● DEAR ABBY: In a recent column, you wrote that only practicing Catholics may receive Communion in a Catholic service. That is not entirely correct.
Canon law allows members of the Orthodox churches, the Assyrian Church of the East and the Polish National Catholic Church to receive Communion during a Catholic service if they choose to take it. — Catholic Reader in Boston
DEAR READER: Thank you for pointing it out. It was my understanding that only someone who has been to confession — and is in a "state of grace" — may partake of Communion in a Catholic church without its being sacrilegious. However, I did not communicate my thought clearly. When visiting any house of worship, if you want to be absolutely "correct" in your deportment, check beforehand with the clergyperson.
● DEAR ABBY: A couple of months ago, I got a call from an ex-boyfriend's attorney informing me that he had passed away. He said that I'd been left something in "Luke's" will.
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I was flabbergasted to learn that Luke had left me a ring that had been in his family for years. At the reading, I also found out that he had married and had two sons and a daughter.
Luke and I dated when I was 18 and immature. (I am now 32.) I knew then that Luke was head over heels about me, but I was not serious about him — and I let him know it from the beginning. Our relationship ended badly.
I don't believe I deserve this ring. I talked it over with a couple of friends. One says I should keep it because Luke wanted me to have it. Another thinks it would be a good idea to give it to his wife. But she was offended that he left me the ring in the first place. What do you think? — Undeserving in Arkansas
DEAR UNDESERVING: It would be interesting to know what was going on in your ex-boyfriend's mind when he decided that the ring should go to you. It appears that you always had a piece of his heart. Because the item inspires guilt in you instead of pleasure, it might be better if it remains in Luke's family.
Feeling as she does about the situation, his wife may not want the ring. However, it would be gracious to offer it back, explaining that because it's a family heirloom, his daughter might like to have it when she's grown.