Addiction Retreats Coming to Malvern Retreat

March 14, 2018

By:  Anne M. McGlone, Director of Marketing

This past weekend while giving a retreat in the beautiful McShain-Horstmann Family Life Center a mother approached me and asked, “Could you please let me know when you are going to have retreats for mothers like me?   I would like to bring my son with me on retreat.”  As a suburban mother, her son has been addicted to opioids and is currently in another rehab.  The look of desperation on her face left a footprint in my heart.

What can we do as a Catholic retreat house to support and heal the broken hearts of parents, addicts and the population affected by drugs?  We are blessed to partner with Gethsemani Way ministries at St. Norbert’s in Paoli, PA for a new retreat model entitled, “From Defiance to Reliance:  Navigating Your Spiritual Path Amidst the Chaos of Addiction,”  June 22-23.  A 24-hour retreat model has been designed for men and women taking participants on a spiritual journey towards spiritual healing and wholeness. 

Is someone you love in the chaos of addiction?  Have you lost a loved one to addiction?  Are you hitting a wall in despair, giving up hope and losing faith? If so, this is the retreat for you.  It is a first in a series of outreaches we plan including day retreats, events and so much more.

Mark Christmyer, Founder and CEO of Gethsemani Way Ministries, Marty Kenney, Partner in Gethsemani Way Ministries, Ann Costa, best-selling author, retreat master and evangelist, Fr. Bill Dean and a team of lay witnesses will be offering the hope and mercy of the Lord during the retreat opened to people of all denominations.

When Susie looked into my eyes a few days ago she cried with such a profound sense of grief.  She had lost her beautiful, young daughter one year ago to a heroin overdose.  Living, breathing and working for Susie is painful; how can she go on?  This once vibrant mother is suffering beyond belief; surely, we just can’t sit idly without offering a compassionate hand.

A local entrepreneur, successful businessman shared with me during a recent radio program that “most of the addicts on the streets are from the suburbs, not the inner city.”  Surprise, surprise.  No one is alienated from this heartache including young people from private academies, high school sports stars, musicians and teens from loving families.  This is OUR problem; not a problem we can push away. None of us are insulated or protected.

Pray about helping us spread the word to the streets; Malvern Retreat House cares!  The new campaign, Come As You Are embraces this call to action since All Are Welcome Here.  Yes, Susie, we do care!