Happy 19th Bloggaversary to Sober Catholic!

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Paul

It was 19 years ago today, January 5, 2007 that I wrote my first post, Hi, I’m Paul, and I’m an alcoholic!.

I should be doing this for a few more years before winding things down. I plan on releasing a few more books. I am seriously considering starting a YouTube channel/podcast. The channel already exists, I have just never uploaded anything to it as it’s only been a channel I subscribe to other useful channels. Stay tuned here for further details, or, go the Sober Catholic Youtube and subscribe (and hit the bell icon for notifications for if and when I actually do start uploading videos.) I am doing the “legwork” necessary; I’ve written a few scripts already, and I’m studying how to use the software I have for making videos, recording voice and so on. All I have to do is follow up with “content.”

You can make me happy by buying my books! See below:

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!!)

Back in the office

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Paul

In Out of Office, I said:

Due to a variety of reasons I’ll get to later, I had to reset my laptop to factory settings and then reinstall the OS.

Well, it’s later and I’ll explain (not that it’s important, but for the few that might have interested:

The Admin account to my Mac laptop needed repairs. The Mission Control and Launchpad functions randomly launched when I type ever since I upgraded to Mac OS Sonoma in Sept 2023.

What I’d done from quite dilegent searching and taking suggestions from people seemingky more knowledgeable than I was:

gone into System Settings and unticked every keyboard and trackpad option that controls those and other functions. (when I say “every,” I mean “every.”)
rebooted in Safe Mode
deleted cleaning, AntiVirus and optimization apps
reinstalled MacOS Sequoia (yes, it continued with the OS upgrade in 2024. Didn’t exist in Monterey or Ventura.)

The problem remains. Except:

When I created a test user account. Hence, the only remaining culprit is the admin account.

The problem seemingly disappeared when I upgraded to the most recent MacOS, “Tahoe.” Until it reappeared 5 days later. I went back to searching and found nothing I hadn’t already tried and so I finally resolved the issue this way:

Did a Time Machine backup
Reset the laptop to factory settings and then downloaded Tahoe all over again.

That was October 2nd. It’s been 21 days since then and the thing hasn’t happened since. I declare the problem soved. Don’t know what caused it, but I don’t care.

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!!)

May the Lord bless and keep safe Pope Leo XIV

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Paul

In a few hours Leo XIV will be inaugurated as the 267th successor to St. Peter. As the “Pope,” he is the Vicar of Christ, the visible Head of the Catholic Church, and he (or his own successors) will reign until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

98189437-14693619-Robert Prevost a 69 year old longtime Cardinal said peace be wit-a-25 1746741897992.

I haven’t been this excited about a Pope since like forever. I loved Pope St. John Paul II but the Internet wasn’t available to the public back in 1978 and following the daily doings of the Holy Father wasn’t as easy as it is today. If you lived near a parish which provided for Catholic newspapars (Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, Twin Circle, and others) or lived in a large city with public and university libraries, you could follow along fairly well. Still, not like nowadays with official and unofficial websites providing almost hourly coverage. Also, as with regards to the reign of JP2, I had left the Catholic Church for most of his reign, reverting only a few years before his death. So, JP2 is, to me, mostly a figure found in books and websites; although I do have an odd personal connection to him. I also deeply appreciated Pope Benedict XVI; but he didn’t touch my heart like JP2. I also resent a little his abdication in 2013. Pope Francis did not impress me much, I never warmed to him until earlier this year when he was gravely ill. There were a few things about his papacy that I liked, namely the “Year of Mercy” and a few other things. There was quite a lot I didn’t care for (The Pachamama idol and his assault on the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite (“Traditionis Custodes” and his allowance of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to recieve Holy Communion.) Nevertheless, I fell in between the two extremes of his haters and advocates. In never thought he was as bad as his detractors (calumniators?) claimed, nor did I feel he was the awesomesauce as his fans proposed. But, he was the Pope and now he’s gone. Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord…

