Maria House Project

Transforming Lives One Breath In Time...

Maria House Project (MHP) is a ministry, founded by Msgr. James Peterson, which provides group living in 3 houses for men recovering from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, long term imprisonment, homelessness and/or mental illness. MHP serves approximately 30 men per day for a minimum of 90 days providing them drug and alcohol treatment, individual and group counseling, education and housing.

All of the men are in recovery and most have been incarcerated which has caused them to be alienated by their family, friends and the community. MHP's program provides the opportunity for spiritual growth in conjunction with AA & NA meetings, community living, work therapy, individual and group counseling, and an educational program to help the men in their recovery and eventual return to the community. The program promotes a sense of the resident community helping each other in their recovery.

On April 19th, 2007, the men were returning to the Lodge after the last session of "Life in the Spirit". As they drove up the driveway, they noticed smoke coming from the office trailer adjacent to the Lodge. One of the men ran to the trailer and told the others to get the fire extinguishers. As he broke the lock, the door swung open and knocked him to the ground. Smoke poured out of the door and flames escaped from the broken window. While some of the men used fire extinguishers on the outside of the trailer, one of the other men called the fire department and me. He said, "Joe, the trailer is on fire and I am afraid the Lodge is going to catch fire too. All of the men are outside and the fire company is on its way."

As I drove to the Lodge, I envisioned the Lodge being burnt to the ground and MHP's program being changed forever. When I drove up the driveway, I saw the fire trucks and firemen. The trailer was seriously damaged but the Lodge was not disturbed. The Fire Chief told me that the resident, who had been pushed to the ground, could have sustained serious injury or death had he inhaled the hot smoke. He also said we would have lost the Lodge if the fire department would have arrived 5 minutes later or if there would have been any kind of breeze. He remarked, "You guys are really lucky." The next day, I told Father Peterson what the fireman had said. Father smiled and said, "We have always been under Mary's protection."

A week later a group of residents showed me pictures that one of the residents had taken during the fire. They wanted to see my reaction to the picture. It was obvious to me and many others that the color picture of the flame is the side view of Mary with her arms extended.

I guess I now realize why we call the program Maria House Project.

By Joe Tarquinio, Executive Director

Who We Are

Maria House Project is a treatment ministry which serves men who are suffering from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, incarceration, gambling and/or have mental health issues. Services are provided to 28 men per day in 3 living facilities for a minimum of 90 days. Within a year’s time, over 60 men are served. The men begin the program at the “Diocesan Lodge” which is located in West Spring Creek Pa.. Once the residents successfully complete the orientation program at the Diocesan Lodge, they can return to the community or transfer to one of MHP’s halfway houses located in Union City [More House] or Erie [Wilkum House]. These halfway houses help the men transition to a living situation in the community.