Father Columba, first of all; congratulations on your beard, it's magnificent. Secondly, could you do a sort of 'biography' video for us? Your background, where you're from, how you came to the faith, how long you've been a priest etc? I bet folks who watch these videos regularly would love to know a little bit about you that way. Thanks, love the videos, God Bless.
Father, could you please do a video on making a good confession? I'm a returning Catholic (after over 40 years!) I did do the 'BIG LIFE CONFESSION", but now I'm a bit stumped as to what I should be looking for to make my monthly confession. Thank you!
It would help me, too. I also am a returned Catholic. I struggle with monthly confession. I know I am sinful, but I try so hard to obey God. I fear scrupulously.
Confession is between you & Christ. It’s not a therapy session with a priest. Go once a week or once every two weeks. List your mortal & venal sins with how many times you committed them.
@judithfejedelem1754 For anyone I think, Confession is not simply listing things you have done "wrong" it's about letting God change your heart from a heart of stone, to a heart of flesh. It's as much about your motives as what you do. Confession to me is like the 5th step in the 12 steps... when you go to confess, you have already been praying and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit on your own. I like the twelve steps for helping me figure out what am I truly sorry for? Is it just the hurt caused, or am I willing to make amends? I am willing to change myself to be who God made me to be? It's easy, but it's really hard to put into practice, as you need to call yourself into question, yet NOT dismiss yourself because you also are a child of God, loved and cherished, and you also merit redemption. I hope this helps.❤
Many years back now, when I was brought back to Jesus and the Catholic Church by our Mother Mary, I did one of those "General confessions" after 24 years away. I didn't know to make an appointment. Finally after about 10 minutes of me reading everything I wrote down (so I wouldn't leave anything out) the poor Priest said to me: "Are you almost done yet?"😯😂🙏
I appreciate the personal challenges you demonstrate from your life. It's why the message seems so genuine. That's why i find these videos are so encouraging.
This is beyond appropriate for me. Im starting my AA 12 Steps again, Step 3….turning my will over…WOW do I fail at this! I think I have and then I grab it right back! I’ll be watching this video many times to come. 🙏🏻
Praying for you right now, bless you the Lord rescued me from 20 years of addiction and relapses. Mother Mary pray for this beloved child of God, Saint Jude pray for them.
1. Trust God: letting go of everything and everyone. 2. Get your house in order: day by day taking apart of the old me and starting to let God construct the new me; Daily examine of conscience. 3. Serve. Put other people first. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Service of love. Dear Father, these tips are so helpful to me and they make a lot of sense! Thank you so much for sharing this! ❤😊
Fr Columba, i am a 65 year old playful " i watch you like a hawk" Grandma. I would peek at your videos and stop! You resemble in your antics by son, Zachary, born 1990. [Not a father] I finished the video. Thank you, God speed, Happy New Year
Hi Father 👋God bless you ✝️ I look forward to your podcasts 🙏 you explain everything so simply and it's deepened my prayer journey. Surrendering to The Divine Will is soooo hard 😞
"Playing God" and "Childishly Imitating God" are 2 things I can't figure out how to separate, when I decide not to be afraid of failure and I take action and take control, I feel better and healthier, but then I fail or run out of resources and get stuck and I feel just so exhausted, and it feels like I was wrong to try. But when I tried, I was trying to trust God and be active and work and spend my talents on stuff that I thought would bear fruit for others, in imitation of God... So when I run out of resources it's such a whiplash that it's hard not to say "God let me down again" instead of whatever is actually true, like "I let me down again," even though I asked God for the capacity to do this good stuff I wanted to do, and I just relied on Him to back me up. It makes me feel like I live in this chaotic state where God is dribbling me like a basketball where He holds me, He's got me, then He slams me against the ground and I bounce back up and He's still got me, but how is a basketball supposed to imitate a basketball player?? I'm still concussed from the last time I hit the ground. I just wish I could be on stable ground. I didn't pray as much today because I kept starting and getting distracted because I was so tired, so I just asked God to stay with me while I was bouncing around from thing to thing in my head, and I wasn't anxious at all about it, but then I tripped and fell on my face and felt like God let me down, and I thought maybe it was because I wasn't connected with God, but I wanted to connect with God, I just didn't have the capacity, so I asked God to make up the difference, and I feel like if God was there for me He would have stayed with me in my head even if my mind was bouncing all over the place, or maybe slowed down my mind enough to focus on Him, or maybe preventing me from failing so I could feel like I was busy and serving Him all day even though my mind couldn't be present to Him. I'm living with ADHD and autism and schizophrenia, and I have very little money and there is a lot that I want to do but I don't have the capacity without my mind starting to crack, and I keep thinking that I can live that way because it's pleasing to God, and I think whether I succeed or fail I'll be happy because it will be pleasing to God and accomplish a lot of good either way, but then I experience failure as this jarring horrible thing that makes me feel like God threw me at the wall and it makes me feel suspicious and alone, and I think that can't be what God intended, how does that serve God? It's so confusing when it's your mind that is the problem, idk the difference between my mind and my soul, when my mind thinks it's alone and in danger it feels like my soul is alone and in danger, and that's what it feels like when I fail
I am having a similar experience. Kind of 'God gives, and God takes away'. And it happened when I weaned off an antidepressant which I found caused me brain damage, so it was a double slam. I now have severe depression with anhedonia and detachment, obsess over regrets and past sins (though a general confession helped me with that quite a bit), and I am in constant distress questioning if I am oppressed by a demon of sloth because I am so dead inside. My heart feels cold and that's the worst. I feel distant from my kids and God. How does He expect me to love with a broken mind?!
