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

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There is a tentative plan for a new Catholic-based recovery network to start on Monday, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. OLG has nothing to do with addiction recovery, but I just think that it would be nice to start it on one of Mary’s holidays.

I have sent emails to the people who have expressed interest in joining, and this is a reminder to them and especially anyone else. If you would like to be notified, please email me at paulcoholic at gmail dot com.

I am also tentatively thinking of starting it on Yahoo, as an email subscription service (the idea is described here: Reviving a Catholic-based recovery network. But, in short, discussion on recovery issues and personal struggles are conducted by way of emails. Anonymity is assured, if you so desire it. That is basically up to you and what email address you use and what the username is. BTW, the email address need not be a Yahoo.com one. Any email address can be used for a YahooID. If not, then a Yahoo.com email address is free anyway, so no trouble there.

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!!)

Reviving a Catholic-based recovery network

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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.

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!!)

Out of touch

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As the owner/operator of a niche blog I more than likely exist along the margins or back alleys of the Catholic blogosphere. Not that I don’t have any friends or contacts amongst other bloggers, ’cause I do. However, due to a variety of circumstances within and beyond my control, I just haven’t paid too much attention to what other bloggers have been doing these past few months. Sometimes it is a hassle to keep up with all the writing going on. At times the information overload is a bit boggling. That is no excuse for not reading a select few blogs though. So, if you have posted something that you’d hope I’d notice in the past couple 2-3 months, I didn’t. That will be rectified as my blog reader still has posts going back that far. So, the select few blogs that I should be paying attention to shall get some belated love over the holidays.

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!!)

Inspiring video for when things get really bad

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Just watch:

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!!)

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

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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.

Icimani Ya Waste Recovery CenterUSETHIS

(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

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!!)

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

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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.

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!!)

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

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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.

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!!)

An Introduction to the St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota

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November has been Native American Heritage Month, and as a part of that I would like to bring to your attention the “St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota”, a ministry of the Society of Jesus (also known as the “Jesuits”- a Catholic religious order dating back centuries) and is located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. It was established in 1886. It exists, to quote their website: “… to re-evangelize Catholic Lakota people and bring the Gospel of Jesus the Christ to those who have not heard it.”

The St. Francis Mission Among the Lakota is a the largest not-for-profit organization on the Reservation that is not a government -controlled or -funded program. Among their many services are programs in addiction recovery, as there is a serious alcoholism addiction crisis present. The Mission operates two centers for this on the Rosebud Reservation: the White River Recovery Center and the Icimani Ya Waste’ Recovery Center. Through these centers they offer several 12 Step Meetings and also programs from the renowned Betty Ford Institute.

There will be a series of posts here on SoberCatholic.com, starting today to highlight the incidence of alcoholism on the Reservation and to bear witness to the wonderful work the Mission is doing in response to this.

I had the opportunity to conduct interviews via email with two of the Mission’s people, Fr. John Hatcher, SJ, the President of the Mission, and Mrs. Geraldine Provencial, the Director of the Icimani Ya Waste’ Recovery Center. These were done through the services of Corrie Oberdin, Online Marketing Strategist at Corrie Oberdin {dot} Net |.

It is my hope that you will take an interest in the Mission and its work. The following links contain information pertinent to the Mission and the Reservation.

For information on the recovery programs: Recovery programs at the St. Francis Mission

St. Francis Mission Main Page

Mission Headquarters

(Photo courtesy Mike O’Sullivan at the Mission)

About the Mission

Blog of the St. Francis Mission

Christmas is coming: Store at St. Francis Mission

The St. Francis Mission’s Channel on YouTube

St. Francis Mission on Twitter

Their radio station
KINIFM.com Main Page, streaming online: KINI 96.1 FM Streaming LIVE!

(Via St. Francis Mission.)

By the way, I am not a Native American, just sympathetic. 😉

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!!)

9 1/2…

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…years of sobriety for me. So far, so good as I trudge my road. Seen better times, been through worse. All in all, stuff is OK.

God, grant me the Serenity,

to Accept the things I can,

Courage to change the things I can’t,

and the Wisdom to know the difference.

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!!)

When Facing Overwhelming Odds

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In trouble? Facing a foe bigger than you? Are you having to put up with junk that you’d rather not have to put up with? (This could mean anything.) Have no fear, for Judas Maccabaeus is here, and he has Heaven on his side!

1 Maccabees 3: 17-19: “But when they saw the army coming against them, they said to Judas: “How can we, few as we are, fight such a strong host as this? Besides, we are weak since we have not eaten today.”

But Judas said: “Many are easily hemmed in by a few; in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between deliverance by many or by few; for victory in war does not depend upon the size of the army, but on strength that comes from Heaven.”

(Via USCCB.)

We can take a lot of hope and inspiration from Judas Maccabaeus. A Jewish leader and warrior during a time when the Israelite nation was under occupation and forced to worship false gods (a symbol of assimilation into worldly ways, of convenient religious belief that is safe from persecution) he did not allow the fact of overwhelming odds deter him from doing what was right.

We can read the Books of Maccabees and, apart from being enthralled by the adventures, get hope and sustenance from his courage.

Especially during trials in which we feel that our opponents are “too big” for us. In Heaven’s eyes, they see us, and them, allied against our opponents. (Of course, this is depending on our cause being just.)

So, fear not. You are going through some problems at work (like me) or some other difficult situation. Don’t give up. Rely heavily on the Lord your God and eventually, although it seems like forever, justice will prevail. That may seem very trite, particularly if your darkness has enveloped you for a long time. But patient endurance has a way of wearing down those who oppose 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!!)