My name is Michael Shelby Suberlak. I am an artist, instructor, writer, wife, mother and ardent Catholic. I come from Seattle, where I now live with a Polish astrophysicist who was kind enough to marry me in 2017, and our two beautiful baby girls.
Got questions? Feel free to send me a message by clicking here.
Want to see my artwork? You can click this link to visit my portfolio website.
Grow Up and Marry?
The title of this site comes from a Catholic booklet published by The Queen’s Work in 1945. It sums up my siren call to people I keep meeting who say that they “probably should get married,” but are adrift in this increasingly complex, terrified, porn-ified, traumatized, addicted, distracted, spiritually-vacuous, technology-driven society without a compass and no wind in their sails.
Why I started this site…
I needed a new platform (separate from my professional art website) to write about these topics—particularly in the sensitive areas of faith, relationships, sexuality, marriage, discernment, morality, addiction, recovery, etc.
I made a decision to get rid of Facebook after over a decade of posting. I wanted to consolidate my writing into more developed prose, with an eye toward publishing a book. I also felt more than ready to get out of the peanut-gallery social media has become, and connect more intentionally with the people who really care.
I wanted people I know to be able to access the stuff I was sharing with them in person anytime, and in written form. Some learn better through reading, and some will want to return to it again and again, and share it with others. The fact that someone out there on the internet might discover and benefit from it too, is a bonus.
Over the years, so many friends and acquaintances have asked for my input on this topic and its attendant issues. I got tired of hearing “do you have a blog somewhere?” and “you should write a book!” and having to shrug my shoulders.
Who am I to talk about thus stuff?
My life changed dramatically when I let go of booze and drugs in December of 2005. It changed even more dramatically when I fully accepted Christ, and—to my utter surprise and shock—re-entered the Catholic Church at midnight on the eve of my 28th birthday, in a parking lot outside a diner in North Philadelphia. Since then, I have been led along an intricate path that started with sobriety, and brought me into an ever expanding adventure of faith, healing, freedom from bondage, real love, marriage, motherhood and the hope of salvation. I’ve also had the privilege of walking shoulder to shoulder with countless others as they each made their own personal exodus from whatever form of spiritual slavery, whether great or small, was dominating them. I have heard the ‘moral inventories’ of so many men and women who were willing to share their darkest thoughts, deeds and fears with me in order to make a new beginning. Some were Catholic and went on to confess their sins to a validly ordained priest, returning to Holy Mother Church to grow and develop with all the advantages of the Sacraments and the fullness of faith in Jesus Christ. Others have made astounding changes in their moral lives and progress on their path to reconciliation with God. It’s been a great gift to witness all of this.
More About Why I’m Doing This
I love teaching, telling my story and helping people grow. I’ve given talks at all manner of venues from churches, retreat centers, classrooms, recovery halls—even bars! I’ve addressed 12-step groups, Catholic youth groups, young adult groups, high school classes, parish events, congregations, art organizations and more. I developed my passion for mentoring as part of my own recovery, meanwhile, honing these skills as a drawing and painting instructor has taught me a great deal about what people need in order to unlock their creativity, think deeply, see differently, and master themselves through learning, discipline and practice.
I am not a professional therapist or counselor. I am not qualified to give medical advice. I am not an ordained minister, theologian or cannon lawyer. I can’t fix your problems. What I can do is tell you what happened to me, what I learned, the actions I took, and what God did for me when I couldn’t do it for myself.
This website is dedicated to The Holy Family.
My husband and I have been through a lot together on the road to marriage. Since the beginning, we have held a special devotion to The Holy Family. Mary, Joseph and The Infant Christ provided us a model of virtue while we were dating, and have helped us to heal and come together in so many ways. We encourage you to consider taking up the Holy Family as a special intercessor and advocate for your discernment journey.
“Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, Joseph—pray for us!”
We are including everyone who makes use of this website in our nightly prayers.
Grow Up and Marry! 