Thanks. I'd forgotten the difference in the view of Purgatory. What is the same is you do not have soul sleep found elsewhere.
I'm surprise a Catholic would forget about Purgatory. After all, isn't that what indulgences is all about? Unless, perhaps, you didn't know that this was one of the primary issues of the Protestant Reformation.
Your questions to Dr. E, if legitimate, shows that you must be confused about your own spiritual beliefs. Certainly the after life. I would concentrate on God telling Moses, "...you will be gathered to your people." When we die we to are gathered with our people, father Abraham and others of the faith. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "TODAY, you will be with me in Paradise."
However, I know of no one in the Old or New Testament praying to their own people. Moses didn't pray to Joseph and Joseph didn't pray to Abraham for guidance or intercession. They prayed directly to God. And I certainly know of no holding tank for us to sit in until we're "refined" for heaven.