What do you do when someone you love is Catholic, but isn’t getting married in the Church?
This is not just a “Catholic rules” question. It’s your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, or someone you deeply love. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim offers a compassionate way to discern whether or not to attend a wedding outside the Church.
Instead of falling into cold legalism or moral indifference, he invites us to look at the situation through the heart of Jesus. Are you upholding the Catholic truth of marriage? Are you causing a scandal? Are you creating more unity or more division?
There may not always be a simple yes or no answer, but there is always a way to stay close to Jesus, speak truth with love, and trust that He never abandons the people we love.
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Why Do Catholics Call Priests Father?
Didn’t Jesus say, “Call no man father”? So why do Catholics still call priests “Father”?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what Jesus really meant in Matthew 23:9. Looking at Scripture, St. Paul, the early Church, and the meaning of spiritual fatherhood, he shows that Jesus wasn’t banning the word “father”. He was warning against ego, pride, and religious titles used for self-importance.
A priest is called “Father” not because he replaces God the Father, but because he shares in and points back to the fatherhood of God. For priests, the title is meant to be humbling: a reminder to love, serve, sacrifice, and become better spiritual fathers.
There is only one true Father. Priests simply share in His fatherhood, and point us back to Him.
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Why Are Catholics So Obsessed With Sin?
Do Catholics talk too much about sin or are we actually talking about what gets in the way of love?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains why Catholics are not obsessed with sin, we’re obsessed with Jesus. Sin matters because it creates a roadblock in our relationship with Him. Just like climbers warn each other about a loose rock, or a doctor names what’s making someone sick, the Church talks about sin because it wants us to be safe, healthy, and close to God.
The heart of sin is not just breaking a rule. It’s the breaking down of a relationship. Jesus takes sin seriously because He wants a personal and particular relationship with you, and anything that pulls you away from Him matters.
Catholics aren’t obsessed with shame. We’re obsessed with love and sin is what gets in the way.
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What Advice Would You Give a Newly Ordained Priest?
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.
