In this episode of the Catholic in Recovery podcast, hosts Scott Weeman and Father Sean Kilcawley catch up after a brief hiatus, sharing updates on their recent travels, Father Sean's new role related to seminarian formation, and Scott's speaking engagements, including his talk on the Twelve Steps and Catholic spirituality. They discuss the challenges of unhealthy attachments, such as to sports, and the spiritual principle of surrendering those attachments to find ultimate hope in God.

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I. Introduction

• Welcome and Topic Introduction: Scott Weeman and Father Sean Kilcawley welcome listeners back to the Catholic in Recovery podcast after a month-and-a-half hiatus, explaining that other priorities had temporarily postponed recording. They commit to regularly recording going forward and plan to catch up on personal updates before diving into listener-submitted mailbag questions.
• Music and Production Credits: Scott thanks I.B. Jacob (Bassanova) and Aisling Fuller for the intro and outro music.
• Opening Question: Scott asks Father Sean, "What's really going on today?"

II. Personal Check-ins and Recent Events

• Father Sean Kilcawley's Update: Discusses the jarring experience of his first Christmas as a seminary formator (missing people/solitude), holiday travel (California, Des Moines to see family, a wedding in Lincoln), and attending the SEEK conference in Fort Worth, where he gave talks on "evangelization in a wounded world," "masculinity and friendship," and "authentic freedom." He is now teaching pastoral counseling at the seminary.
• Scott Weeman's Update: Shares about spending Christmas in Nashville, a week in "winter wonderland" Wisconsin with family, and a recent trip to Florida. In Florida, he spoke at a Guest House Treatment Center conference for Priests and Clergy on the 12 steps in Catholic spirituality, connected with Bishop John Dolan on mental health ministry, and attended Catholic in Recovery and AA meetings, where he witnessed a man return to the Sacrament of Confession after 50 years. He also mentions preparing for a major snowfall in Nashville.

III. Discussion: Unhealthy Attachments and the Addict Mind

• Topic Introduction: Scott and Father Sean discuss their mutual disappointment over their professional football teams' (Packers and Lions) seasons, questioning the emotional attachment and investment in recreational activities.
• Fr. Sean on Attachment: Father Sean relates the regret over football losses to the "addict brain" and the temptation of dwelling on "should have been sober dates," emphasizing that none of that matters as "what matters is what our Lord wants to do with our life right now."
• Scott on Surrender: Scott discusses the "ego destruction" he feels when his golf game suffers and uses this attachment as a reminder that "nothing is gonna satisfy in this world fully," and that his hope rests in the Lord.

IV. Listener Mailbag Questions

• Residential Treatment for Lust Addiction: Father Sean suggests the My House Workshop (weekend retreat) as a starting point. For residential treatment, he mentions the three-year Chinacolo program (designed mostly for young people) and non-Catholic options like Pine Grove, The Meadows, and Recovery Ranch, which offer 45 days of containment to do the hard work. They agree treatment doesn't need to be strictly Catholic.
• Catholic Sponsor: Both hosts agree that a sponsor does not need to be Catholic, but must respect the sponsee's faith. They emphasize the recovery principle of surrender, sometimes meaning going to a meeting even when you don't like it. Scott mentions relating to Father Sean's advice: "figure out what they're doing with the doorknob and do that with Jesus."
• Recovery and Neurodiversity: The hosts address a listener who identifies as a high-functioning autistic adult struggling with connection and fear of in-person meetings, but deepening their faith. Father Sean says the only way to know if faith alone is "enough" to stay sober is whether the person is staying sober, stating, "it's not a math problem." Scott emphasizes the need to connect with others to receive the merciful love of God.
• Parish Mission Inquiry: Father Sean politely declines a listener's invitation for a Lent parish mission due to his current assignment being tied to seminary formation but appreciates the invitation.
• SA Attending AA: In the absence of local in-person SA meetings, both hosts confirm that attending open AA meetings is okay, recommending the listener substitute 'lust' for 'alcohol' when listening to relate to the experience, strength, and hope of others.
• Privacy and Sharing with a Spouse: The hosts advise an SA listener on how to share about meetings with a betrayed wife:
  • Do share: Personal insights gained from the meeting (e.g., "I realized I need to take more responsibility") and a willingness to grow. Lead with humility and let actions restore trust.
  • Do not share: The names of others, or the specific content of their sharing, to respect the anonymity and privacy of the meeting. Father Sean emphasizes the importance of leaning into taking responsibility rather than sharing personal trauma/complicating factors that could sound like excuse-making to a betrayed partner.

V. Conclusion

• Next Episode: Scott and Father Sean re-commit to recording regularly and express hope to bring on guests in the new year.
• Final Farewell and Blessings: The hosts offer a final blessing.