Hand of God Marian Helpers in Action By Marian Friedrichs I n 2002, Jim Dotzler, a 27-year-old life-long Catholic, performed “the greatest act of trust in God” of his life so far when he picked up the phone to call a mental health hotline. Jim knew that no matter who his future therapist may be or what kind of treatment he may receive, he was sure to be told the one thing he most dreaded and needed to hear: He must stop drinking. Jim graduated from James Madison University in 1997. 4 Marian Helper • Spring 2026 • Marian.org That was a frightening prospect, but Jim was certain that he could not fight this battle alone any longer. As he made up his mind to call for human help, Jim’s heart called out to God, “If I can’t drink anymore, how are You going to calm me down?” Angry with God For so long, alcohol had been present in Jim’s life disguised as a solution. Jim suffers from hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating in his hands. As a student, Jim’s condition caused his hands to stick to paper and his handwriting to smudge, and he avoided shaking hands whenever possible. Chronic anxiety made the sweating worse. Jim had been raised by “loving, faithful Catholic parents,” and he prayed fervently for help. But at Mass, the priest’s prayer for God’s protection “from all anxiety” merely reminded Jim that he still was not healed, and that shortly he would be faced yet again with the Sign of Peace and expected to extend his cold wet hand to those around him. Jim became angry with God, and being at Mass grew more and more intensely uncomfortable. Gradually, he stopped going. Then, as a young teen, Jim discovered alcohol. When he drank, his hands would become warm and dry like other
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