Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)

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. Snippet From the Show Pursuing the best education for children very often requires...

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. Snippet From the Show “The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for sa...

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. Snippet From the Show Cultivating relationships with married couples who are in different seasons of life can be incredibly ben...

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. Snippet From the Show We need to listen and be formed by the teachings of the Church. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www. Asc...

Are you lonely? Although the world has never been more connected because of social media, texting, and other technology, it seems like many people are lonely. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss why social media is not fulfilling and can negatively impact us. They also share who it is that will satisfy the longing of our hearts to be known and loved. Snippet From the Sho...

What are you willing to do for someone you love? Very often, love requires us to make sacrifices and experience difficulties. Such is the case with prayer so often. In order to have time with God in prayer, we may need to make sacrifices. Fr. Josh shares what these sacrifices may look like and why it is so worth it. Snippet From the Show Prayer is not always a comfortable thing. But it is always w...

Life gets tough. There is suffering, discomfort, and heartbreak. It seems like there is always something to complain about. So, is it ok to complain? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss whether or not Christians can complain. Is there a holy way to complain? Snippet From the Show Jesus Christ has suffered it all. He knows our suffering intimately and wants to be in our s...

Violence and war are just some of the evils that are present in our world today. If you watch the news or scroll on social media, it can seem like there is nothing but bad in the world. So, how can you be happy in such a place? Is it possible or even right to be happy? Fr. Josh addresses this question and offers advice on how to find happiness even in the storms of life. Snippet From the Show When...

Friendship is incredibly important, but how do you make good friends and maintain those friendships? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss the importance of deep friendships and how we can find them. They share their thoughts and what to avoid in friendships and what to value. Snippet From the Show In a virtuous friendship, you desire to accompany one another towards the u...

This may be the #1 question that Fr. Josh gets asked: “How do I bring my children back to the Church?” This is a question that lies in the hearts of so many parents in the Church today. This desire is good and a sign of true love for their children. Fr. Josh explains how to help bring children back to Church and love them well in the process. Snippet From the Show We don’t bring our loved ones bac...

What do two celibates have to say about intimacy in marriage? Quite a bit! Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss the importance of intimacy in marriage. Together, they share the abundant knowledge they have gained by counseling couples and individuals over many years. Snippet From the Show Your spouse is a mystery that is continuously being revealed to you. Therefore, it i...

Does the Eucharist feel approachable? Do you believe that the Eucharist is personal? Sometimes, it can seem unclear how we are meant to interact and approach the Eucharist. How “put together” do I need to be in order to participate in Communion? Fr. Josh Johnson takes on these questions and offers encouragement for how we can make the Eucharist more central in our lives. Snippet From the Show The...

Death is part of life, but so many of us live with a fear of death. Why? What is it about death that instills fear in so many people? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to respond to this question and offer stories from their own lives to show how death can be a good. Snippet From the Show For some, a fear of death can arise from a fear of missing out. We desire to leave a legacy...

Friendships can be difficult and tumultuous but can also bring so much goodness to our lives. So, how do you strive for good friendship? How do you handle conflict or talking through difficult topics with friends? Fr. Josh offers his insight and advice for navigating the challenges in friendship. Snippet From the Show “You must be willing to lose a friendship for the sake of their salvation.” Text...

How do you give “the talk” to your kids? Parents have a massive responsibility to inform and educate their children on matters of sexuality, dignity, and so much more. Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Sr. Josephine Garrett to discuss the importance of talking to your child about these matters and how to do it right. Snippet From the Show "If we know the world is pursuing our children to form them in...

Welcome back to a brand new season of Ask Fr. Josh! In this episode, Fr. Josh addresses the difficulties of dating. So many people have questions about how to date and how to date well. Fr. Josh offers advice on how to have a healthy approach to dating. Snippet From the Show As good as people are, they are not God. They are finite beings. Our hearts have an infinite longing and that longing can on...

Have you ever heard someone say that “social justice” is not Christian? Today, Fr. Josh addresses the topic of “social justice” and whether or not it is Christian. He also responds to the use of social media and the discernment one should use when sharing thoughts and ideas on those platforms. Snippet From the Show Prior to speaking publicly on important matters, it is essential that we form our h...

Does the Song of Solomon say that being black is a sign of sinfulness? Song of Solomon 1:5 can be confusing to read, but Fr. Josh is here to explain this passage from Scripture. Fr. Josh also shares about a beatified priest from Brazil who is a great example of someone who prayed for his persecutors. Snippet From the Show “Christ never gives up on us. So, we too can never give up on people.” Text...

Is it ok to participate in new age practices like tarot cards, reiki sessions, or the use of crystals? Fr. Josh shares what the Church teaches when it comes to new age practices. He also describes the harm that can come from participating in these practices. Fr. Josh shares what the Church recommends to combat the evil in our world. Snippet From the Show These practices have the capacity and poten...

Can a priest share my sins? Confession, telling our sins to a priest, can be really intimidating. However, Fr. Josh shares about the seal of confession and how seriously it is held by the Church. Fr. Josh also shares about two priests who died in order to keep the seal of confession. Snippet From the Show If there was a chance that a person’s sins could be revealed, they would not go to confession...

How are we supposed to evangelize? What does it even mean to evangelize? Fr. Josh addresses this question and encourages all of us to dive more deeply into a life of evangelization. Fr. Josh also shares about a saint who used her profession to evangelize in an extraordinary way. Snippet From the Show Whether you are a doctor, teacher, or a stay at home parent, God will use what you do in life to b...

What was the birth of Jesus like for Mary? Some people argue that Mary experienced labor and delivery like any other woman. Others argue that she felt no pain. But what does the Church say? Fr. Josh answers that question in today’s episode. Snippet From the Show “Our Mother Mary is full of beauty because she is full of grace.” -Pope Francis Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s sho...

What is Divine Mercy? You may have heard mention of Divine Mercy Sunday or perhaps you have prayed the chaplet. But where does the devotion to Divine Mercy come from? Fr. Josh answers this question and shares about the saint who established it. Snippet From the Show There is no excuse for anyone not to become a saint. God is offering his love and mercy to everyone until the very end. Text “askfrjo...

How do priests pray? Fr. Josh responds to a listener question regarding the spiritual life of a priest and what requirements are placed on a diocesan priest for prayer. Additionally, Fr. Josh shares the story of an unnamed saint to emphasize the importance of a daily Holy Hour. Snippet From the Show We have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Adoration of Christ is imitation of Christ. Text “askfrjos...

Why do we hear the Passion narrative twice during Holy Week? And who gets to participate in proclaiming those Gospels? Fr. Josh answers these questions in today’s episode. He also shares about an incredible woman who is on her way to canonization. Snippet From the Show To help prepare yourself and enter into it more fully, take the time to meditate on the readings prior to Mass. Text “askfrjosh” t...