Year of St. Paul

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Pope Benedict XVI has declared that the following year, from today June 28th through June 29th, 2009 to be the Year of St. Paul .

St. Paul is important, not the least of which being that he was the Apostle to the Gentiles. It was as a result of his efforts that Christianity spread around the Mediterranean and therefore to the rest of the world. Secondly, I was named after him. :-). But also to anyone who has undergone a conversion process, whether of a religious kind, or just the conversion of one’s interior life such as stopping drinking and drugging, St. Paul is the model. Not that he was an alcoholic or addict (he wasn’t), but his life underwent a radical conversion and as a result of that conversion lived his life to the fullest in pursuit of souls for Jesus. No compromiser, he. Whatever his interests and loves were prior to his conversion, they were set aside for the love of Christ.

There are a number of sites that you can visit to learn more about the Year of St. Paul. The Catholic News Agency has a nice introductory page, as does the Catholic Educator’s Resource Center. Catholic Culture has another guide to the whole year.

He took the message of Christ and proclaimed it to the world. We are called to do that as well, at least in our own way in the manner best suited to us.

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!!)

Following the Lead Wolf

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There is another Catholic blog that may be of interest to some readers. It was recently started by a friend of mine with the screen name of “Colorado Ben”, and his blog is Leidolfr, the Leader Wolf .

It is new, only 2 posts so far, but shows some great promise in the area of dedicated Catholicism and spiritual growth. To quote from his header: This blog is dedicated to fearlessly investing the talents God has given me and loving God, others, and myself with my whole being. Life is not for those who wish to lay down and die. It is for those who wish to live! For years, I had been running from true, abundant life. Now I hunt it with all my strength. Share it with me! We are the ones to blame for our own failure. In God, there is no failure. Ever. Root Scripture of Inspiration: Genesis 49:27; St. Matthew 22:36-40

Colorado Ben is a Catholic man, one who is uncompromisingly faithful to the Church and Her teachings, regardless of how unpopular it is. He is a great slayer of internal demons.

Read him, he’s good.

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!!)

God will never allow the righteous to stumble

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I believe that it was yesterday’s readings in the Liturgy of the Hours that I came across this line:

Psalm 55:23;

Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous to stumble.

One might think that this is overly comforting but a lot of nonsense as many of us since our drinking and drugging days have stumbled. Therefore how can this be true? Since we left our addictive living behind, haven’t we stumbled anyway? Therefore, what of this testimony from the Psalmist that God won’t allow us to stumble?

I am uncertain as to the finer theological points explaining this apparent flaw. Maybe there is a flaw in the translation. Another Catholic translation (The Jerusalem Bible) restates this as He will “not allow the virtuous to falter.”

Anyway, regardless of the word, there is an implied confidence that faith in God and in His support will never be for nothing. Perhaps then there is nothing incorrect in using the word “stumble” or “falter”, but in rather who is to blame when we actually do stumble.

Was it that our faith was weak? There had been several times early in my sobriety when I was going to Confession in an attempt to root out sinful behavior, and that behavior still occurred. Who was to blame? God? No, He gave us free will to choose His will or our own. His gift to us to use as our conscience guided us. These behaviors continued and I was going to give up. Praise God I never did, but was given the faith to endure and progress and perhaps quell those sinful behaviors.

And so I stumbled and faltered when my faith was weak. My fault. We too often blame God for our own wrongdoings. “Well,” we say, “I am a believer, I struggle to progress spiritually, why did I stumble? God wasn’t there for me.” Where in fact, it was us who wasn’t there for God. For whatever reason, our faith was lacking, we allowed distractions and other concerns to get in the way of permitting God’s help, we relied on our own means and faltered. We fail to realize that it is a cooperative effort, we place our faith in God, and He rescues us, but He also respects our free will when we drift off and leave His guiding hand behind.

You may stumble, but never fall. As you consciously or unconsciously turned away from His help, you can turn back. “God allows U-turns”, as a bumper sticker on my car says. If we fall, it is only because we failed to turn back to His arms reaching out to grab us.

