“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” CS Lewis

“The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain.” Padre Pio

Life is challenging. From the loss of a loved one, family discord, mental health and everything in between, we are reminded daily that to be human is to suffer. So often our suffering finds solace in the wrong places.  Saint Joseph’s Cope and Hope group is a faith-filled approach to walking the road of life together. Finding comfort, understanding and greater faith as companions of Jesus are the objectives of the Cope and Hope Group. The basis of our work together centers around the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen.

We meet once per month at 6PM at the rectory ( each meeting is about an hour or so) on the first Monday of the month.  The group is low key and is open to everyone. This is not a replacement for professional therapy. It is not an addiction, metal health or grief group per se. However, if you are struggling with anything-big or small, you are welcome. The meetings are organized and focused around various books. To date, for example, we have read:

1.         The Way of Serenity by Father Jonathan Morris

2.        Finding God in Suffering by Father Christopher Mahar

3.        Prayer:  By Word on Fire.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Deacon John Regan by calling the parish office at 401-766-0626.