And now we have an American Pope (never thought I’d ever see the day.) I’ve been kind of obsessed with social media coverage, as well as the legitimate news channels reporting, of him. Pope Leo XIV gives me a lot of Pope St. John Paul II vibes, with a huge dose of Benedict XVI, and a fair amount of the acceptable parts of Francis. The JP2 aspects include his seeming youthful enthusiasm, missionary spirit, doctrinal clarity, and social communication skills; the B16 parts also includes doctrinal clarity and liturgical expertise. The Francis elements are his social justice advocacy; but this part of his makeup also seems to be heavily influenced by Leo’s apparent orthodox doctrinal qualities. There also seems to be a rise in prophetic discussion regarding him, but I won’t go that route, now.

I am unsure how often I will post about him. I went to Saturday Vigil Mass so that I can stay up until 3AM to watch his inauguration on EWTN and not worry about my Sunday Mass obligation (not really an issue as I always attend the Vigil Mass.) Now, to load up on coffee!

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!!)

WATCH ME on the new Mission Revive podcast!

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Paul

WATCH ME on the new Mission Revive podcast! Anne Costa is rebooting her podcast for her Revive-Hope and Healing Ministries!

Quote: “Join Mission Revive’s hosts Anne Costa for a an informative podcast with our guest Paul Sofranko.

Paul is a sober alcoholic and revert to the Church who found continued sobriety in the Sacraments, devotions and prayer life of the Church.

He started Sober Catholic back in 2007 after he had unsuccessfully searched all over for a blog or discussion site that focused on alcoholism and sobriety/recovery from a Catholic perspective. He created what he was looking for: a site that discusses how the Catholic Church, with Her rich traditions of Saints and miracles, and especially with Her Sacraments such as the Holy Eucharist and Confession, can help you maintain your sobriety.

He has also written several devotional books for sober (or sobering) Catholics. “The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts,” and “Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics” and more recently “The Sober Catholic Way.”

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!!)

EWTN Homily for Our Lady of Fatima, 2025

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Paul

Today was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. I’m a little remiss in not posting this before (the day is almost over,) but better late than never. I had intended to go to Confression followed by Mass for this holyday, but a dead car battery altered my plans and so I watched the Daily Mass for today on EWTN instead.

I enjoyed the homily by Fr. Mark Mary. I am sharing the direct link to the EWTN OnDemand service; please watch it. It sums up the Message of Fatima as regards to prayer, penance, reparation. That’s a little ‘simplistic’ summary of it, so I encourage you to watch it (even if you’re not watching it on the Fatima feast day.) It is a very good thing for Sober Catholics to take a listen to.

Readings and homily: Fr. Mark for Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial)

If you are interested in everything I’ve posted on Fatima, please vist the Fatima Post Archive. Thank you!

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!!)

Get the Divine Mercy Plus streaming service!!!

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Paul

Given that this past weekend was Divine Mercy weekend, I spent a lot of time watching the “Divine Mercy Plus” streaming service. I’ve had it on my phone and laptop for a while, but haven’t really explored its content until I installed it on my Amazon TV FireStick.

Oh, my! If you are a Catholic interested in developing your spirituality further, enjoy programming that’s quite well-done, and love Divine Mercy, then this service is for you! It complements EWTN (much of their programming also is – or was- available on EWTN.)

There are four programs that I watched a lot of over the weekend and yesterday:

“100 years of Fatima” Came out in 2017 during the centenary of the Apparitions. Despite that, it isn’t ‘dated,’ if you want a great review of the Fatima Message, then this will provide that. Each of the 22 episodes is only a few minutes long (it will take about an hour to go through them all in one sitting.)

“Discovering the Diary” I have only watched a few of these; each episode is also only a few minutes long and it takes a topic from a selected Diary paragraph. This show is a MUST WATCH for Sober Catholics. There are quite a few topics of interest to anyone in recovery. Marc Massery, the host, is engaging and entertianing as he handles topics like struggling to pray, reparation, fear and worry, overcoming sin… all topics that anyone struggles with, especially if you are coming from alcohoilismm and addictions. (I don’t think he has covered addiction specifically.)