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!!)

We are not Saints…YET!

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There is another new blog that might be of great interest to Sober Catholic readers.

Ken J., himself a Sober Catholic reader and member of Catholics in Recovery , has started a new blog at We are not Saints…YET! . He describes it as his thoughts on alcoholism, recovery and the Catholic faith.

Please support this endeavor!

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!!)

More on Catholics in Recovery

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Leslie over at Quiet Consecration asked me about the new Catholics in Recovery social networking site.

Not sure what else I can say beyond what I posted before except that it is just an extension of what I hope to accomplish on the Internet concerning providing Catholics who are recovering from some addiction a place to meet and greet each other and learn more about the Catholic faith.

It is what I had been searching for back in 2002 when I sobered up and found AA to be lacking. I took one look at AA’s spirituality and knew that it wasn’t going to keep me sober. It might help establish a basis, but long term, permanent sobriety was going to need something greater. Taking a cue from something I learned in perhaps the Big Book (AA’s basic text, formally known as Alcoholic’s Anonymous) I checked out the religion of my youth. As I was already slowly returning to Catholicism, it wasn’t a stretch, but still it took some effort.

Afterwards I started poking around the Internet looking for online Catholic resources for recovery, and found virtually none. Some websites for Matt Talbot and the Calix Society, but nothing like the plethora of 12-Step and non-denominational Christian sites. So, what’s a newly sober Catholic to do? I waited a few years and started this blog, and then later the social network, in hopes of finding other like-minded Catholics in recovery to share with.

In other words, I am creating what I had hoped to find before. I am hoping it’s a start towards developing an online Catholic community of those in recovery from some addiction.

At this posting, Catholics in Recovery has only 6 members, way less than the invite list. But it’s a start. A social network is as active as it’s members.

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!!)

Introducing "Catholics In Recovery"

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This weekend, and indefinitely beyond, is the official “launch weekend” for a new Catholic social network for those of us in recovery from alcoholism or other addictions.

The name of the place is “Catholics in Recovery” .

As I have posted before in this blog, I had searched when I first sobered up for some sort of interactive websites like forums and blogs where I can get readily updated information on how to use the Catholic Faith in my recovery. I didn’t find anything pertaining to alcoholism.

This search led me to create the Sober Catholic blog you’re now reading. I have taken that one step further and have started “Catholics in Recovery” .

A number of invitations have been sent out, email addresses were gleaned from correspondence with readers or email subscription lists. I am hoping these didn’t end up in your spam or junk mail folder. If you are sure that I have your email address, and you didn’t receive an enmail invitation, just go to the link in this post or click on the “Catholics in Recovery” badge in the sidebar.

Join up! You can post in the forums about various topics I’ve already set up, or create your own topics. You can suggest new categories of topics if there’s something I haven’t covered. The network is still new and growing. You can establish your own page there and post stuff to it or upload photos and whatever. Your page needn’t be recovery-issue related, it’s yours. The site just offers you the opportunity to connect with other readers of Sober Catholic, as a sort of mutual support group. I’m tired of being alone in this.

CONCERNING PRIVACY ISSUES:

you can control whatever others see. No need to give out your real name and such, the privacy settings are customizable.

Just play nice. People can be banned from the network if anyone is offensive. I mean in a mean and hurtful way.

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!!)

Another Novena for Alcoholics

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John Blair of the Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center emailed me a link for another Novena for Alcoholics .

I am having problems with the link to the original site, so here is the prayer in its entirety:

Memorare Novena
Petition: For all those who are addicted and for those who suffer with them.

Pray Daily for Nine Days:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help,
or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come,
before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

The original link that you can copy and paste into your browser’s address or location bar is:
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/monasticmoments/archives/140556.asp

I won’t be having a daily post and meditation on it, just use it on your own with whatever thoughts and meditations you have.

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!!)

