What does a newly ordained priest need to hear most?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim shares five honest and heartfelt pieces of advice for new priests entering into their vocation. From learning how to fail with Jesus, to praying a daily holy hour, to building real brotherhood with a pastor, this episode is a beautiful reflection on priesthood, fatherhood, humility, and love.
Father Tim also reminds new priests to stay rooted in their assignment, say no when needed, and celebrate the sacraments with reverence and great love. Because priesthood is not about being perfect, it’s about staying close to Jesus and letting Him love His people through you.
And of course, there’s one bonus piece of advice: become a coffee snob. It might just help you become a saint, kind of.
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Is My Past Too Messy for God?
Have you ever looked at your past and wondered, “Could God still use someone like me?”
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim answers one of the most human questions of faith: what if my past is too messy for God? Looking at figures like David, Moses, Abraham, Peter, and Mary Magdalene, he reminds us that God has always worked through flawed people, not because of their sins, but because they had faith and let God be God.
Your past doesn’t scare Jesus. Your weakness doesn’t disqualify you. God only has flawed instruments to work with, and He can still use your life to build something holy.
You are not too far gone.
You are not too broken.
You are still called to be a saint. -
Can Catholics Eat Meat Byproducts During Lent?
Does abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent include things like chicken broth or beef stock?
But the deeper question isn’t just “Is it allowed?”, it’s “Is it helping you grow closer to Jesus?” Lent is about more than following rules; it’s about forming the heart through sacrifice, simplicity, and intention.
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim answers a practical and surprisingly common question about Lenten fasting. Looking at the Church’s teaching, he explains that abstinence refers specifically to the flesh meat of animals, not necessarily byproducts like broth.
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What if the Vatican Sold Everything and Gave the Money to the Poor?
If the Vatican has so much art, gold, and beauty, why not sell it all and give the money to the poor?
It’s a fair question, and one people ask all the time. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what would actually happen if the Church sold off its sacred art, churches, museums, and treasures.
Drawing from his experience seeing a priceless Caravaggio painting in a Roman church, standing next to people from every walk of life, Father Tim shows how the Church has always made beauty available to everyone, not just the wealthy. Catholic churches have long been places where the poor, the rich, the traveler, and the local can all encounter beauty that lifts the soul to God.
But the answer goes even deeper. Selling everything would not simply “solve poverty”. It could privatize sacred beauty, weaken Catholic charitable infrastructure, destabilize education and healthcare in vulnerable parts of the world, and reinforce the idea that only “useful” things matter.
The Catholic Church doesn’t just talk about charity. It has institutionalized charity through hospitals, schools, orphanages, shelters, food pantries, refugee care, and relief work around the world. Beauty matters. Charity matters. And the Church is called to protect both.
