Our interviewer, Grace Burgett, is the Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition’s intern, and a recent graduate from Holliston High School.
Grace: What is your name and role at HDAAC and in the community?
John: I’m Deacon John Barry. I am an ordained Deacon at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Holliston. A Deacon just means servant, but I am part of the clergy, which includes bishops, priests, and deacons. My role is to serve the Church as a servant of Christ. After serving at the burial of several members of our congregation who had passed from the disease of addiction back in 2016, the pastor and I thought it was important to have a voice in HDAAC to try and change that trajectory. My wife Diane and I have been members of HDAAC since then. I am currently serving as the Religious Sector Representative for the Coalition.
HDAAC has at least one sector representative from twelve different sectors in town: religious, business, civic/volunteer group, school, youth, parent, healthcare professional, law enforcement, media, government, substance use organization, and youth serving organization. We engage with all of these sectors throughout the year, and partner with them on initiatives that closely align with their missions, such as the strong bond between recovery and faith.
Grace: Can you share any specific programs or initiatives you/your organization has in place to assist those in recovery?
John: Our Parish provides programs like Catholics in Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Al-Anon, as well as programs such as Unbound Deliverance Ministry, which helps to reaffirm people’s identity through the eyes of a loving God. In addition, Diane and I are trained as iThirst companions, which can help bring a spiritual component to recovery, not only for those with unhealthy attachments, but also for their loved ones. iThirst recognizes the spiritual component of our humanity, often neglected in today’s physically-oriented society. What makes someone truly human is to embrace both our physical and spiritual well-being.
If you or someone you love is looking for treatment or recovery services, please follow the links above for Catholic-based resources. For a broader faith-based resource check out the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. And for anyone in need, call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline and check out all AA meetings in Holliston here.
Grace: What messages or teachings from your faith are most helpful to those undergoing recovery?
John: I’d say the most helpful teachings from my faith are about hope, reconciliation, and community. It’s been said that the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s community, because one of the biggest tell-tale signs of addiction is isolation. Being a part of a faith community allows a number of things to happen, and the first is that there is a sense of community and a sense of belonging.
That quality of a faith community gives people hope, and it also helps to eliminate the shame and stigma related to isolation. But of the three, I’d say the biggest message is hope. Hope is based and grounded in the teachings of Jesus, from St. Matthew’s Gospel [11:28] “Come to Me, all you who are laboring and who are heavily burdened.” Certainly, addiction is not only a heavy burden for those who are addicted, but a burden to the whole network of people who are connected to that person, Christianity fosters hope.
The 12-Step Program, one of the most effective recovery programs for people suffering from addiction, was founded in Christianity; but it is not limited to those practicing the Christian faith. 12-Step Programs provide companionship and affirmation through peer support groups for substance use disorders, addictive behaviors, and other related mental health struggles. They promote the development of better coping skills, community involvement and support, as well as sober living and long-term recovery strategies.
Grace: What advice would you offer to someone struggling with addiction who is seeking spiritual guidance?
John: First thing I would say is that you’re not alone. Seek out community; reach out to those who are offering help; don’t try to solve it all yourself. Resources like the foundational 12-Steps can help to loosen the control addiction has over our lives, and turn our struggles into strengths. Our suffering can turn into empathy for others, and difficult experiences into a type of grace that can provide others with greater hope for their future. Reaching out helps build community. That’s really what HDAAC’s all about. In many ways, that’s what Christianity is about.
If you are interested in joining the HDAAC community, reach out to our coordinator Zoe at moreauz@holliston.k12.ma.us today!
Grace: Lastly, can you tell us about how HDAAC is supporting and bringing awareness to Recovery Month?
John: One great thing that HDAAC took the initiative to do is ask all the religious affiliations in town to include prayer intentions each week of Recovery Month, which we will be embracing at our Sunday services at St. Mary’s. The flyer for the prayers is posted below. In addition to that, we will also be sharing resources on social media all month.
Follow us on Facebook at HDAACoalition and on Instagram at HollistonDAAC. And visit us at HDAAC.org for resources and information.
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