Message from Fr. Dennis

During my 50 + years as a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, I have served in various capacities in many ministries all over the world. I am very humbled to currently be serving as the President & Spiritual Director at St. Christopher’s Inn, the Friars ministry to chemically dependent men in crisis, along with their families and loved ones.

St. Christopher’s Inn is different from every other addiction treatment and recovery center because the men live in the home of the Friars, a religious community offering Franciscan Hospitality to men in need for more than 100 years, with no expectation or requirements related to race, religion or the ability to pay for room and board.

In addition to housing, we offer compassionate and professional treatment for addiction in our out-patient treatment program. One of our goals is to maintain an environment that encourages and facilitates men in their treatment plan so they can achieve recovery. The presence of the Friars serving at the Inn is a key part of this environment, as they assure men they are welcomed, they are safe and they are loved, no matter what they may think of themselves when they arrive.

Frequently the men who come to the Inn feel they are broken beyond repair. This is because one of the first things that the disease of addiction weakens or destroys is a person’s spirit, and they lose hope of ever recovering. These men are in need of more than just chemical dependency treatment—they need a spiritual awakening. This is why the Spiritual Direction offered to the men by the Friars and Staff often times becomes the cornerstone of their recovery, and another reason for the Inn’s great success.

If your loved one is currently staying at St. Christopher’s Inn, please know that they are being cared for both compassionately and professionally by all who work at the Inn. We welcome your participation in your loved one’s recovery through our Family Program. Please also take the time to look through all the resources and links that are available on our site for more information to help you through this challenge.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.