The Be Sober mission, a groundbreaking grassroots Catholic sobriety program run by the Institute of the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ at St. Ann’s Parish in Hamilton, Ont., celebrated its first year anniversary this fall.

Be Sober provides spiritual support for individuals seeking sobriety from wide-ranging addictions — not only alcohol and drugs, but also cigarettes, food and sex addiction, says its coordinator, Sr. Marie Elise.

Many addiction rehabilitation programs cover the medical and psychological aspects of recovery while leaving out the spiritual solution to addiction. This is a gap that Be Sober is trying to fill and is rooted in the philosophy of the Institute of the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ’s founder, Fr. Gilson Sobreiro.

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In 2001, Sobreiro was seeking a “spiritual solution” to the challenges facing youth in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo: “poverty, trafficking, crack, alcohol, violence, unemployment, shattered families …” The Institute of the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ, first established in Brazil, is now ministering to individuals living in poverty, homeless and seeking freedom from addiction in 16 countries.

The Be Sober mission in Hamilton is the only Canadian addiction recovery outreach for the Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ, a religious community attracting young vocations like Sr. Maria Elisa. What makes it different is its Catholic approach and outreach to a wide range of other addictions, said its 26-year-old coordinator.

“Our charism is Jesus all, all of Jesus,” she explained.

“We express our charism by taking care of those who are most in need, the poor and their many faces; the elderly who are lonely, sometimes abandoned by their families, the kids and teenagers who are in need of catechism, and especially the homeless and those who are struggling with addiction.”

A recent evening marking the one-year anniversary at St. Ann’s. began with prayer, then a talk on how the 12 steps can transform lives, and a sobriety testimony. The 12 steps is borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous. While A.A. is not tied to a particular religion, its 12 steps are rooted in a belief in God or a higher power, described as “a Power greater than ourselves.”

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“We concluded with a prayer activity, which helped everyone reflect on the steps we each still need to take towards sobriety and holiness,” Sr. Maria Elisa said.

The Be Sober mission has been a blessing, providing “a safe and welcoming space for those who wish to achieve or maintain sobriety, as well as for family members seeking understanding and support,” she said. During its first year, participants grew “in friendship, self-esteem and faith.”

Ten people attend the weekly meetings on a drop-in basis, along with four family members. The meetings first began at the Sisters’ house last September then moved to St. Ann’s. There are three sharing groups, one each for men and women in recovery, and for family members.

For Sr. Maria Elisa, the program’s mission is personal.

“My brother was addicted to drugs and alcohol also, so it is also good for me to go through the steps.”

Her brother, Kelvin, went to a recovery house of the Institute in Sao Paulo for nine months.

“He wasn't able to be sober for so long for many reasons, and he got killed three years ago,” at the age of 28, Sr. Maria Elisa said

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“I'm just glad for the short time that he was able to be sober. I just praise God for that. I hope that even though he died the way he did, he had the opportunity to live knowing that he was loved.”

It is this same hope in Jesus and unconditional love for our neighbour that motivates Sr. Maria Elisa’s passion for the Be Sober program.