A Note From our Parochial Vicar: September 28, 2025

With Fall beginning and the holidays on the horizon, I want to discuss an important subject–alcohol. We all have our favorite beer, wine, cocktail or spirit of choice. While many Christians refrain from alcohol, it has never been banned by the Catholic Church. In fact, wine as we all know, is one of the elements transformed into Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Eucharist. St. Paul even advises the young bishop Timothy to take a little wine! German monks were famous for their beers and built the foundations for European brewing today. The Catholic Church has never had a negative attitude towards alcohol itself.

However, the church has been sober about the misuse and abuse of alcohol. The number of individuals who struggle with it is alarming. Families, relationships and lives have been broken by alcoholism. While having a drink isn’t wrong, we can fall prey to having “one more” and find ourselves in trouble. This can happen around the holidays, work parties, social gatherings and family events.

I would like to invite all of us to examine our behaviors around alcohol. Are we able to interact without it? What happens when we can’t have that second or third drink? Do we force others to drink or have another, against their wishes?

I say this as someone who LOVES craft beer and other beverages, but I too need moderation. My hope is that we can be honest with ourselves or loved ones if this is an issue. Admitting things like “I have a problem” or “I cannot function socially without alcohol” are good first steps. Do not be ashamed of naming these habits, work towards limiting drinks or towards complete sobriety, if needed. Find accountability, whether it’s with a good friend or in an AA group.

As we prepare for colder days and greater opportunities for drink, let us be aware of our drinking habits. Please consider those who might be working towards sobriety and offer support by reaching out and perhaps considering solidarity for an event or two.

I will close with this quote from the Catholic author GK Chesterton “We should thank God for beer and burgundy by not drinking too much of them.”

God bless,

Fr. Ben