SUBSTANCE ADDICTION MINISTRY
December 2016
Visitation of Our Lady Forms New Ministry To Help Those With Addictions
Has alcohol or drugs caused problems in your family ? YOU ARE NOT ALONE !
On any given Sunday , 80 % of the congregation at Mass has either been afflicted with , or affected by , the disease of addiction . This disease is an equal opportunity illness , disregarding gender , occupation , age , race , nationality , or social status . It is conservatively estimated that each afflicted person will affect a minimum of four ( 4 ) other people .
A notable characteristic of this disease is DENIAL , based in shame and sustained by a “ conspiracy of silence .” The first step in addressing the problem is to begin talking about it , thus reducing the shame and opening the door to treatment and recovery .
It is widely noted that if there is an addict or alcoholic in the family , the WHOLE family needs to be treated because of the pain and suffering that it causes . But THERE IS HOPE !
Visitation of Our Lady has formed the SUBSTANCE ADDICTION MINISTRY ( SAM ). SAM is a parish-based ministry that is designed to provide a safe , confidential place for people touched by addiction to share their personal experiences with others . SAM is for both the afflicted and the affected .
The SAM mission is to offer help , healing , hope , and support to anyone who is afflicted with or affected by addictions , and to help these individuals re-connect with self , loved ones , and God . SAM provides education , prevention , referrals , and support for the individual .
The ministry is open to people of all faiths . The group does not provide professional diagnosis , therapy , counseling , or treatment ; that is left to the professionals . S . A . M . leaders do , however , provide a list of referrals of local addiction facilities and professionals that have come to speak at our group meetings .
Addiction has caused people to disconnect themselves from God in the belief that they are unworthy . This ministry will help them connect spiritually with God through our support meetings .
Our Archbishop has our community praying the Family Prayer every week against violence , murder , and racism . There is , perhaps , no other evil that has contributed more to violence and murder in our society that the disease of addiction . Addiction has broken down the family unit in today ’ s society . The Substance Abuse Ministry will hopefully be a pebble in the ocean of addiction and produce waves of healing to all those it touches .
If you or someone you know is either affected or afflicted by substance addiction , we welcome you to start a journey of healing . Meetings will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7pm . The first meetings will be held :
January 10th 7-8pm Church Meeting Room January 24th 7-8pm Church Meeting Room
S . A . M .
SUBSTANCE ADDICTION MINISTRY
For more information , contact Deacon Jerry Labadot at ( 504 ) 495-5820
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