“France: A Pilgrimmage with Mary” Fr. Joe Roesch takes you on a pligrimage through France by visiting the sites of various Marian apparitions and shrines. I also highly recommend this: by covering the Miraculous Medal and Lourdes apparitions, you get a very good review of those and how to apply them to your growing Catholic faith. Even if you are familiar with these, they are helpful just in seeing the sites. Each episode is also just a few minutes long and if you sit through them all, it might take 90 minutes? I also learned of an apparition I never heard of before: Our Lady of Sunday. (You can watch Have You Ever Heard of Our Lady of Sunday? and What did Our Lady of Sunday Have to Say? This will be a blogpost topic, but wacth them anyway.)

“Ask a Marian” is a great program on a wide variety of topics on Catholicism.

Take a look at this list of all of their Series and Playlists.

The following list of links takes you to where you can find the service:

DivineMercyPlus on the web

DivineMercyPlus on the Mac App Store

DivineMercyPlus on the iPhone/iPad App Store

DivineMercyPlus on GooglePlay for Android

DivineMercyPlus is also available on AmazonFireTV, and probably on other streaming devices. Just search on your TV thingy for “Divine Mercy Plus.”

Most of the programming is free, there is a small amount of premium shows.

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!!)

Prayers for the Conclave electing a new Pope (including Adopt a Cardinal)

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Paul

Aleteia posted an article on “2 Easy (fun!) ways to pray for the cardinals this conclave.” I dug through the article and found direct links to these fun ways.

First up, is a NOVENA FOR THE CONCLAVE from Pray More Novennas. Just click on the “NOVENA FOR…” and it’ll take you to the prayers. This Novena begins either today or tomorrow (so that it’ll end either on the day before the Conclave begins or on the day of. I don’t think it matters when you begin as long as you pray!

Next is Adopt a Cardinal – Pray for the College of Cardinals. Go there and click on the big red button to adopt someone to pray for. I’m praying for Ladislav Nemet as the College of Cardinals selects a new Pope. Adopt your own Cardinal! I kept the first one that came up, even though I’ve never heard of him, but you can keep clicking until you get one you prefer. I think that’s cheating, but I doubt it falls under the pain of sin. Here are some things to pray for.

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!!)

Divine Mercy Sunday and Me

Posted on April 27, 2025 by Paul

Divine Mercy Sunday (which was today) is one of my most anticipated Church feasts. Because of my past history as an alcoholic, this feast day touches me more personally than others typically more favored by “normal people.”

The part about the feast that “gets me” is referred to in the Diary of St. Faustina, “Divine Mercy in My Soul.” In paragraph 699, Jesus tells her (boldface words are those of Jesus, the italicized boldface is my emphasis:)

“On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy.”

In paragraph 1109:

I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My mercy

In paragraph 300:

Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.

You are clean again, all sins including the temporal punishment due for them are wiped away; your soul is in the state it was in just after your Baptism. You are as pure as the driven snow.

Although the Catholic Church attaches a plenary indulgence for those who partake in the Divine Mercy celebrations, the conditions for earning the indulgence (particulary “complete detachment from sin, even the least venial”) make it nearly impossible for anyone to earn it. However, Jesus attaches no burdensome conditions on the reception nof the Sacraments; all He said is that in order for your sins to be entirtely washed away, including any punsishment due them, is to go to Confession and recieve Holy Communion on Divine Mercy Sunday. Not many parishes offer Conferssion on Sunday, but most do on Saturday afternoon, usually just before the Sunday Vigil Mass. This is what I did; I made it to Confession last night and attended the Divine Mercy Vigil.

I ran across a video on YouTube that explains how Jesus’ promises are even better than the plenary indulgence:

You have tp watch it!

