The following was submitted by Jim McGovern, a member of the
Foucauld Lay Fraternity in Philadelphia. He gave us a presentation in June 2011 on how his
participation in fraternity with the fellowship and review of life enhances his
work with the 12 step programs. See below
the link to his website and the recent article that he had published. May we pray
for all those in recovery and working the steps.
September 30, 2012
Taking the time
“I shoulda got their number and
called –then I could have stopped in.” Driving through Mays Landing, on my way
to the shore, I don’t know how many times I said that to myself. My dad’s first
cousin, Mary and her husband Cy lived in that little town. And like most
McGoverns, they loved company and sharing and camaraderie.
Well today I finally did make it
down to see them…only it was for Mary’s funeral.
Connectedness. Familial or
Universal. Of course it starts with our family – our clan. And being a
McGovern, a clan that took camaraderie and fellowship and banter to almost
ridiculous heights, it is easy to see how the fellowship part of the 12-step
movement, really grabbed me. Alas as wonderful as was/is that fellowship part
of the program, without the soul-searching and work, I ended up relapsing for a
strange 5-yr period. Thank God that’s over with now – it’s been over 12 years
since I got high. The Universal connect that the 12 steps feature, finally
grabbed me into its loving bosom.
And so I still am pushing that
magnificent quality of life that anyone, alcoholic or not, can have by working
the steps. Alas as I thought about my wonderful Aunt Mary and of ALL the dear
relatives and friends I was GOING TO get in touch with but didn’t I realized
there should be a place for looking up of old comrades in the 8th
and 9th amend steps.
Step 8: We made a
list of persons we had harmed or lost touch with and became willing to amend or
reconnect with them.
Step 9: We made
amends or direct contact with such people wherever possible, except when to do
so would injure them or others.
Who knows how many friendships could be rekindled if
we just took the time to stay in touch. And perhaps the
non-alcoholics among us really do not have much amending to do, but all of us
know someone or ones with whom we really wanted to reconnect.
So be in touch – We’d love to hear from you.
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