I am responsible...

It is fairly amazing, how many "practicing" Catholics have very little idea what their faith is all about. Based on what I have learned, I have to attribute much of that un-awareness to the way they were probably taught as kids. Prior to Vatican II and on into the 70's even, the Church had such an archaic method of teaching It's faith to members. They basically read from the Catechism and that was about it. Now, I realize that there is a lot to learn and to know about our beautiful faith but many of the basic concepts are often misunderstood or just not present. I take my "job" as catechist seriously enough to try to cover these issues with my 8th graders. We were discussion some basic concepts about the Church at class last nite and the kids were writing down what they know about the Church, and then what questions they hoped to get answered. I had them writing this stuff down anonymously (no names) and I collected the papers at the end of class. The first and only question I saw as I was collecting the papers (in preparation to dash off to home group) was this one: "Why is God only a Catholic God and not a Protestant God." (complete with age appropriate misspellings, lol). So, I guess we'll be tackling that one right outta the gate next time we have sit down class time. I am glad that came up because I want my kids to be armed with the truth about our faith, not all the negative stereotypes we as Catholics have been labelled with. I want ym kids to see their faith as the personal, beautiful faith it is, not as the faith portrayed in the media, not as the faith that is so misunderstood by so many people due to poor teaching and focus on the "bad apples" in our Church (the same bad apples that can be found in all large collections of people.) So, to that end, I feel I have a huge responsibility. I am excited, I only hope I can get this stuff across to the kids so they learn something!

At home group, I feel I have that same responsibility to my fellow AA's. All three of the newcomers that have been attending our meeting lately were there last nite, among the regulars, old timers, etc. We had a great meeting on the fragility of sobriety, relating to the places we hang out, prescription medicines for pain, nyquil, motives for taking these things, playing pool in bars, the company we keep, etc. Man, it was an excellent meeting! It's so good to have guys sharing how they deal with real life issues in sobriety, things that could easily bring a newcomer down a bad path to relapse... One of the newcomers even shared some of his experience early on with a "newer" newcomer... I love that! I love when my group is on the nose with helping newcomers (and each other) stay sober a day at a time. We are responsible to carry the best, clearest, most honest message we can carry.

prayer for today...

HP, help me to stay sober just for today. I pray for my uncle who's struggling badly with his COPD. He has to quit drinking so he can be treated properly, and he is really not willing to do that and it could quite possibly kill him. My dad (sober 18 yrs) is going to head out to see him and try to have a chat with him in order to help him. I pray that my uncle is as ready as I was to hear Your Message, and be with my dad as he carries Your message. Man, this disease sucks...

peace be with you all...