Episode 6: Connecting on a Higher Level

In this episode we will explore how founder Ellie Haney started to connect on a higher level with the help of her spiritual advisor Marcy Haley, right here on Fairfield U’s campus at the Murphy Center.

Here’s an excerpt Ellie shared at the Murphy Center Reflection dinner back in October: "Hi my name is Ellie Haney. My first mass was a couple months ago at the Jesuit Center led by Father Dennis from the Murphy Center. I had never entered a church except for funerals or weddings. Growing up I was not introduced to religion at all and honestly had no idea what spirituality was.

I have struggled with mental health for a big portion of my life. When I was really hurting, I found myself “praying” or hoping for something greater than myself to help me. However, I felt like I could never connect to that place, no matter how hard I tried.

I drown myself in alcohol, toxic relationships with friends and significant others, and everything else you can probably imagine. I started my journey here at the center in January of 2022. My first couple sessions I just cried. I couldn’t explain the emotions I was experiencing. Memories and feelings came back from when I was a young girl. I still can’t put it into words.

I was visiting with my spiritual advisor a couple days ago planning out what I was going to say tonight and found myself stammering and speechless. I don’t know if I will ever be able to put it into words how much this center has set me free, but I am going to try by sharing a couple of thoughts.

“How do I explain this?” I asked her. “It’s like I have changed so much without changing anything.”

video version: https://youtu.be/WR-maf-ItaE

https://hanesie.com // @hanesieclothes on IG // @shophanesie on TikTok