SSJs Explore Spiritual Journey for Those in Recovery
Through these last two years, some Sisters of Saint Joseph have been drawn to learn more about a program consistent with the SSJ charism and spirituality rooted in the Ignatian tradition. That tradition calls us to unite neighbor to neighbor and all with God. The program is called The Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP).
The Ignatian Spirituality Project is a Chicago-based ministry founded over 25 years ago to provide spiritual opportunities for people recovering from homelessness and addiction. ISP believes that spirituality plays a crucial role in the recovery process, giving individuals a sense of purpose, hope, strength and connection to something greater than themselves. ISP collaborates with institutions around the U.S. and abroad for its programming.
Sisters Marilyn Pray and Donna Del Santo participated in a retreat sponsored by the Project to experience how the retreats were conducted and to discern if this could be replicated in Rochester to serve our recovery community.
Sister Marilyn reflects, “We are all familiar with the many stories of people who have been homeless and struggling with addiction because they exist within our families, among our friends, in our ministries and within all areas of our community.” According to a report from Person Centered Housing Options, the number of homeless people in Rochester in 2023 was 803. Additionally, the Monroe County Opioid Overdose Dashboard has recorded nearly 1,300 overdoses in 2024 as of early September, with more than 100 of those being fatal.
This past summer a small group composed of Sisters, SSJ Associates, the Congregation’s SSJ Justice & Care for Creation Office, and partners in ministry gathered to explore collaborating with ISP. “SSJs refer to all people as our ‘Dear Neighbor,’” says Sister Elaine Englert who is helping coordinate the group. “The Ignatian Spirituality Project is very much aligned with our own Ignatian tradition.” Since this summer, the group has been talking with organizations throughout Monroe County who serve people struggling with addiction and homelessness about the idea of having ongoing spiritual conversations and future retreats. Organizations would provide the retreat participants as well as help identify sites to host the spiritual building sessions. The weekend retreats could be hosted at local retreat centers.
The ISP exploratory group is hoping to become an “action group” and needs at least 20 to 30 more volunteers. No professional training is needed. Volunteers may be companions, drivers, supporters, or anyone interested in community building and sharing prayer. “We are looking for volunteers who have openness of heart and mind for an initial conversation about this project,” says Sister Marilyn.
If you are interested in learning more about ISP and how it would work in Rochester, contact Sister Marilyn at mpray@ssjrochester.org or 585-746-9178; or Sister Elaine at eenglert@ssjrochester.org or 585-732-7921.