Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)
Fr. Josh helps you navigate the tricky times in life when our Catholic Faith doesn’t give you an easy, “fill-in-the blank” answer.
About the show
Ask Fr. Josh is the podcast where I hear you out and do my best to help you navigate the tricky times in life when our Catholic Faith doesn’t give you an easy “fill-in-the blank” answer. On this show, we’ll listen to one another, problem solve together, and ultimately entrust everything to our Lord. If this is your first time tuning in, here’s how the show goes: Each episode, I'll address three to four of your questions. I’ll cover everything from Catholic teaching to moral dilemmas to relationship advice. I'm not perfect, and I can’t guarantee that my advice is going to make things easy, but I'll do my best to share what I've learned during my time as a priest, pastor, and friend.
Send me your questions at ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
Episodes
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How to Deal with Shame
June 13th, 2024 | 15 mins 23 secs
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Hello Father Josh!
Let me start out by saying you are such an incredible blessing to so many! God has truly sent you to help those in need. You are so relatable, and it is wonderful and very encouraging. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
My question or concern is this. A number of years ago, in my 20’s, I was at a very low point. I was depressed and searching for what I hoped would be real love. I found myself continuing to make the same mistake repeatedly, by sleeping with these men I’d date sometimes only briefly. I am so incredibly ashamed and disappointed in myself. Though I have confessed these sins on multiple occasions during Confession, I can’t ever forgive myself. I do believe God most likely forgives me, but am also deeply afraid of the recourse I will have to pay for these mistakes. I am frightened of the suffering in purgatory, though I know I deserve the consequences and to be made clean before entering Heaven. It was such a sad time in my life, and I shied away from what was right. I am just wondering, does it offend God that I don’t forgive myself? Will I suffer immensely for these sins? Can I do anything to earn penance while on Earth? I know we must pay for our sins and that He died for ours. But I can’t help but to feel scared of dying because of this. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!God Bless you.
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What the Church Says About Medical Marijuana
June 6th, 2024 | 7 mins 47 secs
ascension, ascension catholic, ascension catholic faith formation, ascension presents, ascension press, ask father josh, ask fr josh, ask fr. josh, catholic, catholic beliefs, catholic church, catholic faith, catholic faith formation, catholic podcast, catholic priest, catholic religion, catholic teachings, catholic theology, catholicism, catholics, christian, christianity, faith, father josh, father josh johnson, fr josh, fr josh johnson, fr. josh johnson, god, holiness, jesus, jesus christ, prayer, praying, priest, relationship with jesus, religion, roman catholic, saints, spirituality, theology
Welcome to Ask Fr. Josh - Summer Snippets! During the next few months, some of the most popular questions from the archives will be released as short snippets. Enjoy!
Question:
I have had 3 cervical spine fusions over 5 years and due to the amount of medication I’ve been taking I have begun to do a small amount of damage to my liver. 2 of my specialists have recommended medicinal marijuana but I feel so guilty doing it. My family is supportive but I feel ashamed. I have taken Percocet but do not like the side effect and again it’s another pill that can lead to damage to my liver. I’ve also begun to drink beer and wine to alleviate the pain. My question is should I use my medicinal marijuana for pain or is this a sin? I feel as though I’m running out of options.
-Anonymous -
When Your Spouse Doesn’t Share Your Faith
April 25th, 2024 | 21 mins 50 secs
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What do you do if your spouse isn’t praying, going to Mass, or living the faith at all? Many people find themselves in the position where their spouse is non-Catholic or not practicing the faith. This can be incredibly difficult both as a spouse and as a parent. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss what to do in this kind of situation. They share how you can work to evangelize your spouse without nagging or creating animosity in the relationship.
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Retreats: Essential or Indulgent?
April 18th, 2024 | 19 mins 45 secs
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Just as we would prioritize a vacation with our family or our husband or our wife, we ought to also prioritize a getaway with God. In today’s episode, Fr. Josh Johnson encourages us to get away, break our routines, and listen to the voice of God. He unfolds how important retreats are for him in his walk with God, and how life-changing different types of retreats can be for us, no matter what state of life we find ourselves in.
Snippet From the Show
If God is important to us, then God deserves to be on our calendar. -
How Do Husbands Want to Be Loved?
April 11th, 2024 | 22 mins 51 secs
ascension, ascension catholic, ascension catholic faith formation, ascension presents, ascension press, ask father josh, ask fr josh, ask fr. josh, catholic, catholic beliefs, catholic church, catholic faith, catholic faith formation, catholic podcast, catholic priest, catholic religion, catholic teachings, catholic theology, catholicism, catholics, christian, christianity, faith, father josh, father josh johnson, fr josh, fr josh johnson, fr. josh johnson, god, holiness, jesus, jesus christ, prayer, praying, priest, relationship with jesus, religion, roman catholic, saints, spirituality, theology
It is essential for every spouse to learn how best to love their husband or wife. To discuss how husbands want to be loved, Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker. Together, they talk through some of the ways that men tend to feel most loved. They also touch on the importance of communication and vulnerability when it comes to spouses learning how to best love one another.
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Can Holy People Have Fun?
April 4th, 2024 | 16 mins 12 secs
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Does being Christian mean that you need to live a solitary, boring, or unhappy life? Looking at the lives of holy men and women, it can appear that the majority of their lives were suffering and solitude. Does this mean that “fun” has no place in the Christian life? Fr. Josh Johnson takes up this question in today’s episode.
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Decision Making: Single vs. Married
March 28th, 2024 | 22 mins 8 secs
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Is there a right way to make decisions? How people make decisions may look different depending on what season of life they are in. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss some best practices when it comes to making decisions, especially in a marriage.
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Međugorje: Private vs. Public Revelation
March 21st, 2024 | 29 mins 58 secs
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What do you know about the apparitions of Međugorje? Although these apparitions are not yet approved, there are many who have traveled to the site and been convicted in their faith. Fr. Josh Johnson shares about his own experiences with Međugorje and explains the difference between private and public revelation.
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Can Christians Work Out to Look Good?
March 14th, 2024 | 23 mins 28 secs
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Fitness is a pretty big deal in the culture today. Whether it's diet, working out, or supplementing, many people invest their time and money in it. But what is their motivation? Fr. Josh Johnson and Deacon Michael Parker discuss the goals of fitness and what sort of motivation should exist behind those goals.
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Overcoming Envy
March 7th, 2024 | 18 mins 10 secs
ascension, ascension catholic, ascension catholic faith formation, ascension presents, ascension press, ask father josh, ask fr josh, ask fr. josh, catholic, catholic beliefs, catholic church, catholic faith, catholic faith formation, catholic podcast, catholic priest, catholic religion, catholic teachings, catholic theology, catholicism, catholics, christian, christianity, faith, father josh, father josh johnson, fr josh, fr josh johnson, fr. josh johnson, god, holiness, jesus, jesus christ, prayer, praying, priest, relationship with jesus, religion, roman catholic, saints, spirituality, theology
Is it difficult for you to see other people happy and enjoying their lives? It is common for people to struggle with jealousy or wanting what other people have. However, envy goes a step further than jealousy. Fr. Josh explains what envy is and how we can overcome it.
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Can Catholic Moms Have Careers?
February 29th, 2024 | 27 mins 4 secs
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Can a woman be a mother and also work? It is the responsibility of all parents to discern what is best for their children, for their family. Part of this discernment typically involves deciding whether one parent stays home or both parents work. This decision is not always easy or straightforward. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to talk about this decision and what proper discernment looks like.
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Is It Possible to Have a "Happy" Death?
February 22nd, 2024 | 17 mins 42 secs
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Death is often marked by sadness and loss. For many, death is something fearful. However, there is a way to have a happy death. Fr. Josh Johnson responds to the question, “How does a person die well?” He offers advice on dying well and an example of an individual who died well.
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Is There a "Right" Way to Educate Your Children?
February 15th, 2024 | 25 mins 3 secs
ascension, ascension catholic, ascension catholic faith formation, ascension presents, ascension press, ask father josh, ask fr josh, ask fr. josh, catholic, catholic beliefs, catholic church, catholic faith, catholic faith formation, catholic podcast, catholic priest, catholic religion, catholic teachings, catholic theology, catholicism, catholics, christian, christianity, faith, father josh, father josh johnson, fr josh, fr josh johnson, fr. josh johnson, god, holiness, jesus, jesus christ, prayer, praying, priest, relationship with jesus, religion, roman catholic, saints, spirituality, theology
How do parents decide what is best for their children when it comes to education? There are a number of different choices and it isn’t always easy to know which is the right one. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss some of the key factors to consider when making decisions about education.
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Responding to Sin in the Church
February 8th, 2024 | 23 mins 44 secs
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How can I defend the Catholic Church? There are people within the Church who have done horrible things and treated people badly. These people can make others question whether or not they should support and defend the Church. Fr. Josh Johnson responds to this question and shares why Christians should defend the Church.
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Preparing for Marriage: What You Need to Do
February 1st, 2024 | 39 mins 56 secs
ascension, ascension catholic, ascension catholic faith formation, ascension presents, ascension press, ask father josh, ask fr josh, ask fr. josh, catholic, catholic beliefs, catholic church, catholic faith, catholic faith formation, catholic podcast, catholic priest, catholic religion, catholic teachings, catholic theology, catholicism, catholics, christian, christianity, faith, father josh, father josh johnson, fr josh, fr josh johnson, fr. josh johnson, god, holiness, jesus, jesus christ, prayer, praying, priest, relationship with jesus, religion, roman catholic, saints, spirituality, theology
What should I focus on during engagement? As you prepare for your wedding day, you are also preparing for your marriage. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Deacon Michael Parker to discuss some of the key priorities for engagement that will help you truly prepare for marriage.
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Can Women Be Deacons?
November 30th, 2023 | 25 mins 8 secs
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The conversations regarding women deacons has caused a lot of confusion amongst Catholics. Can women be deacons or not? Fr. Josh Johnson addresses this question by looking at the history of the Church and her teachings on the topic.