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line.”
    Maggie’s insides eased when she understood that at least her daughter wasn’t questioning the existence of God too. She knew sending kids to a parochial school was no guarantee their faith would remain intact forever. So rather than slam a two-ton Catechism down on their curiosity, she tried to discuss more than lecture, firmly believing that turning their own minds around an issue was what would bring them closer to God in the end. After all, it was only after decades of mistakes that she herself had started to truly nurture that relationship.
    “Well, what about the people who don’t stay in line?” Maggie asked. “Can they just sin and kill and turn their backs completely on God but still get a free pass at the end?”
    “At the end they’ll see God, and they’ll be sorry, and he’ll forgive them.”
    “What if they’re not? They’ll still have free will, right? What if they use it to flip God off? Is he still going to set a place for them at his table so they can spit on his food?”
    Kirsten was silent for a moment before answering. “I guess I don’t know how it’s all going to work, but if God loves us so much, he’d never throw anyone into hell forever. Oh, I know! Purgatory. That’s where he’ll send them until they can get their act together.”
    “So, you don’t believe in eternal damnation, huh? You don’t need the threat of hell to be a good girl?” Maggie smiled. “That’s pretty cool, actually. I’m sure he’d much rather have you follow him because you love him, not because you’re afraid.”
    “So then I don’t have to go to this stupid lecture tonight?”
    “Ah, but you do believe in extra credit points for theology class, right?”
    “Only like five. It’ll hardly affect my grade.”
    “I know, smarty pants, but I have to be there anyhow and I think this’ll be good for you to hear. You might not believe in the devil, but do you believe evil lurks in this world?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Well, Father Tom’s lecture is going to be all about using the protections God gave us against evil of all kinds.”
    “Then why doesn’t Liam have to go?”
    “He’s too young to get it in the terms Father will be using tonight. But you’re old enough and I need you to be prepared for the evils of high school next year.”
    “Ha ha.” Kirsten rolled her eyes. They pulled into the lot, and she sulked all the way into the narthex, where she was instantly cheered when she saw a couple of her school friends. After agreeing to meet Maggie in the basement afterward, she disappeared into the church with her friends to get a seat for the lecture.
    Maggie dashed downstairs to the linoleum-tiled gathering hall and began setting up for the dessert reception while greeting and chatting with the parishioners who’d volunteered to drop off baked goods and beverages. When she’d finished spreading paper tablecloths across the long tables, arranging the sweets, and brewing coffee, there were still ten minutes left of the allotted question and answer time, so she returned upstairs. Quietly entering the church, she stood at the back, behind several rows of wooden pews.
    The interior walls were the same tawny brick as the outside of the building, and every few feet, the solid wall was accented by a pane of stained glass, more simple and modern in design than ornate. What gave the space a majestic feel was the high ceiling that was topped with a skylight to allow for a glimpse of the heavens. After settling into place and spotting Kirsten, Maggie was shocked to notice that Monsignor Sarto was at the lectern rather than Father Tom.
    “He is always speaking to us. Always trying to get our attention. But are we listening? Or are we tuning him out in favor of earthly pleasures? What he asks of us won’t be easy to do, and we will fail often; it’s our human nature. But he offers the opportunity to renew and polish our armor—through confession. Someone will be here every weekday morning and