It was ten years ago today that I published my first post on Sober Catholic, “Hi, I’m Paul, and I’m and Alcoholic!”
Nothing much else to say except I never really thought I’d still be doing this. My hopes and dreams regarding this were to hopefully reach out to those who were searching for some online alcoholism recovery work with a Catholic touch. Perhaps they were en route to leaving the Faith and were grasping for anything that might interest them in staying. Or maybe they left for any on a host of reasons, but read in Twelve Step literature advice about exploring the religion of their youth. Perhaps a community of “sober Catholics” or some such name might grow up around it. That hasn’t really happened, but that failure hasn’t convinced me to stop blogging here.
Ten years. Nearly 100 posts a year (which seems like a lot.)
I have no plans to stop: I’ll continue this until the Lord convinces me it’s time to logoff for good.
Are you a creative Catholic? "The Catholicpunk Manifesto" is my new book exhorting Catholics to apply their faith to change the culture for the better!
Know someone, perhaps yourself, who might like Catholic devotionals for alcoholics? Please take a look at my books! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)
I recently filled in a full legal-sized page of reasons why I did not like AA and was ready to give up on it totally. I really appreciate your honesty and bought your little book, Rosary for Recovering Alcoholics. I am sorry to learn that the book on Matt Talbot (Slaking a Thirst ??) is out of print.
I’d like to know what, in your opinion, is the most important thing in successful recovery (or are there several things needed?)
Many thanks for you posts.
Carol Leeming
carolanne51@rogers.com
Although I rarely attend AA, I still use their literature. The Big Book, the 12 and 12, Experience, Strength and Hope are all next to my prayer table. I find them very useful.
The most important thing in successful recovery? Hmm… I have to think about that. Offhand I’d say “keeping spiritually fit and focused.”
Assuming that you’re Catholic, this means to me a strong sacramental and prayer life. Sunday Mass and if possible, Daily Mass. Scripture reading and perhaps Catechism; Rosary and other prayers. Jesus is the Divine Physician, maintaining a Eucharistic-centered spiritual life can help immeasurably. Although as I mentioned above, retaining some exposure to AA is useful on an as needed basis, even if it is just literature.
Thanks Paul, ten years goes,by in a blink these days.
One decade at a time! 😉
Thanks Paul for starting this and for the fortitude to contnue caring about us out here, in recovery, who are also Catholic..I ask the Lord to continue to bless you and all of us, as we struggle the road to Happy Destiny..
In Peace and Love, Jim P.
Thanks, Jim!