@Aaalllyyysssaaaaa Thank you for sharing your story. You have endured such pain! I am so glad your parents finally understood. Are your cousins ok?? My heart breaks for young people kicked out so young. So much suffering in this weird world. It all feels like a post-apocalyptic movie. But it doesn't end. I feel bad fir my kids. Their future gives me such anxiety. I should trust in God's providence, but all the pain I've endured makes it hard now. Mental illness is not fair. Because it messes up your reason, your courage, your motivation, how you love.
@@thisgirl5933 Yes my cousins are ok!! They are older than me, and they're married and have adorable families and are super successful, they're all crazy smart and talented haha. God is trustworthy with your kids. He loves them just like you wish He would, just like you do, He's the one who taught your heart how to love in the first place. I know I'm only one person, but I'm truly very happy, and I think the world is not as much of a nightmare as the devil would like us to believe. Back when I had anxiety and was struggling with despair, that was worse than anything else I've ever been through, even when I was homeless and psychotic and freezing in winter in Canada lol that was not as bad as being warm and safe in bed and thinking I had to shape up and be a better person in order for God to love me, while deep down knowing I would fail. Nobody can earn God's love, but nobody needs to, He gives it to us freely. God is working in the world and where there's more poverty and desparation there's more of His mercy and love. You hear stories all the time about people in the worst situations having the most profound experiences of God's providence. He knows about everyone's inner life and He loves them. Praying that God keeps both our eyes on the prize haha with all the craziness that happens in the world. God bless.
Nailed it..thanks Fr. Need your help..I have a relative who is struggling and what I believe is that he will not accept Jesus or turn to Jesus. When I have had chats with him he has told me he lumps Jesus in with thr catholic church. And because of the abuses in the past he cannot turn to God. Any advice on how to address this.....he is missing out on so much and living a lonely tormented life with nitemares etc
I’ve been trying to surrender myself to the Lord will for years. For some reason I’m to scared to trust what is best for me. Every time I’ve done my will in my life it ends up with some sort of sorrow/pain
Please tell us step by step what this even looks like to surrender our wills. How do I act? How am I supposed to feel? What am I supposed to think each moment of everyday. I’m serious. How do I act?? ❤
Are there any pre-confession priests who specialize in hearing what you actually did, then drafting it all into an acceptable confession that does take weeks to recite? Asking for a friend.
Father, I will just say it: your beard is epic. Awesome! And thank you so much for your words
Thank you Father for your humor on the tough stuff!
Thank you Father. It is hard. Jesus, please help.
Fr. Columba is really on fire in this video. Come, Holy Spirit!
Father Columba, first of all; congratulations on your beard, it's magnificent. Secondly, could you do a sort of 'biography' video for us? Your background, where you're from, how you came to the faith, how long you've been a priest etc? I bet folks who watch these videos regularly would love to know a little bit about you that way. Thanks, love the videos, God Bless.
Thank you this is powerful..I needed to hear this 🙏 ❤ God bless you 🙏
You are so funny, real, and relatable!
Thank you Fr this is amazing video and I believe I needed to hear this today.
Thank you
Father, could you please do a video on making a good confession? I'm a returning Catholic (after over 40 years!) I did do the 'BIG LIFE CONFESSION", but now I'm a bit stumped as to what I should be looking for to make my monthly confession. Thank you!
It would help me, too. I also am a returned Catholic. I struggle with monthly confession. I know I am sinful, but I try so hard to obey God. I fear scrupulously.
Confession is between you & Christ. It’s not a therapy session with a priest. Go once a week or once every two weeks. List your mortal & venal sins with how many times you committed them.
