Summary

Chapter 21

Although Eileen is the family member who gets everyone to Mass, she is beginning to doubt her belief in God. She’s seen too much death to think there is a divine plan. Church is good for Connell; it provides moral lessons for him. She also believes in the good works that the church teaches. Eileen is surprised at the number of Indians who joined the church. Ed is more open-minded about other cultures.

Ed listens intensely to the homily of the new pastor, Father Choudary, an Indian, who speaks of the science of God. If it is cosmic dust that everyone is made from then there is resultant responsibility to one another. Ed is upset that Eileen continues to look for a new home. He likes their home and their new parish priest. The new priest is Indian, she points out...