THE CATHOLIC IN RECOVERY PODCAST
Episode 4 – Getting Started: Navigating Holidays & Events

Dec 23, 2024

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Episode Summary
In the fourth episode of the Catholic in Recovery podcast, Scott Weeman and Fr. Sean Kilcawley discuss navigating holiday events and other social gatherings while in recovery. They share personal experiences and insights on dealing with triggers, maintaining sobriety, and finding support within the recovery community. They also emphasize the importance of staying connected with others, having an exit strategy, and finding ways to be of service.

Episode Resources
  • Join CIR+ to be part of a community committed to recovery and access resources to sustain you on your recovery journey, including CIR’s Pathway to Recovery—emailed support, encouragement, and resources for the first 90 days of recovery to keep you accountable to finding freedom during those first critical three months.

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Episode Highlights

Introduction & Check-In (01:42)

  • Welcome and introduction to the podcast
  • Hosts' backgrounds and purpose of the podcast
  • Introduction to the topic of navigating events and gatherings in recovery, especially during the holidays
  • Fr. Sean (02:50): Shares his experience at a recent healing workshop and the realization of God's love for him
  • Scott (06:54): Reflects on his own journey with addiction and the challenges of making amends and finding healing within his family

Reading from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (15:08)

  • Discussion on the importance of spiritual fitness and having a legitimate reason for being in places where alcohol is served (17:00)
  • Advice on how to navigate events and gatherings, including: (18:51)
    • Staying connected with others in recovery
    • Having an exit strategy
    • Focusing on being of service
    • Not changing habits for others
    • Being on solid spiritual ground before attending events

Personal Experiences and Tools for Navigating Triggers (20:55)

  • Fr. Sean (20:55): Shares personal tools, such as attending meetings, listening to recovery literature, and checking in with recovery buddies (28:17)
  • Scott (30:44): Emphasizes increasing meeting attendance, having an exit strategy, and communicating with loved ones about feelings at events

Navigating Events for Those Recovering from Lust Addiction and Codependency (35:47)

  • Importance of awareness, self-care, and recognizing emotional triggers (37:06)

Q&A (48:47)

  • Listener's question: How to reconcile guilt and shame with the Catholic faith in early recovery
  • Fr. Sean's answer (49:48): Importance of confession, accepting God's forgiveness, and recognizing that growth in holiness leads to growth in repentance and capacity to love

Closing Remarks (53:57)

  • Scott (53:57): Gratitude for listeners and invitation to support Catholic in Recovery through servant leadership and financial contributions
  • Fr. Sean (57:14): Closing blessing