Live Temperately, Justly, and Devoutly

Posted on December 25, 2011 by paulcoholic

The Second Reading at Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Mass at Midnight has bits of advice for life that has relevance for all, but especially for those of us who love a sober life rooted in Catholic spirituality (I italicized the parts I mean):

Letter to Titus: 2:11-14: “Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
“

(Via USCCB.)

We should all “reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.” This is essential in order to live a sober and chaste life.

Pray daily, attend Mass Daily (if possible) and go to Confession frequently (at least once or twice a month. To say that you don’t need to go that often means you are deluding yourself.

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!!)

Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics – a new ebook by ME!!

Posted on December 18, 2011 by paulcoholic

Today I released through Smashwords.com my first book, Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics

To quote from my description, “The ‘Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics’ is a book that is rooted in an ancient Catholic devotion. It is intended to assist Catholics and other Christians find deeper meaning in their struggles with alcoholism, by connecting the oftentimes hard road of sobriety with Jesus’ suffering road to His Crucifixion. The reader sees that their old alcoholic ‘self’ is being led to the Cross and the joy of eventual resurrection of a new sober self can follow. Whether they are still drinking and struggling, or have been sober for many years and still have difficulties coping with sobriety, this book should help readers maintain that sobriety.”

It is available for download and at USD $2.99 and can be read on any ebook reader. It is right now only available through Smashwords.com, but it should be released through Apple, Amazon, Sony and other ebook publishers and distributors perhaps later this week. There will be a followup blog post announcing when that happens.

The meditations are drawn from old posts of mine, but they have been edited for length and quality (I noticed some errors in the originals). These old posts may be deleted this week.

It would make a good Christmas gift for someone you care about!! 🙂

Anyway, thanks, and I hope you all find it useful.

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!!)

Matt Talbot Way of Recovery

Posted on December 12, 2011 by paulcoholic

The launch of the “revived Catholic-based recovery network” is on! I actually started it last night, on the Vigil of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is called the “Matt Talbot Way of Recovery.” Although Matt Talbot is widely associated with recovery from alcoholism, his way to sobriety can be applied to all addictions. His model of sobriety is a good, Catholic-based one that can serve as a framework and guide.

The Group is on Yahoo, I chose that rather than start a standalone website like a discussion forum or social network as it is easier. Past attempts at a Catholic-based recovery network have ended in failure for a number of reasons, this way of an email discussion list is less risky. If it proves to be very popular and successful, then perhaps sometime down the road a discussion forum-type of site can be done. I am not looking that far ahead.

Here is the link to click on to join:

Matt Talbot Way of Recovery

Here is some important information about the Group:

Once you submit a request to join, your request must be approved by a Moderator. So far, I am the only one. Please be patient, I should get back and approve your request within a day.

Afterwards this is the email address to post messages to the Site and Members: MattTalbotWayofRecovery@yahoogroups.com

You can also access messages and post new ones just by going to the Group’s web page at (in case the above link doesn’t work, copy-and-paste this: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MattTalbotWayofRecovery/

These are the site’s settings(as of now, can be changed later):

Membership requires approval (probably not going to be changed. Need to keep out spammers and bigots)

Messages from new members require approval (I think once your first message or two is approved, you’re then unmoderated)

All members can post messages

Email attachments are distributed, not archived

Members cannot hide email address (therefore it is important that you have an email address that has a good spam filter, or one that is just devoted to online recovery work. This is to preserve anonymity, if that is important to you.

Listed in directory (again, see the email address suggestions in the previous point)

After you’re in, you can the determine how you wish to interact. As stated above, you can either post and reply to to messages either by way of email, or by going to the Groups web address. You can decide which way by the following settings:

So, you can receive each email as it comes in, or just a digest of all emails for that day, or for that week. Or, just visit the website. You can visit the website anytime, even if you subscribe to emails. This is useful if you wish to search through the archive of past messages.

As far as I know, that is it! If I have forgotten anything, I’ll add it later. Jump in, join, and let’s have fun! 🙂

Back story: Revived Catholic-based recovery network possibly starting on Monday (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

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!!)

Reviving a Catholic-based recovery network

Posted on December 9, 2011 by paulcoholic

There is a slow, but somewhat promising attempt to revive the old Catholic Recovery/Recovery for Christ social networks. Slow, because we thought of it a few months ago and that is as far as we’ve gotten.

So, rather than put a lot of time into developing a network, or even a discussion forum-type of site, I proposed the idea of perhaps starting small.

