The Pobal Mhuire Pathway

Addiction, isolation, loss of hope

The first step on the pathway can begin in many ways.

It can be through our outreach work where we provide food, support and advice to homeless individuals suffering from drug or alcohol abuse.

Or it can be by seeking us out on the recommendation of some of their fellow drug users.

While the nature of the initial encounter may vary the nature of the problem is always the same - a loss of faith in themselves and in others which has destroyed hope.

Offer to help

Whatever the initial contact our outreach workers offer a clear, proven pathway to a new life.

We offer help to attend to urgent medical needs and a pathway to long term help.

Request for assistance

Through our decades of experience we understand just how important it is that the individuals themselves make their own positive and active choice to seek a way forward.

This is the vital step - to choose the path to hope over destruction.

Offer of refuge

Once an individual decides to choose hope we can begin to help resolve their medical problems, defeat their addiction and take refuge and shelter in the sanctuary of the Pobal Mhuire community.

A place of refuge

Our first step is to provide a place of refuge and begin the process of repairing the physical, emotional and spiritual damage caused by addiction.

As soon as an individual joins our community they are introduced to their personal Guardian - a sister from the order of Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara - who becomes their friend, emotional support and spiritual guide on every step of their path to a new life.

Offering hope

When they first come to the refuge many individuals will be in poor health suffering from the physical impact of abuse.

The love, care and attentive support from the sister who is their Guardian begins to generate new hope and gives the strength to transcend these initial challenges and to end their physical addiction.

This is the foundation to building a new life in faith and light.

Sanctuary

A sanctuary is a very special place.

It provides the space to move away from the physical or emotional distress that prompted the addiction.

As this distress is overcome the turmoil and crisis is replaced by the safety of a close knit loving, caring, supportive community.

Physical repair

Our initial focus is on physical repair - establishing regular sleeping and eating patterns, creating productive daily and weekly routines, establishing the foundations for a life free from addiction.

Restoring trust

As physical strength develops the next milestone is to begin to participate in a structured and supported programme of restoration.

This involves activities to promote productive life skills and meaningful daily routines that build fitness, trust and confidence.

Nurturing faith

Addiction not only damages physical health, it undermines faith.

The experience of living in a loving, caring community nurtures and strengthens the belief within each individual, renews their trust in others and revitalises their faith in a fulfilling life in the care of loving God.

Healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle requires more than just physical health.

It is an integration of a new way of understanding the nature and purpose of a productive life and living each day guided by those values and beliefs.

In the safety of the refuge and with the guidance of the sisters and other residents new patterns, new understanding and new meaning is established to sustain a healthy and productive life.

Productive routines

The daily and weekly schedule of the refuge is guided by the sisters of Matara.

They provide the structure of productive daily routines that give meaning, nurture new skills, generate new confidence and underpin a life of faith.

In addition the sisters help each individual document and record the new skills they develop during their time in the refuge.

Each person will be trained and supported to develop skills that will help secure a fulfilling job when they leave the refuge.

Emotional & spiritual renaissance

The final stage of life in the refuge is to complete the path to an emotional and spiritual renaissance.

This moves far beyond the limited outcome of removing the physical addiction and substance abuse.

It is the foundation for a life of purpose, meaning and fulfilment as an active member of the community of Pobal Mhuire.

Magnifying light

As new skills are developed and new faith is strengthened the Guardian sister will help prepare for life outside the refuge.

This includes developing a record of skills and achievement and assistance with the interpersonal skills required to secure a meaningful and rewarding job.

The Pobal Mhuire network includes a wide range of employers who will offer work on leaving the refuge.

In this way the Pobal Mhuire community give strength, support and assistance every step on the path to a new future in the light of hope and faith.

New confidence

By following this pathway each individual will experience the full journey from the pain of addiction to full and active membership of our loving, caring, attentive community.

We will help secure a suitable home where the productive routines of the refuge are at the heart of a new life lived in the sanctuary of Divine Mercy.

New life

The Pobal Mhuire pathway leads to a new life.

We replace addiction with love.

We replace fear with hope.

We replace emptiness with faith.