Awake Blog
Welcome to the Awake Blog! If you’re new to Awake, we recommend you check out these top blog posts from our archive.
Sign up here to receive an email notification when a new blog post is published!
Advent Prayer Service Centers Survivors’ Art
Members of the Awake community gathered this week for a unique Advent service that created space for attendees to meditate on songs, poetry, paintings, and other art created by people who have experienced harm in the Church.
Amy Pearce
“I want other survivors to be reassured that what happened was not their fault, that they are not alone, and that they are both lovable and loved.”
The Power of Pets in Trauma Healing
Many survivors in the Awake community say pets have been key in helping them heal from the trauma of abuse. To understand why animals can be so beneficial, we spoke to Philip Tedeschi, clinical professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver and founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection.
Courageous Conversation: Why We Must Work Toward a Trauma-Sensitive Church
Our latest Courageous Conversation, “Cultivating a Gospel Response to Trauma,” considered why Catholics are called to create faith communities sensitive to the needs of people with traumatic wounds, including those who have been abused in the Church.
Fr. Frank Reitter
“God, through prayer, helped me understand I can never be the person I could have been had I not been abused, but I can be the person I can be.”
A Survivor Visits Rome
Last month, I was equally thrilled and apprehensive to travel to Rome to meet with delegates of the Synod on Synodality, Vatican leaders, and other ministry partners. As a survivor of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, I was not sure what this journey would feel like.
Getting to Know—and Pray with—Awake’s Patron Saints
Last Wednesday, Awake’s prayer team led a service to help participants learn more about our community’s patron saints and engage with them more deeply.
Awake Introduces Four New Members of the Survivor Advisory Panel
This week on the blog we honor four new members of the Awake Survivor Advisory Panel, who introduce themselves to the Awake community.
Emily Hess
“I sometimes feel imposter syndrome when talking to fellow survivors; my story is very mild compared to most of the stories I've heard from others.”
Confronting the Catholic Church’s Role in Native American Boarding Schools
We revisit our 2023 interview with Maka Black Elk, who is committed to hearing the stories of Native people hurt in boarding schools run by Catholic religious orders. As a Catholic and member of the Oglala-Sioux tribe, he shares how he has grappled with the Church’s role in this harm.
Join Us in Welcoming Meghan Fiebelkorn to the Awake Staff!
This week we are honored to introduce Meghan Fiebelkorn, Awake’s new full-time associate director. Here she tells us a little about her career background, what she and her family do for fun, and the projects that she is the most excited to undertake with Awake.
Gino Wolfe
"Speaking out has allowed me to grow as a man, father, and spouse...I finally feel that I can look at myself in the mirror and like who I see."
Courageous Conversation: Abuse Survivors Discuss the Act of Sharing Their Stories
At last week's Courageous Conversation, speakers Gina Barthel, Wendy Mitch, and Vincent Perez recounted some of the most helpful and compassionate responses to their abuse stories, as well as a few of the most painful.
Awake Warmly Welcomes New Associate Director, Whitney True Francis
On September 4, Awake joyfully welcomed Whitney True Francis, our second full-time staff member. As she begins her work with Awake, we asked Whitney a few questions about her background, personal life, and hopes for this role.
What Does Grooming Look Like in the Abuse of Adults?
This week we revisit a 2023 post on the topic of grooming, the manipulative techniques used by abusive people to set the stage for the abuse of adults as well as children.
Maria Silvers
“Hearing stories like mine from other survivors has helped me to recognize and heal from the wound of shame.”
What is DARVO? Why Learning More Could Lead to a Safer Church
When faith leaders or others are accused of sexual assault, they may respond with tactics known as DARVO to make victims seem less believable and create confusion.
Awake’s Prayer in the Park Celebrates Light and Hope
Awake held its much-loved summer prayer service last week, giving our community the chance to pray together and focus on light, the beauty of nature, and hope.
“Without Saying a Word, You are Safe and Understood”: Reflections from Awake’s Second Annual Survivor Retreat
There are many things I love about my work as Awake’s executive director, but our annual retreat for abuse survivors has quickly become the highlight of my year. It is a profound privilege to share this transformative experience.
Allison DeGeorge
“It has taken me more than a decade to find the words that have become my abuse story and I feel very … afraid to share. The only reason I share it now is that I do not want anyone to have to endure the shame and isolation I felt as I searched … for an explanation of what happened to me.”