Q. I understand that Catholics can’t spread out ashes over the ocean after cremation — and that ashes can only be buried or kept at home. Both my sister and her daughter are Catholics. My sister told me that she has instructed her daughter to use her ashes as fertilizer on plants or trees after cremation. Is this allowed? (Honolulu)

Q. As a longtime practicing Catholic, I would like to know whether the church has a position on whether those who are now in heaven can observe, and are aware of, how we are living our lives here on earth. Also, can we pray to our deceased loved ones for help and guidance in the same way that we pray to the saints? (San Francisco)

Q. Please clarify something that I don’t understand when I am praying. In the Gloria at Sunday Mass, we say, “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.” In Psalm 63, we pray, “I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.” And in Psalm 103, we say, “Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!” My question is this: What does it mean for us to “bless the Lord”? How can we do that? (Indiana)

Q. Because of what has been going on in the world lately (the pandemic, difficulty finding work, etc.), I am having trouble concentrating when I pray. Any suggestions for avoiding such distractions?