Eddie Reaiche sits down with Monsignor Shora and Honi Lattouf to explore the life-changing impact of the Alpha program. Rhey dive into how this eleven-week course has become a guiding light for those seeking faith development, a sense of belonging, and clarity amid life’s challenges.

Alpha creates space for honest conversations, offering a path to personal growth and spiritual renewal—especially for people feeling lost, disconnected, or unsure of where they stand with God. For many, Alpha is more than a course—it’s a life reset, helping individuals rediscover purpose and build stronger relationships within their church and wider community.

Monsignor Shora and Honi reflect on Alpha’s growing success—describing it as a vital tool in reviving spiritual curiosity, encouraging re-engagement with faith, and strengthening parish communities. Whether someone is just curious about Christianity or looking to reconnect after years away from church, Alpha offers a gentle but powerful invitation: come as you are.

Key Takeaways:

• Belonging and Faith Exploration: The Alpha course offers a welcoming environment, encouraging people to explore spirituality and their personal faith journey.
• Holistic Personal Growth: Participants discover a newfound sense of purpose, better mental health outcomes, and enriched interpersonal relationships.
• Inclusive Community Building: Alpha brings together people of various ages and backgrounds, fostering inclusive and supportive community bonds.
• Practical Leadership Experience: Graduates of the course often become facilitators, demonstrating commitment to spreading the program's teachings and helping others grow.
• Comprehensive Support System: Providing an alternative support network, Alpha aids those struggling with challenges such as addiction, grief, and isolation.

Notable Quotes:

• Monsignor Shora: "Alpha is a great way for them…to have another support community…that replaces the group that was dragging them away from a better lifestyle."
• Honi Lattouf: "I've personally seen people become on fire and have a hunger for wanting to know more about faith."
• Eddie Reaiche: "There was that sense of belonging that actually gave them a purpose to explore their faith even further."
• Monsignor Shora: "It's given people a chance to go back, what would it have been like to first experience Jesus and the Christian message?"
• Honi Lattouf: "First you belong…then you learn about what to believe."

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Finding Sanctuary, we sit down with Melissa D’Cruz—a powerhouse florist and wedding planner whose story is as inspiring as the blooms she works with. From dreaming of being a psychologist to becoming a trusted presence at some of life’s most emotional moments, Melissa opens up about how deep personal loss and grief reshaped her path and fuelled her passion for bringing comfort through creativity

Melissa shares how, as a single mum facing tough legal battles, she leaned on her faith and her village to not just survive, but thrive. Her journey is one of grit, grace, and giving back—whether it’s helping clients celebrate love or honour loss, or dreaming big about supporting single parents and those doing it tough.

If you’ve ever wondered how empathy and purpose can transform a business—or how beauty and pain can live side by side—this heartfelt chat will stay with you long after the final bloom fades.

Key Takeaways:

• Melissa D’Cruz’s journey highlights the power of combining personal passion with professional purpose to lead a meaningful and impactful life.
• Personal hardship and loss can open the door to deep professional fulfilment when met with empathy and a community-focused mindset.
• Finding purpose at work isn’t always about direct outcomes; creating a positive space for colleagues can also build strong, meaningful connections.
• Embracing faith and community support plays a vital role in navigating personal adversity and building resilience.
• Reflecting on personal trials can inspire new initiatives to support others facing similar challenges.

Notable Quotes:

“Everything you do and everyone you work for, do it as if you are serving God.” – Melissa D’Cruz

“You don’t know what battle people are fighting in life. Be kind.” – Melissa D’Cruz

“It’s amazing how God actually made that happen for me and used me in a way I never thought he would use me in.” – Melissa D’Cruz

“You could be dealing with somebody who’s going through tragedy and trauma.” – Melissa D’Cruz

“From being in the valley, you get up to a mountain, and it’s not short; it’s a long journey.” – Melissa D’Cruz

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - https://hshl.org.au/blog/

Key Takeaways:

• The critical role of securing a sense of belonging and acceptance in shaping one’s identity and choices.
• How Andrew’s journey illustrates the deep links between trauma, addiction, and the search for masculine identity.
• The importance of seeking spiritual guidance and community support in overcoming personal challenges.
• The concept of “I am” and its influence on personal identity and behavior as demonstrated through Andrew’s transformation.
• A message of hope: It is possible to reinvent oneself and align with a healthier and fulfilling path, even after hitting rock bottom.

