 2024Faith

My team did not make it to the World Series. They got close -- very close. Alas, the playoffs did not end well for them. I am not the most devoted fan since I usually do not follow the team's progress ...

Faith & Family

If most of us go to purgatory at death, are Catholics 'saved?'Jenna Marie Cooper

Q: When I was evangelical, we said a "saved" person went immediately to heaven at death. In a recent homily, our priest said most Christians, including himself, will likely go to purgatory at death. How ...

Culture & Events

Scripture Reflection for Oct. 27, 2024, Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary TimeDeacon Greg Kandra

Jer 31:7-9 Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 Heb 5:1-6 Mk 10:46-52 Like so much of the gospels, Jesus' encounter with a blind beggar this Sunday boils down to one simple question: "What do you want me to ...

Culture & Events

A home for Lithuanian Catholics in BostonThomas Lester

On Sunday, Oct. 20, St. Peter Lithuanian Parish in South Boston will be commemorating 120 years since the blessing of the church by its first pastor. Lithuanians began immigrating to the U.S. in significant ...

Spirituality

Newman and the start of the academic yearMichael Pakaluk

The memorial of a canonized saint is typically his "dies natalis," his "birthday," the day he passed from this life and was born into everlasting life. But St. John Henry Newman died on Aug. 11, which ...

Faith & Family

Can you hear the beat of the drum calling the community to Mass? It's the invitation to the banquet!Maureen Crowley Heil

The parishioners of Saint Joseph Parish in Hosanna, Ethiopia are ready to celebrate because it is World Mission Sunday -- a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's ...

Faith & Family

Beyond the parishFather Robert M. O'Grady

Three weeks from the date of this issue, Nov. 1, 2024, this newspaper will have a new publisher, and the archdiocese will have its new archbishop. The columns of this and of next week are inspired by ...

Faith & Family

Scripture Reflection for Oct. 20, 2024, Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary TimeFather Joshua J. Whitfield

Is 53:10-11 Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Heb 4:14-16 Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 Simone Weil, that strange yet beautiful soul, once wrote that genuine love of neighbor meant being able to ask the question, ...

Faith & Family

What are 'non-sacramental' marriages?Jenna Marie Cooper

Q: I have heard some priests refer to "non-sacramental" marriages on the annulment question. I presume these are civil marriages. Is it so? Or do these marriages become "non-sacramental" due to the various ...