Awake Blog
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Survivors Respond as Rembert Weakland is Honored with Archdiocesan Funeral
Today the Archdiocese of Milwaukee holds a funeral Mass for former archbishop of Milwaukee Rembert Weakland, who died on August 22 at age 95.
We at Awake know this may be a difficult day for many sexual abuse survivors and their loved ones, and the celebration of Weakland’s life may bring up strong, painful feelings. In a press release Awake issued today, we explained, “Sexual abuse, especially abuse by a religious leader, is a deep and long-lasting trauma, and we urge all people to be mindful of this reality when they speak about Weakland’s legacy.”
Awake Summer Prayer Service Celebrates the Beauty of Creation
Members of the Awake community gathered last week in a leafy clearing in Milwaukee’s Estabrook Park for a summer prayer service that included scripture, hymns, and poetry.
Awake Shares Final Report from June Synod Sessions
Earlier this month, Awake Milwaukee hosted two synod sessions as part of the global listening initiative of the Catholic Church. We created our sessions to center the voices of women and men who have experienced sexual abuse by Catholic leaders. Called by Pope Francis, the Synod on Synodality is designed to “inspire people to dream about the Church we are called to be, to make hope flourish, stimulate trust, bind up wounds, build bridges, enlighten minds, warm hearts and restore strength to our hands.”
Awake Leaders Gather to Plan, Pray, and Celebrate
On May 21, Awake Milwaukee’s leadership team, board of directors, and committed volunteers gathered for an in-person leadership gathering, providing the chance to reflect on the challenges and gifts of the work of awakening our community to the full reality of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Awake Synod Sessions Will Ensure that Victim-Survivors and Advocates Are Heard
When Kathy Ann Coll learned about the 2021-2023 Synod on Synodality called by Pope Francis, she was eager to take part.
Awake Welcomes Five New Members to Its Board of Directors
Awake Milwaukee is pleased to share terrific news: we recently doubled the size of our Board of Directors, welcoming five new directors this spring.
Awake Observes Lent by Walking the Way of the Cross with Survivors
Last week Awake Milwaukee held a moving Way of the Cross that recalled Jesus’s final hours, marking the stations with heartfelt reflections written by victim-survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones.
Awake is Launching a New Blog Series on Survivor Stories. Here’s Why.
When Awake Milwaukee was established in 2019, we quickly realized how much we had to learn about the experiences of victim-survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church.
Awake Offers Guided Meditation on Light and Love
Last week, Awake Milwaukee hosted a winter-themed guided meditation led by our chaplain, Cathy Melesky Dante.
Taking Stock of Wisconsin’s Investigation into Sexual Abuse by Faith Leaders
Last week Sara Larson, executive director of Awake Milwaukee, was interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) about the Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation into sexual abuse and cover-up by clergy and other faith leaders…
Awake’s Most Popular Blog Posts of 2021
As Awake Milwaukee reflects at the close of the year, it’s rewarding to see which blog posts were read the most over the last 12 months.
Victim-Survivors Find Support, Joy in Awake’s New Survivor Circles
In September, Awake Milwaukee launched an important new ministry, Awake Survivor Circles. These online gatherings provide peer support for people wounded by sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Awake Prayer Service Lifts Up Questions About Abuse in the Church
The crisis of sexual abuse and leadership failures in the Catholic Church has led many faithful people to experience a mix of painful feelings such as anger, sorrow, horror, frustration, and embarrassment.
Two Small Words, One Growing Impact: Why Awake is Updating Our Mission Statement
It has now been almost two years since we officially launched Awake Milwaukee in August 2019 with a simple website and our Open Letter to Survivors (which you can still sign here!).
Awake Announces New Executive Director
This month, Awake Milwaukee’s board of directors appointed Sara Larson executive director of the organization. “In my mind this simply confirms the reality we already know,” says Jim Cauley, member of Awake’s board of directors and leadership team…