You will not be released until you have paid the last penny

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The Gospel Reading from today’s Mass has important things to say on the subject of reconciliation that many might wish to consider:

Matthew 5: 20-26;

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.’
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

The last line about not being released until you have paid in full is one of the Catholic Church’s Scriptural proofs for the existence of Purgatory. Jesus is apparently strongly implying that if you die still indebted for a wrongdoing, you will pay for it in the afterlife. Since there is an end to this punishment, it is not an eternal one like Hell, therefore a place of temporary punishment must exist.

That being said, even a place of temporary punishment is still punishment, and why undergo it if you can avoid it? Settle accounts now while there is time, make whatever amendments to those you’ve hurt while they’re still around to reconcile with.

Granted it isn’t easy, especially if there is a threat of rejection or of wounds being re-opened. But meditating on the possibility, “becoming willing to make amends” is a start towards this, and of lessening one’s time in Purgatory.

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!!)

God's Merciful Love

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I am posting about another blogging project that I am involved with. The new blog is God’s Merciful Love and it was started by my wife, Rose S., yesterday.

As the title suggests, it is about God’s love and mercy. Specifically, it is on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. They are:

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Correct the sinner.
Instruct the ignorant.
Counsel the doubting.
Comfort the sorrowful.
Be patient with those in error.
Forgive offenses.
Pray for the living and the dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Shelter the homeless.
Clothe the naked.
Visit the sick.
Visit the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.

The blog is Rose’s baby, but I will be a contributor. “God’s Merciful Love” will hope to instruct and involve people in the various works of mercy, either online or wherever they are. There may be “Events” or “Meetups” in various parts of the world where people can engage in these works.

For those readers who feel that we are saved only by professing a belief in Jesus Christ and that works are “bribing God”, this is utter nonsense and unsupported by Scripture. We as Christians are called to respond to the Gospel and build the Kingdom of God on Earth, we will not do that by just saying “Jesus, Jesus.” Faith and works go hand-in-hand, by faith we profess in Jesus and by works we demonstrate that Faith. Works do not get us into Heaven, we can never earn or merit our way in. But by our works we prove our faith in Jesus.

Email me or go visit the blog and support my wife’s endeavor!

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!!)

Novena to Matt Talbot for Alcoholics: Day 9

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Today we pray the ninth and therefore final day of our Novena to Matt Talbot for Alcoholics. Like yesterday we begin with:

PRAYER FOR THE ADDICTED

God of mercy, we bless You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who ministered to all who come to Him. Give Your strength to N., Your servant, bound by the chains of addiction. Enfold him/her in Your love and restore him/her to the freedom of God’s children. Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of Your unfailing mercy, and strengthen them in the work of recovery. To those who care for them, grant patient understanding and a love that perseveres. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hope is the keyword for today. We have spent the last 9 days praying for someone still caught or struggling with an addiction. What is there left?

Giving them hope. At some point, either by now or later on, you’ll (hopefully) help the person you’ve been praying for. If that’s not possible for whatever reason, that’s all right. Perhaps as a result of your prayers the Holy Spirit will guide someone else to do what you cannot.

Whoever does help the person is ultimately providing them hope. That person will see, quite darkly at first, that there is a way out.

When I entered the rooms of a Twelve Step program for a meeting, I wanted what everyone else had, and I wanted it as soon as possible. I struggled hard for 7 months before finally stopping. I think it was the glimmer of hope that I would eventually stop that helped me to continue and achieve some degree of sobriety. That was enough to help me get back into the Church.

Hope is a lifeline. It is a desire for things not yet gotten, but with a conviction that they will be had.

We conclude the daily novena with:

Official Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Matt Talbot

“Lord, in your servant, Matt Talbot you have given us a wonderful example of triumph over addiction, of devotion to duty, and of lifelong reverence of the Holy Sacrament. May his life of prayer and penance give us courage to take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Father, if it be your will that your beloved servant should be glorified by your Church, make known by your heavenly favours the power he enjoys in your sight. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.”

The source of these prayers is Circle of Prayer – Matt Talbot Intercedes for 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!!)