St. Philip's to host 12-step Eucharist as celebration, prayer for recovery

A Twelve-Step Eucharist is both a celebration and a prayer for recovery. It is a prayer of gratitude from those who are working through the 12-step program who are already on the path to recovery and a prayer for those still suffering from addictions.

The service follows the form of a traditional Eucharist, or communion service, with each of the 12 steps incorporated throughout the service. The well-known serenity prayer is also included. The Rev. Dr. Dan B. will preach.

Charles Gillispie, coordinator of Recovery Ministries at St. Philip's, described his experiences at last spring's Twelve-Step Eucharist: "A man approached me in the parking lot to ask directions. He said, 'I'm Catholic. I'm not even supposed to set foot into other churches, but my sponsor told me to give this a try.'

"Another woman spoke with me after the service last year and said the priest who gave the sermon impressed her. 'I never thought I'd hear a priest, in robes, giving an A.A. talk at a church, from the pulpit!'

"Probably what impressed me the most was a woman in tears at the coffee afterward, thinking of a deacon who recommended she attend Alanon 18 years previously. 'He not only recommended it, but walked me over to a meeting that happened to be taking place at the church. It was a men's meeting. He asked them to let me stay and to help me find a women's meeting in town, which they did.' "

Everyone is invited to attend - including those who are involved in any 12-step program, those who support loved ones engaged in such programs, those whose lives have been affected by addiction and those interested in learning more.

St. Philip's is located at 4440 N. Campbell Ave., at East River Road. Ample parking is available in the north parking lot.

The church is at the south end of the breezeway leading from the north parking lot. St. Philip's phone number is 299-6421.

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