Why tell your sins to a priest when you can go straight to God?
It’s one of the most common questions Catholics ask. In this episode of Ask A Priest, Fr. Edward Looney unpacks the Scriptural roots of confession, from Jesus breathing on the apostles and giving them authority to forgive sins, to the deep peace that comes from hearing the words, “I absolve you.”
If you’ve been away from confession for a while, maybe it’s time to come home.
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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?
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How Do I Stop Getting Distracted in Prayer?
Do distracting thoughts keep pulling you away when you try to pray?
In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim gives a gentle and honest answer to a struggle almost everyone experiences, distraction in prayer. Whether your mind wanders to lunch, an awkward memory, a difficult relationship, or something you’re worried about, the first step is not to panic or shame yourself. Jesus is not scandalized by your distractions.
Instead, Father Tim offers three simple ways forward: don’t be scandalized by your humanity, gently reroute your heart back to Jesus, and pay attention when the same distraction keeps returning, because it might be the very place Jesus wants to heal.
Prayer is not about perfect focus. It’s about being with Jesus.
Even when your mind wanders, He is patient, gentle, and ready to guide you back with love.
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Is Catholic Guilt Bad?
Have you ever made a mistake and then started thinking you are the mistake? In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim breaks down the difference between good Catholic guilt and bad Catholic guilt. Good guilt says, “I did something wrong”, like a check-engine light that moves you toward mercy, healing, and confession. Bad guilt says, “I am wrong,” and that’s not guilt anymore, that’s shame. From Adam and Eve hiding in Genesis to the Father who always comes looking for us, this is a reminder that your identity is not your sin. Jesus is always running toward you. You just have to turn around and run back.
