Evangelizing the addicted

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sacredcello

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A few months ago, I met up with an old friend, whom I haven’t seen in more than 20 years. He is a Navy veteran with PTSD, is a recovering alcoholic and is terminally ill with liver failure, not to mention other emotional addictions. He had been sober for 10 months at the point that I came into the picture. I began reaching out with prayer and faith sharing and he responded. He said that he wants to become Catholic (he was baptized Methodist and went to Catholic school from 6 - 8 grade). Unfortunately, he had a couple of relapses in the last month. But, he also made an appointment on his own a few weeks ago to speak with a priest. However, he has no support structures in his life who would help him get through an RCIA program, since I don’t live in his area and his family have written him off due to his alcoholism. Also, I don’t know that he will live that long to get through RCIA. Also, he is not feeling well and is depressed and some days is not able to drive. Can I ask the priest who has already met with him to reach out to him and go to his house to administer the sacraments, since my friend is too depressed to ask for help? Or, is this beyond what a priest should be expected to do? I am a convert myself, so I am not sure. I have left a message with his office and am waiting for a call back.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
 
You sound like a good friend.

I doubt a priest would go to someone’s home who hasn’t requested it themselves, might seem a bit imposing.

I might suggest you do what you can for your friend: visit and evangelize in your own way, be a good example of a Catholic Christian.

Also, if your friend is a veteran there are many helpful organizations with services that are free or low-cost for your friend to help with PTSD, depression, medical care, transportation, etc. Many of these can be accessed via the internet or 800 toll-free phone numbers. Just do a “google” search or contact your local veteran’s group or recruiting office; they will be a good resource as well.
 
anonymous_in_fl said:
You sound like a good friend.

I doubt a priest would go to someone’s home who hasn’t requested it themselves, might seem a bit imposing.

I might suggest you do what you can for your friend: visit and evangelize in your own way, be a good example of a Catholic Christian.

Also, if your friend is a veteran there are many helpful organizations with services that are free or low-cost for your friend to help with PTSD, depression, medical care, transportation, etc. Many of these can be accessed via the internet or 800 toll-free phone numbers. Just do a “google” search or contact your local veteran’s group or recruiting office; they will be a good resource as well.
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Great advice!

I expect that the priest may be happy to initiate a visit, however, because there are some special circumstances, namely that the friend made the first approach to the priest and that the friend is very sick, physically and mentally - even dying. Catholic priests seem to have a special dedication to the dying, whether Catholic or not. I think a visit from the priest might be just the best thing that could happen to him!
 
sacredcello said:
A few months ago, I met up with an old friend, whom I haven’t seen in more than 20 years. He is a Navy veteran with PTSD, is a recovering alcoholic and is terminally ill with liver failure, not to mention other emotional addictions. He had been sober for 10 months at the point that I came into the picture. I began reaching out with prayer and faith sharing and he responded. He said that he wants to become Catholic (he was baptized Methodist and went to Catholic school from 6 - 8 grade). Unfortunately, he had a couple of relapses in the last month. But, he also made an appointment on his own a few weeks ago to speak with a priest. However, he has no support structures in his life who would help him get through an RCIA program, since I don’t live in his area and his family have written him off due to his alcoholism. Also, I don’t know that he will live that long to get through RCIA. Also, he is not feeling well and is depressed and some days is not able to drive. Can I ask the priest who has already met with him to reach out to him and go to his house to administer the sacraments, since my friend is too depressed to ask for help? Or, is this beyond what a priest should be expected to do? I am a convert myself, so I am not sure. I have left a message with his office and am waiting for a call back.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
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Priests often counsel people with addictions. They are not trained in treatment of addiction. I hope the good father encourages your struggling friend to join AA or a similar 12-step program designed for addicts. One of the core principles of 12-step programs is a spiritual life and depending totally upon God. The book “Alcoholics Anonymous” as well as “12 Steps and 12 Traditions” both encourage members who grew up in a faith tradition to remain with it or to find a God of their understanding. Your friend is trying to do that.

I owe my life to AA. I had a conversion of the mind in my 20’s. I had a great doctrinal foundation in Opus Dei and through spiritual direction and reading. However my conversion of the heart didn’t occur until I was crushed by alcohol and found myself in the rooms of AA. I’ve seen many adults in AA become catholic. Many of them were not baptized previously. The 12-steps were profoundly influenced by Catholic spirituality (although they apply universally).

Pray for your friend. Suggest that he attend an AA meeting.
 
Thank you all for the responses and counsel.

My friend has been in AA for nearly a year and was sober for 10 months. Unfortunately, he didn’t do it the way it was recommended with a real sponsor. He started an affair with a woman in his AA group who has 5 years of sobriety. I encouraged that he break this off, which he did, but that is when he started drinking.

Unfortunately, the priest who met with him 2 weeks ago, doesn’t remember him. Or, my friend is lying to me about the meeting, which is what his mother suggested to me when I called her to discuss. I am not sure, but either way, the priest only offered to say a prayer, but not to reach out.

I am thinking of calling the director of RCIA and asking if he/she will call him. I am offering massive amounts of prayer, but I can’t be in touch with him any longer because he is in love with me and I am a married woman.

His name is Matthew if you wish to offer a prayer for him.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for Matthew, now and at the hour of his death.
 
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