And so the idea is that an email-based discussion group (probably using Google Groups) be started. In this email Group, members who desire a Catholic-based recovery program can just email members whenever they are struggling with their sobriety, chastity, or other addiction issues. Perhaps it is a life problem and in the past they submitted to their addiction over it, or some other problem associated with their addiction. General chit-chat from time to time might be allowable, depending. But the idea is for a nice, safe place, restricted to members-only, not public, so that anonymity and privacy is assured, where Catholics who are addicted to whatever can meet and share their struggles and stuff and their Catholicism is not looked upon with contempt.

If you are interested, please email me at paulcoholic at gmail dot com, or post something in the comments. That is the gmail address that I will be using for my administration of the Group. So far, I have 3 or 4 people interested. I’d like to wait until there’s a few more before getting started.

Thanks.

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!!)

Inspiring video for when things get really bad

Posted on December 7, 2011 by paulcoholic

Just watch:

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!!)

St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 3: Relapse and Recovery

Posted on November 24, 2011 by paulcoholic

This is the third and final part in the series of interviews with leaders of the St. Francis Mission, for background, see An Introduction to the St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota

Q: The following link provides basic information on the recovery programs offered at the Reservation:
Recovery programs at the St. Francis Mission.

They seem to cover all of the basics, 12 Step through AA, Al-Anon, GA and NA. You also have the Betty Ford Institute coming in for various periods throughout the year.

(Photo of Icimani Ya Waste’ Recovery Center courtesy Mike O’Sullivan at the Mission)

Out of the general population of addicts and alcoholics, about what percentage attends meetings and do other recovery work (like sponsoring other addicts or service and volunteer work)?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: The two centers we have, we have regular meetings of each of these groups, but it’s a small percentage considering the amount of people who are affected by this disease.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Using my opinion, I would say 40%.

Q: Do people continue with meeting attendance long after they have been clean and sober for a long time?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: The ones in our program, yes.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Yes, their sober lives depend on it.

Q: How great is the incidence of relapse?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: I would say the incidence of relapse from the treatment program on the Rosebud is extremely high. In the meetings that we have at our centers, we’ve had a fairly high success rate of people staying with the program.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: The incident of relapse is a tremendous issue.

Q: Do people keep returning to the recovery programs despite any repeated failures?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Yes.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Yes, people will keep returning to the recovery programs despite their repeated failures. Everyone is different, and each person will experience “hitting the bottom” in their own way. This will usually be their time to step up and make that positive change in their life and live it everyday.

Q: How are any chronic relapsers supported? Are they encouraged by other members of the Rosebud recovery community to keep coming back, or does encouragement mainly fall to the clergy?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: This is a people based program. The support for those who relapse is provided by the recovery community and is supported by the clergy.

(Mrs Provencial) A: In my opinion, all relapses are chronic. St. Francis Mission recovery center’s provide educational and support groups to the addicts and family members on the Rosebud reservation. There are also other programs in the tribe that provide support for the addicts but limited support for the family members.

Yes, the addicts are greatly encouraged by their support groups or support person to continue their journey in sobriety. In my opinion, the encouragement does not fall mainly on the clergy, the families encouragement and support is crucial.

Just to wrap-up:

Is there anything else you’d like to mention that I haven’t asked, and that you’d like to “get the message out” to people?

(Mrs. Provencial) A: I would like to mention that the recovery services that St. Francis Mission provides are crucial to the families on the Rosebud reservation. There are no resources of support for the families affected by drugs and alcohol on the reservation. St. Francis Mission sees the negative affects and has developed positive educational support and workshops that have been making a spiritual and positive impact on the native lives.

This concludes this special series of interviews on SoberCatholic. I would like to thank Fr. John Hatcher, SJ, Mrs. Geraldine Provencial, and particularly Corrie Oberdin, Online Marketing Strategist at Corrie Oberdin {dot} Net |. For further information, please Contact the St. Francis Mission or Contact Corrie Oberdin

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!!)

St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 2: The Devastation of Addiction

Posted on November 24, 2011 by paulcoholic

This is the second in the series of interviews with leaders of the St. Francis Mission, for background, see An Introduction to the St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota

We continue with the interview, this time the emphasis is on the culturally devastating effects of addiction.
SFM LogoUSETHIS

Q: The St. Francis Mission among the Lakota website and literature implies that addiction and alcoholism is a devastating problem for the Native American population. It states that “All the people on the Rosebud Reservation are affected by the disease of addiction.”

