Whether you are exploring Catholicism for the first time or are a long-time Catholic, we hope that this eNewsletter will be a useful resource as you (re)discover the fundamentals of the Catholic faith. From September through May, we are following along with the topics discussed in our Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process. Our goal is to share practical, credible Catholic resources that are freely available to anyone. Enjoy!

Traditionally, the four "Last Things" are death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell. How confident are you that you really understand the Church's teachings about death and beyond? Perhaps without realizing it, many of us have ideas about Heaven or Hell that have been shaped more by TV than by the actual teachings of the Catholic Church. May today's resources help correct our misconceptions and nurture in us a powerful desire to be with God for all eternity!

It’s a question that arises whenever someone challenges the beliefs of Christianity: If God is all-loving, why does he send people to Hell? Some people prefer to believe that Hell doesn’t exist, or if it does, then only those guilty of the most heinous sins go there.

Fr. Mike’s response in this video makes much more sense, and he offers an explanation of Hell you can take to your grave.

From Episode 10 of Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained, "The Last Things: What Happens After We Die?"

What does the Church really teach about death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell? It's time to separate the myths from the reality.

Watch for free on Formed.org through our parish subscription. If this is your first time using Formed.org, click here to get started.

Catholic Funerals and Bereavement

From the USCCB website:

Because of our belief not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the resurrection of the body, the Church professes hope in the face of death, and acts with charity in the funeral rites. The Church provides a number of prayers for the faithful to offer both to accompany the dying of a loved one and to strengthen our faith upon their death. Through private prayer and public funeral rites, we strengthen our faith and hope, comfort those who mourn, and bury the bodily remains of the deceased with care befitting what was the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Do you have questions about Catholic funerals? Are Catholics allowed to be cremated? Click here to learn more about these topics on the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Learn more about funeral planning here at Saint Pius X at StPius.net/funerals.

Are you mourning the loss of a loved one? Check out our parish Grief Support ministry at StPius.net/grief.

Do you feel called to support those who are grieving? We are always looking for volunteers for our bereavement team and funeral luncheon ministry.

Saint Catherine of Genoa was an Italian aristocrat who had a powerful conversion experience in her 20s: her new awareness of God's love for her also kindled a deep spirit of repentance for her sinful past. Catherine's conversion drew her husband to God, too, and they spent the rest of their lives doing deeds of charity and self-sacrifice. Saint Catherine of Genoa is also remembered for her treatise on Purgatory - learn more here!

Looking for more opportunities to deepen your faith here at Saint Pius X? Visit our website to learn more!

• StPius.net/Faith Homepage for seasonal adult faith formation programs
• StPius.net/Bible Bible studies and Bible study resources, including our Living Water Bible Study blog
• StPius.net/Groups Grow in faith with a group! Check out That Man is You! and She Shall Be Called Woman
• StPius.net/Resources Parish lending library, subscriptions to Catholic periodicals, and instructions for accessing Formed.org