By Katie Vasquez
There are good memories from Monsignor Joe Calise’s life, but there were also dark days, as he battled alcohol addiction for more than ten years.
“You know, when I look back on those days, I remember a lot of pain and I remember a lot of sadness,” said Transfiguration-St Stanislaus Kostka Parish Pastor, Monsignor Joe Calise.
His story is not unusual. According to the Saint John Vianney center, 10 percent of clergy suffer from addiction but only about 2 percent seek treatment.
The Queens pastor is now 34 years sober and about 7 years ago he decided to help other priests struggling to stay sober.
“We do live very isolated lives. You know, not only do we have a lot of priests who are in their rectory by themselves, but even within a rectory, there comes a time at night where everybody is in their own room and that’s it,” said Monsignor Calise.
He created “Transition House” which is run out of the St Stanislaus Kostka rectory, as a built in halfway house for clergy in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
18 people have come through since it started, a third with addiction issues while others are there for various reasons.
“It’s really become a haven for priests who need a place to stay while whatever the complication is, whether it’s a visa, a problem with some type of an addiction, or even just a need to get out of the rectory that they were living in,” said Monsignor Calise.
There’s no medical staff or therapeutic personnel but the men who stay have to put in the work.
“We do hold them accountable. If it takes them three months, four months, two months, that’s fine. The only thing we would challenge would be if someone doesn’t seem to be doing anything for their recovery,” said Monsignor Calise.
As difficult as it is to talk about this low point in his life, Monsignor Calise thinks if it helps even one person, it’s worth it.
“You know, bring a message of hope to so many other people but it’s because of what I went through that that message is credible,” said Monsignor Calise.
For a list of resources please visit: DIOCESEOFBROOKLYN.ORG/ADDICTION-RECOVERY-MONTH