Sister Helen is an accountant in a society of medical missionaries. The year she turned 30 was eventful. “I was back from five years in Uganda. My father died unexpectedly. I had a job in the real world, in an office with a liquor cabinet. And I began to drink.”

Helen continued drinking through her next missions. Then she returned to care for her mother, who was sliding into Alzheimer’s. “I had the perfect excuse and the perfect set-up to drink.” But an intervention by her sisters and family led her to Guest House. “I was there with a group of nuns, and we shared our stories, so it was easy to accept that I had a problem. It was the turning point.”

A community of trust

Months later, Helen was called into the Director’s office. “My community was on the phone, and Guest House gave me two options – stay longer or go to a halfway house. My sisters offered a third alternative: I was welcome to live in our community in San Diego.

“In 17 years there, I learned that sobriety brought with it the ability to focus on others, and not on myself. At 50 years old, I was trusted to be responsible. It was a gift from Guest House.” Today Helen is a financial advisor in her society’s leadership. Scan to Donate To donate online, go to: GuestHouse.org/give or scan the QR code below. Saving Lives and Strengthening Catholic Communities ‘‘ See the difference you can make. Please visit GuestHouse.org and watch our video, None Come Too Early. None Return Too Late.

Your financial support helps Guest House treat clergy and women and men religious for problems with alcohol and behavioral health concerns that may interfere with complete and lasting recovery.