Welcome to Stories of Grace

"Thank you also for an amazing retreat. It certainly provided me with a feeling of unconditional acceptance in a community of caring and supportive people."

"It has been such a lonely journey for such a long time... this retreat gave me a new kind of hope... a hope of feeling for the first time that I was going to be okay, regardless of whatever happens."

"Thank you, Grace and Recovery team, and all the priests, too! It was an amazing day - full of peace, love, and hope!"

"I’ve attended two Grace and Recovery retreats.  In both experiences, I left with an immense feeling of hope and peace.  All my problems did not disappear, but I knew I was not alone, and God’s plans for me were for good."

"I loved the experience. I feel renewed by my confession with Fr. Matt."

 "Over eight years ago, I started my journey in recovery, putting the drink down.  My light started to shine again because my Higher Power, God and Jesus Christ, removed the obsession with alcohol.  Today, Grace and Recovery Retreats provide a sacred place for me to strengthen my connection with God and Jesus Christ while helping me stay sober.  My love for God & Jesus Christ gets stronger and deeper at each Grace and Recovery Retreat!  The retreats make my light shine brighter each time."

"As a recovering alcoholic, I was excited and grateful to find support for my recovery and support for those like me who have family members dealing with addiction within the loving and welcoming embrace of the church. Those of us who have been given the gift of recovery know that no one can climb out of the deep hole of addiction by ourselves: it happens only through others and the amazing grace of God. I hope anyone facing or living with this disease finds the welcome and hope that I encountered at the Grace and Recovery Retreat!"  - John Roberts, Facilitator of Willingway Continuing Care Meeting

"I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first Grace & Recovery retreat as I’m not Catholic and had never been in a Catholic Church or spoken to a priest. My son was struggling with addiction and the years had beaten me down and I was finding it hard to hold on to hope. At the retreat I felt led to speak with Father Matt who talked to me with love and compassion, he told me my son was a lost sheep whom Jesus will never leave behind. Father Matt urged me to visit Mary’s little chapel on the property where I fell to my knees in front of the altar, crying desperately. It was in that moment that I was overwhelmed with what I now know to be the comforting presence of Mary.  My tears immediately stopped and I felt as if a weight had been lifted off of me and I went home that day with a peace that is still with me to this day."