Ministry & Programs
Trauma-Informed Ministerial Training & Consultation
Diocesan & Religious Programs
Peer Support for Survivors & Loved Ones
Support & Formation for Clergy & Religious
Parish Ministry Development
Facilitated Dialogue
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Some Examples Below
Pushing Back Against Darkness
The Catholic University of America graciously hosted a Spirit Fire facilitating dialogue among Catholic bishops and survivors of clergy abuse. More about program and exhibit check is here.
Retreats for Survivors
Spirit Fire provides and promotes other valuable options for spiritually healing retreats for survivors and families. For at-home, private retreat reflection, three transcripts are here.
Sacred Spaces & Gardens
Spirit Fire & Friends promote creating healing spaces with beautiful art and plants individually, in family homes, and as public gardens.
Pastoral Care Formation
One of Spirit Fire's primary activities is to inspire formation of clergy, religious, lay ministers, and therapists with trauma-informed programs as well as individual discussions and support.
Prayer Services
Spirit Fire relies on prayer and encourages prayer of any kind among all people who are affected by the wound of abuse. For some of our prayers and programs, check here.
Parish Healing & Involvement
Spirit Fire serves parishes processing the impact of scandal, developing programs to heal and to promote awareness and healing broadly.
Clergy as Survivors
Extensive, confidential resource hub of support (individually and in groups) for survivors of abuse who are diocesan or religious clergy.
Child Protection
Resources and information promoting the protection of minors and all vulnerable adults through awareness and training. More here.
Church Leadership
Spiritual friendship and availability for pastoral care for survivors and family members, and for parishes and clergy.
Free Articles & Resources
Wide-ranging resources and simple chats to provide the right resources for anyone seeking to offer trauma-informed pastoral care. More here.
Pontifical Summit 2021
In June 2021, Teresa was the opening speaker for the first Pontifical Summit on Pastoral Care for Survivors of Clergy Abuse. "Learning to Listen" (Transcript) was published as part of conference proceedings later that year.
Clergy Retreats
Teresa has led or participated in many programs aimed at supporting clergy who are both seeking to provide pastoral care to survivors and families -- and reeling from abuse in the Church, too.
Pontifical Commission Listening
During 2020 and 2021, Teresa facilitated virtual listening sessions for survivors of abuse and family members to speak to Working Group II of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Addiction Recovery
Teresa works with those recovering in 12 Step programs if they wish to integrate Christian faith and the treasury of Catholic tradition into healing from abuse underlying addition.
Pontifical Commission Library
All Spirit Fire works have been incorporated into the Tutela Minorum, a library available for anyone seeking information about offering pastoral care to survivors of abuse or trauma anywhere in the Universal Church.
Legacy Videos
Starting in 2019, Spirit Fire began to create videos of Catholics who have been on the forefront of implementing child-protection reforms in the Catholic Church in the United States and around the world.
The Healing Voices
From 2014 to 2020, The Healing Voices Magazine was an e-zine published and edited by survivors of clergy abuse who wished to create a safe forum for the voices of all people affected by the scandal of abuse in the Catholic Church to share reflections and information -- promoting understanding, and fostering a sense of peace and secure pathways for reconciliation over time.The Healing Voices eventually was read by hundreds of regular subscribers found across the United States, Europe, Rome, and all English-speaking areas of the Catholic Church.
Newspapers for Bishops
The Healing Voices published an newspaper for the 2017 and 2018 USCCB General Assembly of bishops in Baltimore, showcasing survivor ideas for pastoral care and healing. PDF coming soon. Copies available on request.
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