About Fr. Mike Schmitz

Father Mike Schmitz is the chaplain for Newman Catholic Campus Ministries at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He also serves as the Director of the Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.

Fighting the ‘noon-day devil’ of acedia

I sometimes just wish that I could run away from the life that I am living. There is nothing terribly wrong with it, but I get this feeling that I should just leave this behind and try something new. Is this a sign that I should?

By |2025-01-09T19:03:42+00:00August 4, 2022|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on Fighting the ‘noon-day devil’ of acedia

Do I just not ‘want it’ enough to be a saint?

I had heard someone use this quote, “There is only one reason you are not yet a saint: you do not want to be one.” I have to admit that I’ve been trying really hard to be holy. If I don’t feel holy does that mean I just don’t “want it” enough?

By |2025-01-09T19:04:11+00:00June 6, 2022|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on Do I just not ‘want it’ enough to be a saint?

Can I go to confession if I don’t feel sorry?

I think that I want to go to confession, but I worry that I don’t feel sorry enough. I don’t want to lie and say “I am sorry for all my sins” if I don’t feel sorry. Do I have to stay away from reconciliation until I feel badly?

By |2025-01-09T19:04:58+00:00February 3, 2022|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on Can I go to confession if I don’t feel sorry?

How do I receive a gift well?

I’ve been thinking about what it is to receive a gift well. I find that I don’t like getting gifts, because I never know how to respond. I can sometimes even feel guilty that someone has gone to the trouble of getting me something. Is there a way I can receive gifts better?

By |2025-01-09T19:05:25+00:00December 1, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on How do I receive a gift well?

God has forgiven me; how do I forgive myself?

I messed up in some pretty big ways in my life. I made some decisions that have wrecked relationships and have done significant damage to myself. I’ve been to confession, and I know that God in his mercy has forgiven me. But I can’t seem to be able to forgive myself. What do I do?

By |2025-01-09T19:05:42+00:00November 3, 2021|Ask Fr. Mike|Comments Off on God has forgiven me; how do I forgive myself?