iTHIRST Newsletters

According to an article published on August 24, 2021, on WebMD, alcohol sales in the United States between March and September 2020 were, on average, 20% higher than that same time the previous year, undoubtedly fueled by the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Drug use and overdose rates rose nearly 30% in every state during that time, accelerated by the mandatory quarantine and isolation restrictions imposed to keep the population at large as safe from disease as possible. 

Now, as we emerge from many of the tightest Covid restrictions, and the country attempts a semblance of normalcy, there is a new trend emerging, especially among the young – “sober curious”.  These young people make a choice to abstain from alcohol for reasons not related to “recovery”.  Many are making healthier lifestyle choices, which often include choosing nonalcoholic beverages when they recreate.  Enter products like “Psychedelic Water,” which contains no LSD or psilocybin, but rather, kava root, used for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders for its calming effect.  Kava root, in combination with damiana leaves and green tea extract, provide Psychedelic Water with a formula that reduces anxiety while simultaneously providing a boost of energy.

The “sober-curious” movement is also driving sales of alcohol-free cocktails to new heights.  Last year, according to Nielsen, sales of non-alcoholic beverages increased 33% to $331 million.  While analysts predict that this trend will continue through 2022, we can only hope that this movement continues to steer younger generations away from alcohol, and toward healthier alternatives.  We’ll keep you posted!

Rosa joined the iTHIRST Team with the fourth Seton Hall cohort in the Fall of 2021.  She was first drawn to the work of iTHIRST after having read a feature article about it in the Seton Hall Alumni Magazine in the Spring of 2020.  As a woman in long term recovery herself, she was moved by the concept of the Church taking a more pro-active role in this great societal malady, and so she reached out to learn more.  Soon Rosa was participating in the weekly Parlor Meetings, and as a “Recovery Expert”, participating in the Seton Hall iTHIRST Service-Learning Programs.

Rosa’s passion for serving the marginalized and vulnerable motivated her to connect with two ITSCs who were already serving in her parish in Nutley, Melinda Papaccio and Cathie Viera. Today, the dynamic trio are already planning future iTHIRST events, including a lecture series which has already begun.

Says Rosa, “My training has equipped me with the necessary tools to gently lead those who are addicted and their families to a gentler place of compassion and peace. My experiences in my own addiction, and the plight of others I have seen in urban areas near where I work, have shaped me into His loving conduit. I am ready to help his flock!”  Thank you, Rosa, and God bless the work that you, Cathie and Melinda are doing in your parish and beyond!

Steve came to join the iTHIRST team with the second Seton Hall cohort in the Spring of 2021.  A man of great faith, Steve had been discerning a call to prison ministry when he attended a Legatus meeting in April 2021 and met Keaton, the Executive Director of iTHIRST, who was giving a presentation to his chapter. Their conversation helped Steve understand that a knowledge of the disease of addiction would certainly help him, minister, to the incarcerated, as, according to prisonpolicy.org, nearly two-thirds of all those in jail are suffering from substance use disorders. Steve signed up right away!

Although there is yet to be a grand parish plan in place for iTHIRST, Steve has found his ITSC training very useful, using it, “almost exclusively on a one-on-one basis.” Said Steve, “There are a lot of people hurting, mostly men, who reach out to me about getting their faith life in a better place. Sometimes the inspiration is the loss of a job, issues with their kids, or marital struggles. I am finding that the training has made me much better equipped to listen and support, as opposed to trying to solve.”

As Steve continues to interact with the bereavement and other ministries in his parish to seek avenues of collaboration, he knows that his ITSC training will serve him well whether he is working with the incarcerated, or anyone else in need of spiritual consolation.   “There is a growing interest in people wanting to deepen their faith. The Holy Spirit has me in the right place at the right time.”  Indeed He does, Steve!  Keep up the good work!

Watch how trained and certified iTHIRST Spiritual Companions are affecting the lives of those suffering from addictions throughout the Church of Boston.