S2 E41 Forgive Me, Father Bill

Father Bill Labbe, a longtime friend of host Bob Cutler, joins this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Cocktails with Friends. Their friendship began in 2012 with a disagreement over student-athlete schedules and Sunday Mass, and has since grown into a bond grounded in mutual respect, candid conversation, and plenty of good-natured ribbing. Father Bill reflects on his calling to the priesthood, his journey through seminary, and the unique spiritual and emotional support he provides to others.

Key Topics

• True Confessions: The Real Purpose of Confession

Confession isn’t a ritual for quick forgiveness — it’s a space for people to speak what’s been weighing on them. Father Bill describes how saying something aloud removes its power, allowing people to heal. His approach is pastoral, not transactional, encouraging both grace and growth.

• Friendship Across Differences

Bob and Father Bill show how two people — a priest and a Jewish bartender — can develop a genuine friendship built on humor, honesty, and deep respect. Their playful jabs and serious conversations demonstrate the power of connection beyond labels or beliefs.

• Faith, Mental Health & Emotional Honesty

Father Bill emphasizes that faith isn’t a replacement for therapy, and he often refers people to professional counselors. His goal is to support holistic well-being — emotionally, spiritually, and mentally — by recognizing his role as one part of a larger care system.

[5:50] Father Bill didn’t always want to be a priest — he used to skip church, hit Krispy Kreme, and grab a bulletin to fool his mom.

[11:35] Confession isn’t a shortcut to forgiveness — it’s about release, healing, and shedding the shame that keeps people stuck.

[17:40] “The puck’s in the net.” A former UMaine goalie gave Father Bill a metaphor he uses often in confession: don’t dwell on the past — prepare for what’s next.

[21:05] A bizarre moment in the confessional involved a woman claiming affairs with royalty and the Kennedys — and Father Bill thought he might get shot.

[43:40] The episode wraps with Father Bill and Bob reaffirming their friendship — and joking about missing invitations, Jewish guilt, and their shared love of sarcasm.