“Who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neigh-bor-hood? … They’re the people that you meet each day!” This sweet song from Sesame Street taught many of us about the many helpers all around us. It seemed to say, just look around – all these ordinary people make up a community…
In many ways, healing is about reconnecting. A cut heals when our cells reconnect. Connecting with loved ones heals your heart. Some harmed by clergy sexual abuse can heal when they reconnect with a church that cares. Many times, this happens outside of the “church and the steeple” when caring volunteers show up for them. …
The year of 2023 was an important year for establishing the actual entity called Journey to Bethany, developing its strategic plan and then initiating those services which assist abuse survivors “in their search for healing and justice”. For me, key to the mission of Journey to Bethany is the notion of the Body of…
Although I have not worked directly with the Journey to Bethany team in walking with individuals who have been sexually abused by clergy in the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese, I have participated in numerous workshops, presented by the Journey to Bethany team, specifically dealing with Trauma-Informed Care and Response. These workshops have provided valuable information,…
My name is Dr Mike Kirse. I’m a 60-year-old man who is still recovering from the emotional and spiritual damage done to me in my middle teenage years from sexual abuse by two priests. I am, and have always considered myself, a victim. That changed a little over a year ago when I started attending…
Our name inspires us to empower a community to welcome and care for people harmed by clergy sexual abuse. So, why Bethany? We are named for the Bethany, a village east of Jerusalem and the home of Jesus’ friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Bethany frequently surfaces in the bible as a place where Jesus…
This Christmas, we worked with Whitney True-Francis, the diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator, to send cards to survivors that she encounters through her work. We hope these cards helped the survivors to feel supported and to know that so many people care. We were careful to include messages that were supportive and open to the idea…
GRACE, Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment invited licensed clinical social workers Laura Thien and Carrie Nettles to discuss why the holiday season can be especially challenging for those who have experienced abuse or trauma, share some helpful practices for self-care, and offer guidance to those who will be interacting and serving survivors…
We’re taking a moment to celebrate the launch of our new workshop, Trauma-Informed Care & Survivor-Centered Accompaniment. We hosted twenty permanent deacons and wives at the inaugural offering on October 22. The deacons themselves requested this training at a Journey to Bethany Community Conversation, and the content for the workshop was developed in collaboration with…
The annual Child and Youth Protection Catholic Leadership Conference brings Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Coordinators together to hear updates, ask questions and learn from one another. The speakers and resources this year inspired us to make these commitments: Become “Where to Begin” We were humbled to hear Kathy Damman, a survivor of clergy sexual…