As the spring season unfolds and we transition from the cold winter months, visible signs of new life surround us. Springtime brings with it a sense of rebirth and transformation. For many, it also offers an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation. Eleven years ago, when Fr. Bill arrived at Guest House seeking treatment, he came in search of precisely what the spring season represents: hope, renewal, and new life.

Fr. Bill grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. He felt his calling to the priesthood in his early 20s while attending Youngstown State University. He studied at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati and was ordained in 1981. “The drinking began shortly after my ordination. I never considered my consumption of alcohol an issue.” It wasn’t until years later, when one of Fr. Bill’s associates confronted him about his daily drinking, that he acknowledged he was struggling. “I thought I could control the drinking on my own; I even started attending AA meetings.” After unsuccessful self-treatment and two years of deep and reflective prayer, Fr. Bill decided it was time to seek professional care. “At the age of 60 I felt done; I thought my priesthood was over. The hardest thing to do is to ask for help.”

Fr. Bill entered treatment at Guest House in January 2014. “I was incredibly pleased with the reception from the staff. They were so welcoming and supportive; I could not have been treated with more dignity and respect.” The serene environment also played a significant role in Fr. Bill’s healing process. “The beautiful campus is very therapeutic; it offers peaceful, quiet prayer and time alone with God.”