Rose’s Story: The Ripple Effect
“What you are learning here, you can take back to your ministry and save whole families – whole generations of families.” Rose, who provides client support services at Guest House, often shares this message with clergy and religious who come for treatment. We frequently hear stories about the powerful impact our alumni have on others. This is Rose’s story.
“My father was an alcoholic. There was stress in our home…and if he had continued drinking, his doctor said he would have died.” Rose’s mother’s dear friend who belonged to Al-Anon invited her to listen to dynamic Fr. Vaughan, a Guest House alumnus, speak about alcoholism. After hearing him, she joined her friend in Al-Anon. She later convinced Rose’s father to attend one of Fr. Vaughan’s talks. From that moment, he began attending AA meetings and adopted the spiritual principles of the program. “We were all healthier because our parents shared these principles with the entire family,” added Rose.
“For 20 years, they were in the program that saved our family.” Rose credits this life-saving transformation to the power of Fr. Vaughan’s message. “We have had innumerable blessings. Eight kids had a dad growing up because he stopped drinking. Our dad witnessed all of us graduate from college and marry. There are 47 grandkids and 36 great-grandkids, and thank heaven, everyone’s healthy, happy and stable.”
Treatment works and recovery is possible. We know the ripple effect of recovery on families, religious congregations, ministry settings, and parish communities is immeasurable.
