April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PRAYER AND 12-STEP PROGRAMS
Parish ministry helps people connect to recovery groups
Parish ministry helps people connect to recovery groups
"My experience was that many people were [in prison] for DWIs or things they did because they were addicted," said Mr. Stasik, a parishioner of Corpus Christi Church in Round Lake.
Together with Rev. James Clark, his pastor at the time, Mr. Stasik came up with the idea to minister to those who were seeking support in their recovery process.
After Father Clark passed away in 2015, it took Mr. Stasik and the parish some time to begin a ministry, but regular weekly meetings begin Dec. 1. The "recovery support ministry group" will meet every Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Corpus Christi.
After putting out a call for volunteers, Mr. Stasik was able to gather an impressive 30 parishioners who were interested in helping him gather information on recovery programs.
"I was overwhelmed by that," he told The Evangelist.
The ministry is not a support group in and of itself; rather, it is a resource for those looking to get help or support in their recovery from various addictions. Mr. Stasik said that he is willing to drive people to 12-step meetings or attend support groups with people who need that.
"We're not professionals," he noted. "We have a list of places to refer people to get help. You can't change the past, but you can change the future. We want to help change their future."
The new ministry works with different Saratoga County offices to get lists of places people can be referred to, including 12-step programs. "We are basically going to refer people to recovery programs, and we are going to be good listeners," said Mr. Stasik. "We can learn from each other."
The volunteers have also received training through Project Safe Point, an organization that is trying to educate people about substance abuse treatment programs available in the Albany Diocese. They now know how to use Narcan kits to help halt narcotic overdoses.
Earlier this year, the ministry provided the entire parish community the opportunity to attend an Al-Anon meeting, a group for people who have a loved one struggling with an addiction. Other training and information sessions are planned for the future.
"I have faith that we will be able to help people through this ministry and create a new family of trust and confidence in Christ," Mr. Stasik said, stressing that there is a constant need for education and transparency when it comes to addiction.
The volunteer believes that the group helps him and other members stay connected with Christ. "I never feel like I do enough," he said. "Faith is everything. The Lord has called us to do this and He is present in everything we do."
The Thursday-night meetings will include prayer, Scripture and discussions about recovery, as well as ways to find more support.
(For more information, call Corpus Christi at 518-877-8506.)[[In-content Ad]]
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