A Turning Point

I remember the day I walked into the Family School; I was anxious, excited and fearful about how the next eighteen months of my life were going to be. I had pending felony charges hanging over my head and I was very fearful about going back to jail so I did what I was told from the beginning and got involved with life at the school.

I was very insecure and the way I dealt with these insecurities at home was by getting high and playing sports. Since I could not get high anymore I thought that if I played sports I would be alright. So I tried out for soccer and made the team two weeks into my stay.  The soccer team was a great group of guys, but the coaches Bill Musgrove and Carlton Williams impacted me in ways I couldn’t  imagine. They helped me to see that drugs were not my only problem and that I didn’t just make a bad decision the night I got arrested for armed robbery. Bill told me that I should be grateful for the night I got arrested. I didn’t really understand what he was saying at the time but after working on myself with my sponsor I realize that although what I did that night was horrible,it saved my life. I specifically remember one practice when Carlton said hey if anyone makes a shot from half field I will buy the whole team Mcdonalds, (Unfortunately Carlton didn’t hold up his end of the bargain when I made a half-field shot seeing it as how the team never received Mcdonalds). Thanks Carlton and Bill for everything you did for me.

A turning point in my stay was last January when the newest kid in our family at the time, Phil, had his first seminar with his parents. It didn’t go so well, seeing it as how he ran out of the room and to his parents car. He refused to leave the hood of the car unless he would get taken out of the school. After a few hours Phil realized that his plan wasn’t working, so he flipped out in the bathroom and Jan Cheripko told him he’s got to stop what he was doing. I thought Phil would get even more angry but he didn’t. He pulled his rosary out of his pocket and began to pray. He instantly calmed down. I had always believed in god before this moment but I didn’t know how real his prescense really is. Phil although we have had our ups and downs you taught me more that day then you will ever know. I want to thank you for that spiritual experience you gave to Jan, Nick, JT and I.

After that day in January I felt like I had found the missing piece to my life. I began developing a relationship with God by going to mass, working with Father Stephen and praying daily.  Since then I have been able to take responsibility for everything that I did at home and I finally started to feel like I had a purpose in life, besides getting high. Thank you Father Stephen, Nanci Newcomb, and America Restaino for helping understand what it means to be a spiritual person.

Although my stay here has been a relatively smooth one, I have had many struggles but with the guidance of my sponsor, Joe Petriella, I have been able to work through my struggles and do the next right thing. I am no longer held down by my insecurities and I thank you Joe for being there for me whenever I needed you. I love you man.

The Family School has given me the tools I need to get my life back on track but the greatest gift this place has given me is a new relationship with my family. Mom and Dad, words cant explain the gratitude that I have for everything you guys have done for me. I am not going to stand up here and make any empty promises about how great of a son I am going to be (because I have seen too many people stand up here and not fulfill their promises after they graduate) but I will say that I am going to keep my commitment to honesty that I have started at the school with you guys. Thank You for everything you did for me and I love you.

Thank You Mann House for always supporting me. I love you guys and will miss you.

To the graduating class of 2009 I leave you with a prayer by Saint Francis, “Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God whose very own you are will lead you safetly through all things: and when you can not stand it God will carry you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tommorow; the same everlasting father who cares for you today will take care of you then and everyday. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

Pat. C., Alumni, December 2009