I can assume that this means that if someone is not an addict, then they know someone who is and are hurt by it in some way?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Correct.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Yes.

Q: Is this common amongst Native American populations?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Yes.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Yes, on the Rosebud Reservation, I cannot answer for the other native tribes.

Q: Any general cause for this?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: The biggest problem is alcohol and drug addiction. This has occurred on every reservation that I have ever been on and it is completely devastating to these people.

(Mrs. Provencial) A : Everyone has their own opinions, but I believe it is the loss of identity, spirituality, religion, language and most of all, leadership.

Q: Is this a reason for any demographic concern amongst the Lakota? Is their population suffering from decline, either through a higher death-rate or emigration off the reservation?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Of the 20,000 people on the reservation, 43% of them are 18 years of age or younger. These young people, for the most part, have no religious center, high alcoholism, high gang participation, and a very high suicide rate.

(Mrs. Provencial) A: Yes, there is reason for demographic concern amongst the Lakota. The population is suffering from decline through a higher death rate due to alcohol related accidents, suicides, crimes, gangs, prison and a split-second simple feeling of hopelessness that can overwhelm a young person and lead to a completed or attempt of suicide.

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!!)

St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 1: Re-evangelize and Heal

Posted on November 24, 2011 by paulcoholic

This is the first in the series of interviews with leaders of the St. Francis Mission, for background, see An Introduction to the St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota

We start the interview by asking about the basic purpose of the Mission.

SFM LogoUSETHIS

Q: Your literature says: “The purpose of the Mission is to re-evangelize Catholic Lakota people and bring the Gospel of Jesus the Christ to those who have not heard it. We respect the traditions of the Lakota people as we collaborate with them to meet the spiritual, educational, social, and physical needs of the community.”

About what percentage of the 20,000 Rosebud Indian Reservation members are Catholic?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: 40%

Q: Could you explain the part about “re-evangelize?” Has there been a general falling away from the Church amongst those originally evangelized and their descendants?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Many of the present baptized Catholics of the reservation had no religious education and have not actively participated in the church. Our first responsibility is to reach out to those persons and give them the opportunity to learn about the church and experience the benefit of a praying community. Original evangelization took place in late 1800s. After WWII there was a steady decline in the practice of the faith.

Q: Has addiction been a factor in this? This may be of great interest to SoberCatholic.com readers as many had left the Faith due to various addictions, not just alcohol.

(Fr. Hatcher)A: Addiction to alcohol has been a major contribution to the dysfunction that people experience on the reservation. Unless the church addresses the alcohol and drug problem, there is probably no point in doing anything else. we are committed to bring healing in this area to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Q: In what way do you incorporate their native traditions?

(Fr. Hatcher)A: Native people are welcome to use their traditional ways of praying and traditions to the church and in their prayer life. it is inappropriate for non-natives to use these symbols and their traditions. So, it is up to the native people to initiate their use.

Buechel Memorial MuseumUSETHIS

(Photo of Buechel Memorial Museum, courtesy Mike O’Sullivan at the Mission)

Q: How involved is the recovery community in the sacramental life of the Church?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Many of the people who have gone through the recovery process have returned to their church affiliation and now practice their religion.

St Charles Borromeo Church USETHIS

(Photo of St. Charles Borromeo Church, courtesy Mike O’Sullivan at the Mission)

Q: Are Sunday and any weekday Masses well-attended?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: No, but they’re getting better. We’re seeing progress and for us it’s very much like starting over.

Q: What about Confession, is that a part of the members recovery program, and is its importance emphasized?

(Fr. Hatcher) A: Confession is coming back among those who are in recovery.

Q: The Church celebrates the seasons in Her own way, and the Church year is marked by many Feast Days and celebrations. Many people find the rhythm of the year helpful to mark the spiritual passage of time. It helps people “get through stuff.” Are there any special Feast days on the Church’s Liturgical calendar that are special to the members of the recovery community? I mean, beyond the major Holy Days and such.

(Fr. Hatcher) A: No, not that I know of currently.

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!!)

Sober Catholic

Catholicism, Recovery, Sobriety, Conversion, Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, Penance

Live Temperately, Justly, and Devoutly

Like this:

Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics – a new ebook by ME!!

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Reviving a Catholic-based recovery network

Like this:

Inspiring video for when things get really bad

Like this:

St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 3: Relapse and Recovery

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St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 2: The Devastation of Addiction

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St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota Part 1: Re-evangelize and Heal

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