Sweet Surrender: The Gift of My Consecration to the Blessed Mother
I’ve read often in recovery literature that surrender is essential to healing from our addictions. But it always frightened me. Surrender felt like giving up—it felt like admitting I can’t do it on my own. Guess what? I can’t do it on my own. Even just typing that sentence was difficult but lately I’ve found…
Read MoreCreating a Sacred Space in a Time of Uncertainty
Brothers and sisters in recovery, how are you faring in our current state of affairs? For a month now we have been restricted from many of our usual daily activities. This means we haven’t been able to attend in-person recovery meetings, Mass, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as spend time with many of…
Read MoreWhy Being Sober Wasn’t Enough to Keep Me From Being Miserable
After I first became sober I thought that I’m better now. I can handle it. I had been in AA for years and attended hundreds, maybe thousands, of meetings. I had volunteered, read the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and worked through the Twelve Steps with a sponsor. I had learned…
Read MoreHealing from Betrayal Trauma: My Story of Uncovering My Husband’s Sex Addiction
I had the privilege of being born and raised as Catholic, where the Irish nuns during my schooling emphasized that Jesus is our very best friend. That has made all the difference in my life. After discerning my vocation, I married my college sweetheart. We shared our love for the Catholic Church and the Word…
Read MoreGet Out The Toolbox: Surviving the Coronavirus Pandemic
One of the phrases that I keep hearing get thrown around amidst the Coronavirus pandemic is “nothing has prepared us for this!” And in a sense, this is true. We haven’t seen a pandemic like this on a global scale since the Spanish Flu in the early 20th century. However, I don’t buy the fact…
Read MoreA Testimony of Encountering Mary’s Motherly Love in Eucharistic Adoration
During this time of uncertainty and fear, one thing I am certain of is that God is with us and will never leave or forsake us. As never before, we are being called in faith to pick up our cross and walk this lonesome valley. The good news is that we are never alone since…
Read MoreThe Irreplaceable Role of a Priest in Recovery
When I first came to a recovery program I was brought to it by a very caring woman who saw the pain I was going through. She stressed the need for having a sponsor and suggested that I listen and find someone with a length of sobriety whom I respected. There was an old-timer, named…
Read MoreWhy Fasting Matters for Us During Lent
During this wonderful season of Lent, many of us turn our attention to the discipline of fasting. Similar to making New Year’s resolutions, many of us decide to give something up for Lent. As a child, I remember wondering why we were called to refrain from meat, candy, or whatever during the 40 days before…
Read MoreIf All Our Sins Smelled Like Alcohol
Being a Lyft driver, I’m afforded a lot of unique interactions with people. As I was telling someone recently, the job is sort of like being an “ad hoc social worker on wheels.” You just never know who is going to come into your car or what their reason for needing a ride might be. …
Read MoreCombating the “Seven Deadly Sins” Through the Spiritual Practices of Recovery
As we enter into Lent, I thought it would be beneficial to list the “Seven Deadly Sins” and the grave effects they have on one’s soul. Opposite each sin, I have listed a virtue that has been given to us as a gift by the Holy Spirit. These virtues help us to live a life…
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