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Awakening Our Community to the Full Reality of Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church

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    Category: Personal Reflection

    5 Things Every Priest Should Know About Sexual Abuse

    One weekend at a friend’s house, I ran into a priest friend who asked with some concern about my wife, Sara, who is the executive director of Awake Milwaukee. It quickly became apparent that he had read some of her Read more

    November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 by Erin ODonnell

    Why I Remain Catholic Despite the Sex Abuse Crisis

    Today we revisit a personal reflection from Leadership Team member Mike Larson, which we first shared on the blog in March 2020. By Mike LarsonAwake Leadership Team…… Read more “Why I Remain Catholic Despite the Sex Abuse Crisis”

    August 23, 2022 by Erin ODonnell

    Yes, the Pennsylvania Attorney General Investigation of Clergy Abuse was Hard. But It Helped My Mom and Fellow Abuse Survivors.

    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

    June 29, 2021 by Erin ODonnell

    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

    June 8, 2021June 23, 2021 by Erin ODonnell

    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

    May 11, 2021May 16, 2021 by Erin ODonnell

    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

    March 16, 2021 by Erin ODonnell

    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

    February 16, 2021 by Erin ODonnell

    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

    January 12, 2021January 12, 2021 by Erin ODonnell
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