THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 Page 5 ASKS | FROM PAGE 4 priate for a priest to talk about it when they say it is supposed to be anonymous?” In AA, you can use a public person to the advantage. People are people, whether you are the Pope or whether you’re a mill worker – whatever you are – everybody. If you are human, we all have struggles. And, somewhat selfishly, the more I’m public about it, the more it helps me. As they say, the more you give, the more you get. And it’s faith-based, so my faith and trust in God over the last six and a half years has really helped. I’ve seen God in the recovery process, probably more than I ever did before. Q: So, it reinvigorates your faith? A: For sure. I recommitted myself to being a priest. I can honestly say – there’s daily struggles in everything – each day it gets better and better, because I love being a priest. Q: So, I guess there was an intervention before you did something really outrageous. A: Yes, essentially that. It got to the point where I was not doing assignments – or cancelling meetings in the parish – just not staying on top of work and following up on things, even with the staff. I think they saw it. It was a challenging assignment that I had, because there were a lot of moving parts, so you need somebody who is really on top of their game. And I just wasn’t, so it [the intervention] was a blessing. Q: Now, please tell me about your tattoo. I haven’t seen a minister or priest with a tattoo before. A: Yeah. I’m sure they’re out there. You know, I’ve always grown up wanting to get tattoos. My dad’s got one. I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure how appropriate it is as a priest to get a tattoo. The tattoos that I do have, I have them semi-covered. But I always wanted one, and the “no fear” kind of spoke to me, and I decided to get that. Q: So, that was sort of like celebrating your sobriety, getting that tattoo? A: Yeah, it would be – celebrating sobriety as well as knowing that I was so afraid to do something before because of what other people would think. Q: And the tattoo is in Greek? A: It’s in Greek and it means “without fear.” It comes from the word phobia. In the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it says the little word, fear, it leads to everything in life. The more afraid we are as alcoholics – it feeds our drinking. The biggest thing is, when we trust in God fears melt away; so for me, it’s a deep connection with God as well, albeit a tattoo being an atypical way, especially for a priest. Q: Another thing I noticed right away when I first met you: your biceps. You’re clearly a man who works out. A: Yes. Q: And I don’t see too many priests who are athletic. A: Yes. The lifestyle – like anybody working – you get so busy; it’s so easy to get into quick and easy foods. If there was a poster child for “unhealthy,” it was me: with bad eating, no exercise, smoking cigarettes. I smoked three packs of cigarettes a day. That’s the epitome of unhealthy. But then when I got sober, the important part was the whole picture: healthy eating, working out. I lift weights and work out twice a week. Q: Did you have a weight problem? A: I would say – up and down – not a humongous weight problem, but I was always conscious about it. I have slight high blood pressure, so it really affects it. Q: Before your recovery, what was the highest blood pressure you had? A: Honestly, I can’t say with surety, but it was probably 130 to 140 over 100. It was crazy. It was enough that when I told the vicar at the time, he literally jumped out of his seat and said, “Jay, you’re going to be dead.” So, that was one of the parts where I said, “Yeah, I need to do something about it.” And to be extremely transparent about it is huge for me. From my standpoint, I can’t expect the church to be transparent if I can’t be transparent. In those last days before I got sober, I had thoughts of suicide – of ways to get out to essentially avoid embarrassment. But then you start to realize, as St. Paul says, “Power and weakness.” My weakness is power because I let God do it. Q: So, you found sobriety in Detroit? A: In Detroit. Lake Orion is where the original Guest House was. Guest House was established many years ago by a layman to help priests, bishops and deacons to get sober. Q: What’s the percentage of priests in recovery? And how big a problem is this in the Catholic Church? A: It’s hard to say. When I was in Guest House, there were 13 to 18 of us. Q: And how many months were you there? A: I was there from February 23 until June 4 of 2015, so it’s essentially about 100 days or so. And during that time, you don’t have the freedom to go out. It’s very much like a sober house for others, but it’s really geared toward Catholic clergy. Q: I understand your dog is special because she was a birthday present, but was also to celebrate your sobriety? A: We grew up with dogs. My parents and my friend were able to get the dog as a gift, and it symbolizes sobriety and a life. And I get to share her with people. She’s a good gift. And her name – Thea – in Greek, it means healing, so it seems appropriate. Q: Now, you made an announcement to the church when you first came about your sobriety? A: When I was named the pastor here, I wrote a simple bio. It was one of the first things I did. I said I’m a Catholic priest and I’m in recovery. I’m very open about it and transparent. And that’s been my MO [modus operandi] ever since. Q: And how have people reacted to it? A: The only reaction is that people will come up and say, “Oh Father, I’m in AA.” My first weekend here, I probably had about 15 to 20 people in the community mentioning that – and that’s just over the first weekend. I find that the more honest and transparent we are as priests, I think, the more effective we can be as tools for God. Q: What are your impressions of Saugus? A: My first impressions are great. I love that people are hardworking, kind and gritty. And I think that’s where I fit in really well. That’s kind of, hopefully, my style. There’s a relaxed nature to the community, which I love. Q: Any plans or programs you want to share or talk about? A: Obviously, with everybody, whether it be religious or civil, we’re kind of getting back on our feet slowly but surely. I envisage a continuation of what’s been done by Father Tim and other past members here: that Saugus Catholics Collaborative has been a welcoming community, and I want to have a radical welcoming of people and let Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 people know they are welcome to come in. It’s kind of the principal lens that I want to use to look through everything. Q: On the political spectrum, from liberal to conservative, where do you fit in? A: It’s kind of hard to say. I guess I would put myself somewhat in the middle of the road. As I get older, I find myself leaning more toward libertarian, but I certainly have conservative values. That’s why the Catholic Church spoke to me years ago in 1996. Q: Do you have any thoughts about the controversy with the President? [The view from church leaders that President Biden and other politicians should be denied communion ASKS | SEE PAGE 16
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