peace on earth and in our hearts and homes · deacon candidates respond enthusiastically to dv...
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Winter 2019 www.DomesticViolenceOutreach.org
Peace on Earth and in Our Hearts and Homes
Good News About the Fight to End Domestic Violence Winter 2019
As violence in America rises to new levels, thousands of families and communities are traumatized. Mass shootings have become more frequent, and domestic violence is recognized as one of the major underlying causes. One study reported that in 56% of mass shootings, the perpetrator has experienced some form of domestic violence.
At this time of year, we thank God for many blessings, and we pray for peace everywhere: in our hearts and families, in our schools and communities, and in our country and the world. We celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who came to teach us about God’s love and how to love and serve others in peace.
During the holiday season, a stressful time for many couples, domestic violence increases dramatically. Let us pray for all victims of domestic violence and their children. May they find peace and safety during the holidays and new year, and may all perpetrators realize the harm they cause and seek help to abandon their violent ways. May we continue to work diligently to assist them in finding peace.
Thank you so much for your generous support and for your work to end domestic violence. Charles W. Dahm, O.P.
End of the Year Giving
Many of you have already made generous donations to ACDVO, and we thank you wholeheartedly. Others still have time to make a tax deductible gift or direct deduction from an IRA (not tax deductible,
but tax exempt) to support ACDVO. We need your help and thank you for your support.
Contact Charles W. Dahm, O.P., 1914 S. Ashland, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-371-7752, [email protected]
Fourth Annual Domestic Violence Survivors’ Mass
The Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach celebrated its Fourth Annual Domestic Violence Survivors’ Mass on October 5, 2019, at Holy Name Cathedral. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., director, presided, and Brendan Curran, O.P. preached about our need to grow our domestic violence outreach ministry like a mustard seed.
Bibiana Tohme, a member of ACDVO’s Executive Committee, gave such a moving testimony of the abuse she and her family had experienced that she received a standing ovation from the nearly 1,000 people in attendance. Ministry members carried posters representing the 160 parishes that have hosted preaching about domestic violence, a powerful presence in our archdiocese.
Winter 2019 www.DomesticViolenceOutreach.org
Training in DV Ministry
Deacon Candidates Respond Enthusiastically to DV Training
ACDVO Increases Parish Trainings
In October, Fr. Chuck, John Monaco and Bibiana Tohme directed a 4-hour workshop to English-speaking (45) and Spanish-speaking (30) candidates for the deaconate and their wives, together with first year deacons and wives.
Participants responded enthusiastically, commenting that the session was one of the best they had received in their deaconate training. Many asked that the program come to their respective parishes.
In their evaluations, attendees commented: “I had no idea the problem was so pervasive.” “Glad I came; it was very informative and impactful.” “It helped us know how to respond to victims and help them find needed resources.” “It touched close to home because unfortunately I grew up in a house where ‘Don’t talk, don’t tell’ ruled.” “The videos and personal testimonies were very powerful and helped me understand the depth of pain victims suffer.” “This training should be mandatory for everyone working in a parish.” The ACDVO Education team is available for parish training; contact Fr. Chuck or John Monaco for details.
Representatives from parishes with domestic violence ministries gathered on September 14, 2019, at Old St. Mary’s Parish to hear attorney Patrick O’Brien discuss the legal issues surrounding domestic violence. He explained the rights of victims, orders of protection, child custody, plus procedures for legal assistance.
The gathering is one of two each year for parish representatives to learn more about domestic violence related concerns, the organization’s work and parish efforts that have been successful. This is valuable time for local ministers to learn more about the problem, as well as creative ways of responding to it.
Assembly of Parish Ministers
Fr. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., [email protected], Director
Adele Bach, [email protected], Communications
Jan Burdulis, [email protected], Administrator
Pam Davis, [email protected], Catholic Charities
Naomi Gutierrez, [email protected], Accounting
Deborah Hammond, [email protected],
Catholic Charities
Bernita Johnson, [email protected],
St. Katharine Drexel
John Monaco, [email protected], Education
Diane O’Brien, [email protected], Parish Support
Bibiana Tohme, [email protected],
St. Bernadette
Valerie Yokie, [email protected], St. Raymond
ACDVO Executive Committee
Social Media: Annie Ryder, [email protected] Newsletter: Barbara Condon, [email protected]
Winter 2019 www.DomesticViolenceOutreach.org
Parishes Raise Awareness in October
In October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, scores of parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago organized events to raise awareness of domestic violence and to strengthen their local parish ministries to victims. Activities ranged from prayer services, panel discussions, showing and discussing educational movies, listening to survivors’ testimonies, and hearing speakers, such as police, judges and advocates. Great work, all!
