by Chris | Oct 30, 2024 | Adult Children of an Alcoholic, Help from the Saints, Loved One of an Addict, Saints—On Earth & in Heaven, Spiritual Tools
Saint John Henry Newman’s distinction between notional and real knowledge offers profound insights for the journey of recovery as an adult child of a dysfunctional home. Recovery, much like Newman’s view of the Christian life, involves moving from a theoretical...
by Chris | Oct 16, 2024 | Big Book of AA, First Step, Getting Sober, Therapy, Third Step
One of the more memorable characteristics of the therapists I had when I was a client at The Ranch was his uncanny ability to tell you exactly what you needed to hear. Many of the men who were in the Sexual Recovery Program (SRP) were there because they realized they...
by Chris | Oct 9, 2024 | Adult Children of an Alcoholic, Family, Loved One of an Addict, Therapy
For members of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA), part of our solution for healing is to become our own loving parents. We do this through 12-step work and by taking a blameless inventory of our caregivers to recognize the wounds that we received from them so that we...
by Chris | Oct 2, 2024 | Alcohol & Drug Addiction, The Twelve Steps
When I first became sober, maintaining my recovery was the most important part of my life. But two years in something happened. My life changed. Suddenly I was engaged and moving away to start graduate school. Since my faith was important to me, I found a parish right...
by Chris | Sep 25, 2024 | Mercy, Reconciliation, Sacraments, Spiritual Tools, The Sacraments
In my opinion, after the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the second greatest sacrament for Catholics. It allows us to grow closer to God and helps us receive the many graces God wants to pour out over us. Confidentiality is also guaranteed. Many...
