Category Archives: About this blog

Sober Catholic on YouTube

Posted on by

This blog now has an “expanded presence” online: a YouTube Channel! See:

Sober Catholic on YouTube.

I have not, nor am likely to in the near future, upload videos. But I have subscribed to a number of channels that might be of interest to Catholics recovering from alcoholism and other addictions. I don’t necessarily agree fully with any specifically Catholic content, but I added them as they should get a viewing. I am particularly referring to the videos by Johnny Garcia, of the now offline “Sober for Christ” website. There are a number of other videos from a Catholic perspective, but I have not viewed them all. Discern for yourself.

So, wander on over there and see what’s available and perhaps you can not only subscribe to the Sober Catholic Channel, but to many of the subscriptions I’ve added. Many involve pornography addiction, which is a much more critical and serious issue plaguing Catholics than alcoholism. This was something that I had learned to my surprise way back n 2002 and 2003 when I was searching online for resources for Catholic alcoholics.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

I’ve been interviewed on “Addiction Blog!”

Posted on by

Lee Weber, the editor and manager of Addiction Blog (where “‘a’ is for addiction” 😉 ) recently conducted an email interview with me! The link to it is right here:

INTERVIEW with Sober Catholic on Addiction Blog.

So, wander on over there and take a look! Lee will also feature the interview next week on the Addiction Blog Facebook Page.

At Lee’s request I’ve added two links to Christian posts on AB. See:

Christian drug addiction recovery posts on Addiction Blog.

Christian posts on Addiction Blog.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Happy Seventh Bloggaversary to me!

Posted on by

Can’t believe I’ve kept this thing going for 7 years.

Originally hosted on Google’s Blogspot servers using the Blogger blog blogging blog-thing, I moved it to its own domain in June 2010.

Please click on these words to visit this blog’s Facebook Page for things not posted here; and click on THESE words right here to visit its Google+ Page to see stuff posted there.

Thanks for reading!

Oh, yeah, I have books:

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Reader help (no longer) needed to support Sober Catholic (UPDATE)

Posted on by

UPDATE: Thanks to a few readers and friends, I have received enough in donations to renew the hosting account, as well as the domain names, for three years. I am very grateful to them that they think enough of this work. So, the Sober Catholic bleg drive is over. If you were thinking of donating, but hadn’t yet, please consider some other worthy blogging endeavor, or contribute to your parish. Perhaps your parish has a website? Maybe they could use financial help with their hosting fees.

I am asking for help from readers. The various fees associated with running and maintaining this blog are due for renewal in a month, namely for web hosting and domain name registration, and I need your assistance as we cannot afford to pay them…

Bloggers sometimes bleg (“bleg” means “blog beg”) when money is needed. It could be for any reason. My wife and I have incomes, live frugally, make do with what we have and are grateful for them, but we have had some financial hits recently and the cost of renewing Sober Catholic is coming at a bad time.

So, if you appreciate the work behind this blog, the PayPal “donate” button is way over in the upper left hand corner of the blog, where it says, “Please consider donating, if you like this work.” It’s between the blog title and the “Follow me on Twitter” widget. Nearly $300 is needed (if we were to renew for the most “cost effective” term of 3 years.) Any amount donated in your one-time gift would be appreciated. If you don’t like to use PayPal, you can email me at sobercatholic at gmail dot com to obtain other contact info (or use any method in the How to find and contact me Page.) Prayers are, of course, also appreciated!

We have explored other hosting options, there are none really cheaper. In anticipating a probable common reaction, “Why don’t you just move to a free host?” That is an option of last resort, and one that I am unwilling to do for several reasons:

1) Traffic and readership would be lost. Sober Catholic was originally hosted for free, and when I went to a paid hosting service many people did not follow along, despite numerous notices left up at the old site. Also, links everywhere point to this location.

2) Paying for a host rather than going free establishes “brand name” credibility if your blog is about a service. If I only had a personal blog about my own joys and sorrows, thoughts and opinions, that would be free. But I feel that Sober Catholic deserves its own location. I don’t feel that Sober Catholic is completely mine, it also belongs to those who appreciate it and have been helped by it. I do have 2 other blogs hosted on this account, but Sober Catholic is the only reason the account exists.

3) Having its own location guarantees independence; one isn’t subject to the whims and decisions of a free host. There is greater control over what one can do if the hosting is paid for by the owner or from revenue that is generated.

As I said above, any help to defray or cover the cost is greatly appreciated. Every donation adds to the total.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paul Sofranko (a/k/a “paulcoholic”)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Parish WebStore

Posted on by

I have added a new service to Sober Catholic, and that is adding affiliate links from the Parish Webstore to the sidebars. You can see them as you scroll down along each side, the nice blue on white logo.

