Back in the ‘old days’ of cassette tapes, before downloading off the internet, or even Cd’s, AA speaker tapes were hot commodities. These audio recordings of speakers from meetings and Round Ups were traded between AA members to share the message of recovery and hope. In 1998 I heard a tape by Father Martin on Step 3. The talk was amazing, and though I had to return the tape to it’s owner, I never forgot this ‘Father Martin’.

In 2007 when I became involved with A Home Away, I sought out Father Martin, wanting to know who he was, and if his tapes were still available. To my delight, I found that in addition to speaker tapes, Father Martin also made films on recovery principles. I ordered a couple of his DVD’s and after viewing them, ordered a whole set to share with the guests at A Home Away. Father Martin has become an integral part of the AHA program. Our guests love his unique sense of humour, and his endless compassion and empathy for those suffering from the disease of addiction.

Early in 2008, I decided to write Father Martin, to let him know about his impact on our guests, and how he helps to change lives at A Home Away. Father Martin sent us a beautiful photograph of himself, signed to  the guests at A Home Away. This lovely framed piece hangs on the wall beside his DVD’s. Father Martin’s health was failing when he signed and sent the photograph, and he died shortly thereafter, on March 2, 2008, at his home in Havre de Grace, Md. He was 84.

Joseph Charles Martin was born on Oct. 12, 1924, in Baltimore.  At Loyola High School in Baltimore, Father Martin was valedictorian and was voted best debater, best actor and class member with the best smile.  He was ordained as a priest in 1948,  and discovered he had a taste for gin. In 1958, his drinking prompted his superiors to send him to Guest House, a Michigan treatment center for the clergy, where his recovery began. The Rev. Joseph C. Martin, whose battle with alcoholism inspired him to become a national leader in the fight against the disease by speaking, writing books and making videos.  With no preaching or moralizing, he spoke plainly of alcoholism as a sickness, not an evil. He used a blackboard and chalk, and in 1972, the Navy filmed the speech to use for mandatory addiction training, titling the movie “The Blackboard Talk.” This is the “Chalk Talk” film that is the center piece of our DVD collection of Father Martin at A Home Away Retreat.

Father Martin says, “How far do you go to help the alcoholic or drug addict? Go as far as you can, and then, one step more…”