The Value of Alchoholics Anonymous |
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Greetings to you! How are you? Eighty-six years ago today Dr. Robert Smith had his last drink and founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) with William Wilson or Bill W. as he is sometimes known. Throughout its history, this now-international organization has helped thousands and thousands of men, women, and young people to achieve sobriety including some from our parish family of Immaculate Conception.
By a daily personal commitment to being sober and participating in weekly meetings with others, there can be personal growth and genuine healing. One of the more renowned aspects of AA is the Twelve Step Program which offers a concrete plan for reliance on the Lord and less on one’s own efforts. It is as follows:
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- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
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Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. (aa.org)
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Each and every one of us is made in the image and likeness of God but we have proverbial feet of clay with struggles and defects and character flaws. The Twelve Steps of AA can help its members to remember that in all humility we cannot do it on our own. As St. Paul put it, “we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Later in the same Letter, he shared a message from the Lord that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). While Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) we also affirm that we can “do all things through [Christ]” who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). May the Risen Lord bless you with His Strength, Peace, and Perseverance in the challenges that come your way as you strive to live and take each moment day by day! |
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Freedom with Christ,
Fr. James
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P.S. For further reading from a Catholic perspective about Alcoholics Anonymous please see: catholic.com
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Fr. James Daily Video Message |
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Daily video messages from Fr. James and Masses celebrated by Father James can be found on Facebook, YouTube, our My Parish app and on our website:
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Sunday Dispensation Obligation Update |
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July 1 marks the end of dispensation in Minnesota. Read the full text of the Minnesota bishops’ statement here:
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Archbishop Hebda Welcomes the Faithful Back to Mass. |
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Q: What is the purpose of the Sunday obligation?
A: God gave his people the gift of the Sabbath (Saturday evening – Sunday), and in the Third Commandment instructed for our wellbeing that we keep it holy. For more on this, read five reasons why attending Mass weekly is essential to our faith at archspm.org/5reasons
Q: The dispensation is being lifted July 1, 2021. What does that mean?
A: The Sunday obligation to attend Mass in person was temporarily lifted during the pandemic out of concern for the safety of our most vulnerable.
As the pandemic subsides, and public gathering restrictions and safety protocols are lifted, it is time to gather as the Body of Christ once again. Therefore, the bishops and diocesan administrators of the Minnesota Catholic Conference have decided to reinstate the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation beginning the weekend of July 3-4, 2021.
Q: Does this mean there will no longer be any dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day obligations?
A: Even after July 1, there remains reasons why a Catholic has a dispensation from the Sunday obligation, including when he or she is ill or serving as caretaker for one who cannot attend Mass. Find further examples in the letter from the Minnesota bishops about the return of the Sunday obligation (letter found at archspm.org/mccmassletter).
The faithful who do not attend Mass in person are asked to find a Mass on TV, the radio or online and make a Spiritual Communion (found at archspm.org/spiritualcommunion). Where that is not an option, it would be appropriate to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rosary.
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Trivia Question of the Week |
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In St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians in 3:17 he said, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is __________.”
A. Healing
B. Forgiveness
C. Joy
D. Freedom
See the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
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Faith Formation Registration is Now Open |
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Registration is open for all 2021-22 Faith formation classes! We offer Family Formation (Kindergarten-Grade 6), 1st Eucharist preparation, pre-Confirmation and Confirmation preparation (Grades 7 and up). Register online or contact Mary Nawrocki, Director of Faith Formation, at 763-788-9062 or mnawrocki@immac-church.org. Classes begin in mid-September. Spaces fill quickly, so register early. We look forward to having your family join us this fall! |
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Archdiocesan Synod at Home |
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Make a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in November of 2021 with Fr. James! Spots are limited. Please see the Magi Travel website for more details: |
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Enjoy a free subscription to FORMED.org
FORMED provides amazing online videos, audio and books 24/7 for you to grow in your faith. It's EASY and FREE to Register!
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Go to iccsonline.formed.org and click next
- Enter your name and email and click sign-up
- Enjoy and share with others in our local community!
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You can watch with your free parish subscription by simply selecting our parish’s name during registration at formed.org/signup.
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Immaculate Conception Parish App |
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Answer to the Trivia Question of the Week: |
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Immaculate Conception
Church and School
Church: 763-788-9062
School: 763-788-9065
info@immac-church.org | ICCSonline.org
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You're receiving this email because of your relationship with Immaculate Conception Church and School. To no longer receive messages from Fr. James Peterson, please click the link at the bottom of this email to unsubscribe. Thank you. |
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