Ask Genesis Section
By William J. Byron, S.J. What is the Catholic Church’s teaching on suicide? Do people who take their own lives go to hell? My son committed suicide. In the note he left, he said he was goin... Read more
No matter whether it is Paul VI, John Paul II, or Benedict XVI, no pope today can escape the censure of being conservative. The word “conservative” is mild in the extreme. More and more ofte... Read more
The key to understanding the meaning of Lent is simple: Baptism. Preparation for Baptism and for renewing baptismal commitment lies at the heart of the season. Since the Second Vatican Counc... Read more
A Strange Command Hosea is, no doubt, the most puzzling prophet who ever existed in Israel. Not many know his story. But it is there, written in the Bible, in a book that bears his name, as... Read more
By Victoria M. Tufano There are surprisingly few official rules about decorating churches, much to the chagrin of those who have been crowded out by Christmas poinsettias or engulfed by East... Read more
by Jon Sorensen It’s that time of year again when many Christians encounter claims that pagan deities predating Jesus Christ were born on December 25. In popular films, Internet videos, and... Read more
By Kathleen Manning In a season filled with red Santa suits and green Christmas trees, the purple and pink candles of the Advent wreath can seem incongruous with many Catholic families’ usua... Read more
Columbus and the Bible When Christopher Columbus arrived at the coasts of America he never imagined that his new undertaking would affect the world of the Bible, in addition to the political... Read more
The mysterious book About 19 centuries past, a prisoner on the island of Patmos, fell into ecstasy and had strange visions. His name was John and all of his visions are compiled in the book... Read more
A Sunday dogma Those who attend Mass on Sundays, after listening to the homily of the priest, take part in praying the Creed, that is, they recite aloud the list of the articles of faith, wh... Read more
