About a month ago, Jo Anne Farrell met a woman who shared her story of addiction.
“This young lady had a very lucrative business, and to help her cope with the everyday stress of succeeding, she started to dabble in heroin and methamphetamines. Eventually, she lost her business and her spouse, and her children were removed and placed in foster care,” recalled Farrell, Addictions Healing Services coordinator for Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden.
“Her way back was recognizing that she needed treatment. She went into residential therapy, which led to outpatient therapy,” Farrell explained. “Now 1 1/2 years later, she is struggling to get her family back. She doesn’t know whether her marriage will survive. She is trying counseling, but the biggest challenge there is developing trust again with her partner.”
In support of individuals and families struggling with addictions – and those who have lost a loved one to substance abuse – Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden is sponsoring an Addictions Healing Support Mass at 3 p.m. Aug. 14 in Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood.
“Addiction really is a family disease,” Farrell said. “When one of the family members is not well, the rest of the family will feel the impact of that. It’s a domino effect. It can affect a family emotionally, financially, psychologically, socially. For the person going through this, it’s a chronic disease. They can’t stop their addictions, even knowing the negative consequences.”
It’s her hope that the Addictions Healing Support Mass can help show people they are not alone. “It’s about connection, and connection is belonging. It’s knowing that we are a loving Church, and that God is in the midst of our suffering and holding us up.”
She admits that when battling addictions, individuals and family members alike may find it difficult to go to God. “Sure, there are feelings of anger, frustration, failure, shame, guilt … and thoughts of ‘I could have, should have done this.’ I hope this Mass can help guide such people through prayer and strengthen families and let them know there are resources to help them cope and know that recovery is possible. The Mass is also to bless all who are engaged in Parish Addiction Healing Ministries and recognize the I Thirst Initiative and We Thirst training recipients, that they will continue to create positive change in our parish communities.”
For more information about the Mass, contact JoAnne.Farrell@camdendiocese.org. To get help, call the Catholic Charities Addictions Healing Helpline at 1-800-342-4057.
Jennifer Mauro is Managing Editor of the Catholic Star Herald
Remembrance Vigils – August 31
September is National Recovery Month, and Masses are being scheduled throughout the Diocese of Camden to acknowledge those who have achieved recovery and continue to support those still working toward the goal. Before this monthlong recognition, remembrance vigils will be offered Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, to honor the lives lost and reduce the stigma associated with substance-related deaths.
• 7 p.m. – the Camden County Remembrance and Hope Memorial at Timber Creek Park, 1731 Chews Landing Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012.
• 6 p.m. – the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, 3301 Carmel Road, Millville, NJ 08332. Sponsored by the Cumberland County Board of County Commissioners and the Cumberland County Department of Human Services.
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