I’ve been watching the church duck, obfuscate, coverup, disrespect (and MUCH WORSE!) survivors since 1965. I have watched the church’s criminal cover up, diversions and court fights for many years. The irony and hypocrisy fairly oozes out of the church only exceeded by their lack of care, empathy and lack of compassionate assistance for survivors. I’m surprised there wasn’t some group like yours earlier. I’m pleased there is now.
I saw an article about your mission on Google this morning, and it gave me such joy to hear about you. I am a survivor of childhood abuse within my family. Though there isn't a direct connection to institutional abuse, I have often likened my family of origin to a little fringe cult where we were under the complete control of someone who had set themselves up in place of God, who demanded obedience as if he had ultimate power over us, even our souls.
It was a terrible way to start out in life, but I am doing great now. Many decades later, my soul has been set free. All I want to add is that St. Therese's little way was transformational in my spiritual journey. It taught me that even when many, many difficult aspects of life seem completely out of my control, there is yet the fact that, though these things may control circumstances of material experience, they do not control _me_ as I as am heart to heart with the most powerful Being in the universe. Nothing can harm me inside that safe harbor.y
As I'm sure you know, among all the pain of abuse, themes of power, control, and choice can be especially sensitive. For me, they were a significant obstacle towards feeling safe anytime I heard God referred to as Father.
I look on St. Therese's Little Way as having planted bright and refreshing flower patches along an otherwise rockyy⁶ pathway back to Him. Realizing that whenever I remained mindful to offer Him things, He was there to receive them led eventually to the understanding that He is always with me, whether I'm mindful or not, and I don't have to earn His love.
I'm so grateful to see you founding this order. I think you're greatly needed. May you be blessed abundantly.
Communication is slightly more difficult with yourselves if one does not subscribe to your Substack.
Relatedly, I went to your website, and you seem to seriously limit yourself — in spirit, if nothing else — to Substack.
Substack is still in a honeymoon period at the moment.
I am not so sure all those interested in your work would wish that their communication be confined to Substack.
“We cannot do as much as we would like to at this early stage of our growth to support survivors in material need. But one thing we decided to do as a start was to create an anonymous Survivor Wish List.
We are partnering directly with survivors in our network who are facing serious material need and asking them to add to a wish list with items they need.
Every two to three months the recipient of this wishlist will change. ”
Point of clarification: does the above prose mean that there is only one recipient per quarter (approximately)?
I’ve been watching the church duck, obfuscate, coverup, disrespect (and MUCH WORSE!) survivors since 1965. I have watched the church’s criminal cover up, diversions and court fights for many years. The irony and hypocrisy fairly oozes out of the church only exceeded by their lack of care, empathy and lack of compassionate assistance for survivors. I’m surprised there wasn’t some group like yours earlier. I’m pleased there is now.
I wish you well mission.
Hi sisters!
My name is Anna and l had been with misionaries of charity almost 30 years!
I am Slovakian living in Chile and my friend Father Samuel Fernandez encouraged me to write to you some time ago!
I am so great full to God that you exist and a company victims of abuse!
As to this message l don’t understand well how it works!
Can you explain more aboute de Amazon!
Than you!
Sisters, thanks for yor post. When I clicked on the link, it took me to Amazon but there were no items on the list. Thanks!
Things have been added now!
thanks!
I saw an article about your mission on Google this morning, and it gave me such joy to hear about you. I am a survivor of childhood abuse within my family. Though there isn't a direct connection to institutional abuse, I have often likened my family of origin to a little fringe cult where we were under the complete control of someone who had set themselves up in place of God, who demanded obedience as if he had ultimate power over us, even our souls.
It was a terrible way to start out in life, but I am doing great now. Many decades later, my soul has been set free. All I want to add is that St. Therese's little way was transformational in my spiritual journey. It taught me that even when many, many difficult aspects of life seem completely out of my control, there is yet the fact that, though these things may control circumstances of material experience, they do not control _me_ as I as am heart to heart with the most powerful Being in the universe. Nothing can harm me inside that safe harbor.y
As I'm sure you know, among all the pain of abuse, themes of power, control, and choice can be especially sensitive. For me, they were a significant obstacle towards feeling safe anytime I heard God referred to as Father.
I look on St. Therese's Little Way as having planted bright and refreshing flower patches along an otherwise rockyy⁶ pathway back to Him. Realizing that whenever I remained mindful to offer Him things, He was there to receive them led eventually to the understanding that He is always with me, whether I'm mindful or not, and I don't have to earn His love.
I'm so grateful to see you founding this order. I think you're greatly needed. May you be blessed abundantly.
Communication is slightly more difficult with yourselves if one does not subscribe to your Substack.
Relatedly, I went to your website, and you seem to seriously limit yourself — in spirit, if nothing else — to Substack.
Substack is still in a honeymoon period at the moment.
I am not so sure all those interested in your work would wish that their communication be confined to Substack.
“We cannot do as much as we would like to at this early stage of our growth to support survivors in material need. But one thing we decided to do as a start was to create an anonymous Survivor Wish List.
We are partnering directly with survivors in our network who are facing serious material need and asking them to add to a wish list with items they need.
Every two to three months the recipient of this wishlist will change. ”
Point of clarification: does the above prose mean that there is only one recipient per quarter (approximately)?
Blessings,
David Hope