Since 1956, Guest House has offered hope and healing for men and women religious suffering from addiction.
A curated collection of materials, videos, and other resources that promote understanding of addiction and related behavioral health needs.
A curated collection of materials, videos, and other resources that promote understanding of addiction and related behavioral health needs.
Workshops, retreats, and special events provide our clients and the larger religious community an avenue for learning, fellowship, and ongoing support for those in recovery.
Guest House is always there. We stay connected through prayer, retreats, and other resources.
Meet your personal financial goals while making difference for our future.
Vehicle donations are tax-deductible.
Contact us at 800-626-6910 to learn more.
Honor the life or memory of a relative or friend.
Since 1956 for men and 1994 for women, Guest House has been providing a unique Catholic faith-filled, community atmosphere for clergy and men and women religious who are suffering from addiction, regardless of their ability to pay.
We rely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations to carry out our ministry of providing the best opportunity for quality recovery and overall health and wellness.
These philanthropic efforts make it possible for Guest House to provide comprehensive addiction treatment and continuing care, develop education on topics related to addiction, and engage in addiction research to continue the excellent work of our mission.
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“We place our roses into the earth for this time of nourishment, so that they will be held beneath the frozen ground where they will be prepared for what is to come. While they might otherwise survive, it is beneath the frozen tundra that makes them thrive”
Bridget Bearss, RSCJ
In the hush of winter, the clergy and religious at Guest House continue to work on their journey of recovery. Much like the roses, they get ready for what is next. While here, they regain the hope, patience, and strength that will allow them to return to serving the People of God. It is in their recovery they thrive and will bring the rays of God’s love to everyone they minister to once they leave Guest House. That is the miracle of recovery.
During this fallow time between the frost and the thaw, we count on your generosity to nurture the seeds Guest House sows – the seeds that grow into our clients’ ministry and shape the future of the Church. The clergy and religious appreciate your care and support and hold you in their daily prayers.
Although as a seminarian I worked summers and holidays at Anheuser Busch, it wasn’t until years later that alcohol became a problem. Initially, I would use a stiff drink to get to sleep. Soon a stiff drink became five or six stiff drinks. But still it wasn’t a problem. After all, I could still function. It didn’t affect my duties as a priest. At least not to me.
Then, on a fateful Sunday evening gathering for clergy, I consumed my usual quantity of whiskey. There were two recovering priests in attendance. Unbeknownst to me, they approached our bishop and expressed their concerns about my drinking. Being familiar with Guest House from brother priests who had been treated there, he authorized an intervention. When the two showed up to “intervene”, I was indignant. After all, my alcohol consumption didn’t interfere with my ministry. I was so irritated that I suggested a votive Mass for those unjustly deprived of their liberty.
I first entered Guest House kicking and screaming. I thought I was being “shanghaied” by my bishop. My counselor, Bob Martin, was a perfect match for me. He worked with me to break through my denial and helped me see that I truly was an alcoholic. Bob asked my bishop to visit to attempt reconciliation between the two of us. During the visit, Bob mediated and then left us alone to work it out.
Thereafter, my bishop and I became fast friends. As an alum, I visited Guest House quite often. Bob and I became close friends and remained in touch for many years. When he died in March of 2020, I felt a deep loss.
Guest House will always have a very special place in my heart … it gave me my priesthood, renewed … gave me my parish back where I returned … gave me another 35 years of ministry… and afforded me the sobriety to fight multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. Without Guest House I would be long dead. Guest House taught me how to face a chronic and deadly disease in alcoholism, and it gave me the tools to face a second chronic, deadly disease as well in cancer.
While my multiple myeloma blood cancer is a challenge, just like alcoholism, it is a chronic and treatable disease. Now I minister to both those who suffer from addiction as well as those suffering from cancer. I am forever grateful for the gift of Guest House treatment.
Please join me in supporting Guest House. You will be helping to restore life to my brothers and sisters in ministry.
God bless you!