I have replaced my old Amazon affiliate links with these. I have done this for several reasons: Parish WebStore is Catholic and Amazon isn’t; I make a greater commission on PWS sale versus Amazon; and I was selling diddlium squattum (Latin for “not much”) with Amazon.

Doug Venne, Sr., the founder of PWS bills the Parish WebStore as a Catholic alternative to Amazon. Whereas with Amazon you could look up Catholic subjects (like Mary and the Saints) there is no guarantee as to the authenticity of the Catholic work. It might not be orthodox, and it may even be a non-Catholic work with the intent on deceiving Catholics. One never knows. But with Parish WebStore, every book has to have a Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur, thus certifying that it is authentic Catholic material.

I have several PWS affiliate links: those along the right-hand sidebar are linked to the “Addictions” section of PWS, those along the left: to the general store or specific subjects related to the block of links right around that affiliate link. So, right by the section of links on “The Catholic Church and the Bible,” there is an affiliate link that should take you to that section of the Parish WebStore that sells Catholic Bibles!

I’ll be tweaking the links today, as well as adding them to my other blogs: Paul Sofranko Dot Net and The Four Last Things. Every affiliate link should have something identifying it, but otherwise it should be related to the block of links above or below it. Nevertheless, once in the Parish WebStore, you can travel all about it.

Parish WebStore sells many things besides books and CDs. They also sell jewelry related to the Sacraments, such as First Holy Communion and Marriage. So, if you know anyone getting married within the next year, stop on in at the Parish WebStore through any of my affiliate links, make your way over to the jewelry section, and buy buy buy!!! 🙂

I would greatly appreciate it that when you do patronize the Parish WebStore, you do so through the links on any one of my blogs. It is an attempt to raise money for me. Most, if not all funds received will go to my site-hosting fees. If I can raise much more than what I need to keep these sites hosted and online, then the excess may go to other needs. It is a good way for Catholic bloggers to raise money for themselves.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Hour of Mercy Blogger

Posted on by

In the latest in my never ending and so far futile attempts to blog daily (or at least 3-4 times a week) I’ve decided to become an “Hour of Mercy Blogger.” That is not a formal designation for any group of Catholic bloggers out there, at least not as far as I know, so maybe I’m starting a new Catholic blogging movement. Hey, cool.

What is an “Hour of Mercy Blogger?” It is a blogger who attends or posts to their blog at 3PM, local. Why 3PM? Because that is the “Hour of Divine Mercy.” Jesus died on the Cross at 3PM and that is a time of importance for some Catholics. As best as my schedule permits, I will say The Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3PM, and then do a blog post. I may only get a draft in and not published, but that’s OK. God in His infinite mercy decided to pluck me from the wastes of alcoholism, and so perhaps during the Hour of Mercy I can get and maintain the inspiration to blog.

And so far, so good. Just finished the Chaplet 20 minutes ago and I figured announcing this plan is a good way to cheat and get Day 1 in. 😉

Divine Mercy is a Catholic devotion and theology that should be of immense interest and use to Catholics recovering from addictions. If there is anything outside the Gospels that can provide the hope and inspiration that God can and will forgive you of the sins of your past, Divine Mercy is it!

NOTE: I have 3 blogs, aside from this one, there is Paul Sofranko Dot Net and The Four Last Things. This “Hour of Mercy Blogging” could be on any of the three.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Happy Bloggaversary to SoberCatholic

Posted on by

“Happy Bloggaversary to me…”
“Happy Bloggaversary to me…”
“Happy Bloggaversary to me…”
“Happy Bloggaversary to me…”

🙂

Six years ago today, I started Sober Catholic. It was on Blogger wayback then, and in the Summer of 2010 I moved it to its own servers, thanks to Jerry Kohlbrand, the “hillbilly” (and one of my bestest buddies).

I started it because I couldn’t find anything like it back then. I needed something Catholic and interactive that dealt with alcoholism. There was nothing, and as far as I know, still nothing except for this.

Many times I feel like this is pointless, but I trudge on anyway despite common sense. If you appreciate this effort,a few words of encouragement and/or a PayPal contribution would be nice! 😉

Prayers ALWAYS accepted. 🙂

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Year of Faith

Posted on by

On October 11, 2012, the “Year of Faith” began. Announced a few months ago by Pope Benedict XVI, the latest in a series of  “Years of…” is intended to aid Catholics in learning more about their Faith. Given the horrific catechesis since the 1960’s and the woeful knowledge of the Faith that too many Catholics now possess, this is long overdue.

The general idea is that Catholics learn about the Faith through reading the Catechism, becoming better acquainted with the Bible, study the documents of Vatican 2 and maybe get involved in whatever Diocesan- or Parish- based programs that are being offered.

