Naming Children Hey Fr. Josh! I have so loved listening to your podcast and find so much fruit from it. I’m currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby and having grown up Southern Baptist and converting in college, Catholic Baptism is still a bit mysterious to me. As my husband and I prepare to Welcome our small human to the world and the Church, how should we discern their patron Saint? I have a few ideas, but since this is my first I’m honestly not sure. Her name will be Sarah Elizabeth, a...
Jun 20, 2024•5 min
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 ...
Jun 13, 2024•15 min
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...
Jun 06, 2024•8 min
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. Snippet From the Show I...
Apr 25, 2024•22 min
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...
Apr 18, 2024•20 min
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. Snippet From the Show Receive your spouse as the gift they are. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. ...
Apr 11, 2024•23 min
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. Snippet From the Show “Faith is our source of joy. We believe in a God who created us so that we might enjoy human happiness - in some measure on earth, in its fullness in h...
Apr 04, 2024•16 min
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. Snippet From the Show When you bring prayer into your decision making, you can trust that Christ is at the center. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh ...
Mar 28, 2024•22 min
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. Snippet From the Show Authentic apparitions don’t add anything to our faith. They simply emphasize something that is already present in the ordinary teachings of the Church. Text “askfrj...
Mar 21, 2024•30 min
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. Snippet From the Show “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good”...
Mar 14, 2024•23 min
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. Snippet From the Show Love without expecting anything in return. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by filling...
Mar 07, 2024•18 min
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. Snippet From the Show At every stage of life, we are called to discern what God’s...
Feb 29, 2024•27 min
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. Snippet From the Show Keep death always before your eyes. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by fill...
Feb 22, 2024•18 min
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 sacrifices of their parents. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go t...
Feb 15, 2024•25 min
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 saints.” Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.c...
Feb 08, 2024•24 min
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 beneficial to your own marriage. Learn from other couples and allow them to support you. Text “askfrjos...
Feb 01, 2024•40 min
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.AscensionPress.com/askfatherjosh Submit your questions and feedback to Fr.Josh by filling out a form at ...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min
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 Show If we don’t seek to encounter the love of God daily, we look for it elsewhere. Text “askfrjosh” to...
Nov 23, 2023•29 min
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 worth it because in prayer we encounter God and his love. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to ...
Nov 16, 2023•17 min
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 suffering with us. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.Ascen...
Nov 09, 2023•32 min
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 we focus more on the storm than on Jesus, we will be overcome with anxiety. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-...
Nov 02, 2023•24 min
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 ultimate good which is Heaven. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go ...
Oct 26, 2023•33 min
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 back to the Church. It is God who draws them back. Then they, with their free will, respond to God’s gr...
Oct 19, 2023•25 min
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 is essential that you look at your spouse again and again so that you may continue to know them and l...
Oct 12, 2023•38 min
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 point of Mass is not to receive the Eucharist. The purpose of Mass is to worship God. Text “askfrjos...
Oct 05, 2023•21 min
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 and witness the lives of our children and grandchildren. These desires can contribute to a fear of d...
Sep 28, 2023•33 min
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 “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.AscensionPress.com/askfathe...
Sep 21, 2023•27 min
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 lies about the gift of the body and sexuality, we need to step in front of the lie." Text “askfrjosh...
Sep 14, 2023•28 min
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 only be satiated by God. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www....
Sep 07, 2023•28 min
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 hearts and minds. Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes or go to www.Ascens...
May 25, 2023•30 min
