I love retreats, and I’ve been to a lot of them. There’s just something about getting away from the usual faces and the usual routine in order to meet others who are drawn to God in the same way I am. There’s also one feature that just about every retreat has that can...
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How to Pull Out the “Weeds” of Sin in Our Recovery and Spiritual Lives
I’m definitely not the first person to compare sin to weeds in a garden. But a recent weekend of helping pull weeds at my in-laws led me to contemplate just how apt the analogy is to our own spiritual lives and recovery. Sins are like weeds in our lives because they...
The Extraordinary Benefits of the Confessional
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...
How Fasting Helps Us Maintain Recovery and Grow in Holiness
Lent is a good time to discuss a neglected weapon in our spiritual arsenal: fasting. I want to explain how fasting as a spiritual discipline helps us manage our passions and direct our wills, making it a valuable practice for maintaining recovery and growing in...
New Year’s Strategies for Strengthening Our Recovery and Faith
As Catholics, December can be a spiritual peak as we’re preparing our hearts for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet, societal expectations, seasonal commitments, temptations to indulge, loneliness, and seeing family can also increase our anxiety and cause us to...
Strategies for Combating the Devil and Spiritual Evil in Recovery
As a faithful member of Catholic in Recovery and Alcoholics Anonymous, I’m abundantly blessed to have so many avenues at my disposal to remain sober and grateful to be able to share my experience, strength, and hope with others. But what if I told you that even with a...
Recovery Insights on the Gift and Challenge of Loving Family
This past summer, I’ve been able to return home for weddings on three separate occasions. And my parents came out to visit me after one of the weddings, too. So, despite being a few states away, I’ve gotten to see my parents quite a bit this past summer. One of my...
“The Screwtape Letters’” Valuable Insights for Addiction Recovery
During my own recovery, I have found C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters to be particularly useful in navigating the emotional fallout from a relapse as well as an aid during periods of temptation. The Screwtape Letters is a fictional work detailing a collection of...
The Vital Role of a Sponsor: Being a Gift of Service
I’ve written about how going it alone in recovery without support, guidance, and direction from a sponsor for a ninth-step amends process led to my relapse and the demoralization of myself and those around me. This humiliating experience was necessary for me to let go...
Let Jesus Heal You through Heart of the Father Ministries
At some point quite a few years back, I set up a meeting with my pastor to talk about my life and, in particular, my use of pornography. I don’t remember much about the conversation, but I do remember that he gave me a book titled Unbound that I read and enjoyed. This...