During my conversion process, I picked up a Rosary from a local parish. Unfortunately, more often than not, I would pull it out of my pocket to pray and it would come out missing a Crucifix. I thought, “I wonder if I could make one…”

I will attempt here to share what I have learned about Purgatory, which has helped me see it as an extension of God’s mercy after our life ends rather than a mere scare tactic to make Catholics behave better.

…I was thinking about Mary, St. Joseph and all the Saints, and it struck me, “I have a family in Heaven.” I was literally brought to tears in gratitude.

As we have just come out of the celebration of All Saints’ Day, I want to talk about the Saints, our “Heavenly Friends”, as I like to call them…