So much love for you, regardless of how long it's been or whether you turned back to the faith. Praying for your journey
Both you Grace, and you too Judith
@judithfejedelem1754 For anyone I think, Confession is not simply listing things you have done "wrong" it's about letting God change your heart from a heart of stone, to a heart of flesh. It's as much about your motives as what you do. Confession to me is like the 5th step in the 12 steps... when you go to confess, you have already been praying and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit on your own. I like the twelve steps for helping me figure out what am I truly sorry for? Is it just the hurt caused, or am I willing to make amends? I am willing to change myself to be who God made me to be? It's easy, but it's really hard to put into practice, as you need to call yourself into question, yet NOT dismiss yourself because you also are a child of God, loved and cherished, and you also merit redemption. I hope this helps.❤
Do not be afraid.
Father, please write the book "A New Way to be Human." 100% would buy.
Yeees great idea! 🎉 I agree with Michelle
Many years back now, when I was brought back to Jesus and the Catholic Church by our Mother Mary, I did one of those "General confessions" after 24 years away.
I didn't know to make an appointment.
Finally after about 10 minutes of me reading everything I wrote down (so I wouldn't leave anything out) the poor Priest said to me:
"Are you almost done yet?"😯😂🙏
I appreciate the personal challenges you demonstrate from your life. It's why the message seems so genuine. That's why i find these videos are so encouraging.
It feels like you've been spying on me😂. Conviction really is a wonderful thing. God bless
Thank you Father Columba! Your voice is heard. I look forward to these videos. Much love and respect from Pennsylvania
This is beyond appropriate for me. Im starting my AA 12 Steps again, Step 3….turning my will over…WOW do I fail at this! I think I have and then I grab it right back! I’ll be watching this video many times to come. 🙏🏻
Praying for you right now, bless you the Lord rescued me from 20 years of addiction and relapses. Mother Mary pray for this beloved child of God, Saint Jude pray for them.
Nine years sober. Going back through the steps now after years of “coasting”. This talk is dovetailing perfectly with the steps
Amen 🙏🏻 thank you and God bless you Father!
Love your exam examples and talking to Abba in real time. ❤️🔥🕊️🤗🙏
Every time I see one of your videos, it is exactly what I need. Thank you Father! Praying for you.❤
Yes! Since living more like this I am far more content and much more open to hearing God's voice and not my own!
Father you are so right on the money on all of the clenchers that hang me up.
I wish I was as good as articulating as you.🙏
TRUST (Faith) is my "word of the year 2025"
My word is entrust
When ever 2 or more people gather in Jesus name. He will be there 👁Thank Both of you💕🕊✨
Thank you Father ❤
Thank you so much for your support!
1. Trust God: letting go of everything and everyone.
2. Get your house in order: day by day taking apart of the old me and starting to let God construct the new me; Daily examine of conscience.
3. Serve. Put other people first. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Service of love.
Dear Father, these tips are so helpful to me and they make a lot of sense! Thank you so much for sharing this! ❤😊
Fr Columba, i am a 65 year old playful " i watch you like a hawk" Grandma. I would peek at your videos and stop! You resemble in your antics by son, Zachary, born 1990. [Not a father]
I finished the video. Thank you, God speed, Happy New Year
Thank you Fr Columba really needed this now, time to make a deeper examination of conscience, especially specually coming into the New Year🙏
Hi Father 👋God bless you ✝️ I look forward to your podcasts 🙏 you explain everything so simply and it's deepened my prayer journey. Surrendering to The Divine Will is soooo hard 😞
"Playing God" and "Childishly Imitating God" are 2 things I can't figure out how to separate, when I decide not to be afraid of failure and I take action and take control, I feel better and healthier, but then I fail or run out of resources and get stuck and I feel just so exhausted, and it feels like I was wrong to try. But when I tried, I was trying to trust God and be active and work and spend my talents on stuff that I thought would bear fruit for others, in imitation of God... So when I run out of resources it's such a whiplash that it's hard not to say "God let me down again" instead of whatever is actually true, like "I let me down again," even though I asked God for the capacity to do this good stuff I wanted to do, and I just relied on Him to back me up. It makes me feel like I live in this chaotic state where God is dribbling me like a basketball where He holds me, He's got me, then He slams me against the ground and I bounce back up and He's still got me, but how is a basketball supposed to imitate a basketball player?? I'm still concussed from the last time I hit the ground. I just wish I could be on stable ground. I didn't pray as much today because I kept starting and getting distracted because I was so tired, so I just asked God to stay with me while I was bouncing around from thing to thing in my head, and I wasn't anxious at all about it, but then I tripped and fell on my face