Spiritual Update

November 7, 2018

Community

The first word in the first step of the 12 Steps for Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous is “We.” We are a community of people first and foremost. The desire to belong to a community is part of our human spirit, and when we find a community where we are accepted and feel connected, that’s when we begin to change.

Community can be defined as a feeling of friendly association with a group of people who share common interests and goals. Members of a community advocate and support each other in the face of trials, hold each other accountable when necessary, and celebrate milestones and accomplishments together. This is also an accurate description of St. Christopher’s Inn.

At St. Christopher’s Inn, we host men who are in crisis due to their addiction. Frequently, these men have lost the trust and support of everyone in their lives. Not only are they mentally and emotionally bankrupt, but because of their addiction, they have lost their community. They live as loners in shame and desperation. The beauty of the Inn and the Friars of the Atonement and Staff is that all are welcomed in our recovering community.

Building a sense of connection within a community takes time and patience, but also brings healing. When the men realize they have something in common with everyone here, they begin to feel connected. This connection helps them to share openly and truthfully in their addiction treatment, with the spiritual counselors, and eventually, with their family. This leads to healing and recovery.

The Friars and staff of SCI work hard to create and maintain our Recovery Community. It’s not so easy as the disease of addiction – cunning, baffling and powerful – forces men to isolate and feel shame. All the more reason for us to reach out and…”heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart, and bring home those who have lost their way” (St. Francis of Assisi).

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.