About Us
Mission
The iTHIRST initiative empowers dioceses, parishes and communities to become a resource for those suffering from addictions and their families. At the heart of iTHIRST is an understanding that there is a spiritual dimension to the disease of addiction that cannot be met by clinical professionals, but only by the spiritual consolation and guidance that the Church can provide.
iTHIRST is an initiative of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity a religious community of priests and brothers who serve the poor and abandoned.
iTHIRST’s programs and approach to walking with those suffering from addiction are available to dioceses and parishes across the country.
If you are interested in finding out more about our programs and how they could be a fit for your diocese or parish, we invite you to contact us.
Training provided to Certified iTHIRST Spiritual Companions will equip your community with the ability to provide ongoing education, support, and aftercare, rooted in our Catholic spirituality, to people with addictions as well as their loved ones. Learn more about Spiritual Companionship Training here.
History
For more than 100 years the Missionary Servants have provided support, respite and spiritual comfort for those individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders. The roots of this ministry were planted in the former St. Joseph Villa ( now the Trinity House Retreat Center) located at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling, NJ, which provided treatment to alcoholic priests for more than 50 years.
In 1964, Fr. Fred Lawrence, ST, founded the Serenity Retreat League at the Trinity House in Stirling, as a way of offering spiritual support and encouragement to the families of alcoholics. Today, the Missionary Servants seek to continue the tradition of aiding the families of the addicted as well as the individuals themselves through the iTHIRST Initiative.
In 1964, Fr. Fred Lawrence, ST, founded the Serenity Retreat League at the Trinity House in Stirling, as a way of offering spiritual support and encouragement to the families of alcoholics. Today, the Missionary Servants seek to continue the tradition of aiding the families of the addicted as well as the individuals themselves through the iTHIRST Initiative.
Impact
1000 +
As of 2025, there are more than 1000 certified iTHIRST Spiritual Companions working in parishes, re-entry programs, correctional and treatment facilities, hospital chaplaincies, Native American reservations and Catholic schools across 38 states and in three countries.
1200
In 2025, the iTHIRST team reached out to more than 1200 persons incarcerated and in treatment facilities, sowing the seeds of spirituality as a necessary dimension of wellness to them all.
500
In 2025, more than 500 people participated in campus and catechetical programs, learning about addiction as a spiritual disease with devastating physiological and psychological repercussions.
13 nations
including United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Cameroon…and growing!
8 Native American reservations.
and more each day!
Leadership Team
Keaton Douglas
Executive Director
keaton@ithirstinitiative.org
Fr. Luis E. De la Cuadra M., ST
Director of Spanish Services
luencuma@gmail.com
Support Staff
Juan Gabriel Lopez
Media Assistant
Catie Wilber
Communications Coordinator
Contact Us
Thank you for your interest in the work of iTHIRST.
If you want to learn more about bringing iTHIRST to your community, please click here.
If you want to donate to bring assistance and accompaniment to more individuals and their families, please click here.
CALL US:
973-370-DRUG (3784)
For all other inquiries, please fill out the form below and we look forward to being in touch with you soon.