Ask Father Josh (your Catholic Question And Answer Podcast)

What is the Church’s stance on contraception? Fr. Josh Johnson and Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio answer questions about contraception and abortion. They break down the historic Christian stance on contraception, contraception within marriage, and different types of sexual education. While the world continues to change and shift, the Church has remained steadfast in its teachings on this subject. We can benefit from continuing to learn and wrestle with these teachings in order to better understand for ourselves and future generations. Snippet From the Show Contraception has proven to have failed us. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Am I enough? Do my past mistakes prevent me from living a life for Jesus? These are questions we may ask ourselves as we examine our conscience. Fr. Josh Jonson addresses these fears and emphasizes that we cannot let shame or past sin stand in our way of being with Jesus. Throughout Church history we hear about disciples and saints falling to sin but finding redemption. Jesus wants you. He is calling each one of us to follow Him. Snippet From the Show Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Do you ever wonder about the church’s teachings regarding contraception? Fr. Josh Johnson and Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio address this topic from both a moral reasoning and medical application standpoint. They also look at the broader picture of holistic understanding of fertility, fertility awareness methods and restorative reproductive medicine. Dr. Sarah advocates for improved education about these topics and acknowledges that it is valid to still be learning, growing, and wrestling with this complex area as long as we maintain our trust in the Lord. Snippet From the Show There may be church teachings that we do not yet understand, but that’s OK; the point of our faith is that we remain close to Jesus and trust that over time God will give us grace. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Is baptism the only way to enter the Kingdom of God? What is the difference between valid and invalid baptism? How do we baptize? Are we living our baptism? Baptism is the foundational and necessary sacrament in which all other sacraments build. Fr. Josh Johnson dives into all things baptism and explains the responsibility of this gift. Snippet From the Show This is the sacrament that is the gateway for all other sacraments 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

What is the right way to find your future spouse? As Catholics, it can feel like a battle between waiting/trusting in God’s plan and taking action. This battle often comes up in the search for a spouse. Do I simply pray for my future spouse and wait for them to come to me? Or, do I need to join every dating site and find him myself? Fr. Josh Johnson is joined by Dr. Sarah Denny Lorio to discuss whether or not there is a “right” way to find your future spouse. Snippet From the Show Time is never wasted when we put ourselves in the heart of Jesus. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

To start off a brand new season of Ask Fr. Josh, Fr. Josh Johnson addresses the topic of charisms. Whether or not you have heard about charisms beforet, you may not have a clear understanding of what they are. Or perhaps, you know what they are, but you are not sure how to discover your own charisms. Fr. Josh explains what charisms are, their purpose, and tools for discovering your unique charisms. Snippet From the Show We are not created to be self-sufficient. We are created to be in communion and union with other people. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Hello Father Josh I enjoy your podcast very much and it has help me in picking up the bible and attending adoration I am forever grateful. My husband and I recently started our fertility journey because we have been unsuccessful for two years. I find myself discourage, sadness and alone sometimes because this process is not easy however, I do understand that God is not giving me something I can not handle. I was wondering if you have a prayer, scripture, or Saint in mind to help me through this process? I understand I have to be very patient in my fertility journey. It just seems so hard when everyone is trying to give you advice or say you are doing the wrong thing. I feel that if God did not want me to take this step he would hold hurdles but I do not feel that from Him. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this message. May God continue to bless you and provide you health so you can continue to guide us through this world. -Cristina Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes

My aunt always says that when she dies she would like her ashes to be turned into a tree or put to sea to become a reef (something she read about), but my mom is always telling her her ashes have to be buried. Why is this the case? What does the bible and/or the catechism have to say on the matter? -Frankie 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

What is the Catholic view on the Harry Potter series? -Yara 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

What exactly is emotional chastity and can men and women partake in close friendships? Over my life I have developed a lot of beautiful and fruitful friendships with men that have never become more than friendship nor have I ever intended them to, however, recently I was accused of breaking emotional chastity within these friendships. It’s a concept that I have never heard of before. I’ve asked around and it seems like something fairly controversial as some people don’t even believe in it. I know that God delights in all friendships, but perhaps friendships of the opposite sex need more boundaries? -Delaney 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Dear Fr. Josh, I am a 37 year old cradle Catholic from the Netherlands and the proud mom of a wonderful baby boy. Over the last ten years (yeah I know) I’ve been slowly finding my way back to the church. I am now attending mass regularly, have made prayer a part of my daily life and am working up the courage to go to confession for the first time in my life. The journey has brought me closer to God and I am experiencing a profound feeling of peace, because I know God is with me always. But this is also a very lonely journey. It is extremely difficult to find a practicing Catholic amongst my peers, my family and partner are not religious and a lot of people are downright hostile when they find out about my beliefs, or just think there is something wrong with me. This is very common in my country. On top of that my fellow churchgoers are all senior citizens and the fellowship I’ve been craving is nowhere to be found. I listen to some podcasts and follow a couple of YouTube channels to fill that void, but it’s a

Could you talk about how to navigate anticipatory grief from a Catholic perspective? My grandma’s health is declining. I’m coping with grieving the person she once was and the grief I know I will be experiencing in the future. -Anonymous 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Hey Fr. Josh, Congrats on your podcast, thank you for your vocation and your ministry, my daughters and I listen to you every chance we get. I’m not if you have addressed this topic before. I’m a mother of 6 beautiful kids, ranging from 22 years old to 10 months. We attend Church every Sunday but choose not to attend holy hour due to our boys’ behavior who are seven and four. When we do go and try to instill in them good behavior and silence it becomes a struggle that we feel disturbs others and definitely distracts the rest of us. We’ve tried so many tactics to get them to behave, but nothing seems to work and I’m afraid they won’t know the beauty of having this opportunity to pray in the presence of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, while they are still in their formative years. Should we continue to bring them each week, despite their behavior? How much should we Conner ourselves with how others around us feel versus Jesus saying bring the children to me despite of their reactions of those around him

Hey Fr Josh, I love the podcast. It has helped me learn so much about my faith and grow greatly in it. I go to a holy hour every Tuesday and it’s an amazing thing sitting with Jesus christ in the eucharistic. But sometimes I find myself distracted or not fully there with Jesus and I don’t make a great holy hour. Sometimes there is music, other times I will either pray a rosary or litany or maybe read. Nothing stands out as what’s best for me. Do you have any advice on how I can make a better holy hour and become closer to Jesus in the eucharistic. -Anonymous 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Why must we believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? -Teresa 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

Hi Father Josh! I was introduced to your podcast a few months ago and I love everything that you do! Your spontaneous singing makes me laugh out loud and your straightforward, digestible answers to Catholic questions have helped me grow very much in my faith. I apologize if this question has been asked before since I’ve only heard a few episodes, but it’s something that’s been a stumbling block for me in the past. I was wondering what the Church’s teaching is on God always having a male pronoun and being described/depicted as an (often old, white) man. I know it is very complicated and tied up with the human understanding of divinity, biblical phrasing, and so much more, but maybe you can clarify a bit on how God is always described as a man. I was also wondering if and how a Catholic should respond when people, jokingly or not, call God a woman or change His supposed gender in some way. Thanks so much and love the work you’re doing! -Anonymous Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes

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, and while I know these are both Saints of the Bible, I’m not sure if either is the right name to baptize her with (or honestly what that truly means). I look forward to hearing from you every week! Keep blessing souls. -Anonymous 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

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 righ

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 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh

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 It is essential that we share the goodness of the Lord through our words and our actions. 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 www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh