This weekend, Sun Valley welcomes a special guest: the Rev. Leo Booth, also known as Father Leo, a priest turned addiction counselor. Father Leo will speak at Sun Valley Resort on Saturday, June 21, about spirituality, what it is, how to find it and how to use it to combat addiction. The workshop starts at 9 a.m.
Father Leo began his life as a priest after receiving a Bachelor of Divinity from King's College in England and a Master of Theology from St Augustine's College, England. In 1977, he suffered a drunk driving car accident that was nearly fatal. It was a turning point that made him become sober. He then changed from his life as solely a minister to a non-denominational, certified counselor for addicts.
His work has turned him into an international figure with best-seller publications and guest appearances on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Good Morning America."
Father Leo's visit is sponsored by the Sun Club, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for people seeking to live a drug- and alcohol-free life. The Sun Club offers a neutral space for more than 25 12-step recovery program meetings each week.
According to Ed Siegel, a Wood River Valley resident and certified substance abuse counselor, substance abuse and addiction are rampant in the Wood River Valley.
"We know it is an extremely serious problem here, particularly with the young people," said Siegel.
The Sun Club invited Father Leo because of his successful and inviting work in the field.
"We are very excited about him coming here," Siegel said. "His mission is to help people and to guide them through spirituality, which is kind of different from organized religion. He is not knocking organized religion, but looking at all the different paths that lead to spirituality."
The first half of the lecture will center on defining spirituality, while the second half will discuss how to find spirituality. The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sun Club official Ed Siegel at 725-2209.
Rev. Leo Booth
