A Day of Healing for Parents and Adult Caregivers of the Abused
Walking the Way of the Cross with the Holy Family: Accepting Hardships as the Pathway to Peace
It is vital that victims of abuse have support in their efforts to heal and become survivors. Usually this support comes from those closest to them…their family and caregivers. Unfortunately, the abuse also has an effect on these very support people and often these effects go unacknowledged and unaddressed. In the short-term this doesn’t impact the victim’s needs as family and caregivers are naturally prone to strength and perseverance when faced with the crisis of a loved one. However, in the long-term, if these effects are not addressed, these supportive people will find themselves in crisis as well.
This Day of Healing for Parents and Adult Caregivers of those who have been abused addresses the effects of the abuse on those closest to the victim. During this day-long program, we will accomplish the following:
Mindwork
understand how the abuse of your loved one has affected you and explore the idea of atonement and how to break free of our false prisons
Heartwork
share our hearts and experience the mercy of God directly and through each other through team project work, time with counselors and through sacrament and prayer.
Soulwork
engage in sacramental ritual and spiritual ritual to see our way to another level of understanding – a new level of healing – along our journey to peace.
“I look forward to being with the caregivers to those who have been abused, learning from them, and walking with them as they work together to continue on their journey of healing.”
– Sue Stubbs
Retreat Leader
Your Day of Healing creator and leader is Sue Stubbs MS, NCC. Sue has a Masters in Community Counseling from Georgia State University (1993); she is a Nationally Certified Counselor with over 14 years treating survivors of abuse – sexual, physical, emotional, and spiritual. She is currently Director of the Victim Assistance Program in the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Retreat Team
Your retreat team consists of professional counselors in private practice in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and a priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The team is experienced working with survivors of abuse and their families as well as grounded in the Truth of the Catholic faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to talk about the details of the abuse my loved one suffered? Only if you choose to. The Day of Healing is not based on a group discussion dynamic. There will be times during the day where you have the opportunity to talk to others and share your experiences if you choose to do so…this is not required. You will also have an opportunity to meet one-one-one with the counselors on the weekend as well, but you are not expected to share about the abuse unless you want to do so.
If my loved one was not a victim of clergy sexual abuse, is this day of healing still for me? Yes! This Day of Healing is for anyone whose loved one has been abused in any way by anyone. We welcome participants whose loved ones were abused by family members, spouses, boy/girlfriends, clergy, religious, doctors, coaches, family friends…the list is endless. You will not be taking a spot from someone else who needs it…YOU need it…we are here for you.
What is the cost/fee for the weekend? Is there financial assistance available? The retreat fee is $75 per person and includes all meals, the program and materials. We do have limited scholarships available upon request.
To request an application to attend, contact:
Sue Stubbs MS, NCC
Director, Victim Assistance Program
404-920-7554
sstubbs@archatl.com
Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Introduction | |
| 8:00 – 8:30 |
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| 8:30 – 8:45 |
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| 8:45 – 9:15 |
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| Mind Work | |
| 9:15 – 10:15 |
|
| 10:15 – 10:30 |
|
| 10:30 – 11:30 |
|
| 11:30 – 12:15 |
|
| 12:15 – 1:15 |
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| Heart Work | |
| 1:15 – 1:45 |
|
| 1:45 – 2:15 |
|
| 2:15 – 2:30 |
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| 1:15 – 4:00 |
|
| Soul Work | |
| 4:00 – 5:00 |
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| 5:00 – 5:30 |
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| 5:30 – 7:00 |
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| 7:00 – 8:00 |
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