On November 6, Friends Against Domestic Abuse held its fourth annual candlelight prayer vigil at Queen of All Saints Basilica with fellow members St. Mary of the Woods and St. Martha of Morton Grove. Fr. Walter Cheboi, formerly a pastor in Kenya, shared insights about the global reach of domestic violence and his enthusiasm for work being done in the Archdiocese of Chicago, which is “so consistent with Christ’s teachings.”
How wonderful it is when artwork helps people heal. A number of victims of domestic violence sewed quilted squares reflecting their journey, and Diane O’Brien, Chair of ACDVO’s Parish Support Committee, joined them into a stunning quilt. This October, St. Bernadette, St. Elizabeth Seton, St. Germaine, Sacred Heart (Palos Hills) and St. Julie Billiart parishes displayed the quilt at Sunday Masses to raise awareness about domestic violence. Some parishes placed it near the altar.
When Diane was removing the quilt from St. Julie Billiart, a woman inquired about it. After an explanation, she said she wished she had had this attention years ago when she was suffering abuse. She then knelt down and placed her hand on a rainbow colored square with a print of an open hand and prayer. We join her in prayer for healing.
Victims’ Quilt Touches Hearts
Catholic Charities: Great Partners
Catholic Charities partners with ADCVO by providing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, their families, and communities in areas not served by other domestic violence agencies.
In August, they gave a domestic violence workshop at St. Nicholas Parish in Evanston. In October, community residents and staff gathered at the St. Casimir location to hear Alondra Montes, Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline Director, give information on recognizing signs of domestic violence and how to help survivors. Amy Christensen, Chicago Police Department District 004 Domestic Violence Liaison, offered information on how police respond to survivors. Catholic Charities also presented a workshop at the 2019 Annual Latino Behavioral Health Conference on Approaches for Working with Undocumented Survivors at the Arturo Velasquez Institute in the Pilsen area.
Staff often attends health fairs to provide information on domestic violence. For more information, contact Catholic Charities confidential intake line at 312-655-7725.
Winter 2019 www.DomesticViolenceOutreach.org
Your ACDVO
ACDVO Parishes Collect Needed Supplies for Victims and Children
We Need Your Help for Our Gala
As we prepare for ACDVO’s Gala Benefit, we ask for your support. Help us find these important items:
Sponsorships for $1500 to $5,000 from your employers, businesses or organizations with which you are in contact.
Silent Auction Items of greater value, like time-shares, airline miles, vacation homes, or others. Be creative!
Raffle prizes, such as sports tickets, spa treats, baskets, etc.
Gift cards to use for prizes or expenses.
Please contact Fr. Chuck (312-371-7752, [email protected]) or Rita Sprudzs (773-960-5644, [email protected])
In October, 25 parishes in the ACDVO network collected needed supplies for victims of domestic violence and their children. They received toiletries, children’s socks, Pampers, Pull-Ups, shampoo, toothpaste, and many other generous gifts.
ACDVO partnered with Safe Haven Network (SHN), an organization that supports victims of domestic violence and their pets, which can also suffer from abuse. SHN collected the bins from parishes, sorted items and distributed them to 17 shelters in the Chicago area. The campaign raised awareness of domestic violence as well as bringing in thousands of donated items for victims.
Jessica Katz, SHN Director, said, “This year’s collection far exceeded those of previous years, thanks to the parishes. Having churches in so many different areas meant that donors in every neighborhood in Chicago and many suburbs could participate – and they sure did! Each of the shelters received between 8-10 large boxes of supplies; they were overjoyed and very grateful.”
Help ACDVO Social Media Grow
The number of people opening ACDVO’s social media posts keeps growing; now thousands see our daily posts.
For Facebook users, three simple actions can help boost numbers. “Like,” “Follow,” and “Share,” help connect ACDVO’s page with new users. By “Liking” our page, this information can be seen by all in your friends list. By “Following” the page, one can see the latest posts, news, and events shared on ACDVO’s page. By “Sharing” one can help friends see the personal connection he/she has to the ministry.
For those on Instagram and Twitter, reposting and retweeting content helps extend our audience. Our Instagram account already has over 500 followers. Our Twitter account has a small community of followers, but a single “retweet” can gain over 5,000 impressions on the platform.
Every action helps make ACDVO’s postings more visible to victims and advocates. Please help us grow even more!
www.facebook.com/domesticviolenceoutreach
www.instagram.com/dvochicago
www.twitter.com/dvochicago
Save the Date
ACDVO Annual Gala Benefit
Saturday, March 28, 2020
The Diplomat West in Elmhurst