When I look back on 2016, I realize what a strange and intense year it was for me and my family. It was the year that I watched the start of the Pennsylvania grand jury investigation Read more
Category: Personal Reflection
10 Things Never to Say to Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse
As the daughter of a clergy abuse victim-survivor and a lay person who works for the Church, I speak often with fellow Catholics about my family’s experience with the abuse crisis. People respond to this information in a variety of ways. While certain responses are not meant to be hurtful Read more
When Michigan Investigated Clergy Sexual Abuse, My Former Pastor was Arrested
I don’t remember exactly how I found out that my former pastor had been arrested for criminal sexual conduct against an adult. Did I see the article on Facebook? Did my husband send me the news before someone else could? I do remember how the news felt: the Read more
The Anniversary of Nate Lindstrom’s Suicide Strengthened My Resolve to Aid Survivors
I was at Notre Dame High School on Sunday, March 7 to help mark the one year anniversary of Nate’s death by suicide at age 45. I traveled with Sara Larson, executive director of Awake Milwaukee Read more
Survivor Story: How I Found Healing Through Scripture
In 1968 at the age of 19, while in studies for priesthood, I was abused by the priest who was my superior, the individual with the most input in evaluating my suitability to continue. He was well respected in the seminary community; I had Read more
Checking the List of Abusive Priests Gave Me a Shock—and a Wake Up Call
One of the questions that I am frequently asked about my involvement with Awake Milwaukee is “Why?” Why does a busy working mom of three boys feel so passionately about waking people up to Read more
Awake 