Notable Quotes:

• "I felt safer in a gang than I did at home, which is disordered when you look back at it."
• "Addictions are a trauma response to our sorrowful mysteries."
• "The identity then forms our habits, and then those habits reinforce the identity."
• "I had this desire to seek, to go on a quest to answer this question [about the meaning of life]."
• "If I go out and do xyz, I feel guilty about it. And that's a good thing because then I'm drawn to come back to try to stop that habit."

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - https://hshl.org.au/blog/

About the Guest:

Dr. Peter Holmes is a senior lecturer in theology at the University of Notre Dame. Recently Dr. Holmes published a book titled “Redeeming Masculinity,” which delves into understanding masculine identity from a theological perspective. To add to his list of credentials, he is now completing studies in counselling/ psychology.

Key Takeaways:

• The Evolution of Masculinity: Peter discusses how his personal and academic journeys shaped his understanding of masculinity, emphasising the shift from traditional markers of success to relational impact.
• Redefining Male Identity: Masculinity should be seen as a relationship-focused identity that prioritises giving and nurturing, contrary to societal pressures that encourage competition and self-centredness.
• Cultural Influences: There’s no single way to be a man; various cultures have their interpretations of masculinity. Understanding and extracting positives from cultural identities can lead to healthier self-perceptions.
• Importance of Communication: Effective communication in relationships can prevent common misunderstandings and strengthen bonds, especially if approached with a mindset of mutual respect and supporting growth.
• Seeking Support: Building a support network through mentorship and counselling can be crucial for personal development and redefining masculinity away from harmful stereotypes.

Notable Quotes:

“I am supposed to be strong… all of that strength is to help people, not to push myself up, to elevate, to push other people down.” – Dr Peter Holmes

“Real masculinity is self-giving and puts itself out there for the other.” – Dr Peter Holmes

“It’s never about the dishes.” – Eddie Reaiche

“You are amazing. You’re special. And you have something for the world.” – Dr Peter Holmes

“A strong man walks away. A weak man, who’s insecure in himself, has to fight more because he’s so insecure.” – Dr Peter Holmes

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - https://hshl.org.au/blog/

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Faith: Pamela Chedid emphasizes how her faith in Christ helped her carry the burden of grief after the loss of her child.
• Writing as Therapy: Through writing, Pamela found solace and a means to process her emotions, leading to the creation of her poetry book.
• Honor and Memory: Remembering and honoring lost loved ones through personal rituals and sharing stories aid in the healing journey.
• Support Networks: A strong, caring network of family, friends, and professionals is crucial during times of loss and grief.
• Grief is Personal and Complex: Pamela shares her experience of handling grief as an ongoing process, not confined to a specific timeline or method.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Everybody experiences something in their life that profoundly changes them. And for me, it was the stillbirth."
2. "I actually wanted to write her a poem when I first started reading my poetry. And believe it or not, it was one of the last ones I wrote."
3. "It was the most terrible day ever, but I got through it. Everybody who saw me after, even in the days after and the day of the funeral, commented on how calm I seemed. I mean, of course I was crying and I was heartbroken, deeply heartbroken."
4. "The one thing that I would advise them to do is to mention their name, remember the name of the child, and don't brush it under the carpet. Don't try and, you know, push it away. We actually want to talk about it."
5. "If you have a friend who has had any kind of pregnancy loss, even if they didn't have a stillborn and they had a miscarriage, remember that. Honor that. Because it's just food for the soul really when you, when you receive a message like that, you think, oh, you know, her memory lives on."

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - https://hshl.org.au/blog/