When a priest gives a blessing, is it just a nice prayer or is something more happening?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what a priestly blessing really is, and why it’s not magic, but also not merely symbolic. A priestly blessing is Jesus’ love, grace, and power given through the priesthood He established.
From blessing people at Mass to blessing rosaries, water, and other sacred objects, the priest acts through the authority of the Church as an instrument of Christ. Father Tim also answers a practical question many Catholics wonder about: should people in the pews raise their hands when the priest gives a blessing?
We can all pray for blessings. We can all ask God to bless our family, friends, and neighbors. But a priestly blessing is unique because it comes through the ministerial priesthood—Jesus using His priests to bless, sanctify, and draw His people closer to Himself.
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Holy Thursday (Holy Week Retreat)
What are you trying to be known for, and is it actually enough?
On Holy Thursday, Father Tim reflects on the gift of the priesthood and the Eucharist, but also something deeper about identity. The apostles changed the world, yet we don’t know their personalities, talents, or status. What we do know is this: they were friends of Jesus. And that was enough.
In a world where we’re constantly trying to prove ourselves, to be the smartest, funniest, or most successful, this episode invites a different question: what if being known by Jesus matters more than being known by everyone else?
Without the Eucharist, there is no Jesus. And without Jesus, nothing else satisfies. This Holy Week, can you let go of being “known” and choose to simply be His friend?
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What Is Purgatory and Why It’s Good News?
The word purgatory isn’t in the Bible, but neither are Trinity or Christmas. Still, the reality of purgatory is both real and hopeful: it’s not punishment, it’s preparation. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what purgatory truly is. It’s a time of purification that readies our hearts to be with Jesus forever. Through Scripture, the Catechism, and one unforgettable wedding dress analogy, he shows why purgatory is actually good news.
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Holy Saturday (Holy Week Retreat)
Who would you be if you had never met Jesus?
Holy Saturday is quiet. Empty. Jesus is in the tomb, and the Church feels it, no Eucharist, no celebration, just silence. It’s a strange kind of stillness that invites a deeper question: what would life look like without Him?
In this reflection, Father Tim shares real, honest answers from students, stories of chasing success, struggling with addiction, or searching for meaning in all the wrong places. And it reveals something powerful: without Jesus, we don’t just lose direction, we lose what makes us fully alive.
Holy Saturday reminds us what life feels like without Him. So we never forget what He’s done for us. In the silence today, take a moment to ask yourself: who would I be without Jesus?
