Awake Blog
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The Awake Community Gathers in Prayer and Praise of Creation
Last week, the Awake community gathered virtually on Zoom for our first prayer service of the year, Rejoicing in Creation. Together, participants reflected on the beauty of the world around us and gave thanks for the gifts of creation.
As the name suggests, this service was planned with the intention of being rooted in joy. Prayer team member Lynn Charnitz explained, “We recognize that many of Awake’s programs and offerings are solemn and heavy in nature, so tonight, we have designed our prayer to be a lighter service.”
Tim Lennon
“When I first stepped forward, I did so alone, as an individual. Now I step forward as part of a worldwide movement of survivors.”
Pope Leo Responds to Letters from Survivors
It’s been a meaningful week for Awake: the mail brought a letter from Pope Leo XIV, written in response to the moving messages from survivors that Executive Director Sara Larson carried to the Vatican in June.
“I Was Surrounded by Beauty and Glimmers of Hope and Goodness”: Reflections from Awake’s Third Annual Survivor Retreat
Just a few weeks ago, Awake held its third annual retreat for survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic leaders. This was my second time helping as a facilitator. I’m relatively new to Awake—first connecting with Sara only a couple of years ago—but it quickly became clear to me that Awake is unlike any other community I’ve been a part of, and so is this retreat.
Abuse Survivor Brings His Story to the Stage, Finding Healing and Joy
Jay Sefton has turned his experience of clergy abuse and his attempts to navigate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s victim’s compensation fund into a one-man play, “Unreconciled.” He will perform the play later this month at the SNAP National Conference.
Awake Delivers Heartfelt Survivor Letters to the Vatican This Week
This week, Awake Executive Director Sara Larson delivered a set of 37 letters—written by abuse survivors to Pope Leo—to the Vatican in Rome.
Alexandra Buchlmayer
“Owning my story, despite the lack of legal action, was a huge part of my healing journey. It broke the bonds of secrecy and shame.”
Awake Leaders Reflect on the “Good Fruit” of Centering Survivors—and Plan for the Year Ahead
Last weekend, a group of Awake leaders and committed volunteers continued the biannual tradition of gathering online and in person to connect and build community, and consider big picture questions for the year ahead.
We Concluded a Powerful Season of Courageous Conversations. Which Topics Meant the Most to You?
Earlier this month we reached the end of the fifth season of Courageous Conversations, our much-loved virtual speaker series. Here’s a review of the five conversations we hosted this year, along with a link to the recording of each event. Check out any that you may have missed.
Survivors Share Their Hopes for the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV
“I hope Pope Leo will truly listen to survivors, not through carefully managed encounters, but by sitting with them in their raw pain without any defensiveness, aides, or lawyers present.”
In Memory of Pete Singer: Why We Must Build a Trauma-Sensitive Church
We at Awake were sad to learn of the passing of Pete Singer, executive director of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), on May 1. We are fortunate that he was able to take part in our November 2024 Courageous Conversation, “Cultivating a Gospel Response to Trauma.” To honor Pete’s memory, we revisit the summary of that important conversation.
Mary O’Day
“Healing my image of God has been incredibly impactful in both healing my trauma and helping me learn to accept love.”
Courageous Conversation: Confronting Sexual Abuse in the Deaf Catholic Community
Last week Awake hosted an event that touched on the history of sexual abuse among Deaf Catholics and considered why Deaf people have faced an elevated risk of sexual abuse.
Responding to the Death of Pope Francis—While Remaining Focused on Survivors
Because Awake is a survivor-centered organization, we’re focusing first on how this development impacts the survivors in our community.
Awake’s Way of the Cross with Survivors Offers Meaningful Holy Week Prayer
Awake’s annual Way of the Cross with Survivors invites us to see the traditional Stations of the Cross from the perspective of people who have experienced harm in the Catholic Church.
Survivors Share 6 Myths About Abuse in the Church
What do people in the Catholic Church and the broader public typically get wrong about sexual abuse by Church leaders? Earlier this year, we posed this question to people in the Awake community who have experienced sexual abuse in the Church, asking them which myths they hear most.
A Time of Transition for Awake’s Board of Directors
This is an important week for Awake, as we express deep gratitude to four people concluding their terms on the Board of Directors and welcome a group of new directors.
Courageous Conversation: Exploring the Invisible Abuse of Women Religious
Last week, Awake hosted a valuable event focusing on the abuse of religious sisters, an issue that is only beginning to receive attention in the wider Church.
Frank Meuers
“The most difficult part of my journey was not the abuse itself but the lack of response from the church to that abuse.”