and felt like God let me down, and I thought maybe it was because I wasn't connected with God, but I wanted to connect with God, I just didn't have the capacity, so I asked God to make up the difference, and I feel like if God was there for me He would have stayed with me in my head even if my mind was bouncing all over the place, or maybe slowed down my mind enough to focus on Him, or maybe preventing me from failing so I could feel like I was busy and serving Him all day even though my mind couldn't be present to Him. I'm living with ADHD and autism and schizophrenia, and I have very little money and there is a lot that I want to do but I don't have the capacity without my mind starting to crack, and I keep thinking that I can live that way because it's pleasing to God, and I think whether I succeed or fail I'll be happy because it will be pleasing to God and accomplish a lot of good either way, but then I experience failure as this jarring horrible thing that makes me feel like God threw me at the wall and it makes me feel suspicious and alone, and I think that can't be what God intended, how does that serve God? It's so confusing when it's your mind that is the problem, idk the difference between my mind and my soul, when my mind thinks it's alone and in danger it feels like my soul is alone and in danger, and that's what it feels like when I fail
I am having a similar experience. Kind of 'God gives, and God takes away'. And it happened when I weaned off an antidepressant which I found caused me brain damage, so it was a double slam. I now have severe depression with anhedonia and detachment, obsess over regrets and past sins (though a general confession helped me with that quite a bit), and I am in constant distress questioning if I am oppressed by a demon of sloth because I am so dead inside. My heart feels cold and that's the worst. I feel distant from my kids and God. How does He expect me to love with a broken mind?!
@thisgirl5933 Praying for your healing
@Aaalllyyysssaaaaa Thank you for sharing your story. You have endured such pain! I am so glad your parents finally understood. Are your cousins ok?? My heart breaks for young people kicked out so young. So much suffering in this weird world. It all feels like a post-apocalyptic movie. But it doesn't end. I feel bad fir my kids. Their future gives me such anxiety. I should trust in God's providence, but all the pain I've endured makes it hard now. Mental illness is not fair. Because it messes up your reason, your courage, your motivation, how you love.
@@thisgirl5933 Yes my cousins are ok!! They are older than me, and they're married and have adorable families and are super successful, they're all crazy smart and talented haha. God is trustworthy with your kids. He loves them just like you wish He would, just like you do, He's the one who taught your heart how to love in the first place. I know I'm only one person, but I'm truly very happy, and I think the world is not as much of a nightmare as the devil would like us to believe. Back when I had anxiety and was struggling with despair, that was worse than anything else I've ever been through, even when I was homeless and psychotic and freezing in winter in Canada lol that was not as bad as being warm and safe in bed and thinking I had to shape up and be a better person in order for God to love me, while deep down knowing I would fail. Nobody can earn God's love, but nobody needs to, He gives it to us freely. God is working in the world and where there's more poverty and desparation there's more of His mercy and love. You hear stories all the time about people in the worst situations having the most profound experiences of God's providence. He knows about everyone's inner life and He loves them. Praying that God keeps both our eyes on the prize haha with all the craziness that happens in the world. God bless.
You’re so wise 🤍😍 ty father
Thank you Father-It is exactly what I needed to hear!
The Surrender Novena is a great way of surrendering and meditating on ways we can increase our trust in God by surrendering.
I thought you were Ft Bonafice becuase of the beared 🤣🤣 thanks for the lovely message!!!
You are the best Father...after Jesus😅
❤❤❤❤
Father called me out big time 😅
Nailed it..thanks Fr. Need your help..I have a relative who is struggling and what I believe is that he will not accept Jesus or turn to Jesus. When I have had chats with him he has told me he lumps Jesus in with thr catholic church. And because of the abuses in the past he cannot turn to God. Any advice on how to address this.....he is missing out on so much and living a lonely tormented life with nitemares etc
I’ve been trying to surrender myself to the Lord will for years. For some reason I’m to scared to trust what is best for me. Every time I’ve done my will in my life it ends up with some sort of sorrow/pain
Playing the "fluffy bunny" 😅😅😅
Please tell us step by step what this even looks like to surrender our wills. How do I act? How am I supposed to feel? What am I supposed to think each moment of everyday. I’m serious. How do I act?? ❤
3.service - what if people don't want service? we can't just force people into accepting our service?
Are there any pre-confession priests who specialize in hearing what you actually did, then drafting it all into an acceptable confession that does take weeks to recite?
Asking for a friend.
🕍🛐💝🌹💞🙏🙏🙏😇🕯️🕊️✝️
❤❤❤