Fifteen Minutes A Day - That’s all it takes to ask our Blessed Mother to open the eyes of the blind to the abuse around them; to open the mouths for those to speak up against injustice; to open the hands that refuse to help the needy; to accept everyone as brothers and sisters and treat them accordingly.

Just think, if we all took just 15 minutes from our busy day to pray to our Blessed Lady for help, what our combined prayers can do!

For starters: end Domestic Violence, Respect life from conception to natural death, and for an end to wars and violence throughout the world! 

There is a table with rosaries and instructions on how to pray it in the back of church near the Domestic Violence display. If you don’t have a rosary, please take one and pray it.
> See Opportunities to Pray the Rosary in our Parish

Experiencing Domestic Violence - Call 911 - National Domestic Violence 24-hour Helpline: (800) 799-7233 - Sarah's Inn: (708) 386-4225, www.sarahsinn.org - National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: (866) 331-9474.

Today We Are Focusing on the Abused

There are 3 Elements of Self – Compassion: Self-compassion repairs negative feelings about yourself and prepares you for healthy relationships.

• Be Mindful: Understand that you are not to blame. I am worthy of loving and being loved.
• Be Gentle: Focus on what you can learn to feel safe. Asking for help is brave.
• Be Honest: My story has power to heal myself and inspire others. Offer yourself the forgiveness that you would to a friend.

Self-compassion can cut through the pain of the present as it opens the pain of the past. You are not alone. You are capable of having a safe, beautiful life.

Are you struggling with the difficult reality of living in a violent environment while struggling with memories of past abuse? Do you feel entrapped in an unhealthy relationship?
 
Leaving your abusive relationship takes immense courage, but self-compassion is the foundation that makes it possible. Recognize your worth, forgive yourself for any self-doubt, and reach out for help. Take the first steps toward a life free from fear and abuse. You deserve to feel safe, valued, and loved—starting with how you treat yourself.

Learn about the mission and resources of Domestic Abuse Outreach program by Email [email protected] by calling (800) 799-7233; or Catholic Charities Counseling, (312) 655-7725. 

You are not alone; there is help out there for you! We are praying for you!

How Do We Confront Society’s Problem of Domestic Abuse?

To stop, or to at least dramatically reduce the incidence of Domestic Violence, it will take all of us, at every level of society, to reject domestic abuse whenever and wherever we see it. How do we do this?

• Call Domestic Violence what it really is - a crime. It’s not a personal matter, best left to be worked out between spouses or partners.
• Find your voice. We may be very hesitant to make a statement and take action against what we believe in our hearts are inappropriate words or actions. ‘We shouldn’t intervene’ cannot be our response. Our silence allows violence to continue.
• Invest in prevention education and victim services. Children and teens need to learn as young as possible how to treat each other, and themselves, with respect — and what to do when that breaks down.

Domestic Violence Outreach trains educators to deliver evidence based middle school curriculum on healthy relationships. It’s also imperative that when a woman is ready to leave an abuser that she has a place to go and comprehensive services to help her stay away (counseling, shelter, legal assistance). Support local DV resources. Know where there is help.

National Hotline: (800) 799 SAFE (7233); (800) 787-3224 (TDD) State of Illinois Helpline: (877) 863-6338 or (877) TO END DV - LOCAL: Between Friends 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 603-HELP (4357) Connections for Abused Women & their Children (CAWC) 24-Hour Hotline: (773) 278-4566 Catholic Charities Counseling (312) 655-7725 -www.domesticviolenceoutreach.org

Start the conversation to end the silence that shelters the epidemic of Domestic Violence. How can we shift our culture away from blaming the victim and instead hold the offender accountable? Don’t excuse the behavior. Challenge the myths: “Survivors can just leave”. “Only certain people are victims”. “Only physical harm counts”. “Domestic Violence is a private, family matter”.

Question how the media portrays unhealthy relationships. Does the story sensationalize trauma or promote awareness that patterns of Domestic Violence is a public health crisis? The causes of Domestic Violence take conscious action.

When children do not receive education about healthy relationships, violence becomes normalized.

Learn about the mission and resources of the Domestic Violence Outreach program by logging onto www.domesticviolenceoutreach.org.  Domestic violence occurs everyday, in every neighborhood around the world. Please talk about it. Victims are suffering because of our silence. It could be your sibling, your co-worker, your neighbor. Your voice may give a victim the courage to seek help.

Live in Peace... End Domestic Violence

If someone confides that they’ve been abused, turning to you for assistance:

• DO believe them. The description of violence is most likely understated. DO remove fault. Abuse is the responsibility of the abuser.
• DO affirm their worth and dignity. No one deserves to be hurt. No one should live in fear. DO encourage a safety plan. Do not minimize danger.
• DO give referral information and suggest resources available. Provide options. Empower. DO respect their choices and decisions. The individual must decide what is best for her/him.
• DO offer to maintain contact. Victims of abuse are often isolated.
• DO NOT suggest couples counseling. (Not appropriate for DV; Can further endanger the abused.)
• DO NOT do nothing. You have been trusted. What you can say: I believe you. Everyone deserves to be safe. I will encourage you and support you, but you are the one who knows best when and how to act. If you just need someone to listen to you, I will do that.

Everything you tell me will be treated confidentially. If you need practical help, I will help you find it. If you need time to think about choices or what you need, I will give you all the time you need. I will not become impatient, no matter how much time you need. I will not lose hope for you. You deserve a life without fear. Our God is a God of life and hope. God doesn’t hate you or want you to live this way.

Prayer to End Unhealthy Relationships

We pray for victims’ healing and safety and perpetrators’ restoration, turning to the One who has the power to make all things new.

Loving God, be with women and men who are in doubt about the health of their relationships. Give those who suffer abuse a clear mind and peaceful hearts so that they can make good decisions to care for their safety, guided by Your grace.

Teaching God, open our ears, our eyes, and our hearts to be more aware, compassionate and supportive to people in abusive situations, so that they don’t feel alone and know that someone cares. Give us wisdom to plant seeds that encourage people to think and take urgent action to end unhealthy relationships.

Compassionate God, protect the innocent children who witness violence and abuse at the hands of the ones they love. Help them to know that domestic violence is not their fault.

Merciful God, touch the hearts of those who abuse others. Heal their thinking, so that they can acknowledge that they are harming the other, learn to change their own behavior in true repentance and begin a path to peaceful relationships.

God of Peace, we pray. Amen.