By the way, if you really enjoy the Divine Mercy Devotion, and wish to watch more videos on it as well as great catechetical and devotional programs, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (the religious order that maintains the Divine Mercy Shrine in Massachusetts,) they have a streaming service full of programs to get you to Heaven! Divine Mercy Plus is a website (link is the 1st 3 words of this sentence) and apps for Apple devices and Android; plus apps for TV streaming devices (such as the Amazon FireStick.) There is also an app for desktop computers!

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 will be on the “The Bear Woznick Adventure” this Saturday Jan 18!

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Paul

This upcoming Saturday, January 18th,

I will be on the “The Bear Woznick Adventure!

This is Bear

Click on the image above to learn all about him!

Click on the image (or go here) to learn about his apostolate!

Bear interviewed me back in November. The interview was regarding my new book, “The Sober Catholic Way.” I thoroughly enjoyed the experience; it was like sitting across the table from him, just another dude at a tiki bar somewhere downing fruit juice drinks, enjoying the tropic breezes and watching the Pacific swells roll in, all the while yakking it up ‘bout stuff. Here’s what the program description on iCatholicRadio (where you can listen every 6PM ET Saturdays) says about it:

Bear’s rare adventures uniquely qualify him to be the adventure guide on this show that challenges men to deeper conversion and to servant leadership. Bear’s engaging interview style opens his guests to go deep and share their adventures, misadventures, conversion to the Lord and their walk with God.

That last line I emboldened is so true.

I told him stuff.

You should listen in.

“The Bear Woznick Adventure” airs on EWTN Radio on Saturday evenings 6PM ET/5PM CT (please refer to your local listings for any changes). It should be on your local EWTN radio affiliate, but if they do not carry it, please email them requesting that they do so for the future. But until then, you can tune in to EWTN Radio on the web, or use their app for Apple devices or their Android app, You can also download the iCatholicRadio app for Apple or Android.

You can also find Bear on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, ListenNotes, Podcast Addict, as well as the aforementioned iCatholicRadio.

His show also appears on YouTube: Bear Woznick Spirit of Adventure. Please take a look at it, it’s a good source of Catholic spirituality and his show is particularly good for men (and the women who love them.)

“The Sober Catholic Way” helps Catholics by describing the many ways in which their faith can assist in maintaining sobriety. Drawn from nearly two decades of blogging at SoberCatholic.com, “The Sober Catholic Way” shows the importance of the sacraments, the Bible, the Catechism and other books. It continues on with the various ways one can “live” out Catholicism by nurturing devotions to the Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other saints. All of these contribute to sobriety as well as one’s spiritual progression!

“The Sober Catholic Way” is a basic handbook on how anyone can live a sober life. This book does not guarantee anything, but doing these things has helped keep my sobriety intact since May 22, 2002.

It is currently available through Amazon on Amazon Kindle, as well as a paperback: click here to buy as a paperback.

It is also available as a paperback through Barnes and Noble: Order The Sober Catholic Way as a B&N paperback! as well as an ebook for your Nook!

It is also now available at numerous other ebook retailers like Apple Books and Smashwords.

It’s also available as an ebook through:Kobo, Everand, Fable, and Palace Marketplace. Aussie’s can go here: Angus & Robertson

…and you might try this Universal link: here and click on the logo of your fave online bookshop. Some of the logos have trackers in them and these may be blocked by browser extensions. That’s why I listed them individually right above this.

Donations to support my work are appreciated!

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

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Back in the office

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May the Lord bless and keep safe Pope Leo XIV

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EWTN Homily for Our Lady of Fatima, 2025

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Get the Divine Mercy Plus streaming service!!!

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Prayers for the Conclave electing a new Pope (including Adopt a Cardinal)

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Divine Mercy Sunday and Me

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This upcoming Saturday, January 18th,

I will be on the “The Bear Woznick Adventure!

His show also appears on YouTube: Bear Woznick Spirit of Adventure. Please take a look at it, it’s a good source of Catholic spirituality and his show is particularly good for men (and the women who love them.)

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