About 50 parishioners gathered at St. Margaret, Bel Air, for the parish’s first-ever Mass of Healing and Hope on Sept. 19, which supported those who struggle with addiction.
The idea came from the Substance Abuse Ministry at St. Margaret, which has about 22 members, most of whom have had substance abuse issues in their families. The ministry, which settled on September because it’s National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, advertised the Mass in the local paper, other churches’ bulletins and through AA, and it was open to all denominations.
“I personally am in recovery – 13 years,” said Tom Lantieri, pastor of Harford Community Church. “I learned addiction is three-fold; it’s mental, physical and spiritual, and in order for me to remain sober I need to treat all three. Whether in the Catholic, Protestant or Jewish faith, the spiritual component is important.” As a pastor, he said, it was easier to urge his flock to attend the Mass instead of trying to create his own service.
Joseph V. Ryan, manager of the Harford County Department of Community Services Office of Drug Control Policy and a member of St. Margaret, said of the Mass, “We’d like to do it again during Lent. If one person gets the message, it’s an accomplishment.”
Deacon Jim DeCapite began his homily by sharing his own experiences as the child of an alcoholic. Worshipers listened intently.
“We are always different because of substance abuse problems,” he said. “But people who suffer like this are more open to Jesus Christ … He knows that suffering.”
After the Mass, worshipers enjoyed a light reception and a chance to talk.
“I’m in recovery and my whole family is in recovery,” said one man, who asked to be identified as J.K. “I have the ‘ism,’ but I don’t have the alcohol.” He was deeply moved by the Mass. “This is going to be my ministry,” he said. 

Meet Tom Lantieri. Tom is a resident of Havre de Grace and a Shepard Leader at Harford Community Church who is celebrating 25 years in recovery. He passionately devotes his time to help lead others down the road of recovery and is the Executive Director of the Brandon Thomas Jones Foundation.

What does recovery mean to Tom? “It means that I can be the son my mom needs me to be without ever worrying about me again.
It means I get to be a husband that my wife can be proud of and count on for the rest of our lives.
It means even though I lost my son to this awful disease, I can still be the dad that my daughters can come to for advice as they navigate through the craziness of this life.
It means I can be a grandfather to this little boy that calls me "Bop" and spoil him and teach him how to be a Godly man.
It means I am responsible to be there for the new person that wants help from alcoholism and addiction and stand alongside of them as they celebrate freedom towards a better way of life!
Recovery means I will never be alone again!”