I waited a while in blogging about it, as I wanted to see just how well I was doing regarding my own plans. And so here it is.

I am doing two things, and will start a third.

The two things that I am doing are reading a few sections or pages of the Catechism as a part of my Morning Prayer. I had been doing this off-and-on, but since the Year of Faith began, way more on than off.  😉 In the evening I have been reading the Documents of Vatican 2. I have found that they are not as dry or inaccessible as I had thought and am thinking that perhaps if more people actually read them back in the 1960’s, we’d be better off today and could have dispensed with the silly “Spirit of Vatican 2” nonsense long ago.

The third thing that I will be doing harkens back to the reason I started this blog way back in 2007. That is to reach out to Catholics who have fallen away from their Faith due to their alcoholism and/or subsequent participation in a secular or non-denominational recovery programs. Too often in my experience in Twelve Steps I have witnessed Catholics leaving the Church due to their exposure to non-Catholic spirituality and the effects of “indifferentism.”  Indifferentism is the sin that “it doesn’t matter what you believe in, as long as you believe in something.”

And so I will try and delve into the core values of this blog and its primary purpose. I will endeavor to link things like Scripture and the Catechism to recovery, more so than perhaps I have done. Not that I have strayed away from that, but I think I can do better than I have been.

At any rate, I hope to make it more obvious to Catholics in recovery the very existence of this blog, and to perhaps bring more of them along for the ride.

Here are some excellent web resources to help your Year of Faith journey:

Home Page of the Year of Faith

Catechism of the Catholic Church – Table of Contents

The Holy See – The Roman Curia – Congregations – Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Holy See – Archive


Aleteia (Beta): Seekers of the Truth

BIBLIACLERUS

Inter Mirifica.net – Catholic Mass Media Directory

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

LinkedIn Profile Update!

Posted on by

I don’t usually announce updates to my LinkedIn profile, in fact, I do not recall ever doing so. I am today as this blog does connect as to why I have a LinkedIn profile in the first place.

OK, enjoy this update to the “Summary” (of experience and goals) section:

“Since 2007 I have blogged at Sober Catholic where I write on how Catholic spirituality and the sacraments can assist people in maintaining their recovery from addictions. I expanded upon that in 2008 with The Four Last Things where I touch upon subjects not normally covered in typical recovery work by discussing the four last things everyone faces: Death, Judgment, Heaven (and Purgatory) and Hell.

I started these because I did not find online resources like them when I sobered up.

In addition to the practicing faithful Catholics who may be seeking a way to apply their Faith to their recovery, I also hope to reach the “lost sheep”, those who have left the Church due to their addictions and perhaps subsequent exposure to secular and non-Catholic recovery programs.

I am also turning my attention to the wonderful opportunities that independent publishing offers. I am the author of the “Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics” and “The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts.” Other works are being planned.

I am also planning novels and shorter works in the speculative fiction genre that include exploring the shadowy boundaries between life, death and what is beyond; and what exactly exists in that stage between awake and asleep? I am convinced that some things do lurk out of the corner of your eye. And what does sentience, humanity (or “alienity,”) mean, actually?

My wife and I are also Independent Reliv Distributors. We market nutritional supplements. We were attracted to Reliv because their primary emphasis is on helping people, both through better nutrition and a greater chance at financial freedom. Different from the too-good-to-be-true claims and get-rich-quick schemes associated with network marketing! Contact me through LinkedIn for information on becoming an Independent Reliv Distributor or on buying the product.”

My LinkedIn profile is at Paul Sofranko on LinkedIn. Concerning the last part (our new business venture) you can either contact me through this blog, or preferably through our business email: relivinganew at gmail dot com. You can also find out more about our venture at Reliving Anew.

Thank you!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Long absence, but I’m still here; I have a writing gig, sort of!

Posted on by

I noticed that it has been over a month since I last blogged. No reason for it except that I found a new job, a work-at-home gig writing for an online auction startup. Per my new boss’ rules, I can’t divulge the name of the site as he is fearful or concerned that doing so will cause a deluge of spam emails and other such unsolicited offers from people who pounce on online employees. I can’t even link to it on my Facebook or other social accounts. Not a big deal, nor am I bothered. It is NOT what the Good Lord gave me whatever writing talent I possess to use it for, but it is a nice job, and it pays the bills.

It has been a month since I started, it is OK, it keeps me home and saves tons of money on gas. Not completely satisfying as it isn’t Catholic, recovery-based, or spiritual. Not even fiction or poetry. But, it is a job and for that I am deeply grateful.

I have more-or-less settled it, and the habits should bear fruit in my other writing and blogging endeavors.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)