Ascension

Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

Religion EN ↓ 316 episodes

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...

Author

Ascension

Episodes

Be My Guest: Avera Maria Santo, Homosexuality, and Finding Happiness 20.08.2019 44:16

Avera Maria Santo and Fr. Josh answer questions about choosing a vocation when experiencing gender dysphoria and how to respond to a family member in a same-sex relationship. Avera also shares her story about same-sex attraction and finding her identity as a beloved daughter of God. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear y...

Selfishness, Daily Mass, and Talking to Family About Religious Discernment 13.08.2019 29:29

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to stop being selfish in relationships, whether it’s better to prioritize personal prayer or daily Mass, and how to tell family you’re thinking about entering seminary or religious life. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snip...

Forgiving Deep Wounds Caused by Family, Praying for Souls in Purgatory, and Tired of Praying 06.08.2019 37:55

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to forgive deep wounds caused by family members, what to do if you’ve grown bored with prayer, and what are some prayers we can say for souls in purgatory. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “As people we...

Baptisms with Same-Sex Parents, Helping Family Understand Church Teachings, and Overwhelming Guilt 30.07.2019 32:44

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to respond to a same-sex couple who wants their child baptized, how to help family understand Church teaching, and how to stop feeling guilty about sins from the past. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “...

Prayer Transcending Time, Married Priests, and Checking Someone Out 23.07.2019 25:59

Fr. Josh answers questions about if our prayers can apply to people who are no longer alive, why there are priests who have been married, and if it’s OK to check someone out. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “God can use our prayers to tra...

Scrupulosity, Bad Confession Experiences, and Young People Leaving the Church 16.07.2019 32:45

Fr. Josh answers questions about whether bad confession experiences are valid, how to avoid scrupulosity (obsession with avoiding sin), and how to invite people back to the Church. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “The second Peter took hi...

Praying to the Saints, the Communion Fast, and Confession “Hopping” 09.07.2019 33:11

Fr. Josh answers questions about why praying to the saints is different from worshiping them, how to remind people about the fast before receiving Communion, and whether it’s OK to go to a different parish for confession (so you don’t have to go to your pastor). If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comme...

Traditional Latin Mass, Witchcraft, and Mystic Visions 02.07.2019 30:36

Fr. Josh answers questions about why some Catholics seem to think traditional Latin Mass is better than the Norvus Ordo, whether witchcraft is demonic or fake, and why only some saints have mystic visions. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show...

All About Alcohol: Drunkenness, Underage Drinking, and Whisky for Teething Babies 25.06.2019 32:59

Fr. Josh answers questions all about drinking alcohol including: Do I need to go to confession after drinking? Is it OK to drink underage? What if I get drunk without intending to? Is that old wives tale of rubbing whiskey on a teething baby’s gums safe? If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an...

Same-Sex Love, Boycotting Netflix, Leaving the Priesthood 18.06.2019 40:37

DISCLAIMER: Fr. Josh dives deep into details about the first question on same-sex love. Especially for parents listening with children in the car, please discern whether or not your child is ready to learn more about the specifics of homosexual intercourse. Fr. Josh answers questions about why the Catholic Church cannot support same-sex relationships, how to be a conscientious consumer without bei...

TV Mass, Cafeteria Catholics, and Finding Happiness When Depressed 11.06.2019 40:48

Fr. Josh answers questions about if watching Mass on television fulfills our Sunday obligation, how to find happiness when depressed from past trauma, and how to talk with “cafeteria Catholics” who pick and choose which parts of the Faith to follow. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upco...

What Does Hell Look Like, Was Peter the First Pope, and a Follow Up to Spiritual Intimacy 04.06.2019 35:19

Today Fr. Josh dives into some theology today as he answers questions about whether hell looks like Dante’s Inferno, why Peter was the first pope, and what kinds of spiritual intimacy are prudent before marriage. Hear more on this topic in the episode Catholic Dating, How Far is Too Far Before Marriage, and Spiritual Intimacy. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at...

Original Sin, Explicit Music, State of Life Vocations, and Can Priests and Women Be Friends 28.05.2019 45:39

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how we become stained by original sin, listening to music with explicit lyrics, if feeling called to marriage means you will find a spouse, and if a friendship between a priest and a woman is appropriate. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming p...

Be My Guest: Dr. Mario Sacasa on Love as a Sincere Gift of Self 21.05.2019 55:58

DISCLAIMER: Fr. Josh and Dr. Mario Sacasa dive deep into some of these topics including conjugal love and struggles with pornography. You may want to listen first and discern whether or not it is the right time for your child(ren) to listen. Today Fr. Josh answers questions about sexual baggage, feeling guilty about NFP, the morality of pleasure outside the marital act, and dealing with a partner...

Praying the Paul VI Rosary: The Glorious Mysteries 14.05.2019 30:17

Today Fr. Josh talks about how Mary invites us again and again to pray the Rosary and then prays the Glorious Mysteries of the Paul VI Rosary (because it’s Easter). Grab your Rosary and pray along! If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show Blessed...

Chapel Veils, Free Will, and Methods for Preventing Pregnancy 07.05.2019 39:53

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about women wearing chapel veils at Mass, what to do with our God-given freedom, and whether certain methods for preventing pregnancy are permissible during times of fertility. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the S...

Hypostatic Union, Annulled Marriages, and Asking a Girl on a Date 30.04.2019 26:55

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how Jesus knew he was God as a child, whether an annulled marriage means the couple was living in a state of sin, and how to ask a girl on a date. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show “Whenever we open up...

Happy Easter from Fr. Josh! 23.04.2019 1:14

Happy Easter! This week we celebrate a new season in the Church, one of renewal and joy. Fr. Josh will be back next week with more questions and answers, but this week we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! God bless you and your families as we rejoice in this festive season! Snippet from the Show "God can make all things new."

Holy Week, Aliens, and Righteous Anger 16.04.2019 38:45

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about when anger can be considered righteous, how to enter into Holy Week, and speculating about whether or not aliens could have souls. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show Jesus Christ gave one hundred percen...

Nuns Without Habits, Explaining Past Mistakes to Children, and Fr. Josh’s Conversion 09.04.2019 36:24

Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how to explain past mistakes to your children, how to react to nuns who don’t wear habits, and his own conversion story. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show How can we say “I love you” to a God we cannot...

The Devil, Life After Rape, and Giving Communion to Unbelievers 02.04.2019 36:01

Fr. Josh answers questions about why God created the devil, distributing Communion to people in a state of mortal sin, and how to return to God after a traumatic assault. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show He suffered, not only for our redem...

Be My Guest: Dr. Edward Sri, the Crucifixion, and St. Joseph 26.03.2019 39:27

Fr. Josh and scripture scholar Dr. Edward Sri answer questions about Jesus’ divine nature, why Jesus had to be crucified, and what happened to St. Joseph during Christ’s passion. Snippet from the Show He’s so in love with us that he wants to do everything he can to break down any barriers that keep us from him. That’s why he’s willing to come down and enter finite time and space and take on human...

Depression, Sexism in the Church, Candy During Lent, and Posting on Facebook 19.03.2019 33:58

Fr. Josh answers questions about why God allows depression, sexism in the Church, choosing a good Lenten sacrifice, and posting religious images and quotes on social media. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! For full shownotes, text ASKFRJOSH to 33-777 or visit [...

Be My Guest: Jeff Cavins, Activated Discipleship, and Catholic Swag 12.03.2019 42:03

Fr. Josh interviews Jeff Cavins on his new book, The Activated Disciple, and how to be a true disciple of Christ. They also discuss Jeff’s journey to the Catholic Faith, being a fan of Jesus versus being a follower of Jesus, cultivating a real relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, and how to share the gospel with others. Snippet from the Show _If someone is around me for a week, and they h...

Ash Wednesday, Dress Code for Mass, and Downplaying Mortal Sins During Confession 05.03.2019 33:20

Fr. Josh answers questions about wearing ashes in public on Ash Wednesday, what to wear at daily Mass vs. Sunday Mass, and how detailed we need to be about mortal sins during confession. If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com . You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode! Snippet from the Show Imagine the people...