Michael1974

As a Catholic alcoholic myself, I did some research on Catholics with the same disease I have.

Priests, Nuns, Benedictine Monks - - - The monks sort of surprised me, but I suppose if I were making Brandy, wine, or beer all day on a Monastery that would be like letting the fox watch the chickens.

Anyway, it's common everywhere, and I know that there are some catholic-oriented AA groups out there. I don't want to say that I feel comforted by the fact that those with religious vocations have the same illness as I do, but I do feel like I am in better and better company.

4 days and counting.

Michael

wiscsober

Good for you Michael and

I hope you have many sober days.

SR is a big part of my recovery.

Thank you for the great thread

I shared part of my fifth step with a priest even...there were a couple things I really needed to be assured kept private...it was nice and after he asked me quite a few questions about alcoholism and AA.

It didn't matter to him I was agnostic...nor that my 5th step wasn't a confession...
he was extremely interested in me as a recovering alcoholic, how he could be of service, and how AA was helping some of his parishioners.

My home group meets at a Catholic church...as do several in the area...

Sister Ignatia (non-alcoholic) was instrumental in helping Dr. Bob Smith.
Alcoholics Anonymous : Sister Mary Ignatia (1889-1966) May have started the "chip" system too!

though AA has no affiliation with any religious denomination ... for myself I am grateful they have helped us at least with meeting rooms, and have so since the 1930s.

heath480

Calix is a society for Catholic Alcoholics,here in the UK there are groups in London,Coventry,Birmingham and Manchester.

fishoutawatta

Blessings on the journey, Michael! Day 4 is just a brief interlude before Day 5!

Fishy

Michael1974

_________________________
Hi Wiscober,

Yeah, luckily many Priests are very understanding of the alcoholic - - - many of them encounter us nearly daily. I did my 5th step without knowing it. I went to my first confession and just spilled it all out. Later it occurred to me that was in fact my fifth step. I'll keep repeating that step throughout life.

I was also relieved to know that I DO NOT have to take Sacramental wine at Mass. The host is sufficient! I just found that out and was happy to throw that in ..! I was quite worried about that one...if I have a sip of wine, that will turn into me stopping after mass and buying a gallon...

wakko

If it is AA it is not affiliated with any religon. There may be 12 step programs but not AA.

Carlotta

You might want to check out Father Martin's lectures on the steps http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...53537100,d.cGE

Michael1974

No, AA isn't aligned with any religion. Sitting in the couple meetings I have, there are similarities. The 5th step for example, heck, from a catholic perspective, that is confession. That's what we should do once per month ideally (if you're a catholic) But then, there are the moral ideas. Service, restitution - - - I think these are concepts found in most religions, and I identify with them. So far I like AA. I think if you come at it honestly, it could work.

Michael

wakko

There are sorts of clergy in AA but that does not make AA religious. Father Martin is wonderful but his higher power is his higher power.

Carlotta

I was not suggesting that Father Martin had the panacea of all higher powers, I am not a Christian myself. The OP posted that he was a Catholic and asked about Catholic groups and while I don t think there are Catholic groups, I remember seeing some tapes of Father Martin and really liking his style.
I thought Michael might enjoy it too.

Michael1974

I should clarify that I am a new Catholic. I was confirmed May - 2012. I am not trying to press Catholic teaching. I speak for me. The world according to me. I can't speak on universal terms that everyone would relate to or accept. As long as that is clear.

Michael

wakko

Sorry for being defensive. It is just that there are about 10,000 posts from people that are afraid to go to a meeting because they are not religious or had a bad experience with religion. There is a common misconception that AA is a religious program which could not be further from the truth.

Although I have not listened to them I've heard nothing but good things about Father Martin. It is funny becsuse I am a Catholic and I am going to a meeting at a Catholic church in a few minutes but my faith has nothing to do with AA other than on a personal level

Michael1974

For me, I think Catholicism and AA could probably work well together. The basic ideas are the same. All of them. Confession, atonement, honesty, love, service...these are all in harmony with it. People who were raised in religious systems may have hard feelings toward it, so it's understandable.

wiscsober

Good for you Michael....it is(was) the hope of AA founders that the recovering alcoholic might find his/her way back to their religious faith!

Bill W wrote so in the AA literature

Once we sober up we are then faced with a living problem....and with diligence the 9th step promises become fact...actual fact

I wish you the
best!

Start a new thread if you want to...and/or post on other threads

You will find a world of help here...and you are helping others.

Mountainmanbob

that is great that you have 4 days without a drink Michael

yes, us drunks can be found most anywhere

drunks don't go to heaven

thus you and I had better stay sober today

never know when one might be called home

Mountainman

Michael1974

Amen.

wakko

I've heard it said that religion is for people who do not want to go to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there

pinkdog

Hi Michael, Yea for 4 days! It gets easier. The first few days were the hardest for me. I went to an Easter Service at a Methodist Church. They had our choice of wine or grapejuice. I was very proud to get in the grapejuice line. Alcohol is everywhere. yeh.