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Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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Ask Father Mike

Ask Father Mike

What is the sin that ‘cannot be forgiven’?

Q) I heard that Jesus said there is a sin that cannot be forgiven. What is this sin? Why can’t God forgive it?
Ask Father Mike

How do I know if it’s God speaking to me?

Q) I’ve been praying and trying to get closer to God. But sometimes I don’t know if what I’m thinking is God’s voice or my own thoughts. Is there any way that I can tell?
Ask Father Mike

What can I do for my kids who don’t practice the faith?

Q) I am a parent of three kids, all of whom I tried to raise in the Catholic faith. One of them seems to have very little interest, one is relatively hostile and one still goes to church. None of them live with us anymore, but I wish that I could do something to strengthen their faith. Is there anything that I can do?
Ask Father Mike

Is it OK to look for ‘signs’ after a loved one dies?

Q) My loved one passed away, but I keep getting these “signs” that I see as being from them that let me know that they are OK. For example, I will see a cardinal (my dad always fed the cardinals outside his window), and I think that it is a sign from him. Is that OK for me to think?
Ask Father Mike

What should we make of celebrity converts?

Q) I’ve noticed that there have been a number of “celebrity conversions” to the Catholic faith recently. These individuals seem to be getting a lot of attention from Catholics online (both positive and negative). How should we respond to these new (and well-known) brothers and sisters?
Ask Father Mike

How can I know when I’m just making excuses?

Q) I know that I make excuses. My family members point that out to me, and my friends (my very close friends) have told me that my excuse-making makes it difficult to trust me. But most times they don’t feel like excuses to me. They seem like the real reasons I’m late or don’t do what I had said I would do. How can I tell the difference between excuses and real reasons?
Ask Father Mike

What should I do for Lent?

Q) Lent is right around the corner, and I never seem to know what to do for the season. I’ve tried giving things up, but it always seems a bit hollow. What should I do?
Ask Father Mike

Why we struggle to pause and reflect

Q) With the start of every new thing (new year, new season, new stage in life), I find it difficult to stop and consider the previous year, earlier season or earlier stage in life. I find myself doing the same things over and over. There seems to be no end in sight. What do I do?
Ask Father Mike

When it feels like my prayers don’t do anything

Q) I’ve been told that I can pray to God, and that he hears my prayers and answers them. I’ve been frustrated though, because it seems like it doesn’t do anything. Am I missing something?
Ask Father Mike

How do I handle distractions in prayer?

Q) I have been trying to pray more regularly, but I keep getting so distracted. It is frustrating. What am I doing wrong?
Ask Father Mike

Faith is more than just agreeing with God and the Church

Q) I have a friend with whom I am trying to share the Gospel. He has great questions, and I like trying to offer intelligent and rational answers, but I’m not sure if he has faith yet. What should I do?
Ask Father Mike

Why doesn’t everyone have faith in God?

Q) Why do some people have faith and others don’t? What if I personally don’t feel like I have faith?
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