Softball Field Blessing Featured in Highlands Current

May 26, 2026

St. Christopher’s Inn welcomed elected officials, community partners, alumni, staff, and members of the Graymoor community for a special gathering celebrating the start of another softball season.

We were honored to welcome several distinguished guests from the greater Putnam County community, including Putnam County Legislator Nancy Montgomery, Victoria Cafarelli (Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Dana Levenberg), Lauren Johnson (Putnam County Department of Mental Health), Lynée Cabiati (Putnam County Office of Senior Resources), Katherine Reynolds of CoveCare Center, and many other respected leaders and professionals working in the behavioral health and recovery field.

This robust group reflected the strong relationships St. Christopher’s Inn continues to build throughout the region and the shared commitment to supporting those who are affected by substance use disorder.

Also in attendance were Friars and Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, SCI staff members, and alumni who completed treatment and are actively involved with the St. Christopher’s Inn Alumni Association. For many alumni, returning to the field was a meaningful reminder of how important community and healthy recreation can be during recovery.

For the residents, playing softball is more than a casual game. Participation helps develop teamwork, communication, discipline, self-control, and interpersonal skills that support long-term recovery and personal growth. It also gives the men an opportunity to build confidence, encourage one another, and experience healthy camaraderie in a supportive environment.

The softball field itself carries a long history at Graymoor. Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, was known for his love of baseball, and in the 1930s the field hosted games between students